Funeral services for Jeanette Hook Carter will be held at Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 14, 2023, with visitation following the service and the graveside burial after visitation.
Jeanette passed away December 9th, 2023 at Lexington Medical Center surrounded by her family. She was born in the home of her paternal grandmother in West Columbia, SC, on November 28, 1930. Jeannette was the daughter of the late Ruby Hendrix Hook and John Manning Hook, Sr. Jeanette was predeceased by her husband of 69 years, Fred H. Carter, Jr. Surviving are sons, Chris (Jennifer) Carter; Joel (Dee) Carter; grandchildren M. Tyler (Mandy) Carter, J. Grayson Carter, C. Chase (Graeson) Carter; her sisters, Sue (Albert) Drafts, Kay (Gary) Black and June Kaigler (Bobby-deceased), and brother-in-law George Drafts. In addition, Jeanette is survived by a host of nieces & nephews, grandnieces & nephews and great grandnieces & nephews. Jeanette was predeceased by siblings, John Manning Hook Jr. and wife Ruth, Elizabeth Caughman and husband Raymond, Edwin Hook and wife Jo, and Frances Drafts.
Although she was born and raised on family property and lived her entire life within 300 yards of her birthplace, she and her husband, Fred, traveled the United States visiting 36 of our continental United States in addition to Canada and Mexico. She also toured with her sons, the European countries of Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Italy and France.
Jeanette loved her church and her family. She was called “Maw Maw” by her grandchildren and “Net” or “Aunt Net” by her siblings, and many nephews and nieces, apparently because “Jeanette,” was too difficult to pronounce. Fred and Jeanette loved their life and sharing it with friends and family. Before Hardees and other restaurants started providing fried chicken for tailgating, they would be up at 5:30 AM on Clemson home gamedays frying chicken and cooking other tailgate delicacies to the delight of their sons and their friends. They were also a team when it came to cooking for outings for Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, The Lions Club, The Has Been Club, and many other functions. In addition, Jeanette was always present to assist in sickness, offer advice when asked, and was a ready volunteer when help was needed. In addition to her tailgate feasts, she was known for her Southern home cooking, including her superb Sunday after church dinners.
Her Christian life began with her family at Zion Lutheran Church in Lexington. After she and Fred were married on December 22, 1949, they became members and were active in St. Lukes Lutheran Church in Olympia where both her sons were baptized. As her sons aged, and balancing schoolwork, sports and church activities became a challenge, they decided to move their membership to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church in West Columbia. They were very active in all areas of Mt. Tabor for the remainder of their lives. In addition to being a choir member for over 45 years, Jeanette was also a Cub Scout Den Mother, member of many Circles, served on Church Council, and was the past president of WELCA.
Jeanette was a 1947 graduate of Brookland-Cayce High School where she was a cheerleader, played on the girls’ basketball team, and was a class officer. She stayed active with her high school throughout her life helping plan class reunions as well as being a part of the Brookland-Cayce High School Foundation. After high school, she started her professional career at the SC Employment Security Commission. She took a break from work career to raise her boys but as they grew older, she went back to work as a bookkeeper at Howard’s Department Store where she employed many of her sons’ Brookland-Cayce High School classmates. She retired from fulltime work in her early 60’s.
The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to mom’s care providers including: Annette; Jackie; Shalia; Jessica; Dottie; and Mary. You all meant so much to her and to her family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church.
Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.
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