Mary Kay Carter

Mary Kay Murray Carter, 91, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and loved ones on  January 22, 2024.  Mary was born in Wellsville, Utah on November 7, 1932. Her parents were Junius Bailey Murray and Margaret Hawkes.

Mary spent most of her childhood living on a farm in Filer, Idaho.  She was a great help to her mother with her younger siblings.  She always had a love and passion for reading and knowledge. She graduated from high school from Ashton High.  She spent much time in her childhood and teenage years living with her grandmother, Amanda Murray in Wellsville, Utah.  

After high school, she and some friends from Ashton went to BYU.  Then later, she moved to Salt Lake City and worked for the phone company. One evening, she and her friends were walking down State Street, when some handsome Navy men were there on military leave.  Mary and her friends rebuffed them for quite a while, but finally gave in and allowed them to drive them home.  This was the beginning of a beautiful love story for Mary and her husband, Virgil Ray Carter, of nearly 70 years.  They were married in Honolulu, HI on July 8, 1953.  Later their marriage was solemnized in the Los Angeles Temple on April 14, 1962.  After living in Torrance, California for eight years, they landed in Bountiful, UT where they lived in the same home for 59 years.

During her time in Bountiful, Mary decided to follow in her mother's footsteps and obtained her degree in Botany with a teaching endorsement from Weber State University. Later, she obtained her master's degree in education. She taught 4th and 5th grade at Oak Hills Elementary and King Elementary in the Davis School district for 30 years. She loved learning.  She has touched so many students as a teacher, as well as colleagues that she loved dearly in Davis County school district.  She was a beloved teacher, and there were many trinkets of love and elementary artistic gifts that she cherished and held onto for many years.  

Mary and Virgil both had a great love of history.  They particularly loved American History.  They traveled the world, and loved to learn about new cultures, and sought museums to learn more.  They instilled that same passion in both of their children, Craig, and Leslee.  They both cherish the memories of their family travels, including in the family camper, as well as the many excursions flying (standby) to many wonderful places.  They individually took each of their grandchildren, and one "grandchild in-law", for an incredible U.S. history excursion, introducing them to Washington DC, Williamsburg, VA, Hershey, PA, and many other U.S. historical stops along the way.  It is a cherished memory for each one of them.  They wanted to instill the love of the USA and our freedoms in each of them.  This patriotic legacy lives on and continues in the family.

Mary and Virgil, both respected each other for their individual differences.  Virgil and Mary supported one another in an exemplary way.  Many cultural and musical events were attended because of the interest of the other, along with many sporting events.  BYU is where their hearts ring true blue.  They instilled a great love of anything Disney in their posterity.

Mary was gifted in her creative talents.  She was a beautiful quilter.  She loved beautiful art.  You could always find her with a book in her hand. She loved literature and English.  Mary was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and loved her friendships in the Bountiful 31st ward where she held many callings of service.   She volunteered at the Beehive House, and the Governor's Mansion, and later at the church conference center.

Mary was a wonderful baker and cook.  She never had precisely "one" thing, except for her hot fudge and orange rolls, but she loved to try new things and it always turned out masterfully.  She would decorate her home, especially for the holidays, and created magic and beauty for all to enjoy.  She was beloved by her neighbors and church members dearly.  They were known for the beautiful Christmas gala they would host in their neighborhood complete with delicious treats of Yuletide favorites, as well as the amazing Dickens Christmas Village on display for everyone to enjoy.

Mary is survived by her children, Craig Carter (Lisa) of Morgan, Utah, and Leslee Carter Cabulagan (Patrick) of South Jordan, Utah.  They have 7 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren (1 deceased).  Siblings, R Jay Murray, Oregon; Margaret LaRae Babbitt, Utah; Byron Kerr Murray (Ilene) Idaho; Carolyn Leong, Hawaii; Isabell Sudweeks (Jay-deceased), Idaho.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband Virgil Carter, parents Junius Bailey Murray and Margaret Hawkes Murray; brother, Blaine Murray; sister, Amanda Murray, and great- granddaughter, Scottie Lynn Carter.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, January 26th at 10:00 a.m. at Russon Mortuary, 295 North Main, Bountiful, where a viewing will be held at 9:00 - 9:45 a.m. prior to the funeral services.  Interment will be at Tremonton Riverside Cemetery.          

The family would like to express their gratitude for the loving care from the staff at Creekside Senior Living, in particularly memory care unit, and A-plus Hospice.

Services will be streamed live on Russon Mortuary & Crematory Facebook page and this obituary page.