Frances Tunnell Carter — longtime faculty member of Samford University and a riveter during World War II — died on Memorial Day, May 31. She was 99.
As a college sophomore, Carter moved from rural Mississippi to Birmingham to work on B-29 planes during WWII. In 1998, she founded the American Rosie the Riveter Association, an organization aimed at honoring the working women of the war and furthering workplace excellence and American patriotism. The organization now has more than 6,000 members.
During her years at Samford, Carter taught education and home economics and established the early childhood education major for Samford students.
Her husband, John, was also a longtime Samford professor and former dean of the Orlean Beeson School of Education. Over the years, the Carters have supported Samford in a variety of ways, including funding scholarships and sponsoring the annual Young Authors Conference.
They also led the International Book Project, providing thousands of books to school libraries in other countries; taught in Hong Kong; and led mission trips to Indonesia, Russia, Mexico and Honduras.
Carter is preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by her son, Wayne; daughter, Nell; seven grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Share with others: