Ruth A. Mccarter

Ruth A. McCarter of Zionsville died at peace on October 4, 2019, at the age of 91 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s dementia. She was born in Laton, California on December 2, 1927 to Frank and Edith Hammond. Ruth is survived by a brother Charles Hammond; her children, Barbara Steinmetz, and Charles J. McCarter (Melanie), and daughter in law Jane McCarter Hazelwood (wife of the late Mark McCarter); her grandchildren Christina McCarter (Ron Frazer), Jennifer Fultz (John Fultz), Megan Fisher (Darin Fisher), James McCarter, and Emily McCarter; and her great-grandchildren Morgan Collins (Tommy Shelden), Kaylee Morgan (Alex Morgan), Lilly Frazer, Sarah Frazer, Jack W. Fisher and Anna Fisher. Many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews also survive and remember her fondly. She was preceded in death by her parents, the remainder of her siblings, her husband of 70 years, Charles W. McCarter, son Mark W. McCarter and a beloved infant son Michiel L. McCarter.
In 1945, after graduation from Laton High School, Ruth went to San Francisco to work in the war effort. While living in San Francisco, she met the love of her life, Charles McCarter on a blind date. Charles from Macy, Indiana was serving in the Navy. They married on December 1, 1945 in Carson City, Nevada. Charles and Ruth made their homes in Macy, Peru, Nashville, and lastly Zionsville, Indiana. Ruth and Charles were able to travel with travel groups over the years. Trips to Ireland and France were two of their favorites.
Ruth was a lovely person and she made friends where ever she went. She was a wonderful home maker, wife, mother and cook. Her family dinners usually were topped off with a fantastic dessert menu. She would make an entire dessert for each person so that they could enjoy their favorites. Ruth belonged to the Macy, Nashville, and Zionsville Christian Church where she taught Sunday School. She was a Cub Scout Leader in Nashville. And along with Charles, they were very active in the Democratic party. Ruth was a member of the Zionsville Homemakers Club. Ruth worked for the Eagle Union School Corporation in the school’s cafeteria. During this time, she started her own home business baking and decorating cakes. Birthdays, weddings, graduations, and all sorts of custom designs were made lovingly by Ruth. Her icing roses were absolutely perfection. She also became certified flower in arrangement. But preferred to make and arrange them in icing.
Ruth, Charles, and his dad, Alvah built their first family home in Nashville. Ruth married into a fishing family. Along with Charles’ parents and siblings, they were all avid fishermen. She joined Charles sitting in a fishing boat catching northern pike at Little Moose Lake in northern Minnesota, no matter the weather or insect conditions. They enjoyed sharing their love of fishing with family and friends. Her favorite place later became Bloomington on Lake Monroe on the either the ski or pontoon boats. Believe it or not Ruth hated the water and never learned to swim. Ruth spent her “spare” time doing yard work, growing vegetables and beautiful flowers. Ruth generously shared her time. She would entertain her children’s friends at the drop of a hat with plenty to eat and simple kindness. Over the many years, Ruth loved all the pets that lived with her and the family. And she had many cats who just came by for some treats from “Grandma”! Her sense of humor and warm hugs will be greatly missed.
The memorial visitation is scheduled for Friday October 11, 2019 at 10:00 to 11:00 am at Flanner Buchanan – Zionsville. There will be a service to honor her life at 11:00am. Anyone who would like to share a story about Ruth can do so at the end of the service.
The family would like to thank the Brownsburg Meadows and Anew Home Care Hospice service for the care and comfort she was provided. Memorial contributions to the Alzheimer Association in care of the funeral home would be appreciated.