Obituary of Elaine S. Carter

Elaine Sandidge Carter was born on February 28th, 1939, in Amherst, VA. to the late George and Lillie Sandidge. She departed this life on the morning of September 22nd, 2021. She was affectionately known as "Topsy" to her family and friends she grew up with. She attended Amherst County public schools and graduated Salutatorian from Amherst County high school while working part-time at Sweet Briar College where her mother was employed. At an early age, she joined and was baptized at St. Mark Baptist Church in Amherst Va. and despite later moving away from home, she consistently supported this church and attended service whenever she returned to visit her family. She especially looked forward to returning for revival services every year on the 4th Sunday of August. Elaine met and married Robert "Bob” Carter also of Amherst and through this union, two daughters were born Cynthia and Michelle. They left their small town in VA. to start a new life in the "Big City" of Camden NJ, where Robert had been living. His older sister Mildred also resided in NJ with her husband Oscar Rose. Over the years, Elaine often spoke about how much she appreciated their guidance and support. Elaine retired in 2002 as an Investigations Supervisor for the state of NJ Dept. of Disability. Her family will tell you she loved, loved her job and only retired because she was offered a retirement package she couldn't refuse. Although she was sad to leave her job, she was happy it gave her the opportunity to spend more time with her grandchildren. Elaine's favorite hobbies included, shopping, travelling (especially cruising) and bowling. She had an eye for art and enjoyed painting. Some of her work is currently hanging on the walls of her home. She was an active member of the Sampson High School Alumni Association serving as Secretary for several years. Elaine instilled in her children and later her grandchildren, to get a good education because no one can take knowledge from you. She also stressed to them to start saving NOW...it will add up before you know it. More importantly, she made sure they had a relationship to God. She is predeceased by her parents George and Lillie Sandidge, sister Annie Hudson, brother Roger Sandidge and grandson Cody Williams. She leaves to mourn her passing, her husband Robert Carter, daughters Cynthia Carter, Michelle (Darryl Williams), grandson Aaron, granddaughter Diamond, sisters Shirley Carter & Ernestine (Roosevelt Rose) of Amherst, VA., special cousin Carl Hamiel, a host of nieces and nephews, in-laws and other relatives, Elaine's lifelong friends: Jerrius Jones, Dolores Walker, Sallye Harvey and Suzanne Ashford (deceased).