THE VILLAGE TIMES
Independence Village of Olde Raleigh
Resident Newsletter
Meet “Chip” Carter
Meet new residents James P. “Chip” Carter and his wife Susan, who, with the help of their daughter-in-law and grandson, recently moved from the Raleigh area into Independence Village. Chip retired in the mid-70s as a producer with the McGriff Insurance Agency. McGriff deals with business and personal insurance in many locations including the Raleigh Durham area. As a producer, Chip’s job was to maintain the connection between his customers and the agency’s offerings, mainly by dealing with sales of property and casualty insurance for commercial accounts in North Carolina. He became well-known in the industry for his indepth knowledge of the contractor areas.
With help from their son, Rob Carter, the busy couple was still moving in. Regrettably, Susan was not available for this interview. I can tell you however, that as a retired secretary, mostly for the Truist Bank, Susan found her time taken up by her duties as a mother and homemaker,
“People have called me Chip,” said James, “since my mother used to call me a ’chip off the old block’, referring to my father (her husband). I was born on November 15, 1950 and raised in Lumberton, North Carolina. My parents were Jimmy Carter and Lois; he from Wilmington, she from Lumberton. I grew up in Lumberton and Goldsboro. My dad was a mechanical engineer, which I also wanted to be when I grew up.
“I began school at Lumberton’s Rowland Norment Elementary School and later moved on to Junior High and High School in Goldsboro North Carolina, about 90 miles away because my dad was transferred there by CPL (Carolina Power and Light). High School in the 60s was a special time in my life. Unlike grade school where we meet and play with casual friends, high school became a real serious decision time in my future. My casual friends became good friends who helped me and even influenced me on making those decisions. After attending East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville I ultimately earned a degree in Business Administration. at Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Later on my fraternity brothers became and are still my closest friends
“My favorite teacher at Campbell was Sharir Moshatari, who was very open and honest and later became my son’s advisor. (Rob says he made it through college because of him.)
“Susan graduated from Wade Hampton High School, a public high school which opened in 1960 in Greenville, South Carolina. Inevitably, we met and the event I remember most in my life is our wedding on May 18, 1974, some 51 years ago in Greenville, South Carolina. My most important life accomplishment, as far as I’m concerned, is our son Rob. We are also blessed with a grandson, who is a freshman at Campbell.
“In what seems only a short while ago we moved to Raleigh where I have many favorite memories of the services here at Christ Episcopal Church. I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and would like to be remembered for my honesty and integrity and for bringing others to Christ. I have been very active in my church but I’ve had many challenges in my life, including living as a child with my father who was
afflicted with chronic alcoholism.
“But I have no regrets; I’m a serious person but I’m a half-way decent golfer as well and I like to play golf when I can. ‘Golf, anyone?’”
Eevee’s Story – by Phyllis Wooley
… Hello my peoples! I am a little worried today. While Mom was giving me my morning treat, she said, “‘Eevee, we might have to cut back on your treats and food. “I nearly choked on the treat I was eating. Mom kept talking. You know my mom; she goes three days past Sunday to get to the point she’s making. Well, it was all about the rent going up in March. Can you believe she said I may have to get a JOB? That’s the dumbest thing Mom has ever said! I am Royalty. I have mom convinced that I take care of her, but the truth is, I am Royalty! I do not, and have not, ever had a JOB! She just 
kept going on and on about why she doesn’t think our rent should go up because the services here haven’t increased, only decreased. Blah, blah blah! Mom says she has paid into Social Security since she was sixteen years old. Doesn’t sound as if the society is very secure to me. Who named it that anyway? Mom doesn’t seem to understand I already have a job! I am head of Homeland Security in apartment 204.1 keep mice out of here, and keep people from sitting on Mom’s bed. I also attack people if they come in while Mom isn’t here! Nobody crosses my border without my permission! And as of this moment, we have no homeless people living on our floor. That’s why Mom doesn’t get another cat, I would make sure the fuzzy little thing was out the door within three days. My grandma Martha always said company and fish should be thrown out in three days because they both start to stink. Also, I have to entertain Mom just to get my treats. Sometimes I give her my sweetest look and sometimes I have to resort to laying on my back so she can scratch my belly. That usually works. Anyway, if anybody has to get a job, it will be Mom! She is my bread winner! I have heard that Harris Teeter may be looking for someone to gather grocery carts. Hey Mom, you can start by going
up on the third floor here. There’s always a cart or two you can take back. Or maybe Miss Brooke will give you a job picking up the trash here! Anyway, I am thinking about retiring and taking a cruise!
