Carlisle VanMeter

1932 - 2016

WINCHESTER - Carlisle Chenault Browning VanMeter, aged 83, widow of George Minister VanMeter, died on February 22, 2016, at her home in Winchester after a long illness. Carla was born on September 11, 1932 in Maysville, the second daughter of the late John Nelson Browning and Carlisle Chenault Browning. She attended Maysville public schools, graduated in 1950 from Margaret Hall School, Versailles, Kentucky, from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York, in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and Elementary Education, and received her Teacher's Certificate from the University of the State of New York. On June 26, 1954, Carla and George were married at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity, Maysville. Following their wedding, the couple moved to George's hometown, where they reared four children, George, Tom, Larry and Carlisle. Carla's oft-stated goal was "to live a gracious and loving life, secure and happy, surrounded by family" and she was a firm believer that "good families don't just happen, they are hard work!" Carla was a creative and gracious hostess. Few holidays or birthdays passed without a family get together: Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas. She loved to throw parties, and Nannie's Halloween Pumpkin and Christmas parties were an annual delight not only to her children and grandchildren, but also to an extended group of family and friends. Carla was devoted to her church, Emmanuel Episcopal Church which she attended for over sixty years. She served on her parish vestry numerous times, as Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Head of the Grounds Committee, taught Sunday School, served on the Altar Guild, and sang in the choir. Carla was involved with the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington, serving on the Standing Committee, Executive Council, St Agnes House board, Diocesan Board of Episcopal Church Women, as the Cathedral Domain Capital Campaign Chairman (the Browning Retreat Center at Cathedral Domain was named for her family), Reading Camp, National Vice President of Daughters of the King, and was a supporter of St Augustine's at University of Kentucky, St. Raphael's Episcopal Church, and the Church of the Nativity. Carla was a delegate to Diocesan Conventions, and to the Episcopal General Convention. She gave faithful support to each of the Diocese's bishops, including serving on the Transition Committee for the Rt. Rev. Stacy Sauls. Carla extended the hospitality of a gracious home to the people she served in the Diocese. One could not count the little acts of kindness she quietly did, such as creating birthday cards for diocesan staff and baking sweet treats to share at every Executive Council meeting, or offering up daily prayers for those going to General Convention. Few women loved this Diocese as much as Carla. In addition to her church, Carla was involved in her community and all of Central Kentucky, serving on numerous committees and boards, including the Guerrant Clinic Auxiliary. She was a Founding Board member and Chairperson of the Clark County Community Foundation, board member of the Blue Grass Community Foundation. Carla was instrumental in the formation of the Leeds Center for the Arts in Winchester, serving as a board member, and, yes, even having a lead role in "On Golden Pond!" After George's death in 1991, Carla traveled extensively with her dear friend, Betty Snowden. Their travels took them around the globe, visiting Russia, Norway, England, China, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, Jordan. Her adventurousness compelled her to bungy jump off the Kawarau Bridge (140 feet!) on the South Island, of New Zealand at age 73, and to take surreptitious pictures while passing over the Israeli-Jordanian border. Carla was generous in spirit and enthusiasm, as well as financially, to many projects and causes in Winchester and central Kentucky, notably the Markey Cancer Center at the University of Kentucky, Chrysalis House, the YMCA of Central Kentucky, St. Agatha Academy, Sayre School, The Lexington School, and the Tom Browning Boys' and Girls' Club of Maysville. Carla was a member of the Fortnightly Club, Little Garden Club, Bowl and Blossom Club, Idle Hour Country Club, National Society of the Colonial Dames of America, and was a University of Kentucky Fellow. Carla is survived by her four children, George Minister VanMeter, Jr., Thomas Field VanMeter, II, Laurance Browning VanMeter, and Carlisle VanMeterMayer and her husband, Mark de Wael Mayer, sixteen grandchildren, George Minister VanMeter, III, Patrick Howard VanMeter and his wife, Whitney Headlee VanMeter, Anne VanMeter Leakeand her husband, Douglas Rudolph Leake, Thomas Field VanMeter, III, and his wife, Samantha Dillon VanMeter, Griffin Buckner VanMeter, and his wife, Sarah Wylie AmmermanVanMeter, William Browning VanMeter, George Headley VanMeter, Chenault Browning VanMeter, Laurance Browning VanMeter, Jr., John Thomas VanMeter, Charles Edward VanMeter, Jennie Elliott VanMeter, William de Wael Mayer, Samuel Pearce Mayer, Solomon VanMeter Mayer, and Charlotte Bowman Mayer, and four great-grandchildren, Scout Dillon VanMeter, Callaway Griffin VanMeter, Otis Ammerman VanMeter, and Homer Gano VanMeter. In addition to her parents and husband, Carla was preceded in death by her sister, Laura Browning VanMeter, brothers, John Nelson Browning, Jr., Thomas Chenault Browning, and daughter-in-law, Lucy Elliott Bryans VanMeter. In addition, the family expresses its great appreciation to all of Carla's caregivers during her illness. Their love, care, compassion, kindness and devotion to Carla were endless. Visitation will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 2410 Lexington Road, Winchester, on Friday, February 26, from 4-8pm. A celebration of Carla's life will be held at Emmanuel Episcopal on Saturday, February 27, at 10am, with burial to follow in the Lexington Cemetery. Carla's grandsons will serve as pallbearers. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Emmanuel Episcopal Church or to Tom Browning's Boys' and Girls'Club, P.O. Box 206, Maysville, KY 41056 or to the charity of one's choosing. Rolan G. Taylor Funeral Home, 289 S. Main Street, Winchester, is in charge of arrangements.