Mahala E. Carter

The Trustees of the
Serra Club of Pittsburgh extend their deepest sympathy for the family of Mahala. She has only been a member of the Club for two years but we will miss her pleasant smile and her graciousness. She will be remembered in the masses that are celebrated for deceased members.

To Our Family with Much Love as We Celebrate the Life of Mahala Elvira Carter (known fondly to us all as Snooky).

Words cannot express the sorrow and emptiness I and my wife, Doris feel knowing that we have lost my dear first cousin, Snooky.

As long as I can remember, Snooky was a part of my life and the lives of my parents, Robert and Janie Jones. Snooky was “Big Sister” to my sister Merle and me. She taught us how to appreciate our roots long before Alex Haley. My Grandmother Mahala taught me how to fight for my survival as a child. Her namesake, my cousin Mahala (Snooky) taught me the value of the special knowledge one gains from travel and also living in harmony.

I have never met a kinder and more giving person. She was a truly special human being. I will never forget the times we shared. Snooky was truly the embodiment of her fellow nurse, Florence Nightengale. One of my earliest childhood recollections of Snooky was when I had pneumonia and she knew exactly what to do to break my fever. After that, whenever I would fall and hurt myself, I’d try to find her as fast as I could.

I remember waiting anxiously for Snooky to come through the door from college or some distant place because I knew that exciting times were at hand. Talking to her was always educational and informative. She never disappointed me. Her tales of her travels are legendary and we will all miss those for sure. Some of us were privileged to go with her on some of her many land, sea and air cruises. Sadly, those days are over.

Doris and I call her “The Great Organizer”. She always sent me a birthday card and a gift no matter where I was. She never missed a single year in my first 50+ years of life. She could always be depended on to organize everything from birthday parties to groups of travelers. Travel was her passion and a lot of that rubbed off on me. It is partly why I cannot be with her and all of you today.

What strikes me most about my cousin Snooky was her self-less approach to life and sincere caring for living things. She never hesitated to share whatever she had, even with perfect strangers. For her, life’s purpose seemed to be making other people happy. She always showed respect and compassion for less fortunate creatures that she encountered. I never heard her say a cruel word about ANYONE. I can still hear the enthusiasm in her voice as she explained complex subjects like the sciences and history to me and my sister. Like I said, talking with Snooky was always educational.

Snooky may be gone home to rest now, but the countless lives she touched in all corners of this planet live on as a testament to her value as a caring human being who walked very closely with The Lord. He or She could not have made a finer human being than My Cousin Snooky. Today, I am saddened beyond description, but also happy beyond belief because the Creator placed her in my life and the lives of all of you who are gathered here today. God bless and keep you always.

With Eternal Love and Gratitude,

Mahala was such a wonderful woman. She was a very, very dedicated person to St. Benedict the Moor Parish and our gospel choir. Her presence has been missed in the gospel choir for sometime and her dedication and commitment to the choir can not be measured. I know she is singing with the angels. We will miss her greatly.

I worked with Mahala at Braddock hospital. She made going to work enjoyable. She would share stories about her many trips. Long after she retired from Braddock she remembered my family by sending us a yearly St. Patrick's day card. She was a warm and loving person. It was my honor to have known her and to call her my friend. I will miss her smile.

Mahala will be greatly missed. We had the opportunity to travel with her to South Carolina. She was a first class lady. We thank God for giving us the privilege to know her.