Anita Joy Hamill Carter, born December 14, 1931, grew up along the Red River in Tillman County, near Grandfield, Oklahoma. It was a place dear to her heart throughout her life. In her early years, the family traveled between there and Levelland, in Hockley County, Texas. Later, her mother felt they should stay in one location for continuity of their education, and they spent most of their time in Levelland, often cared for by her beloved grandmother, Vera “Mama” Latimer. After graduating from Levelland High School in 1949, she attended Texas Tech, graduating with a degree in Business Administration in 1954.
She married Dwayne Carter in 1952, and in 1957, moved to Fairbanks, Alaska. He served in the US Army, and she taught classes for military personnel and cared for their infant daughter. After returning to Texas in 1958, she taught 6th-8th grade, in Arlington, then in Seminole. In 1964, they moved to Carbondale, IL, to attend graduate school at Southern Illinois University. Joy received her MSEd in Special Education in 1966. She enjoyed advising and sponsoring college students, while also leading the demonstration classroom at the University School, teaching teenage special needs students. The Carters returned to Abilene, Texas in 1968, where they lived for most of the next 14 years.
Joy was an active volunteer in Abilene and served on the Taylor County MHMR Board. She was Co-owner / Business Manager of Abilene Speech, Hearing & Language Center from 1973-1980. In 1982, she joined Dwayne in Austin, but continued to divide her time between there, Grandfield and Levelland. She spent many years devoted to helping her mother manage the farming and ranching interests of Hamill Farms, with full responsibility after her mother’s death in 2003.
Joy loved interior decorating and home remodeling, creating beautiful spaces for family and friends to enjoy. She was an avid knitter, and her family has enjoyed the comforts of beautiful afghan throws of complex patterns for years. She enjoyed hobbies in floral design, landscaping, photography, reading, and travel. She has supported her family in countless ways and was an adoring grandmother to her two grandsons.
Joy died on May 24, 2023, Austin Texas, and is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Dawn and Steven Bowyer, of Arlington and Austin, Texas, her grandsons, Bryant and Brendan Bowyer, and many devoted friends whom she considered family. Her family is thankful for the support of friends Linda and Pete Puente of Levelland, and the compassionate care of the kind staff at Southern Hospitality Home in Austin. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, G.H. (Hoyt) and Frieda Hamill, her brother, Donal Hamill, and her sister, Janelle Hamill Cass. A private memorial service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Lubbock, Texas. Memorial gifts may be given to the charity of donor’s choice.