Obituary of Pearl Carter

Pearl Laurene Smith, the fourth child of William Frederick and Anna Matilda (Kansasback) Smith, was born near Ithaca, Nebraska on September 17, 1918. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at Grace Manor Care Center in Burlington, Colorado during the early morning of December 23, 2010. She lived most of her 92 years and 3 months in and near Burlington where Bill and Anna moved with their young children in the early 1920’s. They farmed near the Smokey Hill River and raised a family of eleven including; Emmett, Arthur, Ruby, Pearl, Bernice, Raymond, William, Lawrence, Roaland, Donald and Violet. Pearl married Marion Maxwell Carter on June 14, 1941 In Goodland, Kansas. They lived for short periods at Bovina, Colorado, Haddam and Belleville, Kansas and Burlington before Max joined the Army Air Corp during WWII, during which they lived for a while at Alexandria, Louisiana. After the war they returned to Burlington and built a house on 17th Street. Later they moved a half mile north of Burlington and built another home where they raised their family: Marion, Walter, Linda, Rodney and Glenn. After the death of her husband Max, Pearl moved to Kirk Colorado where she resided until her failing health sent her back to Burlington where she could receive the care she needed. Pearl was an avid gardener and cook. She had a huge garden every year and her yard was covered with beautiful flowers. People from the community loved to drop by just for a peek of her breathtaking yard, which she was proud to show off. She also loved to cook for her family. Every Thanksgiving, all the family members that were able, came to Kirk to celebrate with Pearl. She would spend weeks baking pies and all kinds of delicious food preparing for the feast to come. Pearl loved to play cards and board games with her family, Pinochle and Aggravation were her favorite. She had a sharp wit and great sense of humor and we will all miss her unforgettable giggle. She had a tender heart and loved taking care of her family. Her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all have fond memories of the time they were able to spend with her. She was preceded in death by her husband Max, her parents, her baby brother William, her sister Bernice and brothers Emmett, Art, Raymond, Roaland, and Lawrence and great-granddaughter Jesse Lynn Hill. She is survived by her five children; Marion and wife Virginia Carter of Kirk, Colorado, Walt and wife Carol Ann Carter of Olathe, Kansas, Linda and husband Don Krebs of Bentonville, Arkansas, Rod and wife Andrea Carter of Chico, California and Glenn Carter of Rogers, Arkansas; her 12 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Ruby Knight, Brother Don Smith and sister Vi Stevens, all of Burlington, and numerous nieces, nephews and other family. She will rest beside her husband at Fairview cemetery in Burlington. Pearl was a very special person to all of her family and will be greatly missed.