Surrounded by family and visited by dozens of friends, Vickie Carter passed away peacefully on August 6, 2025. With her family keeping vigil by her side, she was at complete peace, comfortable and unafraid. When asked what she looked forward to most about Heaven, she simply said: ‘Peace, Jesus, and seeing my momma and daddy.’”

Doris Victoria "Vickie" Penn Carter was born on February 10, 1949, to the late Gloria Ann Roberts Penn and James William Penn, Sr. Vickie was the second of seven children in a lively, close-knit family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Jeffrey Stephen Penn and James William Penn, Jr., and her beloved sister, Virginia “Penny” Mitchell, who passed just eleven days later. She is survived by her siblings Charlotte (Howard) Summerford, Betty Duncan, and Jerry Penn.

Vickie dedicated more than 30 years of her life to her work as an operating room nurse in Birmingham, Alabama. Her career was more than a profession — it was a calling. She carried that same spirit of compassion, steadiness, and care into her family life and friendships, long after she retired from healthcare. A woman of faith, she attended The Healing Place St. Clair church services and bible studies and enjoyed serving others through the church's food bank.

She was the proud and loving mother of three children: Gena (Jonathan) Hyatt, Matthew Stephen (Dominique) Carter, and David Ray (JoAnn) Crouch. She was Granny to her grandchildren Dylan Hyatt, Cohen Hyatt, Shyanne Little, Kasey Little, Reina Little, Malin Little, Zane Mendez, Morgan Crouch, and Mason Crouch and to her great-grandchildren Isaiah Begay-Little, Mateo Stephen Little, Emilio Kyle, Norman Tache, and Carl Tache. 

Many others lovingly called her Granny, for she had a gift of making everyone feel like family.

One of the most beautiful chapters of her life was reuniting with her son David, whom she had placed for adoption at a young age. The reunion brought healing, joy, and a completeness to Vickie and her family circle that she deeply cherished.

To know her was to love her. Vickie was known for her warm smile, her gift of making strangers feel like old friends, and her joy in simply being present with those she loved. Her life stood as a testament to unconditional love, which she shared generously with family, friends, and all who were blessed to know her. Through her warmth, laughter, and nurturing spirit, she left behind a legacy of love and compassion that will live on in the many people she cared for, the countless friends she made, and the family who will forever hold her in their hearts.

A Celebration of Life for Vickie and her sister Penny will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at The Healing Place-St. Clair from 1pm-3pm. All are welcome to join and share memories of two sisters whose lives were marked by love, laughter, and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to one of the following nonprofit organizations:

United Ability https://www.unitedability.org/give/

Wolf Connection https://wolfconnection.org/donations/

The Healing Place Church - St. Clair http://www.thpstclair.com/give-online

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