Ronda Carter

Ronda Messick Carter, 59, of Winston-Salem, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2024, at Forsyth Medical Center. 

Ronda was born May 13, 1964, in Forsyth County, to Ronald Lee Messick and Karlene Bristow Messick. She was a member of Come and Worship Moravian Church. Ronda was a long-time breast cancer warrior who fought with bravery, beauty, and grace. Throughout her time fighting, she became an advocate and ambassador for others who were fighting the same fight. She also created a non-profit charity, “A Closer Look”, to provide self-care and wellness bags to women fighting breast cancer, as well as the homeless. Ronda was dealt a bad hand but took control of her own narrative. She experienced more happiness, laughter, and traveling in her thirteen-year battle than most experience in a lifetime.

Ronda was preceded in death by her father. Left to cherish her memory is her son, Lowell Bumgardner (Claire Gilchrist); her mother, Karlene Messick; two sisters, Teresa Messick, and Sara Messick McGarvey (Doug Austin); and one niece, Natalie Shoemaker (Ronnie).

There will be a private service for the family. A public celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Come and Worship Moravian Church 1006 Marshall St. SW Winston-Salem, NC 27101, or to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center P.O. Box 5028 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5028