Ann Carter

Ann Carter's story began on a warm spring day in 1912, in St. Joseph, Missouri, home of the Pony Express. Those were such interesting times, full of tragedy and triumph, of old traditions and new technologies. The Titanic sank that April in the cold waters of the Atlantic, tragically claiming the lives of 1,517 people. The automobile and the airplane were transforming our culture, and Arizona became our 48th State. In the growing city of St. Joseph, Missouri, Andrew Adam and Maude Belle (Anselment) Disque were preparing for their own changes that spring. On March 24, 1912, they celebrated the home birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Katherine Ann. An only child, her parents naturally doted on her. Her father was an eye, ear, nose and throat doctor, while her mother was a homemaker, and an excellent cook. Ann's parents hosted many dinner parties during her youth, and once she ate too many olives from the hors d' oeuvres tray and covered her tracks by throwing the pitsunder the table! Ann led a typically active childhood in St. Joe, and started a series of canine love affairs with her beloved cocker spaniel, Jettie. She also took piano lessons, where her natural talent for music began to show. When Ann got older, she attended Central High School in St. Joe, where she made many friends and was very popular for both her charming personality and natural beauty. She was named the Homecoming Queen her Senior year. After graduating from high school, Ann went on to Linderwood College in St. Charles, Missouri where she studied as a piano major for two years and received her piano certification. Wanting to further her skills as a pianist, she then attended Kansas University for a year as a piano major and joined the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. The beautiful and talented Ann looked forward to a promising career in music, but soon the country fell into the quagmire of the Great Depression, when nearly a quarter of Americans were unemployed. Ann's formal piano education ended, but she would continue to enjoy playing at family gatherings and church functions the rest of her life. Ann was chosen to be a model for a Royal Crown Cola calendar in the early thirties, and her large portrait still hangs in her home. Ann then met a man and became engaged, but little did she know then that she was meant for another. One day a friend begged Ann to go on a double date with her, and Ann reluctantly agreed. Her date that evening, a dashing young man named Maynard "Mac" Carter, quickly swept Ann off her feet, and the two fell madly in love! Needless to say, Ann broke off her previous engagement, and she and Mac's whirlwind romance blossomed. The young couple was married in August of 1935, beginning a lifelong love affair, filled with friends, family and the usual joys and sorrows. Soon the happy husband and wife became father and mother as well, as the couple celebrated the birth of their only child, their beautiful daughter, Babs. Ann became the consummate homemaker, like her mother, often hosting dinners or small bridge parties at their home. She was an extremely gifted decorator and could size up a room, furniture placement, and colors instantaneously. Ann and Mac lived in Cairo, Illinois and taught Babs and her teen-age friends to dance, led the church youth group, and took Babs and friends to out-of-town football games. Ann found enjoyment in many things in life, including fishing, dancing, reading about history, and all kinds of wildlife. They later moved to McMinnville, Tennessee and were active members in the Presbyterian Church and doted on their Irish Setter dogs, Cupcake and Rebel. She was an avid flower gardener and loved big band music. Ann also idolized her beloved Mac, and the two shared such a special marriage. Mac adored Ann, as well, and when she battled breast cancer, he gave her a teddy bear to cheer her spirits. They coincidentally found it had been named "Reagan," Ann's favorite president! It was a beloved gift to her, and started her extensive collection of about 50 stuffed bears. When they retired, the Carters built a beautiful log home on a lake near Brainard, Minnesota and in the wintertime they stayed in Fountain Hills, Arizona - both areas they loved so much. They also traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada. Sadly, Ann's beloved Mac died in 1990 after 54 wonderful years of marriage and she moved to Muskegon, MI to be near her family. Together with them, she fulfilled her intentions to take cruises with her husband, taking six cruises together, Alaska being her all-time favorite. She also enjoyed a trip to Israel. Ann persevered through the love of her daughter, son-in-law, grandchildren, and through her faith. She possessed a great love of the Lord, and was a faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church in McMinnville, Tennessee and attended the local Berean Church. Ann died peacefully at her home on Monday, October 2, 2006. She was a beautiful, talented, cherished lady, who lived a long and wonderful life. Most of all, Ann Carter was a gift, a light in the life of all who knew her. She will be greatly missed. Mrs. Ann Carter, age 94, died Monday, October 2, 2006. She was born in St. Joseph, MO on March 24, 1912 to Andrew A. & Maude Belle (Anselment) Disque and married Maynard (Mac) Carter in August of 1935. SURVIVORS: Daughter, Babs (E.B.) Caraway of Norton Shores; 2 grandchildren, Cathy Ann (Chip) Hunt, Major Andrew Carter Caraway; 1 great-grandchild, Caleb Ray Andrew Hunt. She was preceded in death by her husband Maynard in 1990. SERVICE: Sunday, October 8, 2006, 5:00 PM at Clock Chapel-Muskegon with Rev. Dwight Reed officiating. VISITATION: Sunday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book. MEMORIALS: CHIEF, 1644 E. Campo Bello Drive, Phoenix, Arizona 85022 or Community Foundation for Muskegon County, K-9 Fund, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon, Michigan 49440.