Roy Oliver Cantrell, Jr. was born September 7, 1936, in Cedartown, Georgia to Oliver and Agnes Cantrell. At age 14, upon the passing of his father, he moved to Hazel Green Alabama to live with his aunt, Ollie Cantrell Brown. He attended and graduated from Hazel Green High School where he met the love of his life and wife of 67 years, Carolyn Marie Malone. Together they raised four children.
While supporting his family, he attended Athens State University, graduating with a degree in accounting. Roy went to work for NASA in Payroll and Accounting where he later retired.
His hobbies included boating, fishing, and attending Alabama football games. Roy and Carolyn loved to travel and took many trips around the United States and abroad. He also enjoyed time on the boat at their lake house on the Tennessee River. Roy was also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.
For the past several years he was a caregiver for his wife, Carolyn, and son Bruce while battling cancer himself. During this time, he repeatedly said that his goal was to outlive the two of them. As a truly devoted husband and father, he managed to reach this goal.
Roy was a member of Bevills Chapel Baptist Church in Hazel Green.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Malone Cantrell, and son, Dennis Bruce Cantrell. He is survived by three daughters: Janet Haenisch (Steve), Huntsville AL; Melody Coston (Doug), Gulf Breeze, FL; and Tina Cantrell, Birmingham AL, two grandchildren: Racheal Brannon (Jeff), Madison AL; and Adam Barnes, Crestview FL, four great-grandchildren: Noah Crutsinger, Jonah Crutsinger, Jackson Barnes, and Oliver Barnes.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at Hazel Green Funeral Home with Pastor Benny Berry officiating. The burial will follow the service and will be in Bevills Cemetery.
Visitation with the family will begin at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Bevills Chapel Baptist Church or the
Hazel Green Volunteer Fire Department.
Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.
