Former councilwoman Carter remembered as ‘great public servant’

ASHEBORO — Linda Hames Carter was known as a “great public servant” but also as a “special friend.”

The former member of the Asheboro City Council died Friday, July 18, at the age of 73 after a lengthy illness.

Former NC Rep. Pat Hurley Thornburg said news of Carter’s death “broke my heart. She was a great friend, not only to me but to many people, especially her constituents. She was always there for them.”

Asheboro Mayor David Smith, who served with Carter on the city council for many years, echoed Thornburg’s words: “Linda was an excellent councilperson who took her work seriously. She researched and did her homework” about issues before the council.

Former mayor David Jarrell said he had served with Carter on the Redevelopment Commission as well as the city council. “I hate to hear about her. She was an outstanding Christian lady. She always had the best interests of the city at heart.”

Thornburg recalled that when constituents called about a problem in the city, Carter would go out to the location to see for herself and work to find solutions. “She believed it helps to know, to see what can be done. Or sometimes people just wanted to talk.”

Thornburg said Carter exemplified what a public servant should be. “People want somebody who’s going to be honest, trustworthy and dependable, someone you know you could trust. She was a great public servant. She gave her all with integrity.

“She had compassion and the ability to make you feel like you were special and respected.”

After retiring from the city council, Carter was plagued with serious health problems. Smith said, “She fought a valiant, courageous battle for years. It’s sad to see her go.”

According to Thornburg, Carter “hadn’t been able to do what she had been able to do. But we would talk. She was a special friend.”

Jarrell added, “She was a super nice lady and I enjoyed my association with her. She was someone you enjoyed being around.”

Carter was a native of Asheboro and 1970 graduate of Asheboro High School. After attending Appalachian State University, she married David Carter. They had owned Garner-Morgan Hardware before she worked in banking at Central Carolina Bank and Community One Bank. From there she served as the executive director of Carolina House of Asheboro.

According to her obituary with McLaurin Funeral Home of Clayton, “she was a former board of directors member and past president of Hospice of Randolph and former board of directors member and past president of Cross Road Rest and Retirement Village. She was proud to be a born and bred citizen of Asheboro and served as a City Council member for almost 20 years.

“Her love for Asheboro was only second to her love for her family. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 54 years, William David Carter; her cherished daughter Amy Carter Draughn and her husband Lee Draughn; the two lights of her life, grandchildren, Jacob Draughn and Emma Draughn; two brothers, Terry Hames and Craig Hames; two nieces; two nephews; a great nephew; a great niece; many cousins; and countless very special lifelong friends, all whom she considered to be family.”

Her funeral was held July 25 at Cross Road Baptist Church with the Rev. Mark Hall, Janet Harlee and Thornburg officiating. A graveside service, officiated by Pastor Gary Mason, was held at Oaklawn Cemetery.