Robert Willard Senter

Robert Willard Senter, 97, passed away peacefully on 2/20/21. He was a lifelong resident of Raleigh. He was actually born on 7/21/23, He was born at home and the doctor accidentally wrote “6/21/23” on his birth certificate. His family always celebrated his birthday on 7/21. He was fond of saying “I reckon my mama knew when I was really born!” He found out about the mistaken birth date on the birth certificate and another interesting thing at the same time–when he joined the Army. He failed the vision test because he was blind from birth in his right eye. He thought everyone saw the world as he did. Robert was the son of Brodie Allen Senter and Nettie Watkins Senter. His siblings were: Allen Senter; Ruth Senter Wilkins; Bettie Faye Senter; Eugene Senter; and Hannah Senter Messer, all of whom predeceased him. He is survived by his nieces: Myra Perry (Marshall) of Altamont Springs, FL; Diana Eddins of Raleigh; Susan Lowe (David) of Garner; Sandra Seagroves (Donnie) of Raleigh; Jane Hunter (Rick) of Raleigh; nephew Tim Messer of Raleigh; cousin, Louise Yates of Garner; several great nieces and nephews; several great great nieces and nephews; and several great great great nieces and nephews. Robert attended public schools in Raleigh and graduated from Hugh Morson High School after 12 years of perfect school attendance. He was an avid golfer and a member of the Morson Golf Team which won the State Championship in 1942. He was also a trophy winner in the 16th City Amateur Tournament, winning 1st flight. After graduation, he served our country in the US Army for 3 years. He landed in Glasgow, Scotland on Mother’s Day. He spent time serving in England and France but mostly in Belgium and Germany, in the US Signal Corps and as a Battalion mail clerk. Upon returning home, Robert began work at the USPS until he retired after 34 years. Robert was a very active lifelong member of Caraleigh Baptist Church in Raleigh. Upon returning home, he asked a young lady to attend a church picnic with him. However, at the picnic he met another young lady, Anne Harris. Robert escorted Anne home instead of his picnic date. Robert and Anne became engaged and were married for 49 years and 4 days, until Anne’s death. Robert and Anne had a large backyard which was referred to as “the field” by neighborhood children who came there to play sports and to swing on a rope swing. Robert had a “green thumb.” He loved to grow flowers, shrubs and big, delicious tomatoes! Robert enjoyed holidays with his nieces and nephews. As a devout follower of Jesus Christ, he was deliberate and purposeful in his pursuit to serve the Lord. He had a sense of caring and compassion for others. Robert and Anne were longtime youth group leaders. He drove the church bus to pick up neighborhood children so that they could attend Sunday School, church services and Vacation Bible School. He also drove the bus to transport the youth group to summer camp at Fort Caswell. He drove the bus to pick up elderly members who were no longer able to drive so that they could attend church services. He enjoyed helping decorate the Christmas tree and the sanctuary for Christmas. Robert and the church choir loved to sing Christmas carols every year throughout the Caraleigh community. He rang the church bell at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve. He participated in Sunday School and always contributed to the lesson. Robert attended every church service, including Sunday School, Sunday morning worship, Sunday evening Training Union and worship, Wednesday evening prayer meeting and choir practice. In recent years, he was on the Building and Grounds Committee. He helped to shop for groceries, filled grocery bags and helped give food out on the designated day for the Food Pantry, He provided transportation for those who needed to go to doctor appointments. He visited church members and community members who resided in nursing homes. He was generous to the needy. If someone needed help paying a utility bill or paying for a funeral, he stepped in to help, He never wanted credit from anyone else for his generosity. During his golf playing days, Robert made a hole in one at Sippihaw Golf Club in Fuquay-Varina when he was in his mid-fifties, When he was 62, he made his longest shot at Wil Mar Golf Club. He shot his age twice. He played golf in the Wake Senior Games for 5 years. Robert had friends everywhere. He enjoyed lunch with his Army buddies. He enjoyed dinner at K&W with his lady friends. He played Senior Bingo with a group at McDonalds in Garner and with a group at Chik-Fil-A in Garner. He had friends from Garner Salvage who prepared a special birthday lunch every year. He had USPS friends who met for breakfast periodically. Robert suffered from a stroke in February of 2019. After a period of rehabilitation, he went to live at Spring Arbor of Raleigh. Robert was familiar with Spring Arbor, as he had visited his sister, Hannah, weekly when she lived there. Robert became friends with many of the other residents at Spring Arbor. As long as he was able, Robert walked daily. He enjoyed special programs, outings, crafts and projects. Our family would like to thank the staff and residents of Spring Arbor for their care and friendship to Robert, especially Victoria Polston, activities director and Eptessam (Sam) Karmous, CNA. Instead of grieving, Robert asked that we all reflect on the memories of good times we shared with him. Due to the pandemic, the family will be honoring Robert’s life at a private graveside service. In lieu of flowers, may we suggest that you consider a donation to Caraleigh Baptist Church, 1400 Green St., Raleigh, NC 27603. You may access bryan-leefuneralhome.com to view the the memorial picture presentation. Close your eyes and you can still see the smile.