I thought of Lori on her birthday as I always used to text or send a message that she was my old friend. I was younger than most of my class so she was always older than me. My first real memory has to do with recess at Dunwoody Elementary. We thought we were frogs and would pull on each other's cheeks and then stick out our tounge like a frog. I think we must of been in 3rd grade. We went to each other's homes for sleepovers for countless years. When we got older our teenage celebrity crush was John Schneider from Dukes if Hazzard. His picture was on every wall in my room. In those days they would publish who his parents were in Tiger Beat, so we looked up his mom in the phone book. Called the number and sang an I love you song onto her phone recorder for him. I still can't believe we did that. 

I will miss her until I see her again. I know she is in heaven with my other red hair beauty best friend Melissa Smith. I hope they will reminisce about the fun we shared as kids. Missing them and my dad on this Christmas Day!

Here are some of our photos of our trip to Europe in 1992 - what a great time we had! Wonderful, precious memories!

I will always have wonderful memories of my dear, sweet friend, Lori. What great memories I have of our weddings (she was one of my bridesmaids and I was one of hers), our trip in 1992 to Europe, meeting our husbands, planning our families, shopping for our quacking, barking, oinking, etc Christmas stuffed animals, buying our cuckoo clocks in Lucerne, Switzerland, and working together at Genex (where I met her in 1989)-we were instant friends! We had so much fun traveling, planning our weddings, shopping, and trying new restaurants. I will forever miss our long talks, her encouragement, her warmth, and our friendship. We were so much alike- I feel like a part of me is gone, but I am a better, kinder, more sensitive person for knowing her. Sending hugs, love, and prayers to her wonderful husband Dori, her children, and her Dad whom she all loved so very much. May the beautiful memories of her life and that she is with her Mom who she loved so much, give you peace and comfort. I will always love and miss you Lori.

Lori may you Rest In Peace - I will be praying daily for the strength for your family.   You will be missed.

I was cousin Lori's flower girl, and it was so fun being a part of her wedding.  She made a beautiful bride.  Even now that I'm all grown up, she would call me her flower girl.  It is a bond that I've loved having with her.  Lori was sweet spirited and will be remembered for her kindness and caring nature.  Keeping her family in my prayers.

I am just devastated to hear of Lori's passing. We had some of the best fun at Clemson, especially Tiger Band. We were able to reconnect through Facebook. Prayers for her family. Heaven has gained a sweet angel.

When I first met Lori at Clemson in the fall of 1985, I never would have imagined that it was the start of a friendship that would carry on for 32 years.  I was pledging a co-ed honorary music fraternity of which Lori was already a brother, and I can't remember exactly how we went from being acquaintances to being fast friends, but it did quickly happen.  I ended up spending so much time in her dorm room that I knew most of the girls on her floor more than I knew the guys on my own floor.

One early memory is that she had a love for animals just as I myself did, and we discovered a stray cat hanging around outside her dorm.  Of course, we both took on the task of keeping it fed, and we finally decided that we needed to get her spayed so that she wouldn't produce kittens, so we rounded up the $48 fee (a hefty sum for college students in the mid-80's!) and one morning we took the cat to the vet to be spayed....only to be called later in the day by the vet that the cat had already been spayed!  Unfortunately, we didn't get our money back but we were proud that we had "done the right thing"!  

Lori was in band and I was in chorus, and for a couple of years, I was the choral accompanist and had keys to the choral room.  I remember one night Lori and I met up late there, and I played the piano and she and I both sang a variety of songs for probably an hour and a half.  It was a nice night, and while other college students were out doing their partying or other such activities, we were sitting in the choral room singing and enjoying making music.  

It must have been the summer of 1986 while I was home on summer break when my parents were tasked with caring for 6 newborn kittens from a stray cat and a 7th kitten that I had brought home from the grocery store.  I called Lori in Atlanta to see if she could find homes, and she came through and found a home for three of the kittens. 
My parents and I headed to Atlanta with the kittens and met up with Lori and her parents at their house and had a fantastic dinner and afternoon.  Having gotten to know her parents, it was no wonder that Lori was the quality person that she was.

I also attribute my love for nachos to Lori.  Having grown up in a small town in PA, I had zero exposure to Mexican food growing up, and one night at Clemson, she was talking about nachos, and I had no idea what she was talking about.  After I convinced her that I was being truthful (and from then, she always insisted that I grew up under a rock!), we ended up going to Del Taco in Clemson and she introduced me to nachos...a food that I enjoy ever so much still today.

