Donald Ray Carter

Donald Ray Carter, 68, of Monroe, passed away peacefully, Sunday morning, February 22, 2015 at Fairmont Crossing in Amherst. He was born January 6, 1947 in Monroe County, WV on the Greenbriar River in Alderson.

He was married to a beautiful woman, Elizabeth Christian Carter for almost thirty-nine years, until her passing in 2005. He worked for Lynchburg and Archer Creek Foundries for almost thirty years. Donnie loved life. He often spoke of the beauty God created around us. He loved his family and his friends. He was passionate about fishing, the mountains, gardening, and football.

Donnie said God gave him the two beautiful daughters he had asked for and they both turned out to be good eggs. They are Wanda L. Carter and her fiancé George Beverly and Tammy Carter Mikkelson and her husband Steve Mikkelson, all of Monroe. He also leaves behind his girlfriend and caregiver, Mary Fitzgerald; his grandchildren, Bryan and Lauren Carter and Hunter and Talon Mikkelson and his great-grandbabies, Fisher Keith and Marley Elizabeth Carter.

Donnie was the oldest of seven children, surviving him are Walter Carter of Lynchburg, Mike and Debbie Carter of Charleston, SC, Jeff Carter of Lynchburg, Joy “Kathy” Sligh of Newnan, GA, and Ricky Carter of Lynchburg. He is also survived by a step-son, Richard Cheatwood of Lynchburg.

Awaiting Donnie in Heaven are his parents, Raymond Cecil Carter and Wanda Lee Pence Carter and his brother, David Carter. Also waiting are his lifelong friends, who were closer than Dick’s “Hatband”, they called themselves “The Sugar Bears”, Tommy Wood of Monroe Street, Chip Holt of Floyd Street and the last bear was Donnie Carter who grew up on Knight Street in Lynchburg. They were friends for life! He left behind some mighty good friends that he loved, David Massie, Joey and Kemper Lillard, Ralph Hicks, Teddy Williams, Joe Allen (Allen Brooks), and Roy and Judy Williams of Texas.

The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Bendall for the many years of care and giving them more time and the staff at Fairmont Crossing for taking care of Donnie. He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at Whitten Monelison Chapel in Madison Heights. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the charity of your choice.