Ruth Lois McCorry Carter

Born in Rockdale, Texas February 18, 1932, grew up in Hearne, Texas.

Married Marion Dee Carter, January 17, 1950 in Robertson County. They made their home in Killeen where she resided until her death February 8, 2017

Preceded in death by her husband and parents: John Wilbur McCorry and Aline Catchings McCorry.

Survived by: Daughter, Pamela Dee Carter Kirschner and husband, David R. “Randy” Kirschner; son, Steven R. Carter and wife, Teresa Vale Carter; Grandson, David Kirschner, Jr with wife Robin Chung Kirschner and children David III, Daniel Carter and Derek Austin; Granddaughter, Crystal Carter Pugh with husband Les and children Bethany, Olivia and Avery; grandson, Michael Dee Kirschner; grandson, Steven Ross Carter, Jr with wife Michelle Howe Carter and children Audrey and Landon.

Ruth was active in churches and the community.

She raised her children at First Baptist Church, Killeen. She sang in the church choir, played the piano in several Sunday School departments and volunteered at Vacation Bible School. Some of her best stories came from VBS in the young people’s department where “those Barr boys” were often the topic. As a caregiver, she often attended the church with the family of her charge making lifelong friends and spreading her love for others beyond her family and her church.

She volunteered throughout the community in a variety of ways, most notably taking senior citizens on shopping trips and annually taking them to see the Christmas lights at BOLORA. She was reconginzed for those efforts and was named Volunteer of the Year in Killeen.

She loved music and passed that love on to her family. Her daughter sat by her side at the piano learning to sing harmony as a preschooler. Her son sings and plays multiple instruments. And we cannot forget the revolving door into our living rooms on Elkins and Lake Belton Avenue, Darlene Gallaway singing solos for Sunday School parties, Mitch Connell along with other talented neighborhood kids coming by to play the piano and sing songs, songs of all kinds yes, just listening to hand clapping, toe tapping, swaying music. Her son, Steven recently reminded us about how she loved to play “The Elephant Walk” for him. What fun we had around that piano!

Neighbors became extended family, something that should be emulated. We never worried about her when family could not be around, especially in her later years. She was surrounded by loving and caring neighbors watching out for her and her home. And of course, she loved cooking and baking for them as she did her family. The neighbors around the house on Elkins have stayed lifelong friends. Some of the Elkins neighbors, the Wiley’s and Griffin’s were even part of her new Lake Belton neighborhood. We can almost hear her calling her cat Jeannie now and waiting for Jeannie Turner to holler “What! I’ll be down for coffee in a minute!”. In the few homes that had multiple owner she was one of the first to welcome them into the fold even when they were military and she knew how heartbreaking it would be when they moved away. She loved them and they loved her.

Growing up, Ruth amazed her neighbors on Elkins with her elaborate flowerbeds. If you called her and she didn’t answer the phone she probably was outdoors. She was picky about all her yards and you better clean up after mowing and edging to suit her or suffer her wrath. Just ask her latest yard man, Tim Caddell. Not only did she enjoy her yard, she enjoyed fishing at Lemons Camp when the white bass were running. She enjoyed target practice at the rifle range, frog gigging when it wasn’t too cold, and yes, her dad and husband finally got her out deer hunting. Just ask Steven the story, it’s great one.

Grandminnie to her daughter’s children or Granny as most of you call her, loved her pets. Dogs, cats, birds, and an occasional beta. She took that love to the next level and raised Siamese cats. Some of you might be surprised that she raised cats, especially if you have ever heard the story about the tom cat that consistently chased Claudine Arnold home.

We have heard multiple stories via text message, Facebook, and phone calls about how Grandminne, Granny, Aunt Ruth, Ruthie-poo, you get the drift, made a difference in lives across this community and for that matter the state. She is crediting by many for helping raise them to become the man or woman they are today. Her family looks forward to hearing your PG-13 stories during the memorial, so come prepared, as we celebrate the life, in the words of Jacqueline Hoover of “a stellar example of loving and serving others” and in the words of Deborah Cloud Beene, “a room full of laugher, a lesson is laughing at your circumstances and a reminder that family is always there for you”.