It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother, Gladys Marie Carter. Gladys, age 96, peacefully passed away on Friday, April 5, 2024 at her home in Willis, Texas.
Gladys was born in Inez, Texas on December 11, 1927 to Henry and Willie Mae Cernosek. She married Fenton Charles (Dempsey) Carter in June of 1947 and in the late 1950’s moved to the Conroe area with their family. She started a 25-year career with the United States Postal Service, became an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and she and Dempsey began their family business, Carter’s Florist and Nursery. It was here she would become known to many as Mrs. Carter or Bigmomma. It is hard to find the words to encompass the impact she had on the business. She built a wonderful legacy not only for her family but for those that she had the pleasure of working with over the last 56 years.
We asked her on her 95th birthday what was the secret to a long life, she mentioned her loving family, her beloved Texas Aggie football, a good cold Miller Lite, Blue Bell Ice Cream but most importantly having a purpose to live for each day.
Her purpose was sharing her knowledge and love for the floral and plant industry with our customers and the friends she’s acquired over the years. She enjoyed helping each of you, and valued your friendships and business.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Fenton (Dempsey) Carter, her parents, Henry & Willie Mae Cernosek, brothers William Cernosek and Timothy Cernosek, granddaughter Jaclyn Carter, and sister-in-law Linda Cernosek.
Gladys is survived by her siblings, Don Cernosek (Francis), Linda Rinehart (Charles), and Mike Cernosek, children, James Carter, Phyllis McGuire (Elmer), and Dempsey Carter (Kay) as well as her loving grandchildren, Dawn Gibbs (Forrest Sr.), Honor Butler (Norman), Jessica Carter, Codi Carter, Kaycie Rogers (Kyle), Chelsea Carter, Keith McGuire (Kayla), and Kandi Allen (Ed). She was blessed with nine great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews, and her wonderful work family.
Pallbearers are Donnie Buckalew, Mike Cernosek, Billy McKinley, Kyle Rogers, Terry Traylor, and Darin Wiley.
A visitation with rosary for Gladys will be held Thursday, April 11, 2024 at 1:00 PM with a funeral service beginning at 2:00 PM at Cashner Funeral Home, 801 Teas Road, Conroe, TX 77303, with a burial to follow in Garden Park Cemetery.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church or to an organization that serves your purpose, in Gladys honor.
