Carroll, Anna Mae Mullikin
Anna Mae Mullikin Carroll (1914-2000) taught music lessons to students at Lee College and had a long-time connection with the institution. She attended the Bible Training School in 1931 while entrusted to the care of the Church of God Orphanage. A native of Maryland, her father died when she was a child. He had fallen one day on the way to the bakery near his home in Baltimore and never fully recovered from those injuries. Ultimately, he died from complications of influenza.
Anna Mae and her three siblings were left to the care of their paternal grandmother, Clara Mullikin, who was a traveling evangelist with the Church of God. Clara cared for them as much as possible, but was unable to support them and travel to her preaching appointments. On January 9, 1925, Mullikin left the children in the care of the Church of God Orphanage in Cleveland, Tennessee, which was located near the Bible Training School at that time. Anna Mae was 10 years old.
Anna Mae was educated in the county school system and received private music lessons before enrolling at BTS. In 1931 she wrote, “I attended the first part of Bible Training School this term, going until my health would not permit. I have been under the instruction of Brother Otis L. McCoy in vocal music since the Assembly.” Anna Mae became an accomplished musician and music teacher in her own right, serving as a pianist at South Cleveland Church and at times for the Church of God General Assembly. Years later, she later returned to teach music lessons at the school.
On the first day of the Church of God General Assembly in 1932, Anna Mae married local Clevelander Paul Carroll. They were married by General Overseer S.W. Latimer on the front porch of his house in front of hundreds of witnesses. Just prior to her marriage the final entry was made on her record at the orphanage. It read: “Dismissed. Name of party taking child—Paul Carroll. Reason for taking child—To be his wife.”
Anna Mae Carroll was appointed by the Church of God as a member of the Home for Children Board from 1966-1972. It is believed she was the first female to serve on an appointed board for the denomination. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Carroll, became the first female to serve on the Lee University Board of Directors.
The Anna Mae Carroll Rehearsal Rooms in the School of Music is named in her memory.
/ L.F. Morgan
Anna Mae and her three siblings were left to the care of their paternal grandmother, Clara Mullikin, who was a traveling evangelist with the Church of God. Clara cared for them as much as possible, but was unable to support them and travel to her preaching appointments. On January 9, 1925, Mullikin left the children in the care of the Church of God Orphanage in Cleveland, Tennessee, which was located near the Bible Training School at that time. Anna Mae was 10 years old.
Anna Mae was educated in the county school system and received private music lessons before enrolling at BTS. In 1931 she wrote, “I attended the first part of Bible Training School this term, going until my health would not permit. I have been under the instruction of Brother Otis L. McCoy in vocal music since the Assembly.” Anna Mae became an accomplished musician and music teacher in her own right, serving as a pianist at South Cleveland Church and at times for the Church of God General Assembly. Years later, she later returned to teach music lessons at the school.
On the first day of the Church of God General Assembly in 1932, Anna Mae married local Clevelander Paul Carroll. They were married by General Overseer S.W. Latimer on the front porch of his house in front of hundreds of witnesses. Just prior to her marriage the final entry was made on her record at the orphanage. It read: “Dismissed. Name of party taking child—Paul Carroll. Reason for taking child—To be his wife.”
Anna Mae Carroll was appointed by the Church of God as a member of the Home for Children Board from 1966-1972. It is believed she was the first female to serve on an appointed board for the denomination. Her daughter-in-law, Pat Carroll, became the first female to serve on the Lee University Board of Directors.
The Anna Mae Carroll Rehearsal Rooms in the School of Music is named in her memory.
/ L.F. Morgan
