DORRIS MARIE FUSSELL CARTER

Visitation with family and friends of Dorris Marie Fussell Carter of Carthage, Texas will be held Friday, April 19, 2024, at 9:30 am at Harmony Hill Cemetery (CR-2181D Tatum, Texas) preceding the service officiated by Kevin Otto, Senior Pastor, First United Methodist Church Carthage. Services are under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home.

Dorris Marie Fussell Carter died in the evening of Monday, April 15, 2024, at 88 years of age. Mrs. Carter was born July 13, 1935, in San Augustine, Texas. She was the second of 3 children child born to Pearl Fussell and Bessie Click Fussell Pate. Dorris accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior in June 1947 and was baptized at Bland Lake. Mrs. Carter graduated from San Augustine High School in the class of 1952 where she was a member of the basketball team, a majorette and voted most beautiful. After graduation Dorris married the love of her life, Billy Charles Carter of Beckville, Texas. After her husband’s military service, the couple moved to Gilmer where they both were employed. In 1959, the couple moved to Panola County where they purchased and operated a grocery store together in Tatum, Texas, and welcomed their one and only child, Kathrine Marie Carter, and built their first home. They both also were involved in cattle and timber operations. In 1974, the couple moved west of Carthage, in Panola County, building another home, continuing their land and cattle operations. Dorris and her husband were members of the United Methodist Church in both Tatum and Carthage. Mrs. Carter resided at her home in Panola County until her death.

Throughout her life Dorris worked daily with her husband using her many faceted skills and talents in their business operations, while simultaneously providing a loving and welcoming home, and being a Super Mom to Kathrine. Dorris was a talented, devoted, and selfless wife and mother. She held a kind, sweet spirit and a love for God. She saw only the best in her family and friends, and was loyal to a fault. She was a champion and defender of those she loved. She was a Momma Bear extraordinaire. She was always fun, happy and remained optimistic in the face of adversity and the challenges and chaos of life. She could make or do anything she put her mind to.

While working full- time managing day to day operations of a grocery business, where she also beautifully hand designed signs and weekly mailers, she used her creative skills after hours as a seamstress to design beautiful clothes to perfection for her daughter, herself as well as a few close friends and relatives. One Christmas she also managed to work in time to design, hand build by herself and artistically paint in detail a fabulous lighted full-size Santa in his sleigh complete with reindeer display. She loved projects and a challenge. Through it all, she also managed other activities like being a homeroom Mom for her daughter’s classes, provide shuttle service for all of her daughter’s school and after school activities and enjoying her friendships with other Mothers. When asked, how she worked long hours and still managed to get everything else done, she said it was her joy. She did it all out of love. Dorris also loved and adored two of Kathrine’s first childhood friends, Patti Williams Mehling and Sandra Kuykendall Kelsey (daughters of Dorris’ close friends) as her own.

Later, after the couple moved to Carthage, Dorris would continue working tirelessly helping in her husband’s success and being a Super Mom. During her years in Carthage Dorris was a member of the Carthage Service League, Carthage Club, and charter member of The 32 Club. Dorris continued her fervent support for her daughter’s high school, college and business success. Dorris and Bill were known for their beautiful dancing prowess to Rock n Roll. Dorris also enjoyed playing Bunco with her friends as well as her quilting group, where she created extraordinary all hand-made quilts. Dorris also welcomed her son-in-law Bruce L. Ripper to the family. She was always an appreciative and grateful Mother in-law for all Bruce arranged and did for her through the years, especially cooking. She also ferociously enjoyed her time spent with Kathrine and Bruce as they did with her. Dorris was a blessing from God.

Mrs. Carter was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her brother Reverend W. L. Fussell, her brother Billy Neal Fussell, as well as many of her dear and life-long friends, and extended family members. Dorris Marie is survived by her beloved daughter Kathrine Ripper and her husband Bruce L. Ripper, sister-in-law Hazel McCary Fussell, nephews Billy Neal Fussell ll and John Wesley Fussell, and cherished friends.

Honorary pallbearers are; Dr. Wayne Kyle of Carthage; Troy Williams of Tatum; Billy Neal Fussell II of Diana , John Wesley Fussell of San Antonio, Trey Fussell of Longview, Robert Kuykendall of Tatum. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Carter’s name may be made to the Harmony Hill Cemetery Association (By check mailed to PO Box 975 Tatum, Texas 75691).

Mrs. Carter’s family wishes to give special thanks to Frankie Walls who watched over Mrs. Carter so she could continue to enjoy independent living at her home until her death.