Edith Carter, daughter of the late Robert Freeman Cates and Sarah Rhoda "Pink" Boyer Cates, was born Jan. 17, 1910, at Ellsinore and died in the Crowley Ridge Care Center in Dexter on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2004, at the age of 94.

Mrs. Carter had worked at the Deaconess Hospital in St. Louis in the housekeeping department for several years, was a homemaker and a member of the First Baptist Church of Bernie, had served as a Sunday School teacher for most of her adult life.

She was united in marriage to Joseph Loyd Carter on April 17, 1927, in Ellsinore. Mr. Carter preceded his wife in death on Aug. 16, 2002.

Survivors include two sons, Ivan Willis Carter of Bonne Terre and Sherman Loyd Carter of Bernie; two daughters, Leatha McElvoy of Springfield and Brenda Inis Collins of Essex; one sister, Ethel Kelly of Ellsinore; 23 grandchildren; and over 100 great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and great-great-great-grandchildren.

Besides her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by one son, Freeman Luke Carter; two daughters, Noami Dockins and Verna Roberts; four brothers; and one sister.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 28, 2004, at the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2004, in the Rainey-Mathis Funeral Chapel with Rev. Bill Garrett officiating.

Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.