Jeanie Carter

Jeanie Carter of Hot Springs, Arkansas passed away on May 7, 2014. She was born Norma Jean Dolan August 9, 1931 in Crossett, Arkansas to Norman and Ocie Boykin Dolan. Her formative years were spent in Crossett and Hamburg. She then moved to Little Rock and later met her husband, Roger, there. She was a long-time member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church and served a number of years as bookkeeper and secretary to the Rector. She taught poetry to the first and second grade students at St. Luke's Day School and the Day School was very dear to her heart. Jeanie was predeceased by her parents, a sister, Donna Dolan Gates, and her step-mother, Tessie Nash Dolan. At the age of four, her mother died, and her maternal grandmother reared her and her infant brother, Jack, for many years. At the age of 45, she took a Creative Writing class with Dr. Ken Cook at National Park Community College. It was here that her passion and career as a poet began. She was a member of Roundtable Poets of Hot Springs and the state and national Poetry organizations. She was a volunteer for several local organizations and enjoyed helping others. She was an avid reader and belonged to the Serendipity Book Club. She is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Roger Frank Carter, two dearly loved step-children who became her own, Dawn Groover and her husband Joe; Roger Alan Carter and his wife Tammy; grandsons, Justin and Peyton Carter, Riley and Will Groover, and a granddaughter, Jena McNeill, all the "apple of her eye"; two brothers, Jack Dolan of Springfield, Illinois and Frank Dolan, his wife Martha; and a nephew, Barry Dolan, all of Crossett Ark. Her two best feline friends, Ezra and Eliot, gave her many years of affection and occasional poetic inspiration. She had a good life, loved many people and liked a whole lot more. Her life-long sorrow was that she couldn't sing in tune. She's hoping that will change when she gets to her heavenly home. Funeral services are at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at 2 p.m. with Rector C.B. Baker officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Day School Scholarship Fund. Guests may register at www.caruth-hale.com.