Leona 'Susie' Carter, age 94, departed this life on July 15, 2014 in The Manor at Elfindale, Springfield, Mo. She was born February 11, 1920 in Stella, Mo., the daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Lewis) Clanton.
She was a lifelong resident of the Stella and Fairview area until late 2013. 'Susie' was a great dancer and loved the weekly dances at the Stella Senior Center, where she was the oldest participant and one of the most enthusiastic. She enjoyed life and was happy in her days. Leona loved God and her family above all and spent her life in dedication to both. Hers was a testament to a life well lived. Her family adored and cherished her and she will be deeply missed. She was an avid NBA Basketball fan, an enthusiastic Cardinals Baseball fan and enjoyed going to Silver Dollar City, gardening, playing cards and pool. She was a member of the Living Word Church at Simco, Mo. Leona and Gene W. Carter were united in marriage on December 26, 1941 and lived in rural Stark City, Mo., where she helped her husband on the farm and raised their family. Gene preceded her in death on May 26, 2001.
She is survived by her son, Larry (Linda) Carter; daughter, Karolen Bischoff; grandchildren: Camille (George) Knowles, David (Andrea) Carter, Doug (Cindi) Carter, Darin (Michelle) Carter, Brooke (Stu) Sturgis, Sarah (Jason) Woolery; and great-grandchildren: Alivia and Hunter Carter, Barrett Thornton, Zach (Taryn) Knowles, Caitlin and Campbell Carter, Brady Reynolds, Callie and Jessie Carter, Lydia, Luke, Levi and Caleb Woolery.
In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents; brothers: Elmer (Pete), Paul, Joe, S. Everett (Cot), W. Leonard (Coonie) and J. Howard Clanton; and sisters:, Ruby Clanton, Nell Culp, Mary Dickens and Fern Walker.
Interment in the Dice Cemetery, Fairview, Mo.
Published in the News-Leader on July 17, 2014