Diana Clare Carter, 82 of Willard passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2015 at Cox Medical Center in Springfield, Missouri.
She was born Diana Clare Redden in Buffalo, New York on March 2, 1933 to Clara Wilcox and Benjamin Redden. The family moved to Butler, Missouri where her mother died in child birth when Diana was 4. She was raised by her strong and loving grandmother, Nellie Dell. Her aunt worked in a hospital, and believing that she wanted to become a nurse, Diana worked as a nurse''s aide during her High School years. She graduated from Butler High School, earned a scholarship and then graduated from the Draughon''s School of Business in Springfield, Missouri. While she was in college, she worked at Taylor''s Restaurant where she met Ted Carter, who had just returned from the army, serving in the Korean War. Ted was taken with her and asked if she had a date that night. She answered "yes", and he responded "cancel it". After a brief courtship they married, moved to St. Louis and Ted worked at the Chevrolet plant and attended electronics school on the GI bill. They then returned to Springfield, Ted started a television repair business and Diana did the bookkeeping. They became known for their honesty and integrity, doing things right, and their business grew into the Ted''s TV Centers, a hallmark in Springfield for nearly 50 years. Ted and Diana worked side-by-side and Diana co-managed the business, working with customers and serving as office manager.
They had 3 sons; the first 2, Gary and Jerry were born in St. Louis and Larry followed 5 years later in Springfield. Diana was a dedicated and loving mother. Ted worked long hours, and despite her work in the business, when the kids weren''t in school, she was a full-time mom. She served as a Cub Scout leader, took them to their various school and sporting activities and never missed their events. She was a woman of great character and compassion, always tried to do the right thing and instilled these values and beliefs into her sons.
Diana had a green thumb and loved plants and being outdoors. Ted and Diana bought a 50 acre camp in Willard, Missouri and there she spent many happy hours raking, weeding, planting, and transforming the woods into a park-like home. They kept a large vegetable garden and up until the end, she worked tirelessly, tending to her flowers, transplanting cuttings, and giving flowers to any friend or family member who enjoyed them. She also loved birds, maintained bird feeders and did battle with pesky squirrels who stole their seeds.
She was stricken with grief when her oldest son, Gary died in February 1981 in a car accident.
Diana was a woman of great strength and courage. Ted, her husband of 60 years died in January 2013, and while she mourned his death for the rest of her life, she became more independent thereafter and developed a life of her own. She remained active, continued to drive, ran errands and occasionally met friends for lunch. She was also a woman of strong religious faith. She was a member of the South Street Christian Church in Springfield for many years, and following Ted''s death, she joined the Ebenezer Methodist Church where she attended regularly and quickly made friends. She had firmly held beliefs and values, supported several conservative causes and readily engaged in spirited political discussions.
In her later years, she remained a devoted mother and friend. She maintained a cheerful and generous spirit, readily giving of herself. She lived life to the fullest, and every day she loved, laughed and cared deeply about her family, friends and country. She will live on in the memories and hearts of countless lives she touched.
Diana is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Dr. Jerry and Deirdre (Dee) Carter of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, Granddaughters Sara Carter of Boston, Massachusetts and Mary Carter of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and step-grandson and granddaughter Tyler and Kayla Farry, Son and daughter-in-law Larry and Pam of Battlefield and step-grandson Tyler Platt, Brothers Bill and Bob Redden of Springfield and Jim Redden of Ash Grove, Sisters Janelle Knowles of Wolf Point, Montana, Barbara Reffitt of Isabella, Missouri, Marsha Cook of Springfield, Sandra Redden of Rogersville, and Patricia David of Stockton.
Diana was predeceased by her husband, Ted, her son, Gary and her brother, Dick.
Funeral services will be held at the Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at White Chapel on Friday, November 20, 2015 at 11:00 with visitation at 10:00. Call 417-866-5012 for more information. She will be interned at the White Chapel Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Program or to the Ebenezer Methodist Church, 1795 W Farm Rd 56, Springfield, MO 65803.
Online condolences may be made to www.klingnerfuneralhome.com