Melba Tabitha "Granny" Carter
June 22, 1921 ~ September 10, 2013
Services:
A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 at 10:00AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD with Father Greg Syler officitaing. Interment will follow in the Hollywood Church of the Nazarene Cemetery.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 15, 2013 from 2:00PM to 5:00PM with prayers recited at 3:00PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.
Melba Tabitha Carter, 92, of Valley Lee, MD passed away at her residence . Born on June 22, 1921 in Coeburn, VA., she was the daughter of the late Samuel Patton and Nancy Myrtle Sluss Sexton. Melba was the loving wife of the late William Henry Carter, who passed away in 1974. Melba is survived by her children; Doylus Carter of Richwood, WV., Ray Carter (Betty), Roy Carter Nelson Carter, Ronnie Carter, Donnie Carter (Donna), Lucy Hammett (David), Harvey Carter (Lynette) all of Valley Lee, MD., Bobby Carter (Margie) of Hollywood, MD., Gene Stiffler of California, MD., and David Carter (Kathy) of Callaway, MD and son in law Gary Williams. Mrs. Carter was preceded in death by her children; Janice Freeman, Nancy Norris, Inez Williams, daughter inlaw's; Susie Carter, Rosie Carter and Mickey Carter and son in law Bass Freeman also survived by 38 grandchildren, 71 great-grandchildren, and 13 Great-greatgrandchildren. Melba was also preceded in death by her siblings; Doyle Sexton , Dolph Sexton, Oma Sexton, Roxie Gibson, Annie Sexton, Edith Finch, Lula Finch all of Coeburn, VA, Gene Knott of Lexington Park, MD and Goldie Knott of St. Inigoes, MD. Mrs. Carter moved to St. Mary’s County in 1941, she was a homemaker. Melba’s life was that of a carpenter and bee keepers wife, and a wonderful mother. She enjoyed quilting, gardening, canning, and swinging on her front porch. Her children and many grand and great-grandchildren were her pride and joys. She never got her driver’s license, she always washed her clothes with a ringer washing machine and the clothes were hung on the clothes line to dry. One of the fondest memories of her kids and grandkids were the wonderful homemade chicken and dumplings, cooked on an old wood cook stove, and her made from scratch biscuits, she loved going to church and as her health began to fail she spent her Sunday mornings watching Joel Osteen, she was referred to as “Granny” to everyone. The family will receive friends on Sunday, September 15, 2013 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM with prayers recited at 3:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A. A Funeral Service will be held on Monday, September 16, 2013 at 10:00AM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD with Father Greg Syler officiating. Interment will follow in the Hollywood Church of the Nazarene Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Hospice House of St. Mary’s P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650. and/or St. Georges Episcopal Church P.O. Box 30 Valley Lee, MD 20692. Second District Fire Department, P.O. Box 1, Valley Lee, MD 20692
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“David, Kathy & Family, Keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers. May many happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. In Friendship,”
“Dear Carter Family, Thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sadness.”
“God Bless her gentle heart, she will be missed by all of us.Deepest Sympathy to the Carter family.”
“Thoughts and prayers to the family.”
“Lucy,I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your mom, I hope you are okay, she may be gone but she will never be forgotten by you. May she rest in peace.”
“David, Kathy (Mom), and the rest of the Carter family. Our love and prayers go out to you all in this time of loss. May God bless and comfort this family”
“Granny you will be missed very much I love you! You are gonna run through my mind everyday Rest In Peace ??”
“Gene, Tina, Adam, Matthew, Lacey and Dylan, Our deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.”
“Ray, David, Donnie, Ronnie and the Carter Family, my deepest condolences on your loss. May Mrs. Carter rest in peace with God. “
“The Carter Family, your mother is now Safe in the arms of Jesus You are in my thoughts and prayers.” “
“Lucy and the rest of the Carter family, our deepest condolences on your loss. Our prayers and thoughts are with at this time. “
“My thoughts and prayers are with the Carter family. “
“Ray, Betty and Carter family. Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your mother, grandmother, great grandmother. Treasure the memories. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Gene, David and family. I am so sorry for your loss. It is very hard losing a mother. It gets a little better with the passing of time but she will always be in your thoughts and you will want to call her and she’s not near a telephone. I will always be here if there’s anything I can do. “
“Carter Family, Keep all the wonderful memories of your Mom close to your heart. She is now in heaven dancing with your Dad. RIP Mrs. Carter!”
