Marian Heddleston Carter

Carter—Marian Heddleston Carter, 93, on August 22, 2023, in San Antonio, Tex.

Marian was born on February 17, 1930, on a cattle and sheep ranch in Coleman County, Tex., to Mary Elizabeth and Webb Heddleston. In 1956, she married Elmer “Rusty” Carter, who came from a Quaker family. After her marriage, she became a convinced Friend. The couple adopted John Mason Carter in 1958 and Susan Elizabeth Carter in 1960. The family settled in San Antonio in 1962 where Rusty taught at Trinity University and from where Marian completed her bachelor’s degree and later earned a master’s degree in special education and supervision. She taught in San Antonio for more than 30 years.

Marian and Rusty were among a handful of Friends over the years who established a permanent Quaker presence in the Alamo city. By 1979, Friends began gathering more regularly and the meeting started to grow. Marian was involved in an array of Quaker committee work over her many years with the meeting. When the meeting built a meetinghouse in the early 2000s, Marian, an avid gardener, took a keen interest in landscaping the grounds. Marian seldom spoke in meetings for worship, but more than once remarked how much she loved it and the members. She cultivated longtime, caring relationships with numerous members and was especially good at drawing out shy or withdrawn people with her interest in them and their lives.

Marian was predeceased by her husband, Rusty Carter; and two children, John Carter and Susan Carter.