Bessie C. Carter, 95, of Montrose, IA died Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at the Blessing Health-Keokuk in Keokuk, IA.
She was born December 4, 1926 in Montrose, IA the daughter of Robert G. and Bessie C. Layden Smith.
Bessie graduated from Argyle High School and played on the school’s basketball team. She then furthered her education at Iowa Wesleyan University and received her teaching certificate.
On February 1, 1946, Bessie was united in marriage to Dale Louis Carter in Keokuk at the home of Dale’s brother Don Carter. He preceded her in death on July 23, 2014.
Bessie taught school at the Ashland School in Montrose, IA, a one room schoolhouse, for two years and then delivered mail for the United States Postal Service for the next twenty years, until her retirement in 1987.
She was a member of the Montrose Church of the Nazarene in Montrose, IA and served at missionary president for many years. She was also a member of the Montrose Garden Club and had served as the past president.
Bessie was a gardener with a green thumb and grew beautiful flowers. She enjoyed reading books, quilting and was a wonderful cook and who made delicious food, especially her blueberry muffins and bread pudding. Most of all, Bessie was a dedicated farmers wife who enjoyed caring for her family and making their house a loving home for her husband and family.
She is survived by two daughters, Linda Pickenpaugh (Merel) of Newark, OH and Pam Wentworth (Keven) of Forney, TX, one foster daughter, Launa Sheehan of Quincy, IL, one foster son, Mike Scoggins of Des Moines, IA, six grandchildren and fourteen great- grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, including Kevin Cale, who was like a son, of Donnellson, IA.
Besides her husband she was also preceded in death by her parents, one foster son, Kevin Hodges and four brothers, Layden, Gene, Sabert and Louis Smith.
A funeral service will be held at 12 noon, Tuesday, at the Montrose Church of the Nazarene in Montrose, IA with Pastor Preston Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Sandusky Cemetery.
Visitation will be held prior to the service from 10:00 a.m.-12 noon, Tuesday, at the church with family meeting with friends at that time.
Memorials may be made to Montrose Church of the Nazarene.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.vigenmemorialhome.com.
