JoAnn Carter's Obituary
JoAnn Carter, after two brave battles with cervical cancer and other on-going medical issues, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, at 2:37 am on October 6, 2014.
JoAnn was born in Natchitoches, Louisiana, on February 26, 1946. She attended Notre Dame Catholic High School and Dillard University before moving to Tacoma where she would begin a career with the US Forest Service and, eventually, meet the love of her life. She married LaRoi Carter on May 23, 1975, and settled in Lacey, Washington, where she would selflessly put her career on hold to raise her daughter and support her husband as he pursued higher education and a career with the Federal Aviation Administration. During her time in Lacey, she would win rave reviews for her lush gardening landscapes, elaborate Christmas decorations and outdoor displays, and the best peach cobbler this side of the Mississippi.
After a brief stint in St. Cloud, Florida, where she and her husband would enjoy the spoils of retired life in a brand-new, custom built home designed to the exact specifications of “the lady with impeccable taste and endless style”, they would return to Tacoma to be near family and friends. Upon her return, JoAnn could be found worshipping and serving her community at Shiloh Baptist Church, supporting many Masonic events and activities, and extending words of encouragement and wisdom to anyone with a willing ear and an open heart.
She is survived by her husband, LaRoi, and daughter, Tiffany-a staff member at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like friends and loved ones to make “In Memory Of” donations to either the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center(https://secure2.convio.net/fhcrc/site/Donation2?df_id=3480&3480.donation=form1) or the National Lymphedema Network(http://www.lymphnet.org/pdfDocs/Donation_Form.pdf)
We thank you for your support during this difficult time.
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