Susan Carter, age 87, of Traverse City, passed away peacefully on July 13, 2024, at Boardman Lake Glens. She was born on April 23, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, to parents Russell W. and Pearl E. Alles.

Susan grew up in Detroit alongside her siblings Virginia, Russell, Judith, and Nancy. In 1956, she married her beloved husband of 58 years, Ford Rodman Carter III, in Gross Pointe Michigan. The couple lived in Boynton Beach, Florida for 30 years, where they raised their family of five children; spending summers in Grayling, Michigan. The couple later moved to Tallahassee, Florida and Williston, Florida where they spent their later years. Susan and her husband Ford loved traveling in their motorhome, whether to tailgate or travel cross country to visit family and friends.

Susan attended Dennison University and the University of Michigan. Susan was a homemaker extraordinaire, as well as a master doll maker. She was also skilled in ceramics, knitting, and needlework. She particularly enjoyed making doll clothes. Susan and her husband were active members of the Unity Church in Delray Beach, Florida, and supported St. Joseph Episcopal School.

After Ford's passing in 2014, Susan returned to Michigan, where she continued to cherish her extended family and hobbies.

Susan is survived by her five children: Susan Blaire Scaglione, Jane Marie Rice, Hunter Thompson (Cesar Augusto Zapata) Carter, Alleson Christie (Paul Laurent) Hamelin, and Jonathan Andrew Carter. She is also survived by her sister, Nancy O'Hara, eight grandchildren; Dominic Scaglione, Savanah Grace Lisbeth Hamelin, Ford Walker Carter, Cole Andrew Carter, Jenna Belle Carter, Amanda Sauls and Jarrett Rice, and three great grandchildren; Baylor and Braylen Rice and Fischer Sauls.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ford Rodman Carter III, her grandson Anthony Scaglione, her siblings Virginia, Russell, and Judith, and her son-in-law William Scaglione.

A Unity service to honor Susan's life will be held on Thursday, July 18, at Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home, located at 305 6th St, Traverse City, MI 49684. The service will begin at 11:30 AM, followed by a luncheon and burial at Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Susan's family invites all who knew her to attend and celebrate her remarkable life.

Memorial donations may be directed towards St Jude's Children's Hospital, or the Alzheimer's Association.