Lorna Halsey Wyatt

Lorna Carter Wyatt died November 11, 2023. She was born on March 26,1930 to Oke and Mary Halsey in Pierpoint, West Virginia. She grew up in the small mountain community as the sixth of eleven children. Her beloved grandparents and many other relatives lived nearby. Her siblings Lorene, Aldine, Orion, Pete, Emma Lee, Codge, Norm, and Mart preceded her in death. Her youngest brothers Ron and Steve both live in Virginia Beach. A precocious and curious child, Lorna loved school and could even recite a portion of the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in the final year of her life. In 1949, she married her high school sweetheart, James Noble Carter, Sr, affectionately known as Cork. They lived in Mullens, WV, where they welcomed their first two children Jim (James Noble, Jr.) and Joy. They moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia in 1960. Later that year, their second daughter Julie was born. Lornas family and church were always her priorities. Those years in Virginia Beach were busy and happy ones. The Carters moved to Roanoke in 1970. Tragedy struck in 1979 when Cork was killed in a railroading accident. Although devastated, Lorna provided strong leadership and boundless love to her grieving family. Happiness prevailed again with the birth of her first grandchild, James Noble Carter III. Other grandchildren followed in rapid succession: Becca Parrish, Amanda Raguth, Jared Carter, Lara Berry, Christopher James Berry, Annie Parrish, and Maddy Wyatt. Sadly, Lara died in 2008. In 1983, Lorna married a friend from her childhood, Greeley Wyatt. Greeleys son Andrew was a welcome addition to the blended family as well as children-in-law Lynn Carter, Richard Berry, and Jenny Wyatt. Lorna and Greeley enjoyed their immediate and extended families and philanthropic pursuits. They supported several nonprofits with their time, treasure, and talent. They were also delighted by the births of their great-grandchildren Nicki Grider, Lily Bialorucki, Leyna Berry, Charlotte Carter, James Noble Carter IV, and Gracie Raguth. Greeley died at the age of 92 in 2019, leaving Lorna to navigate widowhood and the Covid pandemic. She moved to Richfield Retirement Community in 2021, where she established some deep and meaningful friendships. A service is planned for 11 a.m. December 4, 2023, at the Richfield Chapel. Friends are asked to enjoy a meal and memories with the family following the service. Memorial donations are welcome and should be made to Habitat for Humanity in the Roanoke Valley at 3435 Melrose Avenue, NW, Roanoke, VA 24017. Service Details.