Willa Carter

Willa Neal Yeaman Carter, 89, of 3345 Mt. Cross Rd., passed away on February 11, 2018, at Duke University Hospital following a stroke. Willa loved life, and she dedicated much of her time to her family, her church, and numerous other civic and social groups.    She was born in Danville, VA on September 23, 1928 to James Fletcher and Ethel Pruitt Yeaman. She grew up at Hughes Memorial Home after losing both parents, and had fond memories of her time there. Willa met her “Sammy” Carter at Whitmell Farm-Life School in 7th grade. She liked to say that she picked him out, and the young sweethearts remained together, through graduation, until she went to live with a sister in Norfolk, VA. While in Norfolk, she attended “The Division,” a branch of both William & Mary and Virginia Tech. She reconnected with Sam, who had joined the Navy, and the couple returned to Danville two years later. They married in 1948, and raised 5 children.     Willa was a United Methodist Youth Fellowship leader, and was an active member of the Luncheon Pilot Club, the Town & County Garden Club, and on the board of the Danville-Pittsylvania Cancer Association. She received an award from the Sertoma Club for service to mankind in 2002. In 1981, she was honored as a Merit Mother in the Virginia Mother of the Year contest, and attended a luncheon with the governor in Richmond. Willa retired from Danville Urologic Clinic, and remained active for the rest of her life. She went on several mission trips with Fairview UMC, including work for the Navajo Nation, the Blackfeet Nation, Hurricane Andrew relief work, and the Higher Ground Christian Retreat, usually contributing as a cook for other volunteers. For years, she was in charge of Wednesday Night Suppers at FUMC. Willa took up oil painting, and was known for hosting stews and cookouts at her home, and sometimes hosted gatherings for her entire church and other organizations. She was a central figure of the extended families of her brothers and sisters. She went on family vacations each year, most often to Emerald Isle, N.C., and she and Sam visited sites all over, from Alaska to Western Europe, including John Wesley’s church in London. She continued to enjoy her church, especially organizing gatherings for her Sunday school class and the children and youth, shopping at the Danville Farmers Market, supporting local arts and crafts, and being a part of her youngest grandson Chaz’s daily life.     In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers Audrey, Sam, Elwood, Fletcher, and Gary, her sisters Mary Wilson, Frances Szympruch, and Opal McCullough, and Nancy, her son Timothy Neal Carter, and Sam, her husband of 67 years. She is survived by her daughters, Lee Ann C. Dillion, Lynn and husband, Forrest Burton, Mary Katherine and husband, Willard Turpin, and Kim C. Nickens, all of Danville; 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, Laurie Ann and Joey Scearce, Austin and Evan; Jonathan and Stacy Dillion, Carter and Emery; Matthew Turpin, Hallie; Emily and Sean Sullivan; Jake and Lisa Turpin, Elliott and Selah; Bethany Dillion; Sam Burton; and Chaz Nickens; and several nieces and nephews.     The family will receive friends at Fairview United Methodist Church on Thursday, February 15, 2018, from 7 until 8:30 p.m. and other times at the residence. The funeral will be held at Fairview United Methodist Church on Friday, February 16, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Highland Burial Park.    In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Mt. Cross Fire Dept. or the charity of your choice.