Mary E. Carter of Lompoc, California died Friday, April 9, 2010, at the age of 85.

Mary was born March 29, 1925, in Osceola, Missouri, to Eddie Criss and Florene Carroll. Raised and educated in Clinton, Missouri, she came to Lompoc in 1964 with her military husband who was transferred from Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri to Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.

Mary continued her education at Allan Hancock College where she tutored English. She also worked as a substitute teacher and classroom and lunch aide at various elementary schools for the Lompoc Unified School District.

Mary was a member of St. James Missionary Baptist church and was very active in its women's Ministry. She was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, the American Heart Association, and enjoyed reading, gardening, listening to music and spending time with her family.

Mary is survived by her children: Jonetta Ferguson of Modesto, California; James (Georgiann) Carter of Leavenworth, Kansas; John Carter, Jr. of Clinton, Missouri; Mary A. Carter of San Jose, California; Denise (Gary) Johnson of San Antonio, Texas; Carole Zeno of Lompoc, California; Richard Carter of Irving, Texas; Deidre (Greg) Riley of Lompoc, California; Michael (Marilyn) Carter of Diamond Bar, California; 35 grandchildren, and numerous great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her former husband John Carter, Sr. (1994); son Thomas Carter, Sr. (1998); daughters Patricia Wright (2004) and Alicia Carter (1963); and son-in-law William Ferguson (2008).

Visitation will be held at Starbuck-Lind Mortuary on Thursday, April 15, from 4-8 pm. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 16 at 11:00 am in the Starbuck-Lind Mortuary chapel. Interment will be at the Lompoc Evergreen Cemetery.

Mary's family requests that charitable donations be made to the the American Stroke Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231.