On the Mark: A salute to a true friend...Sally Carter

They became friends for life.

Sally’s recent passing brought back many wonderful memories of so many faces while at the old news office.

Dean and Sally had three children — (the late) Greg, Michelle and Lori.

They also became wonderful friends.

Like their parents, who loved the publishing business, so, too, did Greg and Michelle. Lori also worked at the paper during her younger days.

Dean and Sally were hard workers and meant so much to the newspapers and Star Printing for years.

Sally’s devotion to the business dated back to her days as a teenager.

A proud graduate of old Moundsville High School (now John Marshall) in 1953, Sally got her start in the printing business at The Moundsville Echo.

She later worked for publications in Alexandria and Fairfax, Virginia, before making her way to Jackson County.

Sally was a part of the newspaper and printing business here locally for nearly 35 years.

She was a jewel. Her words were always so touching.

And if we were working together late at night inside the newspaper offices on Race Street, when it was time for Sally (or me) to finally call it a night, she would always say, “We love you, Markus.”

She met Dean while working for The Alexandria Journal. It was a match made in Heaven. Dean passed away a few years ago doing one of his many loves, hunting.

She gave so much to the paper and print business, her family, her friends, her community and her church (First United Methodist in Ravenswood), where she was a member for 50-plus years.

Among the many projects and events in which she gave of her precious time was the Adopt-a-Family program. She coordinated it here locally for nearly a half century.

Quite simply, Sally was a giver.

And while it was never about her, there were many who recognized Sally (and rightfully so) many times throughout her life for her strong desire to help others and make their lives better in a variety of ways.

As her obit stated, “she was an inspiration to many.”

She certainly was.

And she will be missed for all who knew her.

I’m blessed to have had her as such a dear friend for 42 years of my life.