Sallie "Gertrude" Phillips Carter

Sallie “Gertrude” Carter, 87, of Liberty, died Monday, December 12, 2011, at Reid Hospital in Richmond. Born May 8, 1924 in Laurel County, Kentucky to Benjamin and Emma Locke Phillips, she graduated from Brownsville High School in 1942 after moving to Union County with her family. On April 27, 1947, she married William “Ray” Carter in Connersville at Central Christian Church. Gertrude had worked at AM Central and Crosley Refrigeration. An active member of the Liberty Church of Christ until her health no longer permitted, she taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, served communion, and prepared funeral dinners. In her free time, Gertrude loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, gardening, and yard work. Gertrude is survived by: two children: Mary Thomasson and her husband, Bernard; William “Bill” Ray Carter, Jr. and his companion, Sally Tanner-Hollaway, all of Richmond; three brothers and their wives: Joe Phillips, of Centerville; Jim Phillips and Sandy, of Hamilton, OH; Alvie Phillips and Janice, of Peru; four grandchildren: William “Willy” Ray Carter, III; Jeffrey Blaine Thomasson; Justin Carter; Jessica Carter; five great-grandchildren: Ty, Ryder, and Teagan Thomasson, Mackinzey and William “Ray” Carter, IV; several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death are: her husband; two daughters: Martha Kay Carter; Ruth Ann Carter; six siblings: Henry Phillips; Bennie Phillips; Everett Phillips; Bill Phillips; Mattie Stevens; Bonnie Scott. Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 11 a.m. at the Liberty Church of Christ with Pastor David Soper officiating. Friends may visit at Showalter Blackwell Long Funeral Home, Fosdick Chapel, Liberty, from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday and at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of the service, where memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimers Foundation or Liberty Church of Christ. For more information or to send condolences, visit www.ShowalterBlackwellLong.com.