Barbara Volentine Carter

Barbara Volentine Carter passed into God’s glory at age 90, on Thursday, March 12, 2015 after a 3-year battle with Lymphoma. She was known to her friends as 'Babs' and everyone she met was a friend.

Babs was born in New York City, graduated from the WW2 Cadet Nurse Corp program at Adelphi College, and married Joseph E. Carter on July 5, 1947. They lived the ‘Air Force life’, traveling to Georgia, England, Texas, Germany, and Washington State, ending with retirement at Langley AFB, Virginia.

Babs was the loving mother of four children, mentoring them in the Christian faith, and guiding them with tolerance through many adventures. She was both a Cub Scout Den Mother and a Girl Scout Leader.

Babs reentered the working world as the manager of Riverdale Pool in Hampton, Virginia, also serving as lifeguard, swim coach, and race judge. She participated in the Virginia Masters Swim program locally. She was always active in church, and served with the Protestant Women of the Chapel at Langley AFB, as well as with the Altar Guild at the Chapel of the Centurian, Ft. Monroe.

Surviving her husband of 36 years, she learned to drive a car, and moved to South Florida to help care for her sister and twin brother. There she was employed by the YMCA as pool manager and swim instructor, leading water therapy groups for victims of Parkinson’s and Arthritis, and helping children learn to swim. She continued employment at the YMCA in Ft Walton Beach, FL., and taught water aerobics at The Bob Hope Village for Enlisted Wives. She instructed water aerobics and swimming until she was 90. She loved helping others, and was generous with charities throughout her life.

Family left to cherish her memory are daughters, Nancy Oldham and husband, Mark, April Carter and husband, Matt; sons, Philip Carter and David Carter and wife, Lenora; grandchildren, Christopher Oldham, Heather Hudson, Kylene Dunn, Allison Bade, Elizabeth Carter, Joanne Carter, Robbie Carter, Preston Lewis, and Caitlin Lewis; seven great- grandchildren; sister-in-law, Martha Tipton and the Tipton and Geary families.

Special thanks go to April and Matt, who shared their home with Mom for several years, and Joy Ligon, for her ‘Joy-care’ and friendship. The family is also grateful for her ‘Dr. Henry’.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home with a celebration of Bab’s life following at 11:00 am in the funeral home. Interment at Hampton Memorial Gardens.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Ave., Hampton, VA 23666.