Rebecca Watson Carroll

ARLINGTON -- Rebecca Watson Carroll, a woman of strength, compassion and conviction, passed away surrounded by the family she loved so much, on the afternoon of October 17, from complications related to the cancer she courageously fought for two years. Funeral: 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church, 301 South Center Street, Arlington with Dr. Dennis Wiles officiating. Interment: Private. Visitation: The family will receive friends on Monday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Wade Family Funeral Home, 4140 W. Pioneer Parkway, Arlington. Memorials: Memorial gifts may be made to the Rebecca Carroll Memorial Fund., https://www.cftexas.org/netcommunity/rebeccacarroll. Becky was born October 14, 1946 in Dallas, Texas, to Marion and John Watson, the oldest of their four children. Growing up in Dallas, Becky attended Bryan Adams High School, where, she was a member of the “B.A. Belles” drill team, found her love of the French language, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She moved to Nacogdoches in the fall of 1965 to attend Stephen F. Austin State University, where Becky was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and where she completed her academic work with honors. It was also there during her freshman year that she met her soul mate and love of her life, Chris, and they were married in July 1969 following Becky's graduation with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in English and French. In the fall of that same year, Becky started teaching high school English in Lewisville where she remained for two years. She later joined the Woodbine Development Company in Dallas where she spent six years as Director of Marketing and Community/Political Liaison reporting to company President and CEO John Scovell. In 1980, Chris and Becky Carroll founded Spring Creek Barbeque. Soon after, the historic Mexican Inn Café restaurants joined the company, and in more recent times, new concepts Shady Oak Barbeque & Grill and Casa Rita's Mexican Grill were added. Becky considered the hundreds of employees, both past and present, her “Spring Creek” family. She was genuinely concerned about the well being of everyone in the company. She helped develop and promote excellence in academics amongst the hundreds of student-employees with Spring Creek's Academic Grade Bonus program, “All-Star” awards and College Tuition assistance programs. Even beyond that, she had a special place in her heart for the children. Becky delighted in seeing the children of Spring Creek employees and it became a tradition to bring one's children by the company offices for Becky to see and visit with. Her gentle heart also extended out into the many communities surrounding the restaurants in the form of support of countless charities, organizations, churches and schools. As company Marketing Director, Becky exhibited unbelievable attention to detail and a gift for organization. Always humble, Becky was often the person behind the scenes that orchestrated and tirelessly completed company projects while purposely avoiding the attention and accolades that came with it. She quietly, but steadfastly influenced the direction of the entire company while never once sacrificing her standards or beliefs in the process. Becky's contributions and efforts helped develop Spring Creek Companies from one store in Richardson, Texas, to a multi-regional organization that today consists of 45 restaurants with over 2000 employees. Yet she never let the success of the company change her. She was always first to give credit to others. Becky represents the best of all of us and has set a standard of honesty, selflessness, courage and compassion that her “Spring Creek Family” will never forget. But as much as she loved her “Spring Creek Family”, Becky saved her greatest love for her two children, James and Katie and for her husband Chris. As a mother and wife she left a wonderful and enduring legacy and a bond that will never be broken. She was a true gift from God to each of them. The Carroll family would especially like to thank the outstanding group at Baylor T. Boone Pickens Cancer Hospital in Dallas, who provided the best care possible to Becky during her transplant and during the difficult months that followed. A special ”thank-you” to the outstanding Nurses and Techs on the 7th floor Oncology Unit, where Becky spent the majority of the last 6 months, and who made Becky's time with them as comfortable as possible. Their caring and compassion will always be remembered. Dear Becky is Survived by: Husband, Christopher Carroll, of Arlington; Son, James Carroll, of Dallas; Daughter, Katie Carroll, of Dallas; Sister, Ginni Robinson and her husband J., of Dallas; Sister, Nancy Mook and her husband Jim, of Maryland; Brother, Scott Watson, of Dallas; Mother in Law, Ivan Phillips, of Arlington; Niece, Kimby Caplan, of Pasadena, California; Niece, Lauren Robinson, of Brooklyn, New York; Nephew, Jess Robinson, of Dallas, and Sister in Law, Kaaren Rougeux and her husband Richard, of New Mexico. Wade Family Funeral Home Arlington, 817-274-9233