Geraldine Barton Carter

Geraldine B Carter also known as (Mama, Mom and Granny), age 93 peacefully gained her wings and was joyfully reunited with family and friends as she triumphantly entered and welcomed home by our most gracious and merciful Savior. On July 12th, 2021. In the earlier morning hours, during sunrise, keeping with her routine as an early morning person, she arose at the call and the gentle lifting of the Holy Spirit. Geraldine was born on February 4th, 1928 to Andrew and Dolie Belle Barton of Vinton, Virginia. Throughout her life there were many challenges and disappointments, but later in her life there were an abundance of celebrations. Joy and love overshadowed the past and blessed her final years as the happiest days of her life.

A woman of great faith and a believer, we know she is now in the arms of sweet Jesus. While still with us. She often supported others by saying “where there is a will there is a way God will provide.” She was a member of Glade Creek Baptist Church and for over fifty years. She served in the roles of choir, church custodian, lawn care, and Sunday school secretary and attendance clerk. She also volunteered in VBS and Christmas plays.

Geraldine was the first in her family to attend community college, where she completed three full semesters.

She started her professional career as a custodian at Colonial Elementary School, in which she retired from. She cleaned homes for over forty years with her best friend, Myrtle Nester (friends for over sixty years.)

She had many travel passions which included but not limited to sitting on her front porch (watching all the cardinals), visiting her daughter and son in law Jackie and Greg at their log home in Troutville. Geraldine enjoyed visiting Craig's Creek with Shirley and Shirley's family and friends.

Traveling to the beach wading in the water and flirting with the surfers. Visiting Tennessee throughout the

year, especially Christmas. Her fondest memory was spending the holidays at Bear’s Lair log cabin where

she became known as the “Queen of the game monopoly” out winning everyone in the

game. She loved and thoroughly enjoyed all gatherings with family and friends in Gatlinburg especially shopping at the Christmas Store and staying the night at the Christmas Inn while sipping hot cocoa and sitting on Santa’s lap. She very much enjoyed traveling to Greeneville, Tennessee spending time with Steve’s mother Kay and her family. She enjoyed many boat rides and visits to Smith Mountain Lake. She blessed many family and friends at gatherings while eating out at some of her favorite restaurants. Mel’s Dinner, Cheddars, Cracker Barrel and Burger King were some of her favorite eating spots.

She blessed her family, friends and anyone that knew her with her cooking. Some of her favorites recipes and dishes to cook and most enjoyed was her homemade old-fashioned banana pudding, hoecakes, cornbread, fried chicken with homemade gravy, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, half-moon fruit pies and Iced tea.

Granny had many passions throughout her lifetime. In earlier years she enjoyed watching the shows, Hee-Haw, and Dallas. In later years she enjoyed watching the Andy Griffin show, The Price is Right and Soap Operas. She collected figurines of roosters and chickens, loved her pet dog Frisky and cats, Brutus, and Molly. She often shared stories of her childhood and her life with family and friends on many occasions.
Some of her greatest achievements in her lifetime would be that of a homeowner of her property on Webster Road, which she maintained ownership of and visited throughout the past years. Home ownership gave her the opportunity to host many gatherings especially centered around her front porch, picnic table, and her treasured kitchen table. Celebrations and gathering alike for birthday, Christmas, holiday, even wedding announcements, always drew good times with great food, entertainment, and fellowship.

She also taught herself to drive in her “65 Mustang and later purchased her brand new ’72 Ford Lauriat

pick-up truck. Her home and her truck were some of her fondest earthly possessions and brought her the

most joy, because she was able to share and help so many others, and make everlasting memories

with so many family and friends. She deeply enjoyed her pick-up truck. In earlier years she would pack the family up for a day of fun and swimming at the Bedford State Park and Smith Mountain Lake. In later years, the use of and time spent with her truck brought memories with family and friends driving to their homes for yard sales and many celebrations for holidays cerebrations and cookouts.

Throughout her lifetime she thoroughly enjoyed gardening, either growing her own vegetables and fruits, which she canned with her mother and sister. She was also blessed with (2) green thumbs. She revived many plants and flowers. She had a passion for red Geraniums. Her front porch was always adorned with hanging baskets, and planters full of blooming colorful flowers. During the Christmas season her home became festive and welcoming with beautiful lights and decorations along the front and side porch, while beautifully decorated trees and Christmas figures and villages welcomed friends and family inside.

She loved fresh perked coffee, and a “big,” breakfast. Some of her favorites were pancakes and eggs with coffee prepared by her son-in-law, Greg, and McDonalds’s sausage and gravy and special K cereal.
Her family would like to say thank you and appreciation for her assisted caregivers that enabled her to enjoy time in her home. She loved hearing the word of God shared, watching her favorite TV shows, sitting on her front porch, and just being at home.

With sincere appreciation to her caregivers, Doris Bare, Lytasha, Charis, Kathy, nurse Tammy, her cousin Tilly and especially Aloma- who is now and will always be family. Thank you.

She always enjoyed the many cards, calls and messages sent to her from her church family, friends, and many family members. Please celebrate and share with us the life and ministry of our mother. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow, yet joyful because she is at home, at last, forever, until we meet again, God please
accept our mother into your hands.

Predeceased by her parents, Andrew Jackson and Dolie Bell Saunders Barton; sister, Juanita Fizer; brothers, Oliver "Pete" Barton and John "D" Barton; son, Michael Blankenship; granddaughter, Nicole "Nickie" Blankenship; daughter-in-law, Wanda Blankenship.
Survived by her children, Mary St. Clair (Jim), William Blankenship, Andrew Blankenship (Nina); daughter-in-law, Vickie Blankenship; grandchildren, Ronald "Ronnie" St. Clair, Melanie (Kevin) Dillon, Matthew (Amanda) Blankenship, BJ Blankenship, Katelyn (Trent) Carter, several great-grandchildren.

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