Maria L "Mary Lou" Carter

Maria L. “Mary Lou” Carter, 72, of Port Huron, passed away peacefully on Sunday, August 3, 2025, after a brief illness, surrounded by the love that defined her life.

Born on April 16, 1953, in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Carmel Middleton, Mary Lou spent her childhood in Santa Fe, where she was raised in the nurturing care of her beloved Aunt Lena Sanchez. At 13, she moved to Raton to live with her mother and step-father, Thad Middleton, and her siblings. Her early years were marked by strong family roots, faith, and a firecracker personality that would carry her through life.

After graduating from high school, Mary Lou moved to Port Huron, Michigan, with her parents and younger brother, where she built a beautiful life. She met Timothy Carter at a bar, where she famously rebuffed his advances, until he won her heart with a poem scribbled on a napkin. That moment sparked a lifelong love story, and they were married on February 23, 1973.

Mary Lou had a sharp mind and a strong work ethic, which she brought to her role as an executive secretary at Port Huron Paper, later E.B. Eddy. When a Catholic junior high school opened, she took her skills-and her deep faith-to serve as the school secretary at McCormick Catholic Academy, watching over students with her signature booming voice, infectious laugh, and wide, welcoming smile. She loved that job not only for the work but for the chance to keep an eye on her daughters while making every child who walked into her office feel seen and cared for.

She had a magnetic personality. Mary Lou was funny, feisty, and unforgettable. Her smile was broad and beautiful, lighting up every room and drawing others. People were drawn to her warmth, her humor, and her fierce loyalty.

But Mary Lou’s greatest joy in life was her family. She was a devoted wife, a Grammy and Meme who beamed with pride at her grandchildren, and-above all else-an incredible mother. Her five children were her world, and she was theirs. She was their loudest cheerleader, fiercest protector, and closest confidant. Her daughters, especially, knew the deep blessing of having a mother who was also their best friend, someone they could laugh with, cry to, and always count on.

She never missed a game, concert, recital, or milestone, showing up with a camera in hand, a proud grin on her face, and the loudest applause. She was the first call for a sick day, a heartache, or good news. Her home was always open, her hugs always healing, and her love knew no bounds.

Mary Lou leaves behind a legacy of unconditional love, strength wrapped in tenderness, and a faith that grounded her through every season of life.

She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Timothy Carter, who remained her soulmate, best friend, and the great love of her life. She is also survived by her children and their spouses, who she welcomed with open arms, Jude (Sharon) Carter of Myrtle Beach, SC, Aubree (Mark) Mayhew of Fort Gratiot, MI, Caitlin Carter of Lady Lake, Florida, Emily (Alfred) Dixon of Midland, MI, and MacKenzee (Michael) VanSumeren of Richmond, MI; Grammy and Meme to six beautiful grandchildren who were her pride and joy, Dakota Carter, Eli and Aria Mayhew, Juliet and Lainey Dixon, and Charlee VanSumeren; several siblings, including Marcus (Carol) Middleton, Kathee (late Walt) Oldham, Bert Middleton, Bonnie Sanchez, and Lorraine Christian; her in-laws, Paul (Jan) Carter and David Carter; a host of nieces and nephews who she loved greatly; a number of loving friends who she considered family and cherished the light she brought into their lives, especially Jennifer (Tim) Kern, who she loved as her own daughter, and her children, Kaicee (Zach), Shelby (James), and Chance; and her best friend for more than 30 years, Ann (Ric) Ramales.

Her voice, her laughter, her strength, and her deep, boundless love will echo in the hearts of all who knew her.

Visitation will be held from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on both Friday, August 8, 2025 and Saturday, August 9, 2025 in Karrer-Simpson Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, August 11, 2025 in St. Mary Catholic Church with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. The Very Reverend Salvatore Palazzolo KHS will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to her husband to be distributed to her favorite charities. To send condolences, visit karrersimpson.com