Obituary of Norma Raye Carter

On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, Norma Raye Carter, loving matriarch and caring friend, passed away at age eighty-three. A driven businesswoman and active philanthropist, Norma dedicated much of her time to supporting the arts, athletics, and business communities in Greeley and the surrounding area. Norma spent over thirty years in the real estate and mortgage business. Following her retirement, if she wasn’t cheering proudly at one of her grandkids’ sporting events or extracurricular activities, Norma could be found enjoying a show at the Union Colony Civic Center or demonstrating her superb bowling skills at Highland Park Lanes. She was always out and about, and her dimpled smile lit up every room. 

Norma Raye was born on May 7, 1939, in Calhan, Colorado, the youngest child of H.R. and Elsie Carter. Forecasting her success in business, Norma was the secretary and treasurer of her high school class. Norma graduated with her associate degree from Colorado State University, where she received a full tuition scholarship, and completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Colorado. She worked several administrative jobs in the 1960s and 1970s before becoming a Realtor and managing broker of Coldwell Banker The Team. She ended her career in 2006 as the owner of her own brokerage, Pioneer Mortgage Services. 

An avid volunteer, Norma was active on the board of the Greeley Chamber of Commerce and a charter member of the Greeley Redeye Rotary Club. She was a longtime member of the Greeley Board of Realtors and the Greeley Friends and Newcomers group. Every spring, she helped prepare taxes for seniors through the AARP, but the community projects she enjoyed most were focused on children’s literacy in the schools.  

Norma is preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Vera Mae Barker and Richard Carter. She is survived by her sister, Doris (Ray) Binder, and sister-in-law, Norma Carter, as well as her children, Darcy (Lou) Cangilla, Shelley (Rex) Paddock, and Kris (Trent) Wolf; grandchildren, Kirsten (Jamie) Dick, Shea Harvey, Dara (Stephen) Pitts, Louie (Madeline) Cangilla, Tony (Samantha) Ball, Demi Ball (Tony Vindell), Paul Cangilla, and Willow and Jacob Wolf; great-grandchildren Carter and Elsie Dick, Ronan Pitts, and Berkeley Ball; several nieces and nephews; and her dear special friend, Don Meier. The family would like to thank all those who visited and showered Norma with cards and flowers during her illness. 

A celebration of Norma’s life will be held on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at 2:00 pm in the Centennial Room at the Doubletree by Hilton, 919 7th St. Greeley, CO 80631. Friends may send condolences to the family at adamsoncares.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the ALS Association. Donations can be made in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 W. 47th Ave. Greeley, CO 80634.