Sherry Southerland Carter

Sherry Southerland Carter passed away February 4, 2026, in her hometown of Wilmington, NC. Born October 26, 1948, to Joseph Beauregard Southerland and Jessie Cozette Southerland at James Walker Memorial Hospital, Sherry was a proud lifelong resident of Wilmington.

Sherry attended Sunset Park Elementary and Lake Forest Junior High before graduating with the New Hanover High School class of 1966. Following high school, Sherry enrolled in Wilmington College, where she was a founding member of Chi Sigma Phi local Sorority, which became Phi Mu National Fraternity. Sherry loved participating in a wide variety of campus activities and formed many lasting friendships during her years on campus. For many years after graduation Sherry enjoyed monthly lunches with her sorority Sisters. Even after her illness prevented her attendance she continued to have many visits from friends to watch ballgames, golf and Hallmark movies, and just to enjoy their time together.

In 1970, Sherry completed her degree in Elementary Education and was in the first graduating class of the newly-renamed University of North Carolina at Wilmington. That same year, Sherry began teaching elementary school for Pender County Schools, where she taught fourth and fifth grade for 30 years until her retirement in 2000. Sherry built many lasting friendships with her fellow teachers that continued through their retirement years, and she enjoyed monthly gatherings for food, fun, and fellowship with Mae, Connie, Kay, Donna, Rose, Julie, Stacy, and Cathy, who continued to support Sherry through her illness with visits and remembrances.

Sherry loved teaching and was always thrilled to run into any of her more than 800 former students in the community and find out where lives were taking them. The faces changed with time, but she always remembered their names, and catching up with a former student always made her day (and hopefully theirs!).

While teaching at Topsail Elementary School, Sherry met the love of her life, Wilbur Carter. Wilbur’s aunt, who managed the school cafeteria, invited Wilbur to lunch so he could meet Sherry. The matchmaking attempt paid off, and Sherry and Wilbur were married in 1978. The couple enjoyed a remarkably strong and loving marriage for many years, through Wilbur’s passing in 2008. 

Wilbur was active in local sports, and on most nights for many years, Sherry could be found in the stands watching (and cheering!) as Wilbur practiced or played softball. As fans of local, college, and professional athletics they also often traveled together to attend games.

In her retirement, Sherry dedicated much of her time to community service through the Wilmington Sorosis Club, where she enjoyed fundraising for local nonprofits and scholarships for UNCW and CFCC students. She found camaraderie and many lasting friendships with her Sorosis sisters, with whom she enjoyed many fun and fulfilling activities that also benefited the community.

Sherry and Wilbur were both very active members of Blake’s Chapel Church, serving as committee members and officers. It was here that Sherry and Wilbur met Pastor Buddy Dowd and his wife Leah, beginning a friendship lasting 48 years. Buddy and Leah were there for Sherry when Wilbur passed and supported Sherry with visits and much love during her long illness. The family would also like to give a special thanks to the Grace Methodist Church Women for all of their dedication and support for Sherry with visits and handmade cards for every occasion over the years.

Sherry was kind, loyal, and a good friend to many throughout her life. She will be dearly missed by all in her large circle of friends.

Sherry is predeceased by her husband, Wilbur Carter, parents, J.B and Cozette Southerland, in-laws, Huey and Louise Carter, sister in-law, Jewel, and brother-in-laws, Allen, and Cecil Carter. She is survived by her sister, Connie Southerland Caulder and husband Rodney Caulder of Wilmington, niece Elizabeth Pittman Wallace and husband Jeffery Nicholas Wallace and their sons Connor Joseph and Cameron Daniel Wallace that brought such joy to the family from Peachtree City Georgia, aunt Susan Johnson Benton and her family Charles Benton, Douglas Benton and Michael Benton from Wilmington, and brother in-law Joe Carter of Sloop Point, NC.

Serving as pallbearers are Charles Benton, Douglas Benton, Michael Benton, Jeff Wallace, Connor Wallace, David Hardison, and Mitch Coleman.

A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, February 16, 2026 at Blake's Chapel Church in Hampstead with Pastor Buddy Dowd officiating. Burial will follow at Blake's Chapel Church Cemetery. 

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting the Tribute Wall above.

Quinn McGowen Funeral Home of Wilmington is serving the family.

910-794-7171

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