Melissa Kay Carter

Melissa was born on October 6, 1971, in Borger, Texas. She graduated from Sanford-Fritch High School in 1989, and went on to get her Associates of Arts in Psychology and Accounting from Frank Phillips College in 1995, and then received a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from West Texas A&M University in 1997. Before graduating from West Texas A&M University, she took a position as the Client Services Coordinator/Counselor at the Hutchinson County Crisis Center in Borger, TX. In 2000, she took a position as Contract Manager/Operations Coordinator for the Panhandle, Area Agency on Aging (AAA) at the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission in Amarillo. She served as the Director of the AAA beginning in 2006 until 2020, advocating and coordinating programs that helped the Panhandle Region senior citizens’.

Her dedication to helping seniors didn’t stop with the work she did at the AAA. She also held various volunteer positions on boards and committees like the Senior Ambassador Coalition,

the Texas Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the BluePrint for 21st Century Senior Centers, to name a few. She was also awarded the Jim Holston Community Service Award in 2019 for her passion, dedication, and leadership in helping seniors.

Melissa was a caring, humble and selfless soul, who loved helping others. Even at a young age, she helped take care of her baby brother and even volunteered as a candy striper. She always made time for everyone providing love, and encouragement. Melissa found the Lord at a young age and was baptized on April 3, 1983.

Melissa found the love of her life Cecil on February 19, 1999, and they wedded on September 8, 2001, at Saint Stephen United Methodist Church in Amarillo, Texas. Melissa dearly loved Cecil and enjoyed their quiet times together, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It didn’t matter the activity; it was the time together that mattered. While she didn’t have any children, she did have beloved fur babies Maggie, Peanut, and Coco. She could be found relaxing at home many a day while reading a book drinking warm tea with them snuggled up by her side.

Melissa enjoyed traveling to secluded getaways in off-seasons to avoid crowds, as she liked relaxing and enjoying life at a slower pace. She enjoyed fishing with Cecil, but it was understood that the early morning bite was not for her, and if fishing got slow, she would read a book and enjoy the peace and quiet found in just floating on the water. She enjoyed her shopping days with her best friend Laura but would typically come home empty-handed because she was so frugal. But on their shopping days during the holiday season, she would come home with loads of gifts because she loved to spoil her nieces and nephews.

Of all things, she enjoyed most was getting together with family to visit. If any family came to town, she never missed sharing time with them. Many trips were made to visit out-of-town family members. She loved going to her parent’s house and enjoying her dad’s excellent grilled hamburgers. She loved family dearly and took every opportunity to spend time and nurture their relationships.

Melissa was preceded in death by Grandparents O.E. and Edith Tilson, Uncle Bill and Aunt Marie Webb, Uncle Charles Tilson, Uncle Glen (Franklyn) Porter, and Father-in-law Mickey Carter.

She is survived by her husband Cecil, parents Larry and Sharon Porter, brothers Danny Young, Roger Underwood and his wife Jennifer, Aunt Cindy Tilson, Aunt Barbara Cordray and her husband Johnny, Mother-in-law Janet Carter, brother-in-law Robert Carter, his wife Erin, and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, Melissa asked for support for the Panhandle Region senior citizens’ through the Panhandle Area Agency on Aging. Assistance may be sent to the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, Re: Melissa Carter, P.O. Box 9257, Amarillo TX 79105.