Obituary of Myrtis Elizabeth Kellum Carter

Myrtis Elizabeth Carter (Kellum), long time resident of Ocala and member of the First United Methodist Church, died peacefully on Tuesday, April 26, 2011 . Mrs. Carter, the widow of David L. Carter, (Brigadier General, USAF) who passed away in 2008, is survived by son David and daughter-in-law Judy, of Ocala; three grandchildren - Carrie Pfeifer, Jessica, and Jonathan; and two great grandsons, Reilly and Hunter. Elizabeth was born in Cleveland, Texas (just North of Houston) July 9, 1917. The youngest of Henry and Alice Kellum's six children, Elizabeth loved to read, sing, and listen to her father play the piano. A popular cheerleader in high school, she later won a beauty pageant in Bastrop County, Texas. After high school, Elizabeth worked as a switchboard operator, at a local department store, and was active in church volunteer work. On a Sunday afternoon in 1942 while she and the young ladies from her church in Houston were serving tea at a social for the military men stationed in nearby Victoria, Texas, Elizabeth met a handsome Air Force flight instructor, Lt. David Carter. After a year of dating, they were married in Houston on April 13, 1943. Son David Lee was born in December, 1946. Elizabeth loved cooking, gardening, and flower arranging, and she was exceptional at needle work - needle point, crocheting, knitting, and rug making. Over the years she worked with the Boy Scouts, Little League, PONY League, the PTA, the Red Cross, the Air Force Officers Wives' Club, and was an active hospital volunteer. She was also a member of the Ocala Chapter of the P.E.O., a women's philanthropic organization. Elizabeth was a proud military wife, supporting her husband as his career took them from Texas to Alabama, California, Maryland, Nebraska, Virginia, Colorado, Belgium, and throughout Europe. Elizabeth and David's marriage of nearly 65 years was based on deep abiding love for each other and a strong Christian faith. A Funeral service will be held at the Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, 910 E. Silver Springs Blvd Ocala, FL 34471 on Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 2:00 pm with Dr. John Few Officiating with visitation One Hour before Services. Interment will be at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at a later date.