Judy Leota Carter, daughter of the late Gale Smiley and Leota Lambert Smiley, was born on May 31, 1947, in Malden, Missouri, and departed this life on January 9, 2022, at her residence in Bernie, Missouri, at the age of 74 years.

Mrs. Carter was the owner of Carter Wholesale Furniture in Bernie, and South Town Gas Mart in Bernie. She was a former secretary for Dixie Auto Sales and had worked as a server at Hickory Log in Dexter. She loved auctions.

On December 23, 1962, in Kennett, Missouri, she was united in marriage to Sherman Loyd Carter. Mr. Carter preceded her in death on December 6, 2015.

She is survived by her son, Bryan Carter and wife Amanda of Harviell, Missouri; by seven brothers, Pat Smiley, Freddy Smiley, Nick Smiley, Eddie Smiley, Dean Smiley, Sherman Smiley, and Jeff Smiley; by three sisters, Melba Wilson, Jo Anne Arnold, and Cathy Owens; by ten grandchildren, Whittney Carter, Chelsea McCabe, James Carter, Mackenzie Young, Glen Thurman, Javin Thomas, Jadin Thomas, Chloe Carter, Jace Thomas, and Ryan Ferraresi; and by two great-grandchildren, Jack McCabe and Ember Carter

Other than by her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her son, James Darrin Carter; by two daughters, Tracie Carter Young and Crystal Thomas; and by two brothers, Art Smiley and Damon Smiley.

Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie on Friday, January 14, 2022, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Friday, January 14, 2022, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Bernie Cemetery.

Mathis Funeral Home in Bernie is assisting with arrangements.