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Charles Carter Obituary
Eldest son of Charles Hill Carter Sr. and Emily Harrison Carter, he received his early education in Charles City County before graduating from Virginia Episcopal High School. After high school he attended Virginia Agricultural and Mechanical College and Polytechnic Institute (Virginia Tech), serving in the Corps of Cadets, and graduating with a degree in Agriculture in 1943. During World War II he served with civilian defense. Upon Hill's return to Charles City in the 1940s, he was employed at Shirley Plantation by his cousin Marion Carter Oliver. Upon Marion's death in 1952, Hill inherited Shirley Plantation and became the 10th generation to own and operate the estate. While continuing to farm the plantation, Hill began his tourism career in the 1950s by opening Shirley Plantation year round to visitors. Also in 1950, Hill accepted an offer to complete an unfinished Charles City County Board of Supervisor's term. In 1991, Charles retired from the Charles City Board of Supervisors after 41 years of service, the longest tenure record in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time.
After his marriage to Helle Klingemann on Aug. 4, 1960, the couple made their home at Shirley Plantation. They raised their family on the upper floors while visitors toured the first floor. In conjunction with giving tours through the Great House, Hill Carter was a member of numerous committees and boards throughout his career. Hill was active in promoting tourism to the Commonwealth working with and developing several tourism organizations. He also served as Senior Warden of Westover Church.
In addition to Helle, his beloved wife of 49 years, Hill is survived by two sons, Charles Hill Carter III of Charles City and Robert Randolph "Randy" Carter of Henrico; one daughter, Harriet Carter Pittman; a son-in-law Kevin Pittman; and one grandson, William Pittman of Charles City County; a sister, Gertrude Macon of Richmond; and brother Shirley Harrison Carter of Charles City.
In celebration of his life, the family will hold a memorial service at Westover Episcopal Church, 14501 John Tyler Memorial Highway, Charles City, VA 23030 at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, 2009. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Westover Church or the Charles City County Voluntary Fire Department and EMS, 7100 Adkins Road, Charles City, VA 23030.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Charles Carter
Heather Campbell
December 4, 2009
I am saddened to learn the news of Mr. Carter's passing. I had the pleasure of working at the plantation for more than 2 years and getting to know history through the eyes of Mr. C.. Helle, Harriet, Charles, and Randy- my thoughts are with you. Mr. Carter was indeed a true gem.
Ashly Best
November 24, 2009
I had the pleasure of working at Shirley after I graduated from high school. It is a beautiful and magical place. The Carter's are loving, generous and are some of the most hospitable and down to earth people I have ever met.
My sincere condolences to Mrs. Carter, Randy, Charles and Harriet. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dave Kleppinger
November 24, 2009
I had the pleasure of working with Hill during his tenure on the Board of Supervisors. He loved his community and treated everyone he met with decency and respect. My condolences to the family of this fine and decent man for whom it was my privilege to know.
Vernon Meacham
November 24, 2009
Our condolences to Mrs. Carter, Charles, Randy and all the Carter family.
Your friends at Virginia Tech and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are thinking of you.
Stuart Loughborough
November 24, 2009
I have fond memories of visiting Shirley as a young child. My parents, Randolph McGill and Gertrude Loughborough, and Mr, Carter sat on the porch sipping drinks on a warm sunny day and talking over "old times" as my sister and I played on the lawn. My sister and I still have a couple of pictures that were taken on that occasion. My deepest sympathy to all of the family.
E. Wayne Greene, Sr
November 23, 2009
May the Lord keep His precious hands on the family during these trying times.
November 22, 2009
Such a gracious, affable, intelligent gentleman was Mr. Carter. Warm sympathies to your family and many friends in Virginia tourism.
Cornelia Graves Spain, Luray Caverns
Tara Williams
November 22, 2009
Charles, III and family,
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Carter Harrison
November 22, 2009
Virginia looses a fine gentleman.
Harold Gill
November 22, 2009
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Robert Vejnar, II
November 22, 2009
I had the privilege of working as a tour guide for Mr. Carter in the early 1990s. He was the epitome of a true Virginia gentleman. And to hear him talk with his Tidewater accent is something I will never forget. I remember fondly those times when he would sit with us tour guides on the back porch and talk about what it was like growing up at Shirley or about the family folklore. He was a fine man and the best employer I ever had. I shall never forget the many acts of kindness he exhibited towards me and my fellow tour guides. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Lisa Forren
November 22, 2009
Mrs. Carter, it was a pleasure to know Hill and be an assistance to him during his time with us. My prayers are with you and your family.
Lisa Forren, HHCC
Beverley M Brazelle
November 22, 2009
Mr Carter was my cousin on my mother's side, they knew each other as children. I am so sorry I did not get to know him, I hear he was a dear man. God Bless him for the things he did in his life, he kept history alive. May y'all heal from his passing and love in his memories together. With love.
Bill & Keane Britton
November 21, 2009
It was both an honor and a pleasure to know Mr. Carter and to call him a friend. Always a gracious host (like the time he showed the family silver to our out of town guests after official visiting hours at Shirley - my daughter was very impressed) and wise advisor, I consder my association with him to be one of my finest. God bless him and his family.
Gary Johns
November 21, 2009
I am so sorry to read of the passing of Hill. He was a true country gentleman, very passionate about his heritage and the history of Charles City County. He will be greatly missed by all that had the honor to know him. Our heartfelt and deepest sympathies are extended to his family during this difficult time.
Mr.Carter scraping along!
November 21, 2009
Diane & Bob Martenis
November 21, 2009
Seeing Mr. Carter riding his tractor as he leveled Shirley's roads and paths and his frequent dismounts to tinker with the tractor had always and will continue to bring a smile to my face as just one of many fond memories I will always cherish from my time spent at Shirley. His love of the Plantation and the people around it was apparent to me from the first time I met him as he was turning a wrench on a bush hog machine that wasn't cooperating. And I'm sure that there is a great big party in Heaven right now as Mrs. Carter once told me that there is a retirement home above and in it is a seperate wing for all the Guardian Angels that watched over Mr. Carter. I can only begin to imagine what he is tinkering on up there! Mine and my wife's thoughts and condolences to Mrs.Carter, Randy, Charles and Harriet.
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