Diane Chalaron Carter, wife, mother, and extraordinary teacher, passed away unexpectedly on November 4th, 2023. She was doing what she loved most—visiting dear friends and family, and enjoying the amazing food of Southeast LA.
The daughter of Evelyn Lyons Chalaron and Francois J. “Frenchy” Chalaron, she was born in New Orleans, August 1941. Diane grew up in Covington, LA with her siblings: Mickey, Pierre, and Daphne.
Diane graduated St. Scholastica in Covington in 1959 and received her BA in Education from Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond in 1963. It was during her time at SLU that she took modern dance classes under Katie Friedrick. Katie introduced her to Bill Carter… her future husband.
Diane and Bill were married in 1963 and set up their first home in Denham Springs. Diane loved kids and she was a first grade teacher for many years. She and Bill soon moved to Baton Rouge where they raised two daughters: Susan and Claire. Diane’s desire to help kids led her to attain her Master’s plus 30 while raising two small
children.She was soon able to work as an Educational Diagnostician (ED). With long-time friend Pete Galliano, they started Counseling & Diagnostic Associates where they were able to help many more children. During her last years of work she contracted with various school districts as an ED.
During their 55 years of marriage, Bill kept their freezer well stocked with fish, especially bass and sac-a-lait. Diane became a world-class fish fryer with her lemon/pepper marinade and they would host family and friends for massive fish frys. Homemade hushpuppies and the best homemade fried bass were enjoyed by all.
Diane was a true Southern lady with grace and charm but more importantly, anyone she met automatically felt welcome. She could find a way to connect with anyone around her, even while standing in a grocery check out line. Diane was a woman of deep, quiet faith which saw her through many challenges, illnesses, injuries and trials in her life. Through it all she maintained an amazing positive attitude with love for all.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Norwood W. "Bill" Carter.
Diane’s legacy continues through her surviving family: daughters Susan Steelman (David) and Claire North (Kevin), grandchildren Ryan, Summer, and Olivia, as well as her siblings.
Our hearts are breaking at this sudden loss but she has left family and friends with a legacy of love, laughter and joyful memories.
Services to celebrate Diane’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the American Cancer Society.