Janet Gayle Carter

Janet Gayle Carter passed away on July 9, 2024, surrounded by her family. She was born in Richmond, VA on July 16, 1956 to the late James Garland Carter, Jr. and Jacqueline Ford Carter. She graduated from Douglas Freeman High School and James Madison University. She is survived by her brother, James Garland (Jill) Carter, III, her four children: Katharine (Patrick) Connelly, Graham (Allison) Neal, Carter (Stephanie) Neal, and Patrick (Whitney) Neal, and her ten grandchildren: Joel (11), Sam (9), Ben (8), Lucy (5), Nora (5), Adalyn (4), Violet (3), Boyd (3), Maysie (2), and Mabel (4 months).

Janet’s life was marked by devotion to her family and her community. After graduating from JMU, she spent four years teaching English at Thomas Dale High School. When her children were born, she gladly transitioned her time and attention to life at home and raising her family. To know her was to know how much she loved this season of her life. She was a devoted mother and poured her time and energy into her family: Westover Hills playgroups, homeschool co-ops, birthday parties, holiday celebrations, Granite swim team, Westminster Academy, Third Presbyterian Sunday School and VBS, HopeKids, and any other pursuit she believed would benefit her children.

When her own children were grown, Janet continued her devotion to young families by becoming a parent coach. She loved helping mothers and fathers find the same joy in raising their children that she experienced with her own.

Janet’s final 16 years were spent in a wonderful community at Creek’s Edge. She loved her neighbors and friends and thrived in the camaraderie she found there. In this season, Janet also delighted in being “Gammy” to her ten grandchildren. She gave them sweet memories of swimming in her neighborhood pool, sharing family meals around her table, and celebrating countless holidays and birthdays together. They knew how much they were loved by her, and her legacy lives on in them.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, September 13, 2024 at Hope Church, 12445 Patterson Avenue, Richmond, VA 23238.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Janet’s honor can be made to Pregnancy Resource Center of Metro Richmond https://www.friendsofprcrichmond.org/.