Ruth Conner Carr, 98, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away at her home in Windsor Meade on December 7, 2021. Ruth spent her childhood in Delanco, New Jersey before moving to Norfolk, Virginia after high school. She attended the Norfolk division of the College of William and Mary and Virginia Polytechnic Institute (now known as Old Dominion University). She met her husband, Baxter C. Carr, Jr., on campus and married him in 1944, spending the next 77 years building their life together.
After two years of college, Ruth’s career as a secretary began as secretary to the registrar, then as executive secretary to the Chairman of the Faculty. During WWII, Ruth then moved to the General Coal Co. as executive secretary to the manager of the Norfolk office. While there, she provided manifests of coal loadings to convoys being formed in Lynnhaven Bay for the dangerous trip across the North Atlantic heading for Europe.
In 1952, after five years in Yorktown, VA, the Carr family settled in their new home on Burns Lane in Williamsburg where they raised their family for 22 years. Later they moved to another new home, Windcrest Farm on Forge Road in Toano. Ruth enjoyed the country living and created many memories with family and friends at Windcrest Farm over the next 32 years. She and Baxter spent many years wintering on Hutchinson Island, Florida enjoying the company of many friends as well as enjoying sports like golf, tennis, bocce and shuffleboard.
Ruth was an active member of her beloved Williamsburg community. Along with raising four children, she was active in many clubs. She was a member of the Green Spring Garden Club Affiliates, where she served as President from 1958-1960. She belonged to the Junior Women’s Club, Volunteered for Girl Scouts, and was a member of and Sunday School teacher at the Williamsburg United Methodist Church. She also worked as a teacher at Greenwood Kindergarten on Burns Lane. As her children grew older, she took a position at William and Mary working for the Department of Education in their teacher placement office.
Ruth is survived by her loving husband, Baxter C. Carr, Jr., her four children, Vicki Carr (Bill Pfingston) of Framingham, Massachusetts, Baxter C. Carr, III (Libby and her family) of Forest, Virginia, Peggy (Michael) Harowitz of Palm City, Florida, Janice (Curt) Nette of Warrenton, Virginia. She has nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
A celebration of life service will be announced at a later date.
If desired, friends may donate to The Salvation Army, 216 Ironbound Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188 in her memory.
The Carr family would like to give a special thanks to her primary caregivers, Kendra Richards and Valerie Patterson of Agape Home Care, for their wonderful care of Mom.
Cremation Society of Virginia-Newport News assisted with arrangements.
