Carroll was born on December 10, 1946, in Alexandria, LA, to Elizabeth Lee Carroll Riley and Gordon Donald Riley. The oldest of their children, she was raised and educated in Alexandria, graduating from Bolton High School in 1965. She went on to attend LSU in Baton Rouge, where she was a member of Tri Delta sorority. In 1969, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Development and Home Economics.
Following graduation, Carroll married Brian Paul Joffrion, and the two made their home in New Orleans, Louisiana. She began her teaching career in Belle Chasse before the couple moved to Shreveport. Once their two children were established in school, Carroll returned to her passion for teaching, educating children in the White House (Bunny Room) at St. Mark’s Cathedral School for more than two decades.
Throughout her teaching career, Carroll celebrated each child’s individuality and believed deeply in helping children develop a lifelong love of learning. She also valued the importance of faith and community, and being a proud cradle Episcopalian and a congregant of St. Mark’s Cathedral, she strived to instill these values in the children she taught.
Carroll was deeply involved in her community and generously shared her time and talents with numerous organizations. She was a fifty-year member of the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, along with many other community organizations.
Carroll had a particular passion for the culinary arts and had the privilege of cooking alongside celebrated culinary figures, including Julia Child and Jacques Pépin. She also served as food chairman of the Red River Revel for several years, sharing her love of food and bringing people together through her culinary talents.
Her creativity extended well beyond the kitchen. She was accomplished in a variety of artistic pursuits, including floral arranging, paper crafting, sewing and calligraphy. Through her many interests and talents, Carroll brought beauty, creativity and a personal touch to the people and community around her.
Carroll was preceded in death by her parents Elizabeth Lee Carroll Riley and Gordon Donald Riley and her brothers Gordon Donald Riley and Frank Carroll Riley. Also, by her maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carroll and Mr. and Mrs. Ted F. Riley.
She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Brian Paul Joffrion, her mother-in-law Dorothy Cancienne Joffrion, her son Phillip St. Martin Joffrion and her daughter Elizabeth-Lee Carroll Joffrion. She had four granddaughters Lillian DeMelo (Yuri), Mary-Randolph Tarkington, Lettie Tarkington, Everly Gertonson and numerous nieces and nephews.
Honorary pall bearers will be her nephews, Chaffe Riley, Rufus Blair, Timothy Shivers, Mark Shivers and Blake Joffrion.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials may be made to St. Mark’s Cathedral School, 908 Rutherford Street, Shreveport, LA 71104 or the charity of one’s choice. A memorial service will be held on November 9 at 11:00 am at St. Mark’s Cathedral.