Edward Bates Carter, lived life to fullest
Edward Bates Carter, 103, of Lewes, passed away Saturday, June 25, 2022, at The Moorings of Lewes after a brief illness. He was born Feb. 25, 1919, in Chester, Pa., the son of the late Aubrey and Kathleen (O’Bannon) Carter.
Edward graduated in the 2nd graduating class at P.S. DuPont High School. He attended the Beacom School of Business as well as the Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania. Edward enlisted in the U.S. Army and proudly served his country during World War II. He then continued his service in the U.S. Army Reserves, retiring as a major. He married the love of his life, Kelly Anne (Smith) Carter, and they spent 70 happy years together raising their family.
After serving his country, he went to work for J.A. Montgomery Insurance Company Inc., where he would spend the next 45 years, retiring as a member of their executive board, a career that gave him a great sense of fulfillment and satisfaction. He was an active member of Hanover Presbyterian Church for many years, where he was on the board of sessions. Once he moved to Lewes, he became an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church and served on their board as well. He was a member of the Lewes-Rehoboth Beach Rotary Club as well as the Rehoboth Beach Kiwanis Club, where he served on the Kiwanis Foundation Board. He was an enthusiastic lover of nature and found great fulfillment and joy in bird-watching, spending time at the beach, on the golf course (he was proudly the oldest member of the Rehoboth Beach Country Club), playing bridge and traveling. Those that knew him will always remember his quick wit and wonderful sense of humor. Above all else, the time spent with those he held most dear was what he most cherished.
In addition to his parents, Edward was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Kelly Anne Carter; his daughter, Elizabeth O’Bannon Raper; his granddaughter-in-law, Amy Quinn Carter; his brothers, A. Temple Carter Jr., Robert H. Carter, James O’B. Carter, and their wives; his sister, Carolease C. Reed and her husband. He is survived by his son, Edward B. Carter Jr. (Susan); his daughter, Anne Howie Brooks (William Jr.), his son-in-law, Byrle D. Raper; his grandsons, Edward Bates Carter III, Bryant J. Carter, Robert M. Brooks, Garry E. Peeler and Benjamin J. Peeler; his granddaughters, Elizabeth O’Bannon Carter (Brian) and Suzanne Carter Courtenay (Matthew); and numerous great-grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and his dear friend, Pat Kraut. He was a loving and devoted, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, soldier, colleague, and friend. He will be deeply missed by all who had the good fortune of knowing him.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, July 11, 2022, at Parsell Funeral Home, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes, where friends may visit an hour before the service. Chapel committal services will be held at a later date at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested in Mr. Carter’s name are suggested to Compassionate Care Hospice Foundation, kffde.org/compassionate-care-hospice-foundation; or to Wounded Warrior Project, woundedwarriorproject.org/donate.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
Visit Edward’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
