Carol (Carolyn) Anita Sanders Carter Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Carol (Carolyn) Anita Sanders Carter was born with her twin sister Joanne on March 19, 1945 in Los Angeles, California. She was raised alongside her two brothers and two sisters in Nashville, TN. Growing up, she was alway proud of her job working as a Shoney’s waitress to make extra cash. She graduated high school from St. Bernard Academy in 1963. In late 1964, Carol received a phone call that would change her life. Joe Carter, her fiance stationed at Ramstein Air Force Base in Germany begged her to come to him and get married. She left her home for the first time at age 19 and boarded a plane for Germany. They were married on January 6, 1965. First daughter Carren Shayne Carter was born in 1966, quickly followed by second daughter Christy Shawn Carter in 1967. Youngest daughter Lee Ellen Carter was born the following year after a move to California. So began the many years of itinerant living as an Air Force family traveling back across the ocean to Germany and all across the United States. In the mid 1980’s, after Air Force retirement, Carol and Joe settled down in Bossier City, LA. Their work would eventually take them to the Atlanta, GA area in 1993. Carol spent many years as a secretary working on the various air force bases they were stationed. In the early 1980’s, her boss came to her and said we have this new computer coming and someone needs to learn Unix. She taught herself programming and that led to a long and storied career as a female pioneer in the computer and networking industry. She served as a project manager and network engineer for many years, including her work for Bank of America, GE and Netifice Communications. While Carol loved work, she was most proud of her family. Her three daughters gave her four grandchildren, three of whom she helped raise throughout their childhood. She also took great pride in being a great grandmother. She was never going to be called grandma and chose to be called Mimi. Carol was a mother and grandmother who fiercely loved her children and grandchildren more than anything else in the world. She often showed that love through her favorite hobby of cooking. Carol is famous for her chicken and dumplings, Italian wedding cake, and her many creations for Supper Club. Carol was incredibly social. She, Joe and their friends in the Richland Cul de Sac had many BBQ, Halloween and Christmas parties throughout the years. Her smile and laugh were always the star of any party. But you knew if she pulled out the Joan Baez records, it was time for everyone to go home. The only thing Carol loved as much as her family was her church. She and Joe were founding members of their St. Monica’s Parish family. She made some of the best friends of her life at St. Monica’s and participated in many activities and ministries at the church. She particularly loved Monica’s Menuettes. She turned to her faith and rosary during her illness for strength and guiding support. Carol became ill in 2021 and relocated to Birmingham, Alabama to live with her daughter, Christy. Christy took amazing care of her throughout her final days. Carol passed away at age 77 on June 7, 2022. She is survived by her daughters, Carren, Christy (Drake Morgan) and Lee Carter; her four grandchildren Brilee Coleman (Chris Pacas), Chelsea Crews (Crawford), Caleb Coleman and Sage Morgan; great granddaughter Clementine Crews; her brothers Joe (Vicky) and Steve (Melinda) Sanders; and so many nieces, nephews and cousins she held dear. She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Guynell Sanders, her husband Joe Carter and her sisters Joanne and Jean Marie. A visitation service will be held on July 11 from 6 PM - 8 PM at Flanigan Funeral Home in Buford, GA. Funeral services will be held on July 12 at 11 AM at St. Monica’s Catholic Church in Duluth, GA.

Carol (Carolyn) Anita Sanders Carter

March 19, 1945 - June 7, 2022