With heavy hearts and great sadness, we announce the passing of Carol Armbrester on August 07, 2025, at the age of 80 years. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday August 13, 2025, at Usrey Brown Funeral Home- 516 North St. East in Talladega, Alabama. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM-11:00 AM, prior to her service. Private graveside rights will be given at Shiloh Church in Renfroe, where Carol will be laid to rest.

Carol was a remarkable woman with a wondrous spirit, and all who knew her will miss her curated stories, her loving nature, her full laughter, and her genuine smile. She was born on November 04, 1944, in Birmingham, Alabama. Carol was the daughter of Robert and Martha Gambrell and sister to Robert (Mack) Gambrell Jr. She is preceded in death by her parents, Robert M. Gambrell and Martha Ann Gambrell; by her first husband James H. Boyce (Dover, Delaware and Talladega, Alabama); and by her second husband D. Michael Armbrester (Renfroe, Alabama and Long Beach, Mississippi).

Carol earned her Bachelors Degree from Auburn University in 1966, and later her Masters of Education from University of Southern Mississippi. She began her career at Ferry Pass Elementary School in Pensacola, Florida and from there she went on to teach at the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind in Talladega, Alabama. She taught many children with special needs to read, learn, and against many odds to navigate everyday life. Her own children saw the remarkable gift she had to teach others and help them achieve their learning goals. Most people knew her as “Miss Carol”, a teacher through and through, and almost anywhere you went with her…someone would recognize her and share how she had helped them or their child learn to read. In 1986, Carol and her family moved to Long Beach , Mississippi where she taught in the public school system teaching Special Education and tutoring children after school. She taught all the subjects : math, science, history, and her favorite reading…it was her complete passion.

Carol grew up in Talladega and was a gracious host (playing “bridge” was her favorite), a talented gardener, wonderful cook and played the piano and organ. She was happiest surrounded by family and friends, especially at the holidays, and Christmas being her favorite holiday. She loved singing and listening to every kind of music. Always putting others first, one friend remembers her this way: “She poured her life into others so their lives would be better.” It is rare to find a person so generous with their time and with their heart, but Carol was built to help others. She had many wonderful friends everywhere she went and she happily lived on the Gulf Coast for over 30 years. If you were fortunate enough to know her or to have been taught by her, we ask you to share your stories. Her footprints on our minds will move forward into new life adventures and remind us to have fun through life and give back to others always.

Carol is survived by her children: daughter Cynthia Porche and husband, Kevin of Johns Creek, Georgia; son Robert (Bob) Armbrester of Fort Collins, Colorado; and daughter Alicia Armbrester of Poughkeepsie, New York; brother Robert (Mack) Gambrell Jr. and his wife, Sheila; five grandchildren: Ryan Porche and wife, Rachael; Brittney Miller and husband, Barclay; Logan Porche, Ainsley Armbrester-Baisch and Mera Armbrester-Baisch; and two great grandchildren, Rory and Ranger Porche.

Her family asks in lieu of flowers, please make a memorial donation in Carols name to the Alabama School for the Blind (AIDB), 2025 South Street East, Talladega, Alabama 35160 or at www.aidb.org.

Online condolences may be offered at www.usreyfuneralhome.com.

Usrey Funeral Home of Talladega is directing the services.