Willadean Carter

Willadean Craig Carter, 87, of Tompkinsville, KY, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 31st, at Monroe County Medical Center.
Willadean was born in Gamaliel, KY on May 11, 1938, a daughter of the late Amie (Proffitt) and Glen Monroe Craig.
In November of 1956, she married Douglas Carter. Her and Douglas had a wonderful 52 years together before his passing on October 25, 2008.
Willadean attended the Gamaliel Consolidated School where she graduated in 1956, attended Western Kentucky University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree, Master of Science Degree and Advanced Certification in School Administration. She held Rank 1 Certification in School Principalship K-12 grade, Instructional Supervisor, Director of Pupil Personnel and Superintendent Certification.
She taught four years in the rural schools in Monroe County- Bowman, Bray, Mt. Gilead, and Rock Bridge; one year as third grade teacher at Gamaliel and four years as second grade teacher at Tompkinsville Elementary. She was principal of Joe Harrison Carter Elementary School from 1967-1985 (18 years). She was the first lady elementary principal employed in Monroe County. During her tenure as principal of the school, Western Kentucky University recognized the school as outstanding, visited the school often and placed college students in the school for student teaching. She served on the state Advisory Board for Elementary Principals from 1967-1985.
In 1986, the county merged Gamaliel High School and Tompkinsville High School and Monroe County High School and Mrs. Carter was employed as the Associate Principal of Monroe County High School. She remained in this position for 20 years (1986-2006). During her tenure as Associate Principal the Health Science Department was created to provide classes for students who planned to pursue a career in the medical field. She was the coordinator for Tech Prep, School-To-Work and High Schools that Work. She authored and/or co-authored grants that funded the programs, implemented block scheduling, integration of academic/vocational classes, advisor/advisee program, and career majors at Monroe County High School. She taught workshops in Louisville, Kentucky; Eastern Kentucky University and University of Kentucky. She also conducted technical workshops at National Conferences in Atlanta, Georgia; Savannah, Georgia; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Seattle, Washington; and Nashville, Tennessee. Willadean retired in 2006 after working for the Monroe County Board of Education for forty-four years.
After retirement, she began employment with her husband, Douglas Carter in the Monroe County Attorney's office and continued working there until his death in 2008. One year and one day after Douglas' passing, her grandson, Nicholas Carter, kept the legacy alive and opened Carter Law Office where Willadean worked as a receptionist until her passing.
Her professional affiliations were Kentucky Association of School Administrators, National Educational Association, Kentucky Education Association, and Monroe County Education Association where she was President of Monroe County Education Association for 8 years. After retirement, she became a member of the Monroe County Retired Teachers Association, Third District Retired Teachers Association, and Kentucky Retired Teacher Association. She was very active in these associations. She has served as president of the Monroe County Retired Teacher for six years, president of the Third District Retired Teacher Association (13 county area), and very active in the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association.
Special recognition for Willadean Carter include: 1989-1990, she was one of 16 Principals in Kentucky selected to participate in the Kentucky Principals Institute; in 1990 was chosen to participate in Kentucky Institute for Women in School Administration; in 1993 she was selected by Forward in the Fifth a Principle with Principles; and in 1995 she was recognized by Career Enterprise or outstanding contribution to the program.
Willadean was a faithful and active member at Tompkinsville First Baptist Church since 1959.
Willadean is survived by her two children, Dr. Anthony "Tony" Carter, and wife, Teresa, of Tompkinsville, KY and Karla Carter Woosley, and husband, Sam, of Louisville, KY; grandchildren, Nicholas Anthony Carter (Lauren), of Tompkinsville, KY; Dr. Amy Carter Gearlds (Justin), of Bowling Green, KY; Joseph Benjamin Carter of Lebanon, KY; Lindsey Woosley Sands (Luke), of Newport, KY and Amanda Rae Woosley of Louisville, KY; great grandchildren, Harper Gearlds, Clayton Carter and Finn Gearlds.
She is also survived by a brother, Jimmie Craig (Marilyn) of Gamaliel, KY; and sister, Glenda Gregory (Phil) of Georgetown, KY.
Other than her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings, Earl Lawrence Craig, Laverne Pinckley, Mae Van Petett, and Virginia Craig.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 5th at Tompkinsville First Baptist Church with entombment to follow at Monroe County Memorial Lawn Mausoleum. Bro. Deven Smith, Bro. Gene Gearlds and Bro. Steve James will officiate the service.
Visitation will be held at Yokley Trible Funeral Home on Tuesday, November 4, 2025 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. and on Wednesday, at Tompkinsville First Baptist Church from 8:00 a.m. until service time at 1:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Willadean's memory may be made to Monroe County Retired Teachers Scholarship Fund or Tompkinsville First Baptist Church Building Fund.
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