Emma Carter succumbed to cancer at the age of 91 on August 31, 2026 in her home at Springhouse Village Assisted Living, Springfield, Missouri. She was born to Sylvester Clem and Mildred Fern (Wilson) Webster on June 10, 1935 on their rented farm near Mapleton, Bourbon County, Kansas. Emma was the widow of Morris Carter and the mother of three sons, David Wilson of Springfield, MO; Del Wilson of Seattle, WA; and Bradley Carter also of Springfield, who survive her. In a life characterized by strength, determination, and commitment, Emma was a businesswoman, volunteer, and cherished friend to many, as well as a devoted wife and mother. Emma will be remembered for her strength and indomitable spirit that was not deterred, even as her stamina and health began to diminish in her final years.

When Emma was 6 years old her parents purchased a farm near Fort Scott, KS where she was reared. Emma was a child filled with a sense of adventure and a teenager filled with a sense of style. She reminisced that by age 8 she would ride her bicycle down the dirt farm road and dream of pedaling until she reached the city and that she took pride in being voted best dressed in high school, having sewn all her clothes.

Pert and pretty, Emma married her high school sweetheart, Duane Wilson, shortly after graduating in 1953. They moved to Miami, FL where Duane was stationed with the Marine Corp and where Emma became a young mother to son David. The family would eventually move to Springfield where Del was born, and Emma would face the challenges of becoming a divorced single mother.

In 1960 Emma was introduced to Morris Carter, a ginger haired car salesman with an easy laugh, sunny smile, and entrepreneurial spirit. He became the love of her life and with him she had her youngest son, Brad. Morris’s work led them to Ozark, Jefferson City, and Seymour, Missouri where, in 1967, Morris and Emma opened the Carter-Schupbach Chevrolet dealership with longtime friend Paul Schupbach. Emma worked alongside Morris to build a successful business while caring for her family and building friendships that would last the rest of her life. Their next business venture took them to West Plains, MO where, from 1976 to 1984 they operated the Carter-Schupbach Pontiac Cadillac GMC dealership. After Paul Schupbach’s death in 1984, they moved back to Springfield to manage Schupbach Chevrolet in Ozark and assist with transitioning the business to Denis Hanks Chevrolet. Emma continued to work in the Hanks business office until her retirement in 2005.

In addition to her business career Emma enjoyed traveling the world with Morris and continued to travel with friends into her late 80’s. She especially enjoyed annual trips to Florida to visit her friend Dee, walk on the beach and sip cocktails on the terrace. She was active in the Seymour Women’s Club, until slowed by ill health, a founding member of the Seymour Apple Festival and the creator, and first judge, of the Apple Princess competition. She was an instrumental member of the development team that created The Branches residential home for developmentally disabled adults, and a tireless supporter of the Springfield Sheltered Workshops, Inc. where her son Brad has worked for 39 years. Emma’s devotion to Brad and her insistence on his full participation in family activities and the greater world impressed all who were witness to her devotion.

Emma is preceded in death by her parents, half-brother Bill Webster, and her beloved husband Morris Carter. She is survived by her sons David (Ellen) Wilson of Springfield, MO; Del (Maja)Wilson of Seattle, WA; and Bradley Carter of Springfield, MO, as well as David’s family: Alia (Albert) Lee and children Kieran and Braedan Hall, all of Springfield and Whitney (Lane) Schrock and children Lake and Lowen Schrock of Nixa, and Del’s family: Alexandra (Tanner) Easley and children Maliyah and Emma; David Michael Wilson, and Marko Filipovic, all of the Seattle area. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Brenda Myers and family of Miller, MO, and cousins in Nevada, MO.

At 90 Emma realized that her body wasn’t as strong as her spirit and she moved to Springhouse Village Assisted Living where she received daily support and made new friends. The family would like to thank the staff of Springhouse Village and Seasons Hospice for their loving care and support of Emma in her final year.

In honor of Emma’s love of nature and water the family will host an open house from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. September 17, 2026 at the Boathouse at Lake Springfield. 2312 E Lake Springfield Park Rd, Springfield, MO 65804.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Developmental Center of the Ozarks. Online condolences may be made at www.gormanscharpf.com