Sally Etter Carter

Sally Etter Carter passed away peacefully on April 17, 2025 in Reston, Virginia after a battle with cancer. Sally was born on February 13, 1946 in Spokane, Washington, the third of R. Max Etter, Sr. and Mariane Etter’s six children. She graduated from Lewis and Clark High School, Class of 1964, and later attended Arizona State University (ASU). Sally stayed connected to her roots in the west by returning to Spokane every summer to visit family and friends.

At ASU, Sally met her future husband, John Carter, and they were married at the Cathedral of St. John in Spokane. After graduating with a degree in education, Sally moved to Northern Virginia, earned a master’s from Virginia Tech and began her first teaching position at Walt Whitman Middle School in Alexandria. From Whitman, she transferred to Herndon Middle School and finally to South Lakes High School in Reston, where she spent the bulk of her career.

As a teacher at South Lakes, Sally touched the lives of thousands. She taught English and Government, and served as the school’s Reading Specialist. She wrote recommendations for first-generation college students, English language learners and future NCAA champions. Perhaps her greatest legacy was working with students in need of additional support, for which she received the Golden Eagle Award for improving student achievement, and several Commendations for Professional Excellence. Sally Carter helped students pursue their dreams. She encouraged individuals to develop their own learning style and build the basic skills necessary for success. A former student summed up his experience: “Mrs. Carter was one person who believed in me.”

As an artist, Sally developed her own style of painting and photography that included bright colors and light-hearted optimism. She studied painting with accomplished artists in Northern Virginia and Oregon. She exhibited her paintings and photography, and sold her greeting cards at the Rose Gallery in the Lake Anne Community Center. The colors used in buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and the iconic places found during travels to Spokane, Arizona, California, Iowa, Oregon, Brazil, Greece, Italy and Spain served as inspiration for her paintings.

Sally was recognized as a civic leader. She loved Reston, the place she called home for more than fifty years. She served on the Board of Directors of the Washington Plaza Cluster Association, organized summer events for the benefit of the Lake Anne neighborhood and coached youth baseball. To promote an active life style in Reston, Sally established an ongoing series of three-mile walks with friends using the pathway system and encouraged participation in training sessions at the local gym. She also volunteered to improve the reading skills of young students and parents in need. She leaves behind a large group of students and friends in the South Lakes and Reston community.

Sally is survived by her husband of 54 years, John; son, Will; sister, Ginny; brothers, Bill and John (Liz), and a large number of nieces, nephews and cousins. She was pre-deceased by her parents, sister Marianne (Richard), brother R. Max Etter, Jr. (Sue), sister-in-law Mary Beth and niece Loraine. Sally was an outstanding wife, mother, sister, aunt and daughter. She was also a special teacher, artist, civic leader, friend and a source of light for the Reston community.

A celebration of Sally’s life is pending. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Cornerstones, Inc., 11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210, Reston, Virginia 20190, phone number: 571-323-9555