Judith Anne Carter, age 79, passed away peacefully on May 19, 2026, in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Judith was born in San Diego County, California, on November 24, 1946, the middle child of Mary Frances Phelan and Peter Carter. Her father’s Navy career took the family to live in many locations, most notably 2 years in Japan, eventually settling once again in San Diego. She graduated high school from Our Lady of Peace, from which she kept many fond memories and lifelong friendships. She became a nurse and worked for many years at Mercy Hospital in San Diego.
In 1990, Judith relocated with her younger daughter, Kweilin, to Little Rock, Arkansas. She always missed San Diego for its casual vibe, rolled tacos, and living room weather, but she also grew to appreciate Arkansas for its beautiful autumn color and slower pace of life. She bought a small house and graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a B.A. in History. She was joined in 2007 by her older daughter, Rachel, and granddaughter, Grace.
Judith is remembered by all who knew her as being smart, funny, chatty, and kind. She was the family peacemaker who rarely held a grudge, an optimist, and a thoughtful gift giver. She loved holidays, especially Christmas and birthdays. As a child, she once thought the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was honoring her birthday. The whole month of November was her birthday and she could name endless celebrities and notable figures born in 1946.
Judith had a brilliant mind and a keen interest in learning new things. She loved documentaries about history, science, nature, travel, and different cultures. She was also fond of British historical dramas, classical music, art and history museums, travel, and shopping in antique and thrift stores. Her preferred reading was biographies and non-fiction. She wrote beautifully and was a masterful player of Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit.
Judith’s hobbies included sewing, cooking new recipes, and container gardening. She collected rose prints and porcelain bunny figurines. Her favorite color was pink. She was an amazing, loving mother and grandmother, the guiding matriarch of the family. In the last few years of her life, Judith’s health and mobility declined. She died peacefully after a short stay in hospice, surrounded by the love of her family.
Judith was preceded in death by her parents, her older brother, Peter Michael Carter, and her younger sister, Nancy Carter. She is survived by her daughters, Rachel Wilson and Kweilin Wilson, and her granddaughter, Grace Campbell, who will always love her and tell her stories.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com