I remember one time while I was still in college (she may have already graduated but I can't be sure), I drove to Atlanta because Lori had gotten tickets for us to see the musical Pippen at the Civic Center.  We were dressed up nicely for the event, and after the show, Lori wanted to show me the Peachtree Plaza building in downtown Atlanta.  We went in and tried to fit in like we belonged there and ended up going to the top floor to the swanky restaurant - not to eat, but just to check things out.  She ended up having to use the bathroom, but the ladies room was closed for some reason.  She went to use the men's room but made me promise not to let any men enter the bathroom until she came out.  Well, my shy and introverted personality (back then) kicked in, and when a man walked up to use the bathroom, I didn't know what to say and he went into the bathroom before I could say anything.  I was mortified that I had let it happen, but not as mortified as Lori was when she came out after he had left the bathroom!! I remember that she was wearing what she called "jelly shoes" and she wondered what he must have thought seeing her ladies' jelly shoes under the men's bathroom stall!  We laughed about it afterwards and for years to follow.

After we each graduated from Clemson, she remained in Atlanta, and I started my career in Columbia, SC a few hours away.  Still, we stayed in touch and visited each other, mostly me going to or passing through Atlanta, since no one really came to Columbia unless they "had" to.  I became friends with her neighbor Connie, and I lived vicariously through Lori's adventures and her travels...her and Connie's trip to Australia, Hawaii and a wide variety of other places which I can't remember at the moment.  We always had fun and had great conversations.  And I got to know her dogs Lindy and Spike, both of which she absolutely adored.

One thing that sticks in my memory of Lori is how she believed in everyone.  There were so many times early in my accounting career (or in any other project or hobby that I was working on) that she just believed that I could achieve anything when I totally didn't believe in myself at all.  She was able to build up your confidence and expect great things to happen, when you yourself were not even sure how you would be able to make it through your next day, your next job interview, your next audition, etc.  Any time I ever talked to her, I always felt better afterwards than I did before talking to her.

Lori was so talented and seemed to excel in anything that she undertook...and make it look easy in the process.  She was excellent on the clarinet and...paint a picture?  Sure, no problem!  There just wasn't much that she couldn't do.  I may be mistaken, but I seem to remember back in the early days that she was even writing personal greeting card verses for her family and friends.  Definitely talented and creative!

Lori was always driven to achieve excellence and to achieve success.  However, in the span of time that I have known Lori (over three decades), it is my personal opinion that I saw a dramatic change in her, namely in her DEFINITION of success.  As she met Dori, married and then started a family, her definition of success seemed to transition from an investment in material and monetary things to an investment in her family...and in doing that, she did definitely excel and succeed because as a devoted wife and mom, she has left behind a family where that success is so visible for all to see.

I know that she has suffered so immensely in recent years with her health, and I know that it was difficult for her to lose her mom, but I am encouraged to know that she is whole again now and free of pain, and she has reunited with her mom in Heaven.  While she will be missed by so many here on Earth, it is only a matter of time before we can reconnect again and have "another good chat."  In the meantime, I know that by having a long time friendship with Lori, I have been "touched by an angel" and am very blessed and grateful for that opportunity.  May God bless Dori, Nicholas, Matthew, Rachel, Lowell, Allen and the rest of the family in not just the days and weeks ahead, but also in the year ahead.  Our lives will return to normal in a few weeks, but theirs will be impacted for a very long time.  I will continue to pray for their strength and recovery.

Our deepest condolences to you upon the passing of your loved one. May the God of all comfort strengthen you during this time and all the wonderful memories remain with you always. (Romans 15:15)

SA

Lori and I were friends through band. For my first season of marching band, Lori spent hours prepping me on what to do and what to expect at band camp. I have such fond memories on Lori and I, on the phone, giggling about boys. I hadn't seen her in years but we reconnected through Facebook. Lori was one of a kind with a kind heart and beautiful smile. Hope you find peace and comfort in your happy memories.

On her Mom's side of the family, Lori was cousin #9 and I am cousin #1. We have never lived close to each other but when we got together they was always a special connection. Lori was always a joy to be around. No matter what life dealt her she had an optimistic attitude that was infectious. We will miss you!

I knew Lori in high school. We had quite a few English/creative writing classes together. I especially remember writing a play with her...in which we also starred. Such fun. She was funny and had a contagious laugh...and we laughed so much together. Thinking about her always makes me smile. I will always remember her warmth, and kind heart.

I'm terribly sorry to hear of Lori's passing. She was a great friend when i met her for one semester of college down in Decatur a very long time ago. Always friendly and inviting; making my time down there one of the most memorable and fun!  She always always hospitable and i missed her as soon as i moved back home. My prayers go out to her family as this is a great loss of a wonderful person

