Mildred (Millie) Carter, 90, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, died peacefully at home, April 26, 2026 surrounded by her family.  Millie was born in Salem, Massachusetts on October 23,1935 to the late Aurora and George Darsney. She grew up in Lynn, Massachusetts and met the love of her life, William (Bill) Carter, at a picnic when she was 14 and he was 17. They dated for 3 years before Bill enlisted in the Air Force (AF) in 1953 and went to Scott AFB in Illinois for Basic Training. After Millie graduated from High School, she made the first of the many journeys she would make in her life when she traveled to Illinois by train so she and Bill could be married. The following day, Bill went to Louisiana for Tech School and Millie returned to Massachusetts on the train. That trip set the pattern for their life together. For 23 years they continued to travel throughout the US and as far as Wheelus AFB in Tripoli, Libya as Bill was transferred by the Air Force.

Millie and Bill raised six children. But they still made time for sports and hobbies. Millie played softball and enjoyed bowling in a league. She enjoyed watching Arkansas Razorbacks basketball and football.  Her enjoyment of sports is demonstrated by the time she continued playing softball on a league at Wheelus AFB while 8 months pregnant with her youngest son. She and Bill treasured the time they spent bowling as precious alone time away from the kids. She actively supported her children's participation in team sports, earning her the beloved nickname "Mama Carter".

She was an avid reader and lifelong knitter.  She volunteered throughout her life, beginning with Family Services helping new families adjust to military life, and she continued into her 80s, delivering meals to the homebound and working at the LRAFB Base Pharmacy one day a week.

Once her youngest children reached school age, she worked at the Optical Shop on LRAFB. Her strong belief that every child deserved a chance at succeeding through education, led her to further her own education so that she could work as a Paraprofessional at Tolleson and Murrell Taylor Elementary Schools in Jacksonville. She retired from this third career in 1999.

Her athletic prowess, quick thinking and sense of humor are demonstrated by an incident that occurred one summer day. A young man who will remain nameless said a certain four-letter word in her kitchen. She quickly bent down, removed one shoe and managed to bean him with the shoe as he ran 40 feet to escape out the front door.  Due to softball, her throws were on point.

Her faith was very important to her. She was active in St. Jude the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, as a member of the Ladies of the Knights supporting Bill when he was in the Knights of Columbus, and in various Bible study groups. She knitted many prayer shawls to comfort the sick and enjoyed the camaraderie of the Merry Widows. As a widow herself, she continued to travel with friends to Hawaii, Florida, Oklahoma, and Arizona.

She loved her family and friends, and could be depended upon to help anyone who needed assistance. She was proud to have "served" 23 years as a military wife.  Two of her favorite sayings, "To each their own" and "leave it in God's hands" reflect her deep faith and her love.

Preceding her on this new journey were her husband of 53 years, William Carter; her daughter, Sandra Gilliland; her sons-in-law, Will Witkop, Kyle Gilliland, Calvin Burgess, and Larry Onyskow; and her siblings, Warren, Raymond and George Darsney.

She is survived by her sibling, Patricia Steere; her 5 children, Roberta Bowen, Patti Witkop, William Carter, Jr., Cynthia Burgess, and Michael Carter; along with 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A mass will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, April 30, 2026 at St. Jude Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Rosary will begin at 9:30 a.m. Visitation will be the night before, from 5:00 p.m.  to 7:00 p.m. at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Millie will be laid to rest alongside Bill at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.