ROCKY MOUNT – Vickie “Belinda” Arrington Carter, age 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, January 9, 2026. In addition to her parents, Belinda is preceded in death by her brother Bryant Anthony Arrington and her sister Judy Leith Wimbish. She is survived by her devoted husband, David Wayne Carter; her loving children, Heather Marie Boussios and husband John Boussios of Raleigh, and Marianne Carter-Maschal and husband Ben Maschal of Chapel Hill; grandchildren Eli, Sophia, Noah, Teddy, Remy, Olin and Alma; and several nieces and nephews.
Belinda was born December 8, 1949, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to the late Albert Bryant and Mattie Vivian Lane Arrington. She was the youngest of three children in a Navy family. They moved a lot when she was a kid, and she spent time living in the Philippines, Guam, San Diego, and Kingsport, Tennessee. After attending Lynn View High School and East Tennessee State University, she married her sweetheart, David Carter, and moved to Winston-Salem in 1973. They relocated to Rocky Mount in 1993.
Belinda will be remembered as a devoted wife, a loving and nurturing mom and grandma, loyal friend, educator, and mentor. Those who knew her best will remember her for how she loved and cared for everyone in her orbit. She was a stay at home mom when her children were young, and for the last several years, she was her husband’s rock as he battled illness. She loved being a grandma. She built numerous strong and lasting friendships in her lifetime, and she kept tabs on every friend – often sending thoughtful cards, handcrafted gifts, and leaving homemade cookies on people’s doorsteps.
Belinda dedicated nearly 25 years to teaching elementary education in NC schools, including Winston-Salem Forsyth County School District, Nash Edgecombe County School District and Rocky Mount Preparatory Charter School. She retired in 2012.
She was an active advocate of literacy education. She presided over the North Carolina Reading Council during her later teaching years. She guided students to write letters to published authors, and more often than not, those authors wrote letters back to her students. She supported her students beyond the classroom, providing food, clothes and transportation when needed.
The family will be scheduling a celebration of life for late spring.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in Belinda’s memory to Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Triangle or Down East Partnership for Children.
Arrangements entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.






so so many memories of working together, and times of food, fun, and fellowship
The sad news came to us on Saturday our friend Belinda had passed away. It was so unexpected and we cried. She was special, and memories filled our hearts remembering the Rook games, cookouts and the simple phone calls to hear the joy she always had in her voice. To lose a friend such as Belinda along the way brings joy in knowing there will be another day. A wise man once said, “No one is lost if you know where they are.” Heaven is sweeter today with Belinda Carter there.
Belinda Carter was A Great Educator. I Met Her at O R Pope Elementery School when she moved from Winston Salem. She Said Maya Angelou was her Neighbor. RIP Belinda. You Empacted Many Students
We will miss your sweet southern lady voice. we meant in 1973 and our friendship has lasted across country . I remember taking our girls to the mall and getting their pictures taken. Living around the corner from them. So many memories we will cherish Forever