Norma Jean Carter

Norma Jean Carter, 82, passed away on March 8, 2024 at her home.  She was lovingly surrounded by family as she returned to her heavenly home.

Jean was born on February 12, 1942 in Cedar City, Utah, the second daughter of Lorin Lyman Smith and Norma Virginia Tolman Smith.  In her early years, she lived in California, Nevada, and Idaho, with her favorite memories being spent at Grandma Annie Keller’s in Mink Creek, Idaho.   She lived a full and adventurous life, taking her to many places throughout the United States.  One adventure led her to Florida, where she met and married Buford Neal Johnson on April 28, 1962. They had five children, who are listed below.  Jean and Neal were later divorced, which led her to move back to the familiar surroundings of Preston, Idaho in the fall of 1980.  

Little did she know that her soulmate and the love of her life was to be found here.  She met George Glen Carter while working as a waitress in Preston, and they were married on September 25, 1982.  That marriage was later solemnized in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. Jean was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and she loved the Savior Jesus Christ.  She served faithfully in several auxiliaries of the church, but she especially enjoyed working with the primary children.

Jean enjoyed traveling.  She and Glen had the opportunity to do that together, and this brought her much joy.  Another of her passions was writing.  She has always had a mind that could spin a great story, and when she put pen to paper or fingers to the typewriter, the outcome was fun and exciting to read.  She enjoyed writing little stories about the children in her life.  Her true passion though, was newspaper reporting.  Jean wrote for newspapers in Florida before moving to Idaho, and then continued that here for the Preston Citizen for more than 30 years, along with being an editor for the Search and Rescue newspaper, as well as a feature writer for The Farm Times magazine.

It was seldom that you would see Jean without an embroidery project in the works.  She enjoyed making pillowcases and tablecloths. If one flipped the project over, her stitches looked as good on the back as on the front.  She made countless items that were donated to the Pink Ladies division of the hospital fundraising.  Pillowcases and tea towels were gifted to many newlyweds and friends.  She also crocheted doilies in her younger years.  

Jean was involved in her community and civic causes, including Daughters of the Utah Pioneers, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, Franklin County Junior Miss, and coalitions to bring activities to the community for the youth. 

She is survived by Lynn (Rex) Jackson, of Chipley, Florida; Cindy (Dee) Swainston of Preston, Idaho; Willie Johnson of Lowell, Arkansas; and Steve (Barbra) Johnson of Preston, Idaho; 14 grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her sisters, Adell Grijalva (Tracy, California) and Nancy Barney (Redmond, Oregon); her brothers Terry Smith (Springville, Utah) and Roger Smith (Powell, Wyoming).

Jean is preceded in death by her husband, George Glen Carter;  a son, Gary Neal Johnson; her parents Lorin Lyman Smith and Norma Virginia Tolman Smith, stepmother Berniele Smith, and brothers Lyman, Lorin Nathan, Loren Earl, and Jerry.

Funeral services will be held Friday, March 15, 2024 at 11:00 am at the Preston South Stake Center, 55 E. 100 S. Preston, Idaho. Viewings will be held Thursday from 6-8 pm at Webb Funeral Home, 1005 S. 800 E. Preston, Idaho and again prior to the service from 9:30-10:30 am at the church. Interment will be in the Preston Idaho Cemetery. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at webbmortuary.com