“To the Carter Family, my deepest condolences on your loss. May Melba rest in peace with God.”
“The Carter Family, your mother is now Safe in the arms of Jesus You are in my thoughts and prayers.”
“David, Kathy and the entire Carter Family, you are in our thoughts and prayers. Through your memories your mother will never leave you. You will feel her tender care from now on as a warm serenity in your heart. Hoping you always feel the encouragement of her love, and hold in memory all the happy times you spent together. “
“My thoughts and Prayers are with you at this most difficult time.”
“You will be missed dearly. I’m glad I got to see you in your last couple hours, rest in peace Granny.”
“The Carter Family, Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the loss of your mother. “
“David Carter and Family there is no sourer pill to sollow than the loss of a MOM. Know that peace is now hers for eternity the tears you have now will turn in to memories for your angle will be watching over each of you. The hardest part of any journey is the start she has made the trip and now crossed over from labor to reward and rest with the most HIGH GOD! May the blessing and peace that only comes from faith be with you and your family.”
“Lucy and all the family, I am so sorry to learn of your Mom’s passing. Hold close to your heart all the good memories you have to get you through this painful time. Lucy, if you need anything please feel free to call on me.”
“Lucy, Gene, Ray, Ronnie, Donnie, Roy, Harvey, Nelson, Bobby, David, Doylus, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other family members, she is surrounded by angels and all those who have gone before her. Her legacy of love will be carried on by all of you. May God comfort you until you are with her again.”
“The Carter Family: Our deepest sympathy.”
“Jen and family thoughts and prayers are with you all know in your hearts she is in a better place and no more suffering. She will be missed very much but you have your memories.”
“Mary Beth, Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.”
“Lucy, Ray and all of the Carter Family, We will be keeping you in our prayers. Your Mom will be in your thoughts and hearts always. She is at peace with your Dad.”
“My deepest sympathy and prayers for the Carter/Sexton families. Granny never knew a stranger and I was always amazed at how the family came together at her house for special occasions. God Bless you Granny. We will all miss you. “
“Our sincerest condolences to all the Carter Family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. “
“My thoughts and prayers are with you Carter Family. May the spirit of the Lord bring you comfort and may the joyful memories of Granny always be close.”
“My prayers go out from my family. God bless her and all the Carter family’s.”
“MELISSA & FAMILY, What a beautiful celebration of life honoring Melba Tabitha Carter “Granny” you all must be having… I can only imagine the rejoicing that is going on as she was reunited with all her loved ones as is now in celebration of life everlasting and in the presence with the Lord! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. “
“Granny you will be missed”
“GRANNY you will always be missed R.I.P GRANNY you will always be in our hearts.”
“So sorry for the loss of your Mom. To all the Carter Family and friends. She was a sweet woman, and she will be dearly missed. Rest in peace Melba. “
“From all your loved ones at Browns Cahpel Church.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. We know she will be sorely missed.”
“To the Carter Family: You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
“Doylus and family, please know our hearts go out to you during this time. Our sympathy and prayers are with you. Tom, Linda, Doc, and Mark. Craigsville, WV”
“Doylus, Jessica, Jackie, carterbug and the rest of the family…… You are all in my thoughts and prayers. Love you all!!”
“David and family, A mother teaches her children so much during her life, but she never teaches you how to fill the gigantic hole she leaves in your hearts when she passes away. May the rough days ahead be comforted by the many wonderful memories you share with one another. Our thoughts and prayers to ALL of you during this time.”
“Jenn, Makayla, and Mariah, I am so sorry for your loss. Remember the great times you had with Granny and how much she loved you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Love Debbie “
“Doylus and family, we are so sorry to hear of your loss of your mother. May God comfort and strengthen you. I pray good memories with ease your hurt and bring a smile , even laughter to your face and heart.”
“Lucy and Carter family, I am so sorry to hear about your Mom’s passing. May she rest in peace and may God bless all of you.”
“To all the family, You are in my prayers. Sorry I didn’t know about your Mom’s death until it was in the paper. I would have attended the service, had I known. Hugs to each of you. Mary Ann “
“Wow, what a life she had, lived to be 92 and to know you were loved by so many. Sounds like she lived a life from a time gone by, reminds me of My Mom. May she rest in Peace and in the love of God.”