Judith J. Carter

Judith J. Carter Judith Johnston Carter, 87, of Wilmington, died Wednesday, January 22, 2014, at Scotia Village in Laurinburg, NC. Judith was born October 4, 1926 in Wilmington, NC, daughter of the late Leslie N. Johnston and Lottie Kerr Johnston. Her husband, Ralph Edward Carter, Jr., son-in-law, Billy Smith, two brothers, Joseph George Johnston and Thomas P. Johnston, and four sisters, Margaret Louise Johnston, Kathleen Cottle, Carolina Burris and Ann Bell, preceded her in death. A lifelong Wilmington resident, Judy graduated from New Hanover High School in 1945 and was a runner up in the Miss Wilmington pageant in her younger years. She married Ed Carter in 1947 and moved to Chapel Hill where, in her words, earned her PHT degree (Putting the Husband Through). She worked at the NC Press while Ed attended school. They returned to Wilmington in 1951 and opened Carter's Pharmacy in 1958. She helped out in the drug store while raising their 3 children. Through the years she was a member of the Women's Pharmacy Auxiliary, Republican Women's Club, NC Junior Sorosis, BPO Does and Methodist Women's Club. Judy was a true southern lady whose greatest joy was her family. She was always taking care of someone. Always quick to smile and offer you something to eat or drink. She loved to entertain, talk about her children and help with her grandchildren. She is survived by her three children, Debra Jean Carter of Kings Mountain, NC, Ralph Edward Carter, III (Sandra) of Laurinburg, NC, and Kathie Carter Heath (Ray) of Wilmington; seven grandchildren, Julie Weaver (Brian), Megan Smith Davies (Erik), Whitney Lane Sox (Jeff), Deeann Carter Coe (Doug), Jonathan Edward Carter (Julia), Robin Quinn Brooks, and David McKnight Carter; eleven great-grandchildren, Kali and Lily Weaver, Max and Mia Davies, Carson and Brody Sox, Ben, Natalie, Lucy and Charlotte Coe, and Sofia Carter; and one brother, Leslie N. Johnston of Tulsa, OK. A memorial service will be held at 2pm Saturday, January 25, 2013, at Grace United Methodist Church with Rev. Bob Bauman and Rev. Scott Dodson officiating. The family will receive friends, at the church, following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Judith's memory may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 401 Grace Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, or to the Paul Anderson Youth Home, PO Box 525, Vidalia, GA 30475.