Mary Lou Carter

Mary Lou Clarke Carter of Newport News, VA and Durham, NC passed away on October 3, 2025.

Mary Lou was born in Richmond, VA, on September 25, 1932, to the late Mary Lou Cate Clarke and Rev. Dr. Alfred Brackette "A.B." Clarke, and was the first of their four children. As a child, Mary Lou contracted rheumatic fever and was bed-bound for a year. She spent much of that year reading books which became a life-long passion. Mary Lou graduated from Randolph-Macon Women's College in Lynchburg VA in 1953. She spent 8 gratifying years as an elementary school teacher including a year in Tachicawa Japan teaching children at an American dependents school on a military base. On a blind date in 1959 Mary Lou met Arlen Carter, an engineer at NASA, who became the love of her life. They were married by her father on June 18,1960 at First United Methodist Church in Newport News, VA. Mary Lou loved the years she spent at home raising their three children and supporting them in all their various activities. In 1975, Mary Lou completed coursework to be certified as a school librarian, and was honored to be asked by the principal of Richneck Elementary School to be their librarian. She spent 18 joyous years at Richneck sharing her love of books and reading with thousands of young children.

After retiring, Mary Lou and Arlen loved traveling together and spending time at their beach home in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. They especially loved spending time with their children and grandchildren - playing card and board games, reading books aloud,

and going to Busch Gardens or the beach. They were avid supporters of Christopher Newport University athletics, especially the women's volleyball and basketball teams, and they attended many games to cheer on the CNU teams. Mary Lou helped start a local women's Investment Club, and she enjoyed many friendships as a member of the local Women's Club and Garden Club. Mary Lou was a lifelong Methodist and a member of First United Methodist Church in Newport News, VA for the last 65 years.

Mary Lou is predeceased in death by her husband Arlen Francis Carter, her sister, Margaret "Bonnie" Clarke Rice, and her brother, Dr. John Palmore Clarke. She is survived by her three children: Son and daughter-in-law John and Leslie Carter of Fairfax, VA; Daughter and son-in-law Frances and Clint McSherry of Durham, NC; Son and daughter-in-law Dan and Anne Carter of Sparrows Point, MD; Grandchildren Sarah McSherry, Clint McSherry, John Andrew Carter, Elizabeth Carter, Emma Carter, Megan Lynch, and Daniel Carter; Sister Frances Clarke; and her beloved nephew, nieces and many cousins.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 18th at 1pm in the First United Methodist Church, 10246 Warwick Blvd, Newport News, VA followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift via check to Virginia Wesleyan University and note the "A.B. & Mary Lou Clarke Memorial Scholarship" in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to 5817 Wesleyan Drive, Attn: Office of the President, Virginia Beach, VA 23455.