Ruth Adams Carter

Carter, Ruth Adams, passed away Monday, April 25 at age 93. She was born and raised in the Walland/Townsend area. She was briefly employed by ALCOA before moving to Pressmen’s Home, TN where she was employed for several years and met and married Joseph. E. (Bud) Carter. They lived on numerous Air Force bases during WWII. After the war she made a home for her young family wherever her husband’s career with the printing union took them which included many different cities in the southeastern and southwestern United States. They returned to Pressmen’s Home where she was very active in church and youth activities and was one of the first teachers hired to work in the HeadStart program in Hawkins County. They lived there for several years before once again relocating to Alcoa where she was employed by the Proffitt’s Home Store in Maryville until she and her husband retired and returned to Walland. She was a gifted southern gospel pianist and played for many groups before her marriage. She was devoted to UT football and the Lady Vols. She also loved the traditional mountain music, lore and legends of her childhood and sharing them with her grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Joseph E. (Bud) Carter; parents Joe and Mae Waters Adams; sisters Grace Kirby and Rowena Turnmire; brother, Grant Adams. She is survived by her daughter Margaret Martin and husband William, Gray, TN; sons Ed Carter and wife Karen, Nashville; Tom Carter and wife Melissa, Gallatin, TN. Grandchildren Dawn Martin Rambo and husband Art, Gray; Craig Martin, Johnson City; Mark Carter and wife Elysia, Nashville; Tracie Carter and fiancée Bart Howard, Nashville; Christie Carter, Nashville; Paul Hogg and wife Amy, Gallatin, TN. Great grandchildren Rachael and Kathryn Rambo, Emma, Trevor and Jacob Martin, Catherine and Alexandra Carter, Millia Parker, Asa and Rhett Hogg, several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 12:00 until 2:00 on Saturday, April 30 at Smith Chapel in Maryville, TN with funeral service at 2:00. Immediately following the service she will be laid to rest in the foothills of her beloved Smoky mountains at West Miller’s Cove Cemetery, Walland, TN. Memorial gifts may be made in her honor to the Friends of the Smokies. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, TN, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ruth Adams Carter please visit our Sympathy Store.