Obituary of Elder Willard Harvey Carter

Elder Willard Harvey Carter, 94, of Gate City (formerly of Kingsport) went to be with Jesus, his elder brother, August 4, 2013. Willard was born to parents Andrew Jackson (Jack) and Louverna Manis Carter, September 15, 1918 in Punkin Valley area of Hawkins County, TN. He married Effie Head, June 21, 1941 in Rogersville, TN. She preceded him in death on May 14, 1981. Together they had five children, Charlotte, Loretta, Elizabeth, Dwight and Jequetta. He started his career with the City of Kingsport as a fireman, August 18, 1941 and rose to rank of Captain before he moved to the Public Works Division. He retired with 39 years of service to the community. Willard surrendered to preach God's word on December 18, 1943 and pastored several churches within the area. For 69 years and 208 days. Willard loved the Lord and attended to His sheep as long as he could. Willard was raised as a Mason in 1970 and labored at Kingsport Masonic Lodge 688 and Catlett Lodge 35 of Gate City, VA. His service to the community included the York Rite, Scottish Rite, the I.O.O.F., Royal Order of the Eastern Star, Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine and rose to the 32nd degree. He dated and later married Ethel Pierson on October 13, 1987 in Scott County, VA. Willard started attending and worked at the Kingsport Senior Citizens/ Renaissance Center with Ethel for several years after retirement. He joined Sam Prillhart and John and Minnie Maness as they formed the Shape Note Quartet. The quartet traveled and ministered to several hundred people in different nursing homes in the area. Willard was preceded in death by his wife, Effie; daughters, Charlotte and Jequetta; three brothers, Dow, Curtis and Jess and six sisters, Mandy, Zella, Eva, Sarah, Lillian and Inez He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Ethel; daughters, Loretta and husband Robert Short, Church Hill, TN, Elizabeth and husband Kyle Pearcy, Goshen Valley, TN; son, Dwight Carter and wife Linda, Orlando, FL; sister in law, Nell Carter, NC; two grandchildren, Richard D. Carter and wife June and Jonathan Carter, both of Clermont, FL; five great grandchildren, Dustin, Jarrod, Ryan, Adam and Austin; one great-great granddaughter, Airyonna Nichole Carter; three step daughters Geraldine Jones, Inece and husband Dewey Griffin, Emma Jean and husband Bill Ward; five step grandchildren, Penny Jones, Randy Griffin, Neal Griffin, Stacceye Stallard, Branden Ward; five step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5-7:30pm Tuesday at Scott County Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted at 12noon Wednesday in the funeral home chapel with Bro. Tim Nelson, Bro. Jerry Hensley and Elder Allen Hensley presiding and the Walnut Chapel Singers providing a collection of Willard's favorite hymns. Burial will follow in Oak Hill Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Billy Jack Johnson, Paul Johnson, Paul Jones, Thomas Hensley, Phillip Crooke, Randy Griffin, Neal Griffin and Richard D. Carter. Honorary pallbearers will be all area ministers with special seating provided.