Anna Grace (Ator) Carle, a resident of Aldersgate Retirement Community, Charlotte, NC, passed away September 25, 2018. She celebrated her 98th birthday with family and friends on August 28.
The daughter of the late Earl Ranson Ator and Florence Ruston Ator, she was born in Athens, Ohio, in 1920 and graduated from Athens High School in 1938. Athens was the epicenter of her life, the source of stories of her childhood and teenage years, of being on her grandfather’s farm or sitting in her grandmother’s parlor, all which she joyously shared with friends and family alike.
The focus of her life was family: her husband of seventy-six years, her younger brother graduating from college, and the care and education of her four children. She had a keen sense of propriety in all manner of personal life, in grooming and maintaining personal health and in keenness of mind. She enjoyed working puzzles and solving daily crossword puzzles. She loved to explore maps and pinpoint locations of wherever her children and grandchildren might be. Her finished needlepoint projects and crochet blankets were beautiful works of art.
For more than forty years, Anna Grace was a faithful member of Grace Methodist Church, Wilmington, Delaware, where she was active in United Methodist Women. For many years she volunteered at Charis Crafts which funded scholarships for divinity students at Wesley Theological Seminary.
She and her husband, Bill, were for many years active in Delaware Valley Square Dancers. All her beautiful dresses reflected her wonderful sewing skills.
Anna Grace had numerous friends in Wilmington and throughout Delaware. She enjoyed social visits with a network of her husband’s postal service colleagues and their families.
Highlights of their retirement years were family reunions at Bethany Beach and travels across the country to visit children and their families. Especially enjoyed were vacation trips with her brother and sister-in-law, Elsa, and a trip to Great Britain.
In December, 2002, she and her husband Bill, moved from Delaware to Aldersgate Retirement Community where they formed many dear and special friendships with fellow residents and staff alike.
Anna Grace is survived by her sons William E. (Cathy), Thomas W. (Mary), Michael G. (Ramah), and her daughter Susan; five grandchildren, eight great grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; her niece Barbara A. Slobodian, and many cousins.
She was predeceased by her husband William I. Carle, and by her brother John W. Ator.
A memorial service will be held at Aldersgate Retirement Community, 3800 Shamrock Drive, on November 3, 2018 at 1:30 pm The family will receive friends following the service. A committal service will be held at Barrett’s Chapel, Frederica, Delaware, at a later date.
The family expresses sincere appreciation for the special care and attention given to our mother by Aldersgate At Home aides and by Asbury Nursing Center caregivers.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be sent to Aldersgate UMRC (Supplemental Assistance Fund), 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.
Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home is assisting the family. Friends many offer condolences to the family at www.raymerfh.com. 
