Willard Carter, Jr

Willard Carter Jr. was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He passed away peacefully on August 18, 2022 at the age of 78 with his two daughters Alanna and Michelle, and granddaughter Kyasia at his bedside. Willard spent many years battling multiple illnesses. His battle with multiple illnesses showed his strength and courage in dealing with life’s challenges, all with positivity and a smile. Despite the severity of those illnesses, Willard remained strong and fought until the very end. Willard Carter Jr. was affectionately known as “June” to his family and friends. He was one of 17 children born to the late Willard Carter Sr. and Maggie Lou Carter on February 24, 1944 in Wilson, North Carolina. Willard began his education in Wilson, North Carolina, and continued his education at Gompers Vocational School in Baltimore, Maryland. He had multiple jobs during his adult life, but he always told stories of his times while employed at Royal Crown Bottling Co. and The Mid-Atlantic Rubber Co. Willard attended Mary Grove Baptist Church in North Carolina. He moved to Baltimore, Maryland during the 1950’s where he later studied and was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, attending the Broadway Congregation in Baltimore. He held strong to his beliefs as a Jehovah’s Witness and continued to proclaim his faith until his passing. Willard was a family man and enjoyed weekends with his kids either watching movies or playing board games such as Yahtzee, Sorry, and Monopoly. He also had a hidden talent for playing the harmonica. He wanted a safe neighborhood to raise his children, and when he started to notice the neighborhood was changing, he involved himself in the neighborhood block watch, even going as far as completing training with Baltimore City Police Department Community Academy. Willard was extremely proud to be a grandfather and played an important role in helping to raise his now adult granddaughters Jasmyn and Kyasia. The simplest pleasures in life brought him great joy. He enjoyed game shows, westerns, country music, and sports. He especially looked forward to football season, to root for his favorite team The Baltimore Ravens. He also enjoyed college sports, specifically The Oregon Ducks, and would spend time talking about college sports with his sister Gaynel. He had a special gift of picking who would win a sporting event. Willard was preceded in death by his former wife Mrs. Isabelle Carter and his brothers Thomas Carter, James Carter, John Carter, Alexander Carter, and his sister Brenda Carter. Willard leaves behind his children: Alanna Harper, Michelle Charleston, Brian Carter, Julie Belt, Jacqueline Carter Howard, Christopher Harper, and Sharin Weems. His sisters: Elmer Bunch, Nancy Carter, Alice Carter, Maggie Carter, Malinda Jobes, and Joanne Carter. His brothers: Chauncey Carter and Nathaniel Carter. His great-uncles: Leroy Carter and Jasper Carter. He also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Tributes

Willard Carter, Jr

February 24, 1944 - August 18, 2022