Mrs. Stella Mae Carter, age 75, of Dalton, Georgia departed this life Friday morning, March 12th, 2021, at her residence. She was born May 2, 1945 in Dalton, Georgia, a daughter of the late William and Lillie Mae Caldwell Ray. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Howard Leon "Chalk" Carter, brothers, Charles Ray, J.D. Ray, Earl Ray and Bill Ray, sisters, Barbara Lou Ray, Mary Elizabeth Penny.

Stella was a member of South Cohutta Baptist Church.

She is survived by her children, Drs. Peggy and Terry Ellis of Dalton, GA, Carol Diamond of Chattanooga, TN, Jackie Jeanette and James Panter of Resaca, GA, Colin Chalk and Kandi Carter of Dalton, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Douglas and Charlotte Ray of Tunnel Hill, GA; grandchildren, Reverend Randy Ellis (Sandra), Victoria Wonser (Mike), Hunter Hill, Olivia Diamond, Sean Brownlow, Kayla Bates (Andrew), Timothy Panter (Kara), Isaac Carter (Christina), Nathan Carter (Hannah), Kerrie Walbert, Ashley Slaton, Jeremy Young (April), Joshua Young (Makayla); a number of great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Stella Mae Carter will be held Monday, March 15, 2021 at 12:00 o'clock p.m. from the Ponders Melrose Chapel with her pastor, Reverend Adam Warren, her grandson, Reverend Randy Ellis and her son-in-law, Dr. Terry Ellis officiating. She will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband in the Ponders Colonial Hills Memorial Park Cemetery with her grandsons, Nathan Carter, Sean Brownlow, Isaac Carter, Timothy Panter, Hunter Hill and Drew Bates serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends at the funeral home after 10:00 o'clock a.m. Monday until the service hour.

Due to the National health crisis and the Covid-19 virus, masks must be worn properly at all times and social distancing must be observed when visiting the funeral home.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.pondersfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements will be announced by, Ponders Melrose Chapel 138 Melrose Drive Dalton, GA 30721, (706) 226-4002.

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