Dana Dee Carter

Dana was born in Joliet, Illinois, on February 8, 1942, to the late Harold and Wanda (Beasley) Anderson. Dana married Dave Carter on June 22, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois, and then moved to Massachusetts where they lived for nearly 40 years. They also lived in Tampa, Florida (to live near Dana’s parents); Hendersonville, North Carolina; Haymarket, Virginia; and most recently The Woodlands at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.

Music was Dana’s life. She began piano and organ lessons at an early age and was playing advanced music before the age of 10. Her organ teacher set her on a path toward church music, especially the organ music of J. S. Bach. She gave a solo organ recital at a college when she was 13. She studied piano, organ, and choir at Lawrence Conservatory of Music, graduating in three years (instead of four) with a Bachelor of Music Education. Her second-grade teacher inspired her to be a teacher and share her musical gifts with others. She taught piano lessons for more than 30 years and taught music in the local schools. Throughout her career, Dana served as a choir director, lead pianist, or lead organist in her church. Many of Dana’s aspirations revolved around church music.

At the age of 53, she graduated cum laude from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in church music. She believed the best quality music belongs in the church to bring glory to God. Dana truly loved God with her whole heart and used all the gifts God gave her to the best of her ability. In the two senior communities in which Dana recently lived, she was instrumental in forming successful musical groups for residents who also love music. Dana led a very active life and was always on the go. In addition to her love of nature, animals, and birds, she enjoyed reading, swimming, traveling—and chocolate! She recently continued her lifetime love of learning by enrolling in multiple courses at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Furman University. Dana cherished family very much. She completed extensive research into her family’s ancestry online and traveled to multiple countries to learn additional information.

She is survived by her husband, Dave, and three children: David Carter (wife Janice), Florida; Donald Carter (wife Funda), Maryland; and Cynthia Sullivan, Vermont. She is survived by four grandchildren: Clayton Carter and Magnus, Fern, and Innis Sullivan. Dana, the oldest of two children, is survived by brother Dale Anderson (wife Pat), Rhode Island. Dana’s cousin Dave Anderson and his late wife Linda were also a special part of her life.

A funeral service for Dana will be held Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Woodlawn Memorial Park Remembrance Chapel, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609 with a committal to follow.

Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse at samaritanspurse.org.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeywoodlawn.com for the Carter family.