Helen Eller – by Frank Howes
October 1, 1928 – January 16, 2025
Raleigh, North Carolina – Helen Boone Eller, 96, passed away Thursday January 16, 2025 at 3HC hospice in Goldsboro, N.C. Helen was born October 1, 1928 in Albemarle, N.C.
Helen is predeceased by her beloved husband L.B. Eller, Jr., her parents George Travis and Delia Byrd Boone and a brother G.T. Boone Jr. She is survived by her son Lewis B. Eller III, his wife Katrina and their sons Lewis Samuel Eller and George Dekalb Eller, and her son Brent Dwayne Eller, his wife Betsy, and their son Brent Payne Eller, his wife Lauren and daughter Caroline; and their son John Benton Eller.
For more information please visit www.howellfuneral.com.
It was my privilege to know Helen in the last years of her life. I often played bridge with her over these years, and anyone who knows me knows that I can be fanatical about the game. Bridge attracts me because it requires certain skills if you want to be a good player. Among these skills are: a good memory, good communication skills, patience as well as a knowledge of when to be aggressive, thorough knowledge of the rules and guidelines for the game, but an instinctive understanding of when the guidelines should not be followed – when something unusual or even radical should be tried. Helen had these skills in abundance. Plus she was as competitive as… well.
She was a great partner!
Helen played bridge using guidelines that are now archaic (she learned to play many decades ago). In this same manner, she lived her life. Though I have not read her obituary yet, I know that words like trustworthy, diligent, hard-working, perseverant, impatient with laziness, and many other laudable characteristics fit her. Helen was not afraid to march to her own tune, even if she marched alone.
Helen was a very skilled writer and editor as well. I have been known to write a few lines occasionally, and I knew that if I wanted to receive valuable guidance and feedback (Helen was
never hesitant about giving a person feedback), I should go to her.
Dear Helen, I will miss you!
Announcements:
1. There will be no book club meeting this month.
2. Frank Howes will be teaching a class on “Using your iPhone” at
10:30 am Saturday, February 15 in the Bingo Room. All are invited.
Prose and Poetry from the Residents
Today is the first day of the rest of our life because we all have humility in what we say and do but most of all we will admire all of the kind words and fellow residents have to amplify as they express their wants and needs so as to understand them better.
We/us writers are here today in our Writers Club time to Jazz up our meeting and to enjoy the company of Sunny when the appropriate time is available and to jump up and down when we get to every day. Bella’s
presentations to make our day a smiley day all the day long.
________Ernest
The uncertainty of life is ever present. We never have a truly accurate knowledge of what circumstances may have a profound effect on what happens to us on a day-to-day basis. We Air Force should live each day — indeed, moment as if it could be our last– or the last of any person we may encounter. , therefore always Endeavor to be kind and to be accepting of what we may encounter, just as we would hope they would be accepting of ours from others.
________Carol
To hear your steps clicking next to mine —
And to hold your hand is so sublime.
I’d walk with you many a mile
Just to see your beautiful smile
You’ll never know dear how much I care
More than I let on — more than I dare.
If I could make three wishes dear —
I’d only ask for one,
That you and I my dear would go through life as one.
Others who have known us would surely approve
That into new lives we would surely move
Life’s not over as long as we’re alive
To a happy future we would strive
One filled with love and joy to behold
Praying our love will never grow old
________Pat
The Shed
By Pat Simpson (volunteer editor of the Village Times)
The plants are trembling
The animals are running
The snow is falling
Indoor fun is calling.
Racoon and I were playing in the hall
Playing with our bat and ball.
Then something hit me in the head
So I’m now hiding in the shed.
But I can’t go out — I’m not that bold,
‘Afraid I’ll catch a common cold.
The shed is warm and keeps me safe.
I’m not that old — yet not a waif.
This is no longer just a game….
Mister chipmunk; if it’s just the same…
Will you tell Racoon he’s not to blame?
And tell him to make his dog stop yapping.
It’s preventing me from napping.
Tell him he won’t find the squirrels
He’s barking up the wrong tree
The squirrels are now lasagna:
a treat for you and me.
With apple pie for dessert
And chocolate cake for all
We’ll party in the hall tonight
Would that we satisfy our appetite!
No more shed – no more snow
No more squirrels on the patio!