Elsie Carter

Elsie Morine Carter, 86, of Champaign, passed away Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, peacefully at home with her daughter, Cindy, and her granddaughter, Tarrah by her side, following a difficult 6-year battle with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Elsie was born Mar. 9, 1936, in Mahomet, the daughter of Thomas Hildreth and Dorothy Smith. Thomas and Dorothy had 3 children, Elsie being the youngest. Thomas Hildreth was killed in action during World War II when Elsie was only 9 years old. Her mother later married Bernard Smith and welcomed a fourth child to the family. Elsie grew up alongside three brother Albert Hildreth, Dale Hildreth, and Butch Smith.

Elsie married Carroll Ray Carter in 1958 and enjoyed 49 beautiful years of marriage before his passing in 2006. Elsie and Carroll had three children Phillip R. Carter, Jeffery T. Carter, and Cynthia L. Carter. A special bond existed between Elsie and each of her children. As they got older, Elsie and Phil, her eldest, would listen to music for hours reminiscing about the “old days”. Jeff, her middle child, enjoyed the same love of a cold beverage and cozy bar to share life events and occasionally a good debate. Elsie and Cindy, her youngest, were attached at the hip any other time, frequently shopping, or enjoying a girls’ outing. Elsie worked at K’s Merchandise for 17 years before retiring to spend time with her first-born grandchild, Tarrah N. Carter, in 1991. Kaitlin K. Carter was later born giving Elsie her second grandchild.

In her free time, Elsie enjoyed traveling, with one of her favorite places being Florida, where she and Carroll shared a second home. Family and friends were cherished, and Elsie was usually found surrounded by them, cold beer in hand, engaged in conversation, or just appreciating good music. She enjoyed karaoke nights and winning a little extra shopping money on the game boards. Elsie was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 24 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 5520, the latter of which she briefly worked after her retirement.

During her battle with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, Elsie’s primary caregiver was her daughter Cindy. Tarrah, her eldest granddaughter, and daughter of Cindy, moved in shortly after her diagnosis to assist with care, and the three were inseparable thereafter. Though Elsie’s health declined, their ability to have a good laugh and appreciate life never wavered.

Elsie was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Hildreth and Dorothy Smith; husband, Carroll R. Carter; brothers, Albert and wife Barbra Hildreth, Dale Hildreth, and Butch Smith; sisters-in-law, Sharon and husband Paul Brost, and Elnora and husband Tom Russell; brothers-in-law, Jerry Carter, Russell Carter, Larry Carter, and Frank and wife Louella Carter; and niece, Laurie Shaffer.

Elsie is survived by sons, Phillip Carter, and Jeffery (Heidi) Carter; daughter, Cynthia Carter; granddaughters, Tarrah (Ashley Ridgeway) Carter and Kaitlin Carter; sisters-in law, Carol A. Carter, Lynda (Dale) Matejkowski, and Carol F. Carter; bothers-in-law, John D. Carter, and Ken (Fran) Carter; numerous (great) nieces and (great) nephews; and adoring fur babies, Mylo, Minnie, Kova, and Leche.

The family finds great comfort in the thought of Elsie in heaven with the love of her life, Carroll, her fur baby, Max, surrounded by a wealth of family and friends, smiling, and finally free of this terrible disease. To honor and celebrate her life here on earth services will be held as follows:

Visitation on Friday, Sept. 2, 5-7 p.m. at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St, Champaign, IL 61820.

Funeral services on Saturday, Sept. 3, 11 a.m. at Owens Funeral Home.

A celebration of life will immediately follow funeral proceedings at the American Legion Post 24, 705 Bloomington Rd, Champaign, IL, 61820

In lieu of other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Champaign County Humane Society.

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