Earnest Carter, Sr

Deacon Earnest Carter, Sr. was born April  10, 1934, in Lowndes County, GA, to the late Jim Henry and the late Mattie E. Wright Carter.  He departed this life on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, 7:25 p.m., at his home of 65 years.

Deacon Carter graduated from Lowndes County Training School on May 21, 1954. Earnest met and married the love of his life, Elizabeth Orr Carter on September 3, 1955.  They were blessed with five children.

Deacon Carter was a member of St. Mary Baptist Church where he was ordained as a deacon under the leadership of Rev. M. J. Hammond.  Deacon Carter taught Sunday School and sang in the church choir until his health declined.  He loved his church and his church family very much.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Orr Carter; his son: Carl L. Carter; a grandson: Dustin Carter; three sisters: Joisey Bell Carter Robinson; Alberta Carter Wright; and Emma J. Carter; five brothers: Don Carter, Sr, Willie C. Carter, Frank L. Carter, William H. Carter, and Morris Lane; one sister in-law; and three brothers in-law.

Deacon Earnest Carter, Sr. leaves to cherish his love and memories, his four children: Earnest Carter, Jr. (Deborah) of Valdosta, GA, Sandra E. Mitchell (Samuel) of Naylor, GA, Melanie A. Baxter (David) of Knoxville, TN, and Karen E. Stone (Fredrick) of Monticello, GA; god brother: Sylvester (JD) Foster; eleven grandchildren: Taylor Mitchell (Thomi), Kellie John (Michael), Andrea Folks (Sylvester) Lisa Demps (Jermel), Kamaria Baxter (Clarence), Zakiya Mitchell, Joshua Stone, Jordan Stone, Johari Stone, Jasmine Stone, and Valerie Smith (Tim); four sisters in-law: Arletha Carter, Vernell Carter, Earnestine Carter and Lottie Orr; one brother in-law: Affell Grier; caretaker and special friend: Willie “Alabama” Jones of Valdosta, GA; neighbors: Sharon and Gill Wright of Valdosta, GA; and a host of extended family and friends.

Celebration of Life for the late Deacon Earnest Carter, Sr. will be Saturday, October 31, 2020, 2:00 p.m., at the St. Mary Baptist Church Cemetery, Naylor, GA.

Chaplain Tony L. Sirmons will be officiating.

Public viewing will be Saturday, October 31, 2020, 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at St. Mary Baptist Church, Naylor, GA..

All those who wish to pay their respect in person must wear a mask during visitation and at the gravesite.

Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online registry at www.godfreyfuneralhome.net. Professional services provided by Godfrey Funeral Home, LLC.

Due to COVID-19, Godfrey Funeral Home will be enforcing social distancing and following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.