Judith Ann Carter, 84, of Okarche, went to be with her Lord on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Oklahoma City.

Judy was born in Cherokee on June 25, 1942, to Henry and Bernice Brining.

She grew up attending the First Baptist Church in Cherokee and developed a strong Christian faith at an early age and a lifelong love for singing gospel music.

Judy married the love of her life, Jimmie Carter, known throughout the community as “Carter” on Aug. 27, 1960. Together, they were blessed with two children, Mark and Lisha.

Carter’s work took them to Midwest City where they spent several years raising their young family before eventually making Okarche their home.

In 1973, Jim and Judy moved to Okarche to follow a dream of opening their own car dealership, Carter Chevrolet.

In those early days, their family of four even lived on the car lot. Together, they took a leap of faith that would grow into a successful family business in a small community they loved and were proud to support.

Judy often shared her own version of Luke 12:48, always saying, “To whom much is given, much is expected.”

She lived by those words throughout her life. Judy generously gave whatever she had to family, friends and even complete strangers.

If Judy heard there was a need, she made sure it was met. Helping others was simply part of who Judy was.

In the early years of their business, Jim and Judy traveled together mostly for work, but as the years went on, they enjoyed traveling for fun and spending time with family.

Two of Judy’s favorite destinations were the Bahamas and Green Mountain Falls, Colo., where many special family memories were made.

Jim and Judy worked side by side at Carter Chevrolet for 37 years. Carter focused on selling cars, while Judy kept things running behind the scenes, overseeing payables and payroll.

They were partners in business and in life until Carter’s passing in 2010 after nearly 50 years of marriage.

Judy continued working and remained a vital part of the family business until she unofficially retired around the age of 78. Even after retirement, she remained an anchor for her family and someone they could always rely on.

She had a wealth of business knowledge, a practical way of looking at life and was always ready to offer advice when it was needed.

Above all, Judy loved her family deeply. She took great pride in her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and her family knew they could always count on her.

Her strength, generosity, wisdom and faith shaped the generations that followed her and will remain an important part of her legacy.

Judy never lost her love of singing gospel music and continued singing throughout her life.

Judy is survived by her son Mark Carter of Kingfi sher; her daughter Lisha Lowell-Oshman and husband Kevin Oshman of Yukon; her grandchildren and their spouses, Ryan and Tasha Reherman, Randy and Taren Robinson, Mitch and Sarah McDonald, Bennett and Maria Lowell-Oshman; her beloved great-grandchildren Jackson Reherman, Ella Reherman, Noah and Emma Schaefer, Carter, Reese and Thatcher Robinson, Brooks and William McDonald, and Curtis and Owen Lowell-Oshman; and her brother, Leon Brining and his wife Mary Ann of Moore.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of almost 50 years, Jimmie Carter.

A memorial service celebrating Judy’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 19, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Okarche.

Services are under the direction of Huber-Benson Funeral Home, El Reno.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Judy’s memory to OU’s Stephenson Cancer Center.