Obituary

Mary francis carter, lifelong resident of charleston, passed away april 25 at home, surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born feb. 11, 1920.Miff, as she was known by many friends, completed high school in 1938 at maderia school, a private girls school near washington, d.C. Shen then attended erskine school in boston for two years, followed by one year at marjorie webster junior college in washington, d.C., graduating in 1941. She worked in washington for one year before returning to charleston to work at kanawha valley bank selling war bonds. During this time she also volunteered as a “pink lady” in local hospitals.In february 1943 she married william jackson carter, a graduate of west virginia university law school. He also served as an air traffic control officer in the united states army during world war ii. He practiced law in charleston for several years.Miff spent her childhood summers at the meadows, the family farm near clarksburg. She would ride her horse, dan, with her cousins and friends.She was always an adventurer and traveled across the united states as well as abroad. One of her favorite places was seneca rocks, w.Va., where she would often spend weekends with her furry companions, kurt and phoebe. Her family came from several different parts of the country to celebrate her 90th birthday there.Miff enjoyed watercolor painting and several of her works have been exhibited as well as sold. Her paintings reflected her love of animals, nature, her country and the state of west virginia.Miff had many lifelong friends she played bridge with throughout her life. She was a lifelong member of kanawha presbyterian church and was also active in the junior league.The family will always cherish their memories of summers at flat top lake in beckley, longboat key, fla., riding horses as well as picnics and hikes at kanawha state forest and coonskin park.Miff was predeceased by her parents, houston goff young and frances virginia young; her brother, houston chesney young; and her husband, william jackson carter.She is survived by her children, elizabeth herig, david carter and catherine griggs; grandchildren, jennifer campbell, kara wooten, mcclure kelly, travis kelly, michael campbell, nicholas campbell and brooke campbell; and great-grandchildren, ruby campbell, will kelly and carter kelly.A quote from abraham lincoln best defines how miff lived her life: “in the end it is not the years in your life that count, it is the life in your years.” miff was an inspiration to all who knew her.Donations may be made to kanawha hospice care, 1606 kanawha blvd. W., charleston, wv 25387.You may send condolences to the family at www.Barlowbonsall.Com.Barlow bonsall funeral home has been entrusted to handle the arrangements.