DOREL PAYNE CARTER
1948-2017
Dorel Payne Carter was born in Dallas, Texas, on the 4th of November 1948, and departed this physical life from her long-time home in Houston, on the 21st of February 2017.
Dorel, the first-born of Lucile Ayres Payne and Frank Henry Payne, was educated in the Dallas public schools and graduated from W.T. White High School in 1966. She then attended Texas Tech and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1970. While at Texas Tech, she was a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority and was the President of the Panhellenic Council.
After college and some additional experience, Dorel pursued a career in lighting and kitchen design, eventually concentrating for a few years on the latter after obtaining the Certified Kitchen Designer designation from the NKBA. Even after she had a family, she continued to design kitchens on occasion.
Dorel and John Carter, a lawyer, were married on the 20th of September 1975, in her parents’ backyard in Dallas, and over the next decade they became the parents of four children. Dorel built a welcoming home where each member of the family felt comfortable and secure. She supported John’s busy career and gracefully accommodated its many demands. She devoted her energies to her family, always encouraging them and taking quiet pride in their accomplishments. She walked her children to school as long as they would let her, readily volunteered at their school in many different capacities, and never missed a sporting event in which any of them participated.
Dorel was predeceased by her parents; her oldest son, Clayton; and her sister, Diane Shaw. She is survived by her husband of over 41 years; her son Matthew and his wife Hillary; her daughters Caroline Carter and Susan Carter; her grandchildren Reid Sequeira, Victoria Carter, and Elleanor Carter; her brother Paul Payne and his family; and the children of her sister.
Dorel also leaves behind the scores of friends that she accumulated over the years starting in grade school and continuing through her children’s schools and her own various activities. A life-long Christian Scientist, she was a member for over forty years of the Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist in Houston, which played a very important part in Dorel’s life. She lovingly served the church in virtually every capacity, from the housekeeping committee to a term as the chairman of its board. Most recently, she served as an usher for an evening service in the week before she passed away.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at two o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, the 27th of February, in the Jasek Chapel of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held in the adjacent grand foyer.
In lieu of customary remembrances, and for those considering floral or other gifts, Dorel’s family requests with gratitude that contributions be directed to the memorial fund established in her memory at the Seventh Church of Christ, Scientist, 1740 Yorktown, Houston, TX, 77056; or to a charity of one’s choice.
“We will miss her special smile that, no matter what the challenge or triumph, always said ‘all is well.’”