Roma was born on March 16, 1934 in Grinnell, Iowa to Virgil and Blanche Smith Matteson. She was raised in Grinnell and attended Grinnell schools. In August of 1952, she was married to Marvin Dayton in Grinnell and to this union was born three children, Clark, Kim and Lori. She worked as a nurse's aide and a cook at the former St. Francis Hospital and later for the former Lone Elm Nursing Home in Grinnell. She also worked as a housekeeper at the Four Winds Motel and St. Francis Manor. On November 22, 1969, she was married to Claude J. Carroll in Newton. The couple made their home on Pearl Street in Grinnell. She enjoyed maintaining her home, caring for her dogs and animals, and she enjoyed cooking and baking pies. Survivors include her one son, Clark Dayton of Pasadena, Maryland; two daughters, Kim Dayton of Marshalltown and Lori Beason of Oskaloosa; three grandchildren; three great grandchildren; and one sister, Linda Bennington of Grinnell. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Claude; two brothers, Terry and Burt Matteson; and one sister, Carol Henning. Memorials may be directed to PALS and sent in care of the Smith Funeral Home, PO Box 368, Grinnell, Iowa 50112.