Lula Lou Carter

Funeral Service: Friday, August 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City.

Graveside Service: Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery.

Lula Mae Carter, age 81, of Miles City passed away on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at the Holy Rosary Extended Care in Miles City.

Lula was born on Monday, Jan 14, 1929 at 9pm, as Lula Mae Garrett, in Buffalo, Oklahoma. She was the oldest of 5 children born to John E. and Annie Maple Garrett. The family moved from Oklahoma in the early 1940s to Oregon where her parents worked in the ship yards until after the war, when they then moved to Vale, Oregon and began farming and ranching. As a young girl in Vale, Oregon, she was the Drum Major of the local high school band and worked as a 10 line switch board operator. She also played the French Horn in the school band. She was also part of the mounted honor guard as a flag carrier at several rodeos.

She worked hard all her life: While raising her young family, she packed fruit at the Harry & David fruit company in Medford, Oregon. She was an accomplished seamstress, making wonderful things for clients, friends, herself and her childrens clothes. Sharon was proud of the dresses her Mom made for her to wear to the school functions and in local pageants. Even with her busy schedule, for many years, in Medford, she dedicated time to be the Director of the March of Dimes fund raising projects. She liked to hunt and fish. At one time she had the record antelope for the state of Oregon.

She became a home jewelry party sales person and then became a leading sales manager for the Sarah Coventry Jewelry Co. expanding it and overseeing it in several states. She won many awards and trips for her work. One of those trips was a sail fishing trip in the Florida Keys, she got her fish. She then took her sales and management skills to work for Tri-Chem, a home artist paint firm. She was an accomplished artist and craft person. She was once hired by a wealthy Idaho rancher to paint a large picture of his ranch from a photo he provided her. She enjoyed painting florals, outdoor scenes and animals. One of her favorite paintings is of small raccoons in a tree. She got her Mother to start painting when her Mother was in her 80s. Both were very good artists. Her children said the talent seemed to end there; none of them have the same talent. She opened and operated for many years, her own craft store in Ontario, Oregon before moving Miles City and opening Lous Craft Store. She always offered help and suggestion to her clients for their projects including weddings for many of our Miles City residents. Her customers came from many miles away sometimes they would stop in just to visit.

Her children want to thank all the fine people who over the years became her customers and friends. A special thank you to the fine staff of the Holy Rosary Hospital and Extended Care Unit, our Mom could not have been in finer hands and cared for by better hearts.

Lula is survived by her husband Allen Carter of Miles City; 3 children: Sharon Orona and her husband George of Albuquerque, NM; Ed Hendrix and wife Lynn of Vancouver, Washington and Annie Hendrix of Miles City, MT; along with 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; her youngest brother Bill Garrett and her only sister Nellie Franklin; as well as two step daughters, one step son, and 16 great grandchildren on Allens side of the family.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, August 27 at 11:00 a.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Interment will follow in the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Miles City is in charge of the arrangements.

Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.