PembrokeGloria Downs Carter, 80, died peacefully Sunday, Sept. 25, 201, at her daughter's home in Marietta . She was born Jan. 22, 1931, in Bryan County during the the Great Depression. She was the youngest child in a family of five born to the late Bubsie and Maude Downs. Her parents farmed during the early years of her life. In 1940, her father relocated the family to Lanier, where he founded the long-time family business of Bryan Oil Co. She attended Pembroke Elementary School and Black Creek Elementary School as a child. It was during those elementary years that Gloria received her educational foundation and began dreaming of going to college and becoming a teacher. She was very athletic and enjoyed many sports. While attending high school, she played forward in varsity basketball and was voted Most Athletic for two of her four high school years. She attended and became a graduate of Brewton Parker High School in Mt. Vernon in 1947. She continued to Mercer University to pursue her dream of education. While there, she joined the Chi-Omega Sorority. Her dream became reality upon her graduation from Mercer University in Macon with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. What an honor it was for her to become the first in her family to graduate college. She was able to combine her passions of education and athletics as she became a teacher of physical education. She taught physical education for many years in several states as she accompanied her husband, Schirm, to various locations during his military service. She impacted the lives of many students during her teaching career both in and out of the classroom. She also coached girls basketball and softball while serving as a physical education teacher. Upon returning to Georgia, Gloria added a Master of Education degree from then-Georgia Southern College, as well as leadership certification. She became the much-loved principal of Black Creek Elementary School in 1979 and served in that position for two years. When the new Lanier Elementary School opened in 1981, she stepped into the role of assistant principal. She served the students, faculty and community in that role for seven years until her retirement from education in 1989 with 35 years of service. Her charismatic, easy-going personality endeared her to all who knew her. It was often said of Gloria that she was there to lend her hand to hold and her heart to understand. She exhibited a quiet grace, a focused mind and a steely strength to undergird in all of life's circumstances. The Carters relished traveling during their retirement years with a keen sense of adventure. They toured many of the 50 United States and Canada. The Carters' had fond memories of overseas travel to Austria, Italy and England. No sooner did they return from one trip than they would be planning the next. "Just tell me where and when" was a favorite phrase of Gloria's in reference to travel. She was of the Baptist faith and attended First Baptist Church of Pembroke as well as the Gleaners Sunday school class. She was a member of the Pilot Club of Savannah, a service club in which she held various offices. She loved to dance and was a member of the Savannah Shag Club for many years. Professional memberships included the Georgia Retired Educator's Association, the Georgia Association of Health and Physical Education and the Bryan County Retired Educator's Association. Gloria's life was a life to be celebrated. Hers was a life lived with joy and enthusiasm. She embraced life and lived life to the fullest every day. She met challenges with a focused determination to succeed. Her intelligence, positive outlook, and sharp wit and wisdom were a testament to her life. She had a playful side and a youthful spirit that flourished and was greatly influenced by her three grandchildren, whom she greatly loved spending time with as often as possible. She was an avid sports enthusiast and loved inspiring others to excel athletically. She was passionate about education and believed it held the keys to future success for everyone. Her legacy will be her dedication to her passions - family, education and athletics, respectively. She will long be remembered for her genuine friendship, her generosity, her compassion, her loyalty and her graciousness. To know her was to love her. In so doing, one could consider oneself blessed among all people.In addition to her parents, she was predeceased in death by her husband and best friend of 45 years, Schirm Carter; her brother, Speir Downs; and three sisters, Miriam Richard, Jackie Rowell and Joyce White. She is survived by her loving daughter and son-in-law, Heather Carter and Mike Overstreet of Marietta; three adored grandchildren, Laura Overstreet, Michael Overstreet and Edward Overstreet, all of Marietta; and several nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend its sincere and heartfelt thanks to friends and neighbors who have supported them during this difficult time.The funeral is at 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at First Baptist Church of Pembroke. Internment will follow at Lower Black Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Flanders Morrison Funeral Home in Pembroke. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to First Baptist Church in Pembroke. Arrangements are by Flanders Morrison Funeral Home of Pembroke. Share thoughts and memories at www.flandersmorrisonfuneralhome.com.