Dear Friend Carter Seaton Dead at 83

#430 / News Extra

We are heartbroken this evening to learn of the death of a long-time member of the extended Family Flood. Carter Taylor Seaton died Monday at age 83.

Last year, Carter began treatment for acute leukemia. A little over a month ago, she enter rehab after back surgery for compression fractures. Because of the fight with leukemia, her recovery from these procedures was compromised.

She is survived by her husband, Richard Cobb; three children, Michael Seaton, Dorothy Ann Stinson (Scott) and Jimmy (Kelly) Seaton, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A prolific author, Carter also was a highly praised ceramics artist. She held an Alumni Award of Distinction from Marshall University’s College of Liberal Arts, the West Virginia Library Association’s Literary Merit Award, an Ella Dickey Award for Literary Merit and the Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts. She also held a Tamarack Foundation Fellowship Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.

Carter and Her Flood Family

Carter came into our lives well over a quarter of a century ago, contributing important chapters to our story. As reported here earlier, at the beginning of the 21st century, Carter met fiddler Joe Dobbs in a class they both were taking to learn how to best write their live stories.

Taught by long-time writer/editor Patrick Grace, the course — conducted at the Huntington Museum of Art — resulted in Joe writing his autobiography, A Country Fiddler, while Carter would write Father’s Troubles. She then went on to write four more nonfiction works and four novels, beginning in 2003. Her final book, Wednesday’s Child: A Life Story, a memoir, was published this month.

After the writing classes at the museum, Carter and Richard soon became regulars at the Bowen House, attending band’s weekly jam sessions, laughing at the jokes and bringing their own, requesting favorite tunes and learning new ones.

Carter Connections

Smart and funny, Carter was always finding wonderful connections to her Flood family.

We have shared so many stories from our times with Carter and Richard. For a sample, click here to read an earlier Flood Watch story.

Services and Obituary

A memorial service will be held at noon Saturday, Jan. 4, at First Presbyterian Church in Huntington. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon. Hall Funeral Home and Crematory in Proctorville is assisting the family with arrangements.

The Ironton Tribune published an obituary this afternoon. Click here to read it.