Obituary of Robert Sylvester Carter

CMS (Ret) Robert S. (Bob) Carter, 80, of Roanoke, died peacefully Tuesday, October 13, 2015 after a battle with cancer. Bob served in and worked for the Virginia National Guard for over 42 years, retiring with the rank of Command Sergeant Major. He was borin in King William County, Virginia on February 2, 1935, a son of the late, Sylvester Albert (Bug) Carter and Mary Eva Miller Carter. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Peggy Ann Guthrie Carter, and a brother, Jesse Lee Carter. Surviving are his daughters, Cynthia Ann Carter Pettigrew and husband William (Bill) Pettigrew, Vanessa Renee Carter Stewart Aycock and husband Basil Aycock; three grandsons, William Robert Pettigrew and wife Amanda Cummings Pettigrew, Thomas Carter Pettigrew and Kevin Miller Stewart; one great-grandson, William Michael Pettigrew. Bob served in the Virginia Army National Federal And Civil Service, for 43 years, retiring in 1995 as a CSM/E9. He was proud to serve his country and the Commonwealth of Virginia. In his retirement he enjoyed working with serveral golf clubs in the Smith Mountain Lanke and Roanoke area. He was a volunteer with the Apheresis and the whole blood Department of the American Red Cross and had donated over 74 gallons of blood to the patients of the community. He only stopped donating when his health forced him to. Bob was a charter member of the Smith Mountain Ruritan Club with 26 years of perfect attendance. He was also a charter member of the Saunders Volunteer Fire Company of Huddleston serving for 30 years in several different positions. Special thanks to close friends, Iris Cooper Robertson, Wayne Barrett and William Lawrence. Bob suggests that memorial contributions be made to the ALS Association of Virginia 2807 N. Parham Road, Suite 101 Richmond, Va. 23294, or to the Saunders Volunteer Fire Company P. O. Box 99 Huddleston, Va. 24104 or to Patrick Henry Boys and Girls Home C/O Patrick Henry Family Services Brookneal, Va. 24528. Funeral services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, October 16, 2015 at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, October 15, 2015 at Simpson Funeral Home, 540-366-0707.