Mary Lee Carter

Mary Lee Carter passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Friday, April 10, 2026.  A visitation is planned for Sunday, April 12, 2026 between the hours of 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM at Heritage Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory.  A funeral service will take place Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:00 AM at The Well at Centerville, 600 N. Houston Lake Blvd., Centerville, GA 31028.  Interment will follow immediately after the service at Parkway Memorial Gardens. Reverends Eugene Barlow and Tommy Odum will officiate.

Mary Lee was born June 21, 1933, to the late John Barnwell and Leola Powell Monfort of Alamo, Georgia. After graduating from Wheeler County High School, she attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and went on to graduate from the Macon Hospital School of Nursing, where she began her career as a Registered Nurse.

While working at the Macon Hospital, she met her future husband, Hester “Leroy” Carter, Sr. After they married, she moved to Warner Robins where she and Leroy made their home. She was one of the first employees at the Medical Center of Houston County when it opened in 1960. Over her years there, she had the opportunity of setting up its nursing services, working in Nursing Administration for 24 years and for seven years as Director of Nursing. She enjoyed her service as President and other positions with the Georgia Society of Nursing Service Administrators.

Mary Lee was a faithful charter member of Centerville United Methodist Church where she served faithfully in many positions (Administrative Board, Council on Ministries, Indian Reservation Mission Trips, Children’s Sunday School Teacher and Vacation Bible School Director). In her later years, she particularly enjoyed her Christian Heritage Sunday School Class and trips with the “Young at Heart”. She was a committed member and officer of the United Methodist Women and served as UMW Macon District Officer for six years.

In her youth, she was a Master 4-H Club member and state winner which awarded her a first trip out of the state of Georgia to attend the National 4-H Convention in Chicago. When her daughter was young, she joyfully served as a Girl Scout Leader for several years. As her children, Roy and Elaine, grew, she was a constant support and encourager in all their passions and endeavors. Her skills in sewing, cooking, homemaking and entertaining enriched all their lives. Most importantly she raised her family with a love of God and a deep faith.

Mary Lee was active in the Pilot Club of Warner Robins where she served as President, received the Pilot of the Year Award and worked as the liaison between the Houston Medical Center and the Pilot Club for the first Life-Line Emergency Response System for Warner Robins and Perry. She was instrumental in securing a Special Pilot Club Grant for the first Special League Ball Field that was built in Warner Robins. In earlier years she was a member of the Eastern Star and the Centerville Homemakers Club.

Always enjoying being with people and staying in touch with friends and family, she and Leroy opened their cabin at Lake Sinclair for times of relaxation and fellowship. She planned church-wide camp outs, and always made people feel special. She sent out more get-well, birthday and thinking of you cards than one can count. Her community work, church involvement, square dancing and traveling in their RV allowed her to make rich friendships. Full of Christian hospitality and warmth, she was often one of the first to arrive with gifts of food after a loss or for a celebration. Her 14-layer chocolate cake was renowned by all who knew her. She will be  remembered for her strong faith, passion for life, and for her devotion to her family and friends.

Her memory will be cherished by her son, H. Leroy (Roy) Carter, Jr. (Karen) of Warner Robins; daughter, Elaine Carter Merrick (Keith) of Raleigh NC, her sister, Shirley Hood (Donald) of Macon, and her brother, Leon Barnwell Monfort (Stasia) of Basall, CA and her sister-in-law, Barbara R. Carter of Warner Robins; grandchildren: Heather Carter Federico (Greg) of Cary, NC; Leslie (Jason) Currin of Greenville, SC; and Seth Lavender of Knoxville, TN; Katherine Merrick Shiveler (Doug) of Raleigh, NC; Kelly Carter Merrick Sullivan (John) of Portland, OR; Jess Howell Merrick (Emily) of Sacramento, CA; great grandchildren: Olive and Silas Currin, Elizabeth, Caroline and Daniel Shiveler, and Ciara and Ariana Federico, and her many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Hester Leroy Carter, Sr.; sister, Joyce Monfort Brown; brothers-in-law, F. Warren Carter and Charles B. Carter; sisters-in-law, Amanda Carter Bentley, Lois Carter, and Alma Hollis.

The family is grateful to the staff at the Phoenix at Lake Joy who offered excellent care and social engagement over the last five years; to The Family Hospice nurses and staff, and grateful to her personal caregivers: Keshell, Tahaeisa, Sharon, Doris, Barbara and Jackie; for the love, dignity, and gentle care they provided during her last year.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to The Well at Centerville, 600 N. Houston Lake Blvd., Centerville, GA 31028, or to the charity of your choice.

Please sign the online registry and leave a personal condolence for the family.

Heritage Memorial Funeral Home and Crematory has the honor of being entrusted with the arrangements.