Mary Elizabeth Carter, 90, of Athol, passed away in her sleep Monday, Nov. 26, 2012. Mary was born on April 8, 1922, in Oil Springs, Ky., to Edward Ray and Alice (Treadway) Truitt.

The second of seven children in a loving family, she enjoyed helping raise her younger siblings. In 1925, they moved to the Burnside neighborhood of Chicago, Ill. An exceptional student, she graduated a year early from Fenger High School. She met the love of her life, William Danish, at Burnside Gospel Tabernacle in 1942. They wed in 1943. They were blessed with two children, Dixie Lee (Kubart) in 1944 and William Edward in 1949. They built a home and a beautiful family in Oak Forest, Ill. She enjoyed crocheting, playing the organ and was a talented poet and storyteller. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and teaching Sunday school.

After the loss of William in 1969, she married Emmett Foster. They continued to live in Oak Forest and enjoy their grandchildren. Emmett passed away in 1979 from heart failure. Mary married Harry Carter in 1980 and moved to Spring Hill, Fla. She enjoyed the warm weather but missed her family. After Harry passed away, she moved to Athol in 1999 to be close to family.

Mary was preceded in death by both parents; brothers, Ray, Paul and Don; sister Edna (Crahal); and husbands, William Danish, Emmett Foster and Harry Carter. She is survived by brother James Truitt of Tacoma, Wash.; sister Brenda Damron of Sugar Grove, Ill.; daughter Dixie and son William (Shirl), both of Athol; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mary was loved and respected as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She loved the Lord and enjoyed sharing the Gospel. She brought joy and laughter to everyone in her life. She will be missed and her memory cherished.

Memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012, at Yates Chapel & Gathering Center in Hayden Lake. Mary will be laid to rest with William Danish on Friday, Dec. 7, 2012, at Chapel Hill Gardens in Oak Lawn, Ill. Please visit Mary’s memorial and sing her online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.