Melinda Guard Carter

Melinda Guard Carter passed away peacefully at her home in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at the age of 71. Melinda has been happily reunited with her beloved husband Norman James “Jamie” Carter and other loved ones that have preceded her in death.

Raised in Blytheville, Melinda spent her adult years in Texas but was a Razorback at heart, graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1971. She continued her education at Texas Woman’s University, earning her master’s degree in education. Melinda was a dedicated junior high math teacher for 35 years, touching countless lives. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Coppell, Texas, where she served in leadership positions through the years. Melinda was an avid reader and passionate about animals.

The greatest joy of her life was her family. Melinda’s daughters, Jenna Tate Carter Vardell (Thomas Vardell) and Megan Guard Carter, are heartbroken by this sudden loss; however, are finding comfort in this heavenly reunion. Yaya is missed tremendously by her granddaughters, Molly Tate Vardell and Grace Louise Vardell.

Melinda is lovingly remembered by her mother, Tate (Taterbug) Guard Williams, and sisters, Molly Guard Patterson and Melissa Guard Nichols (Roy Nichols), in addition to numerous members of her extended family and lifelong friends.

Funeral services will be held Friday, July 30, at 2 p.m. at the Blytheville First United Methodist Church with Rev. Zach Roberts officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service at 1 p.m. The family requests that any memorials be made to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, American Heart Association, or The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cobbfuneralhome.com.