Lois (Brown) Carter

Lois Brown Carter, age 94, went peacefully into the arms of our Lord and Savior on Monday, September 20, at her home in Salisbury, NC, surrounded by her children and holding the hand of her beloved husband of 73 years, Paul.

Lois was the youngest daughter of the Reverend Dr. P.D. and Florence Brown and was born in Columbia, SC, on October 19, 1926. She moved with her family at age 12 to Salisbury, where her father served as pastor of St. John’s Lutheran Church from 1938-1952. She is survived by her husband, Paul Wilson Carter, age 97, and her sister, Barbara Whitener. Lois is preceded in death by her daughter, Kristen Carter, her brother Robert Brown, and sister Janice Sturkie.

Lois was a 5th generation descendent of Michael Braun, who built the Old Stone House in 1766 near Granite Quarry, NC. She graduated from Boyden High School and then Catawba College. Lois met the love of her life, Paul, in the classrooms of Catawba College in 1946. Paul had just returned from combat service in Europe in WWII. They courted and then married in 1948.

Lois loved her family! Together they joyfully raised Scott Carter (wife Jeanette Dunn), Kristen Carter, Carol McNeely (husband Chris), and Kathryn Andrews (husband Bryan). Lois and Paul loved and doted on their 13 grand children and 23 great-grandchildren. They babysat, attended ball games, musicals, programs, graduations, celebrated birthdays and weddings, and entertained them all at their Salisbury home and at their vacation home in Blowing Rock, NC. We all loved, enjoyed, and highly respected her.

Lois loved her church! She grew up at St. John’s Lutheran Church and attended regularly, always sitting on the sixth row with her mother and family. After she became homebound she enjoyed the virtual service. Throughout her life she served on the church council, circle groups and in countless other capacities. Her faith was first and foremost in her life. She inspired her love of the Lord to her family and all those she met. Lois is now home in all of heaven's glory.

Lois loved her lifelong friends and never stopped making new ones, as she cherished and nourished rich relationships. She was gentle and tender hearted, full of grace and beauty, and she loved to laugh and crack jokes! For decades she shared her delicious Christmas candies and homemade jams with loved ones. She enjoyed cooking and hosting get-togethers, traveling extensively with her husband, playing golf and tennis, quilting and sewing, flower gardening, creating family photo albums, and playing Bridge.

Lois took pride in her community. She was a founding member of the Tea and Topics Book Club for 66 years. She served faithfully with Meals on Wheels for 40 years and also volunteered with the VA Hospital, Rowan Helping Ministries, Cub Scouts, and her children’s schools as they grew up.

Lois, Mama, Lodie, Nana, Aunt Lois, Lolo were the names we called her. She was an amazing child of God, nurturer, encourager, hostess, and family gal. She was authentic and unassuming. Nothing made her happier than being with her family and extended family and with people she loved. She and Paul had countless family and friend gatherings at their beloved Blowing Rock home for 32 years, and they truly enjoyed their Trinity Oaks community for over 20 years. In the last four years, she welcomed and loved her at-home caregivers like family.

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

Service: A joint Celebration of Life Service will be held for Lois and husband Paul at 11:00 am on October 15, 2021 at St. John's Lutheran Church 200 W. Innes St. Salisbury NC 28144 with Rev. Dr. Rhodes Woolly officiating.  The service will be live streamed at stjohns-salisbury.org.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 200 West Innes St., Salisbury, NC 28144, or to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 1914, Salisbury, NC 28145.

Lyerly Funeral Home is serving the Carter family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

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