Anne Carter Shelley

Rev. Dr. Anne Carter Shelley, one of the first women to be ordained in the Presbyterian Church in North Carolina, died in Rock Hill, South Carolina on Saturday, February 9.

She was born in Danville, Va., on Dec. 14, 1952, and grew up in Rock Hill, S.C. She attended Rock Hill High School (class of 1970), where she was editor of the school newspaper and was an active member of Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church. She graduated with a degree in Religion at the University of South Carolina and received a Masters in Divinity from Union Theological Seminary; a Masters in Preaching from Princeton University and a PhD. in English and Rhetoric from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

She served in the ministry at churches in Butner, N.C., Durham, N.C., Yadkinville, N.C. and Statesville, N.C. All her congregations admired her for her ministerial passion and energy. She also served as an associate presbyter for Salem Presbytery in North Carolina.

She wrote numerous professional articles, chapters and one book. She also made major contributions to The Immediate Word; a website supporting sermon writing. Her academic interests were in preaching and rhetoric; feminist hermeneutics; and the prevention of plagiarism in preaching.

She taught English to undergraduates at Wake Forest and Appalachian State University. She also organized and taught lay pastors in Salem Presbytery. She was elected as moderator of Salem Presbytery. She was a mentor to many women ministers.

Carter Shelley was a beloved spouse, parent and friend as well as a minister and educator. In 1995, she married Dr. Thomas Frazer and moved to Wilkesboro, N.C. She was active in the Wilkesboro community as a soccer coach, organizer of a book group and board member of Shelter and Aid to Families in Emergency (SAFE).

After moving to Orcas Island, she made major progress writing a book on stepmothers. She was also a trustee of the Orcas Island Public Library.

Carter accomplished an enormous amount professionally and socially. As a minister, English teacher and author she was beloved by a very large circle of friends and admirers. She put enormous energy and creativity into family life, with perhaps her most powerful ministry being her role as wife to Dr. Thomas Frazer and parent to Melanie Somjen Frazer and Nicholas Laszlo Frazer.

In addition to her husband and stepchildren, she is survived by her parents, Adrian and Anne Carter Shelley, and her siblings, Adrian, Jenny, Jim and Joe Shelley.

Carter’s memorial service will be held at Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church in Rock Hill, S.C. on Wednesday Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. A second memorial service is planned for Orcas Island. Memorial donations may be sent in lieu of flowers to Union Theological Seminary (3401 Brook Road, Richmond, Va. 23227); the Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund (which will support individuals pursuing theological education); and the Orcas Island Public Library (500 Rose Street; Eastsound, 98245).

Obituary submitted by Thomas Frazer.