Janette Carter matriarch of the Carter Family 82
Busgal
Despite heroic attempts to save her life, Janette Carter, 82, beloved
matriarch of the Carter Family, passed away at 6 a.m. (EST) Sunday,
January 22, at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, Tennessee.
She had been unconscious since Tuesday evening (January 17), when her
health took a major downward turn. She had endured a combination of
chronic illnesses, several surgical procedures over the last several
years, and Parkinson's Disease. Prior to being rushed to the hospital's
emergency room Tuesday, she had been undergoing physical therapy in a
nearby rehabilitation facility following a fall in her home Christmas
day.
Daughter Rita Forrester reported Thursday that her mother, while still
critical, had begun showing some signs of improvement. Other
complications overnight Friday, however, required emergency surgery
Saturday despite Janette's weakness and medical instability.
Over the next 24 hours, two Code Blue events occurred. A team of
physicians revived her after the first event but were unable to bring
her back after the second.
Final arrangements will be handled by the Scott County Funeral Home in
Weber City, Virginia. Those arrangements will be announced later,
according to Rita Forrester.
As for the future of the Carter Fold, Rita Forrester says her mother's
objectives, policies, goals, and ambitions will continue as before.
Janette Carter was one of three children born to A. P. and Sara Carter.
A. P. Carter was the founder and leader of the history-making trio that
began recording in 1927. Three daughters born to Maybelle Carter, the
other member of the original trio, have also passed away. With the
passing last March of her brother Joe, Janette remained the last
surviving child of members of the original Carter Family.
Janette followed her father's last wishes-to do all she could to
preserve not only Carter Family music but also the old-time folk and
country music of the Appalachians-by presenting country music
performances at the site of the general store her father operated in
his final years. Over the next several decades, those performances
grew, becoming the Carter Family Fold, centerpiece of the
not-for-profit Carter Family Memorial Music Center, Inc. The Saturday
night performances have become the region's top visitor attraction.
Above: One of her favorite events of the year for Janette was her
annual get-together with long-time devoted friends, the McLain Family.
This photo, taken December 10, 2005, shows Janette surrounded by
members of the McLain Family, as well as members of her own family and
close friends, prior to the McLain Family Band performance at the
Carter Fold that evening.
Janette's lifetime of hard work and struggles brought her countless
awards and phenomenal national and international recognition. The
latest honor, and among the most significant, occurred last September
when she was presented the Bess Lomax Hawes award from the National
Endowment for the Arts in recognition of her lifelong efforts in the
preservation and performance of Appalachian music.
Janette Carter's parents, A.P. and Sara, and her Aunt Maybelle Carter
produced a musical legacy internationally regarded as pivotal in the
establishment of the country music industry and have been in the
Country Music Hall of Fame since 1970.