Elliott, Carter Eugene

Carter Eugene Elliott, 83, of Christiansburg, Va., passed into the loving hands of our Lord on Wednesday morning, October 6, 2010, in Lewis Gale Medical Center. Mr. Elliott was born on November 17, 1926, in Connersville, Ind., to Morris Eugene and Lillian Glynn Elliott.

Mr. Elliott was active in the Boy Scouts of America, earning the highest rank of Eagle Scout. In 1944, at age 16, he graduated from Connersville High School and enrolled in Hanover College. Later that year, he put his Hanford studies on hold and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Japanese translator and interpreter. Being fluent in many languages, he was assigned as a translator participating in the occupation and surrender of Japan which ended World War II.

Shortly after the war, Mr. Elliott completed his college education at Hanover graduating in 1948 and started working for his father at the Elliott’s Drug Store. During this time he met and later married the love of his life, Anna Nordenbrock.

After starting a career in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Mr. Elliott moved to Washington, D.C., with Annie joining him shortly thereafter. Mr. Elliott’s 12 year career with the CIA included diverse assignments in Korea, Japan, and Okinawa. He later left the CIA to earn a graduate degree in clinical psychology and counseling. He headed the New Jersey state counseling program dedicated to the placement of Vietnam Veterans with special problems which led to a commendation from the National Alliance of Businessmen and a National Award from the Veterans of Foreign Wars citing “…meritorious service to our Nation’s Veterans.”

Mr. Elliott pursued a second career with the Office of Inspector General as a Federal Crime Fraud investigator where many hard working miners received back payment of earned pensions thanks to Mr. Elliott’s investigative tenacity.

When he retired, he and Annie moved to Christiansburg in 1985 where he became an avid author publishing three non-fiction books, “The Obstacle Course,” “Clean, Sober, and Unemployed,” and “Recovery Blues,” one novel, “Riding on a Blue Horse,” and many short stories and poems. He was a member of the Blue River Writers group contributing to several books published by the group. He also regularly contributed letters to the editor expressing his conservative values.

Mr. Elliott was an active member of the Blacksburg United Methodist Church for 15 years where he served as a lay speaker, evangelist, and taught the Murrill Bible Class. He also served on several leadership committees. He was well known for both his tremendous knowledge and spiritual understanding of the Bible, and his solid foundation of God’s biblical principles. When he taught these principles, everyone walked away a little closer to God. He not only taught but used the spiritual messages to guide his everyday life knowing that healing comes from service to others.

Mr. Elliott and Annie started and were active in the Western Virginia Regional Jail ministry helping over a thousand inmates to rededicate themselves to a productive life strengthened by the word of God and free of destructive dependencies. He was a friend of Bill W. for over 40 years and worked tireless to help others in this endeavor. He was an active member in the local chapter of the Marine Corps League.

Mr. Elliott is survived by his loving wife, Annie; four children, Kenneth, Leanne, Lilly, and Gretchen; two sisters, Mrs. Phillip (Joan) Smith and Mrs. John (Leah) Wittich; nephews, Carter Smith, Elliott Smith, and John Wittich; nieces, Suzy Smith, Nan Zvonar, and Jane Tock; 16 grandchildren; six greatgrandchildren, and Maggie, the cat. His parents preceded him in death.

He also leaves behind a community of dear friends and sponsors that he both helped and spiritually healed through his many years of unselfish service.

“To Laugh often and much;
To win the appreciation of intelligent people;
and the affection of children
To earn the respect of honest critics;
and to endure the betrayal of false friends;
To recognize and love beauty;
To leave this world a bit better: whether by a garden patch, a loving child, or a redeemed social condition;
To know that even one life has breathed a bit better
because I lived;
If I have succeeded in but one of these things, it is because
I am sober today, by the Grace of God.”
CE Elliott

Well done, kind and humble servant of God; you are now at peace in the glory of God with Joy, Unspeakable Joy.
While you traveled this earth you were a companion, mentor, counselor, and friend. We will miss you but never forget you.

A memorial celebration service will be held 3 p.m. on Sunday, October 17, 2010, at the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Blacksburg, Va., with a reception following in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, any desired donations should be made to the local Salvation Army.