HAMPSTEAD — Judy Arnold Carter relocated to her heavenly home on February 24, 2026, after a well-fought battle with renal disease.
On October 21, 1938, Hamer Russell (Russ) Arnold and Myra Brooks Arnold became first-time parents to a beautiful little girl whom they named “Judy” after then popular singer Judy Canova. She was born in Headland, Alabama, where she lived until her father joined the Navy during WWII. After the war the family moved to Dothan, Alabama where her brother, Hugh Russel Arnold was born. After Judy’s graduation from Dothan High School, the family moved to Orlando, Florida where Russ was an editor for the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.
It was in Orlando that Judy met and married USAF Airman Fred Lee Carter, and daughter, Terrie was born. The Air Force moved them to Fayetteville, NC where a year after Terrie’s first birthday, Sherrie was born. Again, the growing family was moved to two bases in Germany, where daughters Kathy and Beth were born. Judy was always ready to tell anyone who would listen about her four girls, born within five years and one month after her wedding day. She was always proud of her family and insisted that they attend church and Sunday School regularly as well as UMYF, which she also led.
In 1962 the Fred was assigned to Seymor Johnson AFB in Goldsboro. It was here that Fred and Judy would raise their family. After Fred left the Air Force to work for IBM, Judy worked in the Advertising Department at the local Sears and Roebuck department store. While there she also developed the first microwave cooking class and helped organize the annual “Sears Old Fashioned Days” heritage celebration.
In 1980 Judy and Fred, now empty nesters, moved to Hampstead, NC where they enjoyed beautiful sunrises and life on the Intracoastal Waterway. Their daughters married, had families and brought them over to swim, fish, waterski, and enjoy lots of family time.
Judy retired in 2008 from Cape Fear Memorial Hospital after 25 years as Administrative Assistant in the Engineering Department. In this role she directed the engineering staff in their daily activities earning her the nickname of “Warden” which she embraced whole-heartedly.
Faith and family were always important to Judy. A life-long Methodist, Judy was a member of Hampstead UMC for 45 years. There she put her talents to work in various roles including leading the Fall Festival, the “A Night in Bethlehem” pageant, helping with altar flower arrangements, annual Game-a-Rama fundraiser, and teaching in her UMW Circle.
God blessed Judy a long life and with it a large family. She was always quick to tell people about her four daughters, fifteen grandchildren, twenty-three great-grandchildren, and one (now two) great-great-grandchildren. In her “everyone is welcome” spirit, these numbers include her “bonus grands and great grands.”
Judy was a lifelong Alabama Crimson Tide football fan. Whether you are a lover or a hater of Alabama football, it was hard not to appreciate how excited she became over every new season – keeping a notebook filled with articles from the Dothan Eagle about the team’s roster, journalling each play during the game and dripping in her Alabama outfits.
Judy is predeceased by her parents, Hamer Russell and Myra Brooks Arnold, and her husband of almost 50 years, Fred Lee Carter.
She is survived by her brother Russ (Elaine) Arnold of Ridgeway, SC; daughters, Terrie Tracy and Sherrie (Larry) Pruitt of Hampstead, NC, Kathy (David) Jones of Brevard, NC, and Beth (Johnny) Tolar of Cedar Point, NC; grandchildren – Eric, Lauren, and Terry Tracy, Leesa Boone, Benjamin White, Brooks and Ryan Wilson, Beckah Turner, Anthony Capps, Kristin Duszik; great-grands –Jaxon Tracy, Summer and Fynn Benbow, Eric, Anna, Lily and Leo Boone, Gaige and Taylor White, Ella and Carter Wilson, Jasmine Turner, Caden Moore, Trey, Emma, and Daxton Capps, Madison Moore, Bentley Duszik, and great-great-grands – Wrenlee and Laikyn Carmichael; nephew Mike Scott, niece Liz Fisher and so many other family members.
The family would like to thank HUMC for the love and support given to Mom/Nana over the last 45 years; and DaVita Dialysis Clinic personnel, 9th Floor nursing staff at Novant NHRMC, and Lower Cape Fear Life Care as she was ushered into the arms of Jesus.
A Celebration of Life will be held on March 8, 2025, at 3:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary of Hampstead UMC. A reception will follow in the Family Life Center. The church is located at 15395 US-17, Hampstead, NC 29443.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lower Cape Fear Life Care or Raise and Release Ministries, LLC (where Sherrie is Treasurer and mission team member).