I first met Lori 12 years ago at Preston Ridge. I was on my very first outing alone with my 4 month old triplets and we were going for a well checkup at our pediatrician.Who knew the Carta(Pai) kids used the very same group?! Lucky for me we just happen to have appointments at almost exactly the same time Where better to met an awesome Nurse Mom like Lori. She had her hands full with Miss Rachel but still noticed I was a little frazzled and came right over and asked me if I needed any help. We became fast friends immediately after that...having so very much in common I wondered Where has this amazing woman been hiding all my life?? We we both were in the BAND and played Clarinet(me sax too!), we had both just had babies I was due July 18 and Rachel in August, We were both Nurses with RED hair and we shared the gift of GAB. After just one afternoon together, I felt like I had known Lori my entire life. She even had the same love of stuffed animals as me and we would sometimes sneak off to Build a Bear and not take the Girls and get something just for us two teddy bear lovers!!! (Shame on us!) Lori was such a Great Listener as well as a Great Conversationalist. She was so silly and funny and never took things too seriously. She had a passion for life and for her family and friends!! Even though she had several health issues...she was always quite the fighter! Even though I know she would sometimes get to feeling very down or frustrated...we would just get to talking about really anything at all and she would immediately start feeling better!! Always Eternally Positive and Upbeat even though truly she did have alot of really difficult health challenges. She and I shared that we both really struggled with body image and we had (before we even met) both had WLS. She and I would spend countless hours in deep conversation about this and how we were meal planning, and for Lori Cooking....she was forever giving me tips in the kitchen as I am not anywhere near the amazing chef Lori was! I never ate anything she made that wasn't absolutely out of this world Yummy!!! ( And I have big time food issues!!!) That never mattered to my BFF Lori. She loved me anyway. She always called me "Kitty" and I called her "Boo"! (Like from "Monsters Inc."!) We loved going to movies and shopping for our kids and planning fun things for them to do!!! Like gymnastics, Cheerleading, boyscouts, soccer, tea parties at American Girl and Holiday pictures with her favorite and mine Ken Rada! My heart just cant realize my Boo is now in Heaven...Lori(Boo) was more than just an extraordinary Person...she was an extraordinary wife, Mom, sister, sister in law, daughter, cook, musician, writer, photographer, mom mentor, you name it and Lori did it extraordinarily well!!! Truly she did. She was more than just my Dearest Friend and Confidant... She was my Inspiration,and my Hero. I am a Better Person Today for having spent the last 12 years of my life with her as my Boo! Rest in Peace Sweet Boo! Until we meet up in Heaven Again...Say Hello to our Moms who are already there with you I'm sure! I will never ever ever forget the time we shared together and will forever carry all of our fond memories together...like the time we took the girls to the Disney Princesses Dinner at the Magic Kingdom without our MENS, to the time we  accidently bought our very expensive, but oh so cute on us Kate Spade eye glasses. We made our sales person laugh so hard I thought for sure he was going to hurl, to the time we went to see" Les Miserables " and sang every single song just as loud( and so NOT in tune for me) as we possibly could in the not so empty theater! Did I mention that we were especially fond of Maggianos and Red Lobster? What I cherish most and what I will miss the very most is our HEART to HEART marathon talks on the phone way late into the night after all of our children(hubbies and puppies) were sleeping!!! No matter how much time lapsed between our talks...it never took more than 2 seconds to bring us up to date and on to the next precious topic!!! RIP my Sweet Boo until we are Together again!!! I will miss you forever every day of my life. Friends like Boo don't happen too many times in a life time!!!! BFF AAF Kitty(Kat)

Lori was a kind and loving friend throughout high school, at Clemson with me in nursing school, in the Dunwoody band and Tiger band where we had so much fun. Praying for her children, husband, friends and family who will surely miss her very much.

Thoughts and Prayers to the family from your friends at SKC Inc.

So sorry to hear of this.  I knew Lori at Clemson (we were both in Tiger Band) and I will always remember her fondly.  Thoughts and prayers to all of you.

To the Carta and Blankenship Families, I have so many memories of Lori and the family. I cannot begin to tell you what her friendship meant to me over the years. I am so sorry for the loss we will all feel with her passing. May God comfort you on your journey through grief. Lori will be greatly missed. 

Love to you All,
Carrie Bartenfeld Wilson

Dori and family,I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and my heart aches for you today.

Bumped into Lori at Spring Break , so many years ago, and she was so happy to be at Clemson. Super nice and so down to Earth. We only got to chat for a few minutes before our groups went separate ways, but it was such a nice surprise to catch up w/ a fellow Dunwoody classmate. Always a nice memory. Be at peace. Deepest thoughts and sympathies.

My thoughts and prayers are with you.  Yolanda Wardlaw - Mu Beta Psi - Delta

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief.  May your memories bring you comfort.

Just heard the news, sorry for the families loss. We lost touch after high school but as neighbors and growing up as kids I still remember how excited we we're or I was getting home from school and watching The Monkey's on TV at your house.
Looking at all the family photos and the pictures of all your travels I can see you were a very lucky girl and you will be sadly missed.
Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.

Warm thoughts, happy memories and warm hugs from this Tiger to all of you and your Tigers.  I know you will miss Lori deeply.

Sending love to Lori's beautiful family.  I played in the Clemson pep band with Lori and Fiona.  They were always together, laughing, and having fun.  From the pictures I conclude that Lori had a great life with a loving family.  Cheers to a life well-lived.

AVIS DE DÉCÈS

Mrs. Lori Blankenship Carta

22 décembre 1964 – 4 décembre 2017

Roswell Funeral Home

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