A Lasting Legacy
If you asked those who knew Mary Louise Carr to describe her, you would hear about her quick wit, good sense of humor, and, most importantly, her strong faith in God.
Some of her earliest memories are attending church and singing, “Jesus loves the little children.” At nine years old, she gave her life to Christ and was baptized. God was planting seeds in her life during those years that would grow and blossom for years to come.
She met her husband, Jack, at church during college, and they had two children. A few years later, they began to plan for their estate. Claude Ammerman, a former Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes (ABCH) staff member, encouraged Jack and Mary Louise to share God’s love with kids in foster care through generous giving. They worked with The Baptist Foundation of Alabama to create a plan with the financial blessings God gave them. It was important to the Carrs that their assets be used to help others.
Years later, Chip Colee, Chief Administrative Officer at ABCH, would visit with her often. Once she learned he could play the piano, she requested that he play for her using the piano in her living room. “Because she was not able to physically be in church any longer, she really enjoyed singing old hymns together,” said Chip.
Due to her failing vision, she was unable to read. That did not stop her, however, from wanting to hear the testimonies of God working in the lives of kids in foster care at ABCH. Her caregiver, Julie, would read her stories from our newsletters and mail pieces. “She would frequently, with genuine love and concern, ask me about children and families mentioned in those stories,” shared Chip.
Mary Louise shared in her testimony about the time her Girl Scout leader described what heaven was like according to scripture. “It made a deep impression on me, and I look forward to going to that beautiful place where everything is perfect with the Lord Jesus and the Heavenly Father.”
On December 4, 2022, she passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 101. She is now in heaven, the place about which she read, dreamed and is most excited to dwell. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack.
With her passing, Jack and Mary Louise left a legacy for kids in foster care by gifting a part of their estate to ABCH. They left a nearly $3 million gift—one of the most significant gifts ever received by ABCH. Though their time on earth has passed, their legacy will continue to impact lives in the name of Christ for generations to come.
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You, too, can leave a legacy. With estate planning help from our friends at The Baptist Foundation of Alabama (TBFA), you can guarantee that your legacy will benefit your loved ones and the causes you care most about.
Beginning with a phone interview, they will guide you through this simple process, resulting in wills and estate documents that reflect your values. Their services are provided to you free of charge by Alabama Baptist Children’s Homes. The plan that TBFA helps you create can then be implemented by your own personal advisor, or TBFA can refer you to an attorney who will draft documents at significantly reduced rates.
To learn more, call us at (205) 982-1112, email us at donorservices@alabamachild.org, or visit TBFA.org/ABCH3.