Ethel Lee Carter

The Life and The Legacy of Herstory

Mother Ethel Lee Carter

Ethel Lee's life adventure began on February 6, 1935 in Snowdown, Montgomery, Alabama where she entered the world as the first child to Emuel and Bessie. Growing up, Ethel learned the importance of resiliency, tenacity and strength. She was also taught the importance of prayer and having a relationship with Christ. As a result, she accepted Christ in her life at an early age, and He was her All in All. She later went on to unite in marriage with "the love of her life", Mose Carter Sr. From this union blossomed 12 beautiful children. Together they moved to Gary, Indiana and created a life for their pride and joys, Theodore Roosevelt; Geraldine; Evonne; Carol; Johnnie Pearl; Gregory Lee; Daphne Louise; Debor Deann; Glenn Edward; Maurice; Mose Jr.; and of course baby boy, Brian Keith. The first thing Ethel taught her children was who their Creator is and how to go to Him in prayer. She read, and taught her children Bible stories to reaffirm their faith in the Most High. She taught them how to always stick together and love on one another to the end no matter what life would bring their way. Ethel was a woman who nurtured her family and poured her life into them as they were her delight. Her famous words to her children were, "It is so easy to be a nobody, but it is hard to be a somebody".

Ethel's journey took another turn as she began a dedicated and devoted career with Gary Community Schools where she proudly retired in 1998. However, her work did not end there as she continued by cultivating other generations with her 42 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; and 7 great-great grandchildren. Mother Ethel was their encouragement, their wisdom, their listening ear, and a voice of reason. Mother Ethel was the Mother of Jesus Is Mine Outreach Assembly, Pastor Evonne Carter-Williams. She was also Mother of More Life Ministries, Apostle Vincent E. Gray, Pastor. She was a strong arm for both ministries whereas she provided direction and counsel as a Titus 2 woman would. Through every challenge and triumph, Mother Ethel found unbounding strength in her faith, her family, and in the love that surrounded her. On April 4th, in His infinite wisdom and gentle grace, the Lord reached down from Heaven and ever so quietly whispered, "Come with me daughter, job well done". Preceding her in death, loving husband, Mose Carter Sr.; father and mother, Emuel and Bessie; daughter, Carol Carter; son, Theodore Carter; 4 brothers, Emuel Williams Jr.; Robert Williams; Alfred Williams; and Otis Williams; and sister, Georgia Williams. Mother Ethel leaves to cherish her memory, children: Geraldine Carter; Evonne Carter-Williams; Johnnie Pearl Carter; Gregory Lee Carter; Daphne Louise Carter; Debor Deann (Larry) Momon; Glenn Edward Carter; Maurice (Hattie) Carter; Mose (Sharon) Carter Jr.; Brian Keith (Asiya) Carter; 42 grandchildren; 42 great grandchildren; and 7 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. Loving siblings: Alberta Lott; Willie Mose (Charlotte) Carter; Cindy (Joe) Cimesa; David Carter; Bertha Jones; Leola Brown; Margaret Peck; Janie Williams; Arthur (Rhoda) Williams; Queen McCall; Marcel Williams; and Bernard (Mary) Williams. Special friend and sister for life, Mrs. Pauline Wilson. Funeral service will be held Friday, April 18, 2025 at Western Christian Community Church 2826 West 15th Avenue Gary Indiana 46404. Condolences can be emailed at mcduffiefuneralhome@yahoo.com