Margaret Norma Carter

Margaret Norma Carter died peacefully in her sleep on May 16, 2022. She was born in Savannah, Georgia, on January 23, 1930. She was 92 years old. She was delivered by her grandmother Rachel, who was a midwife in Savannah, and who delivered hundreds of babies. She grew up living in Sylvester, Georgia, near her Aunt Sarah and Uncle Sam Walker. Her family lived with them as this was during the depression. So, she was surrounded by her cousins, Bonnie, Wilson, Vera Mae, and Samuel Walker. They were like her brothers and sisters. Her family later moved to Port St. Joe. She loved growing up in Port St. Joe seeing the early stages of the city’s growth. She was one of the earliest members of The First Baptist Church. She was a graduate of Port St. Joe High School. Graduation night due to her many awards she was approached by Jake Belin to work for the St. Joe Paper Company. She worked for them and the St. Joe Corporation until retirement. She also worked with the DuPont Foundation helping to secure vans and grants for local needs such as church buses. She earned her Florida Real Estate License. She was truly a Southern lady with her grace, humility, and charm. She loved to wear her pretty clothes and jewelry, but she had a servant’s heart serving in her church, community, and helping her family. She taught the Sunbeams at the First Baptist Church when her daughter was young. Later, she taught the fifteen- and sixteen-year girls in Sunday School. She moved to the beach and became the secretary for the Beach Baptist Chapel. She taught the fourth and fifth graders in Sunday School. She taught VBS every summer and taught the GAs every Wednesday night. She loved working with the youth and organized programs and fall festivals. Her community work involved being the secretary to the Dixie Youth Baseball League in Port St. Joe for many years and secretary for the HAM Radio Clubs helping in many emergencies. She received many awards for her work with the American Cancer Society. She gave generously to many organizations for animals and wildlife, especially to animal rescue. She gave to many organizations that helped disabled children and those with special needs. Her biggest joy after retirement was volunteering at Phyllis’ preschool. She loved working with her daughter side by side, and the children loved her. Being legally deaf she taught them sign language and that being disabled could not stop you from reaching your dreams. Margaret was preceded in death by her mother, Arrie Bell DuBose, and her father, Layfette Thomas Mincey, her husband, Louis Clifford Carter, her ex-husband Lamar Moore, and her first husband Blakely Thomason. She is survived by her daughter Phyllis Bixler and son in law, Norman Bixler, who took care of her. Also, her granddaughter, Dr. Rachel Bixler James, and her son in law, Dr. Joshua James. A special thank you goes to Sammy and Debbie Powell, who she loved dearly. Due to her love of animals, she requested of course flowers as she loved beauty, but to donate to the local Port St. Joe Humane Society, especially the cat room. Her funeral will be held this Saturday, May 21, at the Beach Baptist Chapel at 11:00. Visitation will be at 10:00. A burial service will follow at the Holly Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to the caring staff of Comforter Funeral Home in Port St. Joe, FL.