Shelley Marie Glenn Carter, a precious wife, mother, grandma, sister, aunt and friend, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, Aug, 13, 2023. She was at home surrounded by her family at her passing.
Shelley was born in Elma, Washington on March 14, 1953, to Barbara and David Glenn. She was the oldest of four children: Sherry Erickson of Elma, Shawnie (Rick) Rakevich of Chehalis, and Dave Glenn of Olympia. Shelley graduated in 1971 from Elma High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart Dell Carter.
Shelley thrived working from home while raising her four children and nurturing her 17 grandchildren. She was a master landscaper, meticulous home keeper and legendary chef. She had a gift of unconditional love and welcomed so many people into her home for the numerous events she and Dell hosted for family and friends over the years. Shelley spent most Sundays with her church family at Abundant Life Church and joyfully anticipated the permanent home the church is building. If she wasn’t at home or church, you could most likely find her at one of her grandchildren’s sporting events; rain or shine, there wasn’t a game that Grandma Shelley didn’t make it to. She was a lover of all family time, but especially family vacations — Hawaii and Disneyland topped the list of her favorite destinations, but Shelley’s gift for hosting could make any get-together feel like a special occasion for her loved ones.
Shelley lives on through love in her family — her husband of 52 years, Dell Carter; their children Shadel Carter-Thompson of Elma, Shannon Carter (deceased), Jeremy (Stefanie) Carter of Elma, and Jared (Rose) Carter also of Elma, along with her 17 grandchildren: Jessi, Carmen, Zale, Trevon, Riley, Maddie, Lauren, Aspen, Garrett, Jaimee, Traden, Lynsee, Mercedes, Jaeger, Laela, Cecil and Troy.
Shelley: You guided us, listened to us, encouraged us, prayed for us, and loved us. We haven’t known a single part of life that you weren’t a part of. Sports, church, faith, babies, swimming, holidays, vacations, school, laughter, movies, milkshakes, barbecues, graduations, weddings, everything. You were always there and through it all, you made us feel abundantly loved and seen.
You loved us so well that your passing has left a gaping hole in every part of our lives, but we remain so thankful for your faith. You loved Jesus with all your heart and you guided us by word and example. Your faith anchored us in the love of our Savior; He is our strength and our peace as He was yours. Thank you for your legacy of love, gentleness and kindness; thank you for nurturing our faith and giving us the greatest gift we could receive this side of the cross.
We may not have you on Earth anymore, but you blessed us with family and made sure we had each other. Even as we ache for you, we do it together and will continue loving, holding onto, praying for and lifting one another up. Although we have a hard time imagining our tomorrows without you, together our eyes are set on eternity. Until our chain is whole again, we look forward to our reunion.
“A Mother holds her children’s hands for a while, their hearts forever.”
“Honor her for all that her hands have done and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Prov. 31:31
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at the Mike Murphy Pavilion’s Exhibit Hall at the Elma Fairgrounds.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation or Seattle Children’s Foundation. Both foundations were close to Shelley’s heart.
Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation, PO Box 5296, Tacoma, WA 98415-0296, Commemorative Giving, Seattle Children’s Foundation, M/S 818-FPO, PO Box 5371, Seattle, WA 98145
Please take a few moments to record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net.
