Obituary: Selma Carter
Selma Jones Carter, 92, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Although not in her home when she made her final transition, she spent her entire life in her home until March 2025. During her final days, she received family and friend visits, calls, cards, and lots of love.
She was born in Pitt County to the late Henry and Mary Elizabeth Andrews Jones on January 12, 1933.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Carter; her daughter, Barbara Herring; her son, Allen Herring; her grandchildren, Daniel Tripp, Ben Tripp, Beth Tripp, and John L. Gallagher III; her brother, Leighton Jones; her sisters, Melba Herring, Curley Tyndall, and Nellie Ruth Whitehurst; and her son-in-law, George Tripp.
Selma was a farmer’s daughter and a farmer’s wife. She found the love of her life when she married George. Life was hard, and they faced many obstacles, losses, and heartaches, but together they could figure anything out. They were married for nearly 40 years, and her love for him remained constant for the remainder of her life. Today, they are together in paradise.
Selma was a quiet, shy woman. She lived modestly and did not require material possessions. Until she was physically unable, she was an avid reader, traveling the world through the books she read. She took pride in her yard and garden. She enjoyed jigsaw puzzles, raising backyard chickens, and cooking big Southern meals. She had many pets over the years who received her love, care, and attention.
Most of all, she loved her family. When asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she always said she wanted to be a mama. She loved her children and grandchildren wholeheartedly and prayed for them without ceasing over the years. She loved nothing more than them giving her their time. After all, it is the one thing you can never get back or make more of. She realized its value.
When you remember her, think of her smile, kind words, and compassion for others. Let her memory be an example of perseverance in times of tragedy and hardship, without loss of faith, love, and caring.
The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Saturday, December 27, 2025 from 1:00 until 1:45 p.m. at Rouse Funeral Home. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Fairview Cemetery, La Grange.
Selma is survived by her children, Wayne Herring, Jackie Fay Tripp, Georgia Gallagher (John), and Tammie Dupree (James); her grandchildren, JD Dupree and Emily Grace Gallagher; her sisters, Annie Belle McCormick, Joyce Crux, and Connie Sutton; and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to acknowledge and thank special friend and caregiver Betty Hayes for her love for “Grammy” during her final months.
The family takes comfort in knowing she is in the presence of the Lord, our Savior, and surrounded by loved ones.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.rousefh.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in Selma’s honor to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Arrangements are entrusted to Rouse Funeral Home, La Grange.
