Obituary of Barbara-L. Carter

Marietta - Barbara Leigh Carter, 44, of Marietta, Georgia died January 20, 2008, in Wellstar Hospice surrounded by family and friends after a 20 month battle with cancer.Leigh was born December 20, 1963, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Most of her younger years were spent in Oak Ridge, Tennessee where she completed high school in 1982. She attended the University of Georgia graduating in June, 1986, with a degree in criminal justice. She recently completed 20 years of service as a Litigation Paralegal with Powell Goldstein of Atlanta, Georgia. Leigh worked with many attorneys in several areas of litigation including securities and fiduciary litigation, business litigation and family law. She will be sincerely missed by all of her colleagues. . Leigh's love of animals started at a very early age and continued into adulthood. She was active in Cocker Spaniel Rescue where she spent hours fostering and rehabilitating Cockers that had a less than wonderful life. During this time she discovered that she really liked the Belgian Tervuren breed. Leigh spent hours researching pedigrees and genetic problems making her a 'go to' authority. She was instrumental in the formation of the Southeast Belgian Tervuren Club, serving for many years as president. Leigh was currently serving on the board of the national breed club, the American Belgian Tervuren Club, and chairing the Awards Committee. She held many other positions at the national and local level, all in the interest of serving and promoting the breed she loved so much. Not one to rest, she found out that she enjoyed herding with her "Terv", Tag. As there were few opportunities in the South to showcase this talent, she worked at finding a way to change this, thus becoming a founding member of the North Georgia All Breed Herding Dog Association where she held several offices and was currently serving on the board. This club now sponsors four herding trials a year; once again Leigh's efforts coming to fruition.Leigh is survived by her parents Barbara Wier and Hubert Kennon Carter of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, her sister and brother-in-law Jody Carter and Robert Lee Jones of Savannah, and brother and sister-in-law Daniel Kennon and Diane Greenblatt Carter of Knoxville, Tennessee and nephews and nieces Chase, Catherine and Courtney Carter and Sam, Eva, Mali and Will Jones; grandmother Ruth Wier Kotowski of Athens; uncles and aunts Dennis and Anne Marie Carter of Marietta, Wayne and Florence Wier of Fernandina Beach, Florida and Lanny Wier of Athens; and numerous cousins. She is also survived by a large number of friends who provided support during her battle with cancer. She was especially grateful for special friends Susan Garrett of Marietta who "adopted" Leigh and for Susan Harris of Atlanta who enabled her to continue her "Terv" activities until the end of her life. She was so glad you were all in her life. She was preceded in death by grandparents W. W. "Billy" Wier, and Mildred K. and Hubert H. Carter of Athens. The body has been cremated. Placement of ashes will be in Oconee Hill Cemetery, Athens, at 10 AM on Saturday, January 26, 2008, followed at 11:00 with a Celebration of Life at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, 4355 Lexington Rd. Athens, Georgia. A lunch will follow the services.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to P.A.L.S. (Pets are Loving Support) a nonprofit organization which helps people who are critically ill and their pets remain together to share the healing power of love and companionship. Donations may be made by check or credit card: PALS Atlanta, 1058C Northside Drive, Atlanta, GA 30318 or 404-876-7257