Blanche Macomber Carter

Blanche Macomber Carter was from Screven County in south Georgia.  She was born in Halcyondale, Ga, one of 9 children of William Frederick and Henrietta Barr Macomber.  After her marriage to Valmore Pryor Carter, she moved to Newington, GA where they reared their 2 daughters Rhetta (Robert) Poole and Rebecca (Alain) Bache’.  When she retired from a 35-year career in the US Postal Service, she moved to Athens to be near family.   She and Val busied themselves helping with their three Howard grandsons; she became famous for feeding all the grandsons’ friends fried chicken fingers.  Although she was 12 hours away, she managed to spend as much time as possible with her two Florida grandchildren, Alexandra and Elliott (Rocio) Bache’.   She and Val were very active throughout their long lives and continued to drive to Florida into their late 80’s, always breaking the trip with their other “daughter”, niece Judy (the late Donald) McNatt and “grands” Beverly (Al) Hathaway and Brad (Kim) McNatt.

Blanche was an accomplished woman always, no matter where life brought her or with whatever task before her.  She was smart, kind, family-oriented, generous and ever ready to elevate others or to help them climb the ladder themselves.  She mentored many friends and young people during her lifetime and enjoyed mentoring students through the Clarke County Mentor program.  One, Laiza Orduna (the late Francisco Reyes), and their children Eveny and Frankie forever remained a part of her family.

She was interested in the world and learning, whether it was a new job or a new interest.  She supported the arts and the community.  Blanche loved people and was always ready to listen and be a friend to those with whom she came in contact.

In Athens, she kept very busy with her husband, Valmore, 3 of her five grandchildren, a beautiful flower garden, and a 15 year second career in real estate.  Being very social and a gourmet cook, she was famous, in her neighborhood, for her yearly Christmas party.  She was a Cedar Creek neighborhood greeter and welcomed folks to the community when they moved in.

For 10 years, she lived in the Talmage Terrace/Lanier Gardens community where she made many friends.  Three years ago, she moved to The Oaks at Cedar Shoals (formerly Morningside) where she once again made many friends.

During her postal career, she served as Postmaster in Newington GA, Barnwell and Fort Mill SC.  In any town in which she served, she was active in church and community activities and events.  Blanche also served in a number of officer positions in the National Association of Postmasters in Georgia and South Carolina.  While in Fort Mill SC she was instrumental in starting a Fun-fest Art Festival.  In all of these towns, she sang in the church choir.  Music was always a part of her life and while in Newington, she served as the church organist.

Blanche was predeceased by her husband, Valmore; sisters Dorothy, Sarah and Betty and brothers Archie, Ray and Perry; grandsons, Court Howard and Carter Howard, “Son-in-law” Donald McNatt.  She is survived by her brothers William (Helen) and Roger (the late Sue) Macomber; her sister-in-law, Dolores Macomber; her  grandchildren, Christopher Howard (Shannon), Alexandra and Elliott (Rocio) Bache’, Eric and Tavala Poole and Heather Howard and great grandchildren, Chase (Kayla) Howard; Cadence, Charlese and Gwendolyn Howard; Brayden & Brynlee Poole; Jordan and Ella Poole and Alyssa & Harley Wood; great, great grandson, Jasper Howard; nieces, Kathleen (Mark) Pierce, JoAnn Midgett, Louise Spry (Bob), Cherry Smithson, Pam (Elry) Wells, Lisa (Johnny) Gross, Mandy Macomber, Meredith Bacon, Marlene Emeott; and nephews, Adolphus (Bonnie), Joseph (Sharon) and Grier (Ada) Carter.

A visitation will be at Lord & Stephens East on March 20th, Sunday 3-5:00pm.  The funeral is Monday, March 21 at 2:00 pm at Athens First United Methodist Church, 327 N. Lumpkin Street, Athens GA 30601.

We would like to thank The Oaks at Cedar Shoals and Kindred Hospice for the outstanding care they provided.  Blanche loved her cut flowers, so flower remembrances will be welcomed or memorials to the Sunshine House Children’s Advocacy Center, PO Box 617, Swainsboro, GA 30401 or Georgia Children’s Chorus,  UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music, 250 River Road, Athens, GA 30602-7287