Obituary of Krystal Carter

Krystal Ann Carter, 63, passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family and her guardian angels at her home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on April 4, 2023. For three years, Krystal fought valiantly against an aggressive form of lung-cancer with absolute resilience and strength pursuing all available treatments. Her courage and fortitude would be reflected if she were still with us today and she would tell anyone to “never give up, keep fighting, be strong, and let God guide you”.

Krystal was born on October 10th, 1959, in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of Violet Emmeline Lindquist and Frank Lloyd Carter, who was a Navy Officer stationed at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana. As a military family, they moved frequently, including overseas locations, but Krystal grew up in the Brandywine, Maryland, area with her sister, Pam and four brothers, Dwight, Lloyd, Merritt, and Brent (deceased).

Krystal was adventurous and she loved to travel; after High School, she moved to Florida with her sister Pam, then to Augusta, Georgia, where she met her husband, Russ Nissen, who was an Army Officer stationed at Fort Gordon. In 1983, Krystal and Russ were united in marriage and moved to his hometown of Grand Island, Nebraska, where they had two children, Boone Nissen and Jackie Engel (Nissen). In 1990, she moved back to Augusta, where she spent many years close to her family and friends. She had a very special bond with her sister and brothers, and she really enjoyed spending time with them and making them laugh. In 2020, she moved to Colorado, as she had always dreamed of living in the mountains and enjoyed the Rockies with her son, daughter, daughter-in-law Raquel, grandchildren, dogs Ruthie and Theo, and many visiting hummingbirds.

Krystal was an expert baker and cake decorator who worked in the restaurant industry for many years and enjoyed creating new recipes, baked goods, and delicious meals to bring joy to her family, friends, community, and those in need. She was passionate about helping and making positive impacts in people’s lives, as well as providing healing and prayer to individuals dealing with difficult life circumstances. She spent years working for the Burn Foundation of America and Southeastern Fire Fighters Fund providing assistance, housing, and ministry to burn patients and families facing life-threatening injuries while being treated at the Doctors Hospital Burn Center in Augusta. She found great joy in providing families with unrelenting prayer, healing, and positive support during some of the most difficult times in their lives; it was one of the highlights of her career.

Krystal was a very strong and resilient independent woman who always worked hard and persevered over any challenge or obstacle in her life. Her character and strength had a positive impact on her family, friends, and colleagues, as she always sought to uplift everyone around her. She loved bird watching and caring for them (hummingbirds were her favorite), flowers and gardening, spending time with and giving gifts to her children and grandchildren, coffee and laughter, dancing and listening to soulful music, cooking, making homemade salsa, jam, pickles, floral arrangements, Christmas and Holiday Wreaths, dining out, and shopping with family. She would often say, “Why don’t you stop and smell the roses?” She also enjoyed meeting and talking with new people, especially those in need, as she sought to provide them with hope, love, prayer, and guidance.

Those left to cherish her memory are her sister, Pam Griggs; brothers, Dwight and Lloyd Carter; children, Boone Nissen and wife Raquel Guzman-Nissen, Jackie Engel (Nissen) and husband Chance Engel; grandchildren, Brecksly, Myer, Colsen, and Rostyn Engel, with a new grandson baby Nissen on the way; nephews Brandon, Daniel, Dwight Jr., and Bryan Carter, Marty and Tony Keech; nieces Lacy Corley and Lisa; and many other family members and friends, including Alice, Alexis, Marion, Debbie, and Sabrina. She was truly grateful to have such wonderful family and friends and would often tell stories and reminisce about good times with them. 

Krystal was preceded in death by her parents, Violet and Frank; and two loving brothers Merritt and Brent.

The family welcomes any memorials, memories, and stories to be shared to pay tribute in honor of her life.

A traditional memorial ceremony is planned for 11:30AM on Saturday, June 17, 2023 at Arehart-Echols Funeral Home in La Plata, Maryland, 211 St. Mary’s Avenue, followed by a graveside committal service at 1:00PM at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, Maryland, 3221 Mattawoman-Beantown Road.