Elena Fernandez Carter

With profound sadness, the family of Elena Fernandez Carter announces her passing on April, 15, 2023 at the age of 69. She passed away peacefully with loved ones at her side. Her kindness, generosity, dedication and concern for others were present to the very end.

Elena was born to Jose Miguel Fernandez and Reina (Rodriguez) Fernandez in Matanzas, Cuba on August 18, 1953. She had a life-long dream of being a teacher and would realize that dream when she graduated from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. Elena served in the Lexington 5 school district since 1986, teaching Spanish at Irmo High School for 27 years until her retirement in 2014. She also served in Lexington 5’s ESL and Irmo’s International Baccalaureate programs. Her students affectionately called her Señora Elena, and later Abuela Elena, and she was loved and admired by them and her fellow teachers, with many of whom she formed rewarding, life-long friendships that continue to live on. She was also an active member of Our Lady of the Hills Catholic Church in Columbia.

Family was of absolute importance to Elena, and she was a devoted and caring daughter, sister, mother, cousin and to her great joy, grandmother. She was predeceased by her father Jose Miguel, mother Reina, daughter Angelica, nephew Michael and brother in law Keith. She is survived by her children Marshall (Christe) Carter, Stanley Carter and Michael Carter, grandchildren Logan, Angelica, Wyndolyn, Aerith, Faryn and Wyatt, sisters Elba Funderburk, Evelin (Mark) Henderson, brother Miguel (Patty) Fernandez, nieces Morgan and Rebecca and nephews Luke and Lance.

Visitation will be from 11:00-1:00PM on Friday, April 21, 2023, at the McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, 200 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169, with the funeral service commencing at its close at 1:00PM. Graveside service will be conducted at 4:00PM the same day, at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

McAlister-Smith Funeral and Cremation, State St. is honored to assist the family with arrangements. Expressions of sympathy for the family may be submitted in the online guestbook at mcalister-smith.com/weco