June 8, 2006

BEULAH MARY CARTER
(6/17/1912 - 6/2/2006)

Beulah Mary Carter, age 93, a resident of St. Vincent’s Home in Quincy, IL, formerly of Palmyra and Wyaconda, MO, died June 2, 2006 in St. Vincent’s Nursing Home in Quincy, IL.

Mrs. Carter was the daughter of Roy and Mary Reynolds McCaw of Ottumwa, IA. She was born near Batavia, IA, on June 17, 1912. She graduated from Ottumwa High School in 1931 and taught in the rural schools near Ottumwa, IA, until her marriage.

She was united in marriage to Ernest R. Carter of Ottumwa, IA, on February 25, 1933 in Lancaster, MO by Rev. Clark Comstock. He preceded her in death on March 2,1986.

Survivors include a son, Merlyn Carter and his wife, Sandra, of Surprise, AZ; two daughters, Joann Pursifull and her husband, Joe, of Louisiana, MO and Janet Bair and her husband, Bill, of Quincy, IL; twelve grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; and, other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four brothers: Willard, Lawrence and his wife, Pearl, Harley and his wife, Frances, and Everett and his wife, Christine McCaw; two sons, Gene and Dick Carter; one daughter-in-law, Merva Carter; one grandson; and, one great-granddaughter.

Mrs. Carter was recognized as an outstanding active 4-H Leader for 10 years and was placed on Leaders Honor Roll at the University of Missouri College of Agriculture at Columbia, MO. She was also recognized as a member of the 4-H Council guiding the youth program in Clark County for which she also received an award.

She served as a board member of the Wyaconda Senior Housing and Senior Citizens Nutritional Site in Kahoka for several years, three years as board member of the Clark County Family Service and served two years on the C.A.A. Board before moving to Palmyra.

She was employed by the Community Action Agency in Wyaconda for Clark County for 14 years before retiring. As supervisor, with the assistance of the Clark Co. Senior Citizens and county judges, she organized the first Senior Citizens Center in Clark County in 1969, known as the Clark Co. Senior Citizens Center of Wyaconda. She also worked with the Clark County Senior Citizens to become one of the first areas in Missouri to receive an Oats Bus in 1972. She was also on the board of Legal Services of Northeast Missouri.

Mrs. Carter was a member of the Wyaconda Christian Church, the Senior Citizens, Wyaconda Royal Neighbors of America, N.C.H.A., and NO-E-MO Indians camping club of Kahoka.

Funeral services were held June 6, 2006 at Wilson Funeral Home in Kahoka with Rev. Ernest Deatrick officiating. Mrs. Kathy Wilson was pianist and Mr. Mathew Eder, soloist.

Pallbearers were grandsons Mike Carter, Steve Pursifull, Roger Pursifull, Scott Pursifull, Randy Carter, Rick Carter, Brad Bair and Kurt Bair. Burial was in Prospect Cemetery near Dunlap, IL.

Memorials were suggested to St. Vincent’s Nursing Home, 1440 N. 10th St., Quincy, IL, 62301.