Kenneth Poe Funeral Services

March 11, 2024

CHARLOTTE – Sue Barker McCarter (79) passed away on March 11, 2024. Sue was proud to be a native Charlottean, born to Judge Frank P. Barker II and Maujer M. Barker. She graduated from Queens College in 1966 and earned a master’s degree in special education from UNC-Charlotte in 1990. She was a member of Chi Omega at Queens College and served as rush chairman and president. While at Queens she met John McCarter on a blind date when a friend fell ill. Sue and John married on September 25, 1966, in Charlotte. The Navy stationed John first in Charleston, SC, and then New York. Sue and John moved for the last time to Charlotte, NC, in 1973.

Sue worked in special education and with her master’s degree transitioned to a position at TEACCH where she evaluated and treated autistic children and young adults, helping them and their families with day-to-day challenges and with their short- and long-term goals. She often enlisted help from her children to make kits by cutting out pictures or shapes that would work together to help a child reach a specific goal.  Sue cared for her own mother, Maujer “Mona” Barker for eight years before her death - enjoying the time listening to classical music and stories about Mona’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s lives. Sue loved visiting and caring for her own grandchildren - making each child feel special. 

One of her favorite things about working with TEACCH was travelling, especially internationally. Sue traveled to Japan, England, and Ireland to set up classrooms and train the teachers who were helping autistic children in those countries using research outcomes developed in the United States.  She was inspired by the trip to Japan so much it was mirrored in her other passion: quilting. 

Sue and Mona used their needlework experience and found quilting together. Sue taught quilting classes and made numerous beautiful quilts and hangings.  Her skills on the sewing machine were used to make clothes for Amy and Laura when they were children, including prom and formal wear, up until she made their wedding dresses.

Sue wrote a chapter in a book about North Carolina quilts, her chapter focused on Crazy Quilts.  She travelled around North Carolina to assist the NC Quilt Project in documenting quilting history, materials and projects by examining the quilts, dating them and giving the people bringing them in some history behind the fabrics, patterns and their value. Her passion for quilting expanded into her making quilts and hangings for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and siblings to let them know how much they were loved.  She had an amazing eye for color and composition.

Sue was a member of Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church where she attended for many years, bringing her children up in the church. She made three special banners for the sanctuary: two for Christmas and one for Easter that still hang there on special occasions. 

Sue loved her family and took them to Kansas City in the summer and every other Christmas to see Mona, Grandpop and all the aunts, uncles and cousins. She taught each of the Barker grandchildren how to sew and knit on trips to the Lake of the Ozarks. She was the rule maker and rule follower that helped to keep everyone safe. With her children she was always there when needed whether it was for the birth of a child and the assistance afterward in those first two weeks or just a listening ear when they needed to talk. 

Sue was preceded in death by her parents, Maujer Moseley Barker and Frank P. Barker II, and brother Frank P. Barker III.  She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, John, and their three children: Laura Robert, Amy Satterfield (Michael), and Daniel McCarter (Rachel). 

Sue was blessed with six grandchildren: Virginia Robert, Sarah Robert, Summey Satterfield, Joseph Robert, Asher McCarter, and Eli McCarter.

She is also survived by her fun-loving, devoted sister Kathy Sims (Pat) and talented brother Charles Barker (Miranda), and sister-in-law Salena Warlick, along with nieces and nephews: Kyle Sims (Russ), Jenny Osentoski (Rick), Joe Sims (Lisa), Jake Sims (Patricia), Jana Melton (Brandon), Jessica Barker, Riley Barker, Max Barker, Kent Warlick, Keith Warlick, and Kim Corbett (William). 

Sue was an amazing wife and mother. She was incredibly talented and created beautiful, quilted masterpieces.  She made everyone feel wanted, loved, and as if they were the only one in the world when spending time with her. 

Thank you to the amazing staff at Peak Resources in Cherryville, NC, and the Hospice staff from Via Health. They were incredibly kind and compassionate to Sue and her family. 

A service honoring Sue Barker McCarter will be held at Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC, on March 26, 2024, at noon, with a reception immediately following. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Autism Society of North Carolina or Via Health Partners in Shelby.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.