Mary Lynn Carter

Mary Lynn Carter, 83, of Roanoke, Virginia, died on Friday, June 14, 2024.

Lynn was born in Clintwood, Virginia, and was preceded in death by her parents, Noah Hopkins Raines and Blanch Neal Raines; by her husband, Douglas Carter, Jr.; and by her brother, Bob G. Raines of Abingdon, Virginia.

During Lynn's early years she completed undergraduate work at Emory and Henry College, and later earned a Master of Library Science degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. For many years she worked as a reference librarian at Virginia Western Community College, retiring in 2004. Lynn loved taking classes in all sorts of subjects. She once spent a summer in Quebec studying French in a full-emersion advanced learner course, and she later earned a second Master's Degree in Liberal Arts from Hollins University.

Lynn was an accomplished musician who loved singing and playing hymns and other music on her baby grand piano. In high school she played the cornet in the marching band. If anything made her happier than browsing for hours in a bookstore, it was probably riding in Virginia's beautiful countryside and working in her own garden. She planned each garden meticulously, starting early in the year when she designed the garden and ordered the seeds, then tended her flowers lovingly until they exploded each spring and summer in bursts of color that delighted neighbors walking by. Lynn also cherished transplanted bulbs and cuttings from relatives, and cared for and shared those plants and flowers with friends and loved ones.

Lynn was a lifelong Methodist, and at one time taught Adult Sunday School and served as president of a chapter of United Methodists Women. She was a student of religion and even read certain theologians for pleasure. She was an avid collector of books, and her home library contained numerous volumes on women's issues, religion and spirituality, gardening, music and literature. Her favorite historical figure was the British suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, who was the subject of her master's thesis at Hollins University.

Lynn also leaves behind two nephews, Andy Raines and his wife, Amy, and their two children, Olivia R. Wright of Fishersville, Virginia, and Mark Andrew Raines of Salem, Virginia, and Neil Raines and his wife, Alison, of Harrisonburg, Virginia and their daughter, Rachel Raines of Roanoke, Virginia. Lynn is also survived by her colleague and dear, loyal, and loving friend, David Hillman of Roanoke, Virginia.

The family will have a private service at a later date. However, for those who wish to honor Lynn's life can do so, in lieu of flowers or other thoughtful expressions of support, with a gift in her honor to Angels of Assisi, 415 Campbell Ave. SW in Roanoke, Virginia 24016, or to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17 in Chicago, Illinois 60601. Online condolences may be expressed at www.johnmoakey.com.