Clelda Conway Carter

Clelda Conway Carter was born August 14, 1929, died peacefully after a lingering illness on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. She was known as Mrs. Clelda, Mrs. Carter, or her favorite name “Grandmother”. She was a member of First Baptist Church, White Pine for over 60 years. Clelda was a strong woman of faith and always shared her faith with others. She always told her three children that they were not better than anyone else, but that they were as good as anyone. She expected her family to live as Christians. Family and love of family were so very important to her. Her home was always open to a diverse group of people who made themselves at home in the Carter household. 

Through her sickness and eventual diminishing health, she never questioned or doubted the Lord. Her resolve and witness of Him were always at the forefront. She prayed for those she loved and cared for, as well as the lost that she didn’t even know. She often spoke of “going home” as she knew her place in Heaven was prepared. She was filled with joy and excitement to see Jesus! While we grieve her loss, let us rejoice in her victory and example, and let us be prepared just as she was; that we may also see our Heavenly Father. 

Clelda is preceded in death by her husband, Tom B. Carter, parents, Jess R. Conway, Daisy Hall Conway and stepmother, Hattie Potts Conway, siblings, Beatrice Sullivan, Judy Cates, Mary Chrisman, Jess R. Conway, Jr., granddaughter, Lauren Nicole Matijevich. She is survived by her sister, Joan Wood, Tulsa, OK; children, Cathy Woods-(Rodney) Beasley, Karen (Eli) Matijevich, Tom (Barbara) Carter; grandchildren, Brianne (Brent) Taylor, Brad (Tammy) Woods, Nick (Lauren) Matijevich, Christopher Leveri, Troy Wilson, Kevin Tankersley, Cynthia Beasley, Ashley (Aaron) Behm; great grandchildren, Logan Taylor, Elyse (Dakota) Johnston, Natalie Matijevich, Max Matijevich, Spencer Beasley, Izzy Behm; great-great-granddaughter, Oaklynn Tatum Johnston, to arrive April 16, 2024, and special cousin, Shannon Clark, and special nieces, nephews, and family friends. A special thank you to those who cared for her during her illness, Angelina Sebastian, Cyndie Beasley, Ester Gardner, Kacie Voss, Nancy Justis, Resa Hamilton and to the nurses and staff of Covenant Hospice and the administration and staff of Friends of Hospice-Serenity House.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held at 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in the Swannsylvania Baptist Church Family Life Center. 

In lieu of flowers a donation to the following would be appreciated by the family to First Baptist Church, White Pine, TN, Swannsylvania Baptist Church, Dandridge, TN, Friends of Hospice-Serenity House, Morristown, TN.