Esther Marie Carter, aka Lil’ Sister, Ms. Bonnie and Mother was born on July 30, 1922 to the parentage of Ellen and Hilliary Stell Sr.
She grew up in a little community called the Pra, short for Prairie. She attended nearby J P Starks Elementary School and graduated from Lincoln High School, Valedictorian Class of 1940.
She married the late Charlie Lee Carter, who affectionately called her Bonnie. To this union two beautiful daughters were born, Sandra LaRose and Beverly Ann Carter.
Mother Carter was introduced to God at a very early age. Her church affiliation was at the St. James Methodist Church. She also was a former member of Bethlehem Baptist Church; where the Reverend Stewart was the pastor.
Although she was sprinkled as a Methodist; in the 1970s, she decided to be formally baptized as a Baptist. She united with Willow Grove Baptist Church under the pastorate of the late Reverend James Terrell. She remained a faithful member under the pastorate of Pastor Mark Walker. She and Pastor Walker had a special bond. She often said, “Pastor Walker is a good man.” Mother Carter loved her Pastor.
She was employed at the day care at Peoples Baptist Church and also served as a teacher at the Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church Day Care. She worked many years at The State Fair of Texas.
This petite and loving child of God had a giant heart and a servant’s spirit that she exhibited as a caregiver for many family members that she willingly nurtured. She loved people and enjoyed sitting on her porch watching people as they passed by.
Her quick and ever-present sense of humor was a trademark of her bright personality that showed up in the many jokes she often told. These were followed by her big, hearty laugh that joined the laughter of her captive audience.
Family was very important to this beloved Elder. She loved being around her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other youths of family and friends. She taught them songs that she learned as a child including the classic “Little Liza Jane”. Long after they matured, many of those children who sat at her feet remembered those songs.
This Matriarch of six generations leaves to cherish her memory; her beautiful and devoted daughter, Beverly Taylor (the Late Joe Taylor); three bonus children, Yolanda Herod (Leroy), Harold Pierce (Emma), and Thomas Pierce (Tomekia); three grandchildren, Kennice Gossip (Kenneth), Barry Coby, and Tarron Carter (Martha); seven great-grandchildren, eight great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild and a host of relatives and friends.
