Lyndia Louise McDowell Carter

February 19, 1949 – May 21, 2025

Springville — Early on the morning of May 21, 2025, a kind, intelligent, generous woman left this world. Lyndia (pronounced Linda) Louise McDowell Carter, 76, accidentally drowned while preparing to irrigate her backyard in Springville, Utah. She was born February 19, 1949, in Walla Walla, Washington to Estell Ross McDowell and Louise Bradberry McDowell, and married D. Robert Carter on June 12, 1982.

Lyndia graduated from Walla Walla High School among the top in her class and earned degrees from Brigham Young University in sociology, psychology and secondary education. Mrs. Carter earned the reputation as a fun, interesting, strict and dedicated teacher during her fifteen years at Orem Jr. High and Lakeridge Jr. High. In 1984, Lyndia was selected by the Utah State Historical Society as Utah History Teacher of the Year.

After teaching, Lyndia focused on freelance research and writing, studying the emigrant trails of the West and handcarts for more than twenty years. Lyndia wrote articles and was featured in many lectures and television documentaries on the use of handcarts and provided the content for the signs at the Martin’s Cove handcart museum in Wyoming. In 2001 the BLM honored Lyndia for her contributions to the history of America’s National Historic Trails. Lyndia was a member of the Utah Valley Historical Society for more than forty years, serving in nearly every leadership position at least twice.

Lyndia was an avid volunteer at the Springville Senior Center for more than twenty years, working in the center’s kitchen, serving lunch, leading book club discussions, providing games after monthly potlucks, and teaching a popular, fun, creative class weekly called “Boost Your Brain.” She received the Golden Eagle Award for her many years of dedicated service.

Lyndia loved animals, especially her dogs: Nuisance, Dickens, Pugly, Molly, Sandy, Willie and Robbie. They all loved their mistress unconditionally, and she loved them even more.

Lyndia is survived by her husband, D. Robert Carter; siblings and their spouses: John McDowell (Linda), Ted McDowell, Peggy Bell, Jim McDowell (Paula), and Robert McDowell (Amy); children by marriage: Scott Carter (Babak), Wendy Walker (Max), Megan Christesen (Richard) and Thea Hayden (Brad); 15 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren.

There will be a graveside service for the family on Thursday, May 29th at 1:00 pm at the Historic City Cemetery in Springville. At 2:00 pm that same day, all friends and family are invited to share their memories at a Celebration of Life at the Springville Senior Center.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Springville Senior Center in Lyndia’s memory at springvilleseniorcenter.org/donations. A Celebration of Life will be held on May 29, 2025, from 02:00 PM to 03:00 PM at Springville Senior Center 65 E 200 S