Bess McCARTER

WILLIAMSBURG - Bess Rice McCarter passed away on Nov. 13, 2010, in the comforting presence of her husband of 65 years, G. Berry McCarter. She was 87 years old.
Mrs. McCarter was born in Cleveland, Texas, one of six children. She attended the University of Texas and was a proud lifetime member of the Texas Exes Alumni Association. She met her future husband there shortly before his wartime entry into the U.S. Navy. Following their marriage in 1945, they took up residence in Washington, D.C., where she worked in banking before dedicating her life to the family they started in 1950.
In addition to her husband, Bess is survived by her three children, Kerry McCarter of Williamsburg, Sherry Stout, of Camp Hill, Pa., and Terry McCarter, of Dallas, Texas; her son-in-law and daughters-in-law, Betsy McCarter, William Stout and Jan McCarter; her nine grandchildren, Kelleen, Anne, Megan, Thomas, Billy, Sarah, Richard, Michael and Kristen, and seven great-grandchildren.
Bess and Berry retired to Kingsmill in Williamsburg in 1987, moving to the Williamsburg Landing in 2007. They have been active supporters of Colonial Williamsburg Foundation through membership in the Raleigh Tavern Society, and members of the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church since 1988. Bess was an early member of the Kingsmill Woman's Association, and with her husband's expert help, automated the membership function of the club. Prior to Kingsmill, they resided in Chappaqua, N.Y., for 25 years, where Bess won a number of local and state flower arranging awards and played an active role in many community organizations.
Bess centered her life on duty to her family, friends and community. Those touched by her care will miss her uplifting spirit, her perpetual motion, and her willingness to do what must be done. Everyone who had the privilege of knowing her will remember her number one rule, "never, but never say anything bad about anyone."
Friends are invited to a visitation at Nelsen Funeral Home, 3785 Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, between 4 and 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 19, 2010, and to a celebration of life service at the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church, 215 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg, at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, P.O. Box 1776, Williamsburg, VA 23187 or to Hospice House and Support Care, 4445 Powhatan Pkwy, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Online condolences may be expressed at www.nelsencares.com. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.