Clara Cartrette, a pioneering journalist whose 60-year career at The News Reporter chronicled generations of life in Columbus County and helped open doors for women in journalism, died Thursday, Nov. 5. She was 86.
Cartrette died at Loris Nursing and Rehab Center in Loris, South Carolina, according to an obituary published by Inman Ward Funeral Home & Crematory of Tabor City. A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. at Tabor City Baptist Church. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.
Cartrette joined The News Reporter in 1961 and retired in July 2021, having covered virtually every aspect of Columbus County life, from crime and courts to local government, community celebrations and the personal stories of its residents.
When she retired, then-Publisher Les High described her longevity and contributions as extraordinary.
“To work 60 years at one job is unheard of these days,” High said in a July 2021 article by Diana Matthews marking Cartrette's retirement, “but to do so under the stress of being a newspaper reporter is astounding.”
Her career began at a time when women were rarely assigned to cover law enforcement and other hard news beats.
When Cartrette applied for a position at The News Reporter in the summer of 1961, she thought she was applying to be a secretary. Instead, then-Publisher Jim High and News Editor Ed Harper encouraged her to pursue reporting.