Patsy Carter to TAPS

Many of you joined “Patsy’s Angels” the past two years supporting Patsy Carter as she was diagnosed with ALS; and we raised funds supporting research to find a cure for ALS.  Patsy died yesterday, 28 NOV 2017.  She is survived by her husband Don Carter, and daughters Richelle and Donna.  Please keep her family and friends in your prayers

Here is the obituary:

Patsy Clayton Carter passed away on November 28, 2017 at home with her family after a courageous 29
months fight with ALS. She fought the disease with spunk and grace.

Patsy was the daughter of the late Donald G. Clayton Sr. and Flora Coghill Clayton of Rocky Mount. She is
survived by her husband of 46 years, Donald (Don) A. Carter of Holly Springs, daughter Richelle(Shellie)
Miles and son-in- law, Duane Miles of Willow Spring, daughter Donna Carter of Atlanta, and brother, Don
Clayton, Jr. of Florida. Patsy also is remembered with love by her cousins, Shelia (Mike) Edwards of
Wake Forest and Elsie Anna (Billy) Stanton of Henderson.

Patsy was reared in Rocky Mount, attended Chowan College, and received her Cosmetology degree from
Troutman College. She worked at Ivey’s in Raleigh, then married Don and became a devoted military
wife. Wherever they were stationed, from Ft. Benning, GA, Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, the Pentagon, to a
five-year stint in Heidelberg, Germany, Patsy made a true home for Don and the girls. The family
traveled extensively throughout Europe and Patsy worked as a school secretary for the Department of
Defense Schools.

They returned to NC in 1986 for Don to command the ROTC department at Western
Carolina University. After he retired from the Army in 1989 and entered the private sector, they moved
to Tallahassee, Florida. Patsy continued her school career serving a high school there as a registrar and
guidance technician.

After their move to Peachtree City, GA., in 1996, then to Holly Springs in 2006 following Don’s
retirement from private industry, her role of world traveler continued as she and Don took land, ocean,
and river trips to Mexico, South Africa, Vietnam, Thailand, Italy, Russia and Spain. But, their home on
the Outer Banks was her favorite respite spot. Patsy loved to read, attend live theater, and was a huge
NC State fan. Rarely did Patsy miss a football or basketball game; she even became a fan of college
baseball. She was also a fierce Mah Jongg player. Those fortunate enough to be recipients of Patsy’s
handmade quilts and baby blankets, or jars of homemade sweet pickles, fried peanuts, or cheese straws,
knew her as a great cook and delighted in these treasures she lovingly made for family and friends.

Patsy asked that a “loving thank you” be made here to Don, Shellie and Donna for their constant and
abiding love and support during her final months with ALS. The family also wishes to thank her special
caregivers, Jordan, Ashley, Casandra, Kalee, Jessica and Donna from Centerpeace Home Health Care and
especially Heidi from Transitions Hospice who provided much support , advice and council to us all.

Patsy was cremated and a “Celebration of Life” will be held at Hillyer Memorial Christian Church on
Tuesday, December 5, 2017 at 1:00. The family will receive friends at a visitation on Monday, December
4, 2017, from 7:00 until 8:30, at the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, 2205 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh,
NC 27604.

In lieu of flowers, Patsy asked that memorials be made to the ALS Association of NC, 4 N Blount Street,
Raleigh, NC 27602 or to Hillyer Memorial Christian Church, 718 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.