Virginia Carter

Virginia Harkins Carter passed away peacefully with her husband and daughters at her side on January 17, 2013 at the Park Springs Retirement Community in Stone Mountain, GA. She was born into an Army family on May 6, 1926 in El Paso, TX. Her parents were General Paul D. and Elizabeth C. Harkins. Virginia attended numerous schools as her father moved from one military assignment to another, graduating from high school and attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas,TX. In June 1948 she married Lieutenant Leslie D. Carter, Jr. who graduated that year from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. Their friendship initially started when they attended second grade together at Ft. Riley, KS; the association was renewed when they attended junior high school together in Virginia, and was more seriously renewed when Virginia's father was stationed at West Point where Les was a cadet. Their relationship lasted over 80 years and their marriage which lasted for 65 joyful years was blessed with three wonderful children - Elizabeth Ann (Betsy), Katherine Virginia (Ginger), and Leslie, III, (Sam). Virginia had a warm and friendly personality which allowed her to make and retain friends readily. Where ever she lived, she eagerly participated in volunteer programs. But her primary focus was always on her children whom she greatly loved and inspired as a role model. Virginia is survived by her husband, her three children, five grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be observed at 1:30 PM on Sunday, January 27, 2013 at Park Springs and a graveside service and burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. - time/date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the Park Springs Foundation, 500 Springhouse Circle, Stone Mountain, GA, 30087.

Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033