Betty Jo Gilchrist Carter

CARRIER MILLS - Betty Jo Gilchrist Carter, 85, of Calhoun, Georgia, formerly of Carrier Mills and Marion, passed away Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016, at the home of her son, Brad, in Calhoun, Georgia.

She was born Sept. 23, 1931, in Saline County to the late Earl and Thelma Morse Spears. She married Tommy Lee Gilchrist on Oct. 12, 1950, and he preceded her in death on Sept. 10, 1997. She later married Loren Carter in 2000, and he survives.

She was a graduate of Carrier Mills High School, owner of the former Gilchrist Department Store in Carrier Mills, and member of Carrier Mills First Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Loren of Paducah; sons, Brad and Delana Gilchrist of Calhoun, Georgia, Phillip Gilchrist of Mount Vernon and David and Faride Gilchrist of Marion; Loren's children, Brian and Sharon Carter of Paducah, Bruce and Mona Carter of Marion and Karen Carter of Paducah; nine grandchildren, Amanda, Trey, Faith, Erik, Bradford, Stacie, Josh, Ian and Hailey; and three great-grandchildren, Emma, Abigail and Reagan.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Tom; and two brothers, Harry and Richard Spears.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16, in the chapel of Absher-Nicholson Funeral Home in Carrier Mills with the Rev. Scott Johnson officiating. Burial will be in Salem Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 15, at the funeral home.

The preferred choices of remembrance are memorials to Carrier Mills First Baptist Church or Salem Cemetery in her memory. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.