Carter, Ann Hornbarger

Ann Hornbarger Carter, 92, a lifelong resident of Christiansburg Virginia, died on March 18th, 2023, at home surrounded by love. Ann was born on March 16th, 1931 in Davy West Virginia.

After Ann graduated from Christiansburg High School, she went on to study at Radford College and then Oklahoma State University where she graduated with a BS in Education. After graduating, she moved back to Christiansburg with her beloved husband Dr. J.D. Carter and worked alongside him in his veterinary practice.

The rest of her life Ann was dedicated to making the community she loved a better place, and for those who knew her well, she was fiercely independent. She served on Christiansburg Town Council for 21yrs, the entire time being the only female councilmember, and also served as vice mayor multiple times. She was Christiansburg’s Planning Commissioner for 10yrs, also serving on the Town Finance, Fire and Rescue Committees.

Ann served as a member of the Montgomery County Economic Development Commission, a member on the board of directors of Christiansburg-Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce. She was a member of the Virginia Tech/Montgomery Regional Airport Authority, as well as a member of the Virginia Tech Business Technology Center Advisory Board.

She was a member of the New River Community College Foundation Board, a board member of the Virginia School Board Association, and was a member of the Montgomery County School Board for 8yrs serving as the first chairwoman 3yrs. She was a member of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library Board of Trustees for 8yrs, serving as chairman for 4yrs. She was a board member of the Montgomery Museum, and a founding board member of Warm Hearth Foundation.

Ann was also Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Sunset Cemetery from 1990 through 2008, conducting day-to-day operations, as well as developing a database of all plots to stop reliance on countless paper copies and to streamline operations all without compensation. In 2008, she facilitated the takeover of all cemetery operations, and the cemetery itself, by the Town of Christiansburg.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband Dr. J.D. Carter, her parents Joe & Margaret Hornbarger, her sister Polly Wilson, and son Larry Douglas Carter. She is survived by her son Joseph Scott Carter & wife Karen, her daughter Kaye Cooper, daughter-in-law Johanna Carter (Larry Carter), her granddaughter Jessica Drew Carter & husband Aaron Da San Martino, her grandson Justin Douglas Cooper, along with many extended family members.

Ann will be deeply missed by those in her life but will be reunited beside her beloved husband in the place she worked so hard to preserve, Sunset Cemetery. She wanted to thank everyone for the long journey.

Per Ann’s wishes, only a private graveside service will be held.

In lieu of flowers, Ann requested considering making a donation to the Montgomery County Animal Care and Adoption Center, or another no-kill animal shelter of your choice.