Edwina (Parson) Carter, formerly of Carbondale
Edwina (Parson) Carter, 71, passed away Jan. 15, 2018, in Cape Coral, Fla., with her husband of 52 years, Chuck, by her side.
She was born alongside her identical twin sister Denice Sept. 3, 1946, in Owensboro, Ky., to Beavin and Dorothy Parson (Josephine Burk). She was a 1964 graduate of Carbondale Community High School. She married her high school sweetheart, Charles Carter, Dec. 3, 1965. As a first-generation college graduate, she earned a bachelor's degree from SIU in elementary education. Her education continued as she earned a master's degree from SIU with continued study toward her Ph.D. She taught in Carbondale District 95 for 14 years. Her love for teaching gave her the ability to instill knowledge, inspiration and values in the lives of hundreds of students and their families during this first chapter of her professional career.
Recognizing her inner entrepreneurial spirit, she left the teaching profession to launch a family business that grew to be the largest Pier One Imports franchisee in the country with locations in four Midwestern states. Her business acumen continued to grow with ownership in Carter Property Management and as a founding investor in the establishment of First Southern Bank. Edwina possessed so many qualities that affected the lives of her family, students, community and employees. She particularly enjoyed her service on the Inspiring Women initiative at SIU. Her Saluki pride stemmed from the fact that her immediate family earned six degrees among four family members.
She is survived by her husband, Chuck; daughter,Emily Carter (Bill Wilkison); son Matthew (Carla); four grandsons, Andrew Wilkison, Michael Wilkison, Ryan Carter and William Carter; sister Denice Brown; brothers in-law Jerry Henryq and Bob Jarvis; two nieces and five nephews; and 12 great-nieces and -nephews.
Preceding her in death were her parents; beloved sister Brenda Jarvis; and brother-in-law Barry Brown.
She dearly loved and was loved by all of her family. Her special times with her husband and family included traveling the United States and the world. Her favorite destination was Hawaii, were she renewed her vows in celebration of her 40th wedding anniversary. She cherished time spent with her grandsons going to movies, playing games and visiting Disney several times. She will be remembered as Aunt Eddie, a very special, fun-loving aunt to all of her nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 23 at Walker Funeral Home in Carbondale. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24 the funeral home with interment immediately following at Oakland Cemetery in Carbondale. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Edwina's memory to the American Cancer Society.