Macon County lost a champion of community service this Monday afternoon with the passing of Anna Dean Carter. She was 73 years old.

An energetic public servant until her last days, Ms. Anna Dean entered Vanderbilt University Medical Center last Thursday night after experiencing shortness of breath and reportedly suspecting heart trouble. While at the hospital she suffered a massive stroke early Saturday morning from which she did not recover, passing on this Monday evening, October 20, 2008.

"Over the years, writers of fiction have woven word tapestries that colorfully showcase the special brand of strength and spirit unique to southern women; but here in Macon County we don't need such fictional characters. We have Anna Dean Carter!" Linda Worsham wrote in a 2007 profile of her friend.

For the last twenty years of her life there was virtually no civic project in our county in which she did not have a central and pivotal role. In perhaps her most visible role, she served on the Macon County Commission representing the 14th District for eighteen years.

She was perhaps proudest of her work with the Macon County Senior Citizens Center, living to see the fruits of her many years of labor on behalf of the county's seniors with the opening of the new senior center just a few weeks ago. It will be most appropriate if that fine building is named and dedicated in her honor.

Anna Dean's civic interests beyond service on the Senior Citizens Center Board of Directors included: membership in the Macon County Education Foundation; the first high school graduate in her family, she was on the boards of the MCHS Alumni association, the Macon County Fair Board, the boards of the Macon County Sports Hall of Fame, the Macon County Health Council, and the Macon County Arts Council.

She was a member of the county Historical Society, the Three Star Planning Committee and the Cherry Delights Red Hat Society, a member of the Lions Club, the Jett Williams Scholarship Committee, and Treasurer of Macon County 911 Board. Anna Dean had been a president of the Chamber of Commerce in 2000, and also on the Chamber's Board for three years.

Anna Dean had worked at the Macon-Trousdale Co-op as bookkeeper for twenty-nine years, before retiring.

She was a member of the Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.

Anna Dean Carter was the longest serving representative of her sex on the Macon County Commission, and one of its most respected members, whose opinion and lead were often followed by her fellow commissioners. She will be sorely missed by all those who knew and worked with her.

Anna Dean Carter was born on June 21st, 1935 in Macon County, TN. She was the daughter of the late Virgil Heston and Elcie (Law) King.

On November 3rd, 1954, she was married to the late Billy Wilson Carter. Together they raised three children and shared forty-four years of life. He

preceded her in death on October 8, 1999. Besides her husband and parents, brother Junior King also preceded her in death.

She leaves behind to morn her passing: sons, Gerald "Rusty" (Sondra) Carter, Billy W., Jr. "Skipper" (Jean) Carter, and a daughter, Debra (Rick) Murray; grandchildren Megan Carter, Alex Carter, Matthew Murray, and Andrew Murray; step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; brother Raybon (Judy) King; sisters Irene Roark, Nina Biggers, and Shirley (David) Dyer, all of Lafayette, TN, and a host of friends.

Ms. Anna Dean will be at Alexander Funeral Home. Visitation begins Wednesday from 5 until 7, and again on Thursday from 2 to 9 p.m.

Funeral services will be this Friday, October 24 at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Macon County Memorial Gardens.