Mrs. Anna Rose Marie Carter

Anna Rose Marie Carter of the Elliott Community in Lee County, SC, passed away at her home on October 14, 2024, at the age of 68. Marie was born in Lake Charles, LA, on January 17, 1956. She was the only child of the late Willie Rose Huggins and Norwood Commander Carter. At the ripe old age of 14 days, her parents brought Marie back to their home in Elliott. Her father’s military service ended due to illness when she was five years old. After her father’s death the following year, her mother raised her with the help of both sets of grandparents, Marie Hancock and Ralph B. Romine, and Anna Player and Marion E. Carter, Sr. Marie grew up in Lee County, where she began her Girl Scout career at Bethlehem United Church with Pat Bedenbough. Her favorite childhood experience was selling Girl Scout cookies to raise funds to help purchase Camp Sandy Ridge. When her Cadette troop disbanded, she took her skills and joined 4-H. The leadership skills that she learned with Girl Scouts helped her to become a 4-H State Winner in both Home Management and Cooperative Demonstration. Marie graduated from Robert E. Lee Academy in 1974. She attended Winthrop University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a double minor in Library Science and History. She continued to add to her certification at Clemson University, where she completed certification requirements in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Middle School Language Arts, High School English, and Library Science K-12. She earned her Master of Arts degree in Librarianship from the University of South Carolina in 1981. Marie’s professional career began in 1979 at St. John Elementary in Sumter County. During the next 27 years, she served as a school library media specialist at St. John Elementary, Mayesville Elementary in Sumter District 2, Timrod Elementary in Florence District 1, and Brockington Elementary and Timmonsville High School in Florence District 4. During 15 years of her career, Marie worked part-time at the Florence County Public Library, serving at the Circulation Desk, Reference Desk, and in the Children’s Area. She also drove the Bookmobile. Marie was recruited to be a Girl Scout leader by Mrs. Serethia Edwards and Mrs. Gereldine Cooper in 1979. After her experience working with a large community troop, Marie was ready to lead her own troop. In 1981, she joined forces with Wendy Varner, a pen pal from Cadette Camp Woo Hoo, where they became leaders of Troop 8 in Quinby. After Wendy’s passing, Johnnie Wright helped with Troop 8 and became its leader. Marie then began a troop with Robin Horne for Robin’s daughter Elyse and others. While Marie was leading troops and a service unit, Anne Soots, Director of Adult Membership, saw in her the talent to become a trainer. Marie joined Anne at the first Girl Scouts of the USA National Certification of Instructor of Trainers Course held at the Macy Conference Center in Briarcliffe, NY. As the first volunteer to complete the certification process, Marie was on her way to discovering a new world in Girl Scouts – Adult Training. Marie continued to train for all kinds of activities. As the years passed, new leaders began their training with Square One, which Marie helped to write. She trained many classes of both new leaders and experienced leaders as programs changed. To help leaders get ready for troop camping, she taught 8 Basic Outdoor Skills in the yard of her duplex. When GSUSA phased out Instructor of Trainers positions, she helped develop Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina’s replacement programs, Key Trainer and Trainer’s College. In addition to her extensive work with Girl Scouts, Marie also was enlisted by the Florence Symphony Orchestra in 1995 as the Symphony’s Librarian. Initially, she was engaged in cataloging and organizing the Symphony’s music library and performing the duties of “keeping the musicians in the printed music for rehearsals and concert performances.” The Symphony was also where she met her future husband, who was a violinist in the orchestra. Marie and her husband, Joe Youmans, were married for 25 years. They shared their home with many rescued cats over the years. Marie was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Florence, SC, and later a member of First Baptist Church, Florence. While a member at Calvary, she taught Sunday School, presented Children’s Sermons, and signed for deaf church members in Sunday Services. Marie was a light to every life she touched and sought to bring God’s joy every day she lived on this earth. She was humbled to be touched by her Lord’s amazing grace and will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her. A funeral service to honor her life will be held at 2 o'clock on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Elliot Baptist Church. The Rev. Sammy Thompson will officiate with burial to follow in St. Luke Cemetery, Elliott, SC. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Marie’s home church, Elliott Baptist Church, P.O. Box 117, Elliott, SC 29046, or to First Baptist Church, 300 South Irby Street, Florence, SC 29501.

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Mrs. Anna Rose Marie Carter

January 17, 1956 - October 14, 2024