September 17, 1941 – August 21, 2023

Theresa Mae Carroll was born on September 17, 1941 in Richland, Texas to Howard and Eva Carroll, the last of their ten children. She was baptized at an early age and matriculated through the Navarro County school system until moving to Houston in the early 60s to attend Texas Southern University and become a basketball coach.

Due to familial obligations, Theresa was not able to graduate from TSU, but settled down in Houston where she began a long career in retail at Sakowitz, the family-owned department store. She eventually met James McDaniel through mutual friends and though this union was not permanent, they did produce one beautiful child, Daphanie Carroll, whom they both adored. Theresa became a member of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in the early 70s where she remained a faithful servant until her untimely passing. During this time, she met and married Ira Edison Sr. who brought 4 beautiful children to their union: Lora Edison, Ira Edison Jr., Wayne Edison (Allison), and Kimberly Edison. The two remained together until he preceded her in death in 2008.

Known as Granny or Theresa Mae to all who loved her, she enjoyed watching the Houston Rockets (especially with her husband, Ira), playing Phase 10, and indulging in Sunday dinners which turned into game nights with her family. As a devoted sister, auntie, and cousin, she looked forward to attending family events every single year, including the Carroll Family Homecoming Celebration at Carroll AME Chapel, White Family Reunion in Richland, hosting Thanksgiving dinner when it was her turn, and the Carroll Family Christmas Dinners. In recent years, she also enjoyed an annual pilgrimage to the Hyatt Wild Oak Ranch Resort in San Antonio for her birthday, as it was one of her favorite places.

Theresa is predeceased by her parents, 9 siblings: Howard Jr., Lawrence, Leonard, Harvey, James, John Arthur, Pernell, Thelma and Ruby; as well as one great-grandchild Davion Edison. However, she is survived by her brother-in-love Billy Jr., her sisters-in-love Thelma and Ida Mae, daughter, step-children, her grandchildren: Chelsea, Joseph, Markus, Anthony, Charlesia, Jeremy, Victon, Albert, LaToya, Ransom, Ashley, Traveon, Kyla, and Justice; as well as her great-grandchildren Antwan, Kennedi, Alaina, and Elijah Herron-Williams with whom she shared a special bond. She was beloved by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, distant family and friends.