NEWSOMS – Martha Robinson Carter, 85, passed away on November 20, 2013, at her home. Martha was born in Petersburg, VA on November 30, 1927 and was a daughter of the late James Prince and Fletcher Bailey Robinson. She was preceded in death by her brother, James Prince Robinson, Jr. (Jimmy), and her sister, Virginia Elizabeth Robinson, and is survived by her brother, George Bailey Robinson, of Petersburg.

She is also survived by her husband of 57 years, E. Beale Carter, Jr.; four children, E. Beale Carter III, Prince Robinson Carter, Anna Elizabeth Carter and John Barham Carter, and two grandchildren, Second Class Petty Officer Jonathan Beale Carter, and Forrest James Carter.

Martha attended William & Mary for two years where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and a member of the Common Glory Choir. Upon completing her undergraduate studies at RPI (now VCU) in Richmond, she studied voice at Juillard in New York City. She then taught school for one year in Whaleyville and for several years at Mary Munford Elementary School in Richmond.

Martha was raised and married in the First Baptist Church in Petersburg. Following her marriage to Beale Carter and living several years in New Orleans and Richmond, they moved to Newsoms and she joined the Newsoms United Methodist Church, where she became very active in the work of her new church, including teaching Sunday School and singing in the choir. She also helped reactivate the Newsoms Woman’s Club, worked with the Cub Scouts for several years, was a long-time member of the Franklin Book Club, the Franklin Music Study Club and the Country Acres Garden Club, but her first love..after family..was her music.

Martha will be remembered and loved for her generous spirit, her wonderful sense of humor, and her beautiful voice and gift of music, which she shared with all.

Services will be held at 2 PM on Friday, November 22, 2013, at Newsoms United Methodist Church with the Rev. Darwin Edwards and the Rev. Kenneth Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Hollywood Cemetery. The family suggests memorials be made to Newsoms United Methodist Church Trust Fund or the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P. O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.