Gregory Chase Carter

This is cousin Wilhelmenia Delk and family. Spoke to your mother recently and my heart was broken when she told me about Chase. Cassandra, you have written the most beautiful and loving memories of your son. May God continue to bless and encourage you and the family. I know this happen last year but it seems like yesterday. Love you all.

Fond memories of Chase have been a respite from grief these last days for me. I want to share some memories with you.

When Riley and I started dating, we had a friend that had a baby boy. He named that baby Chase. We thought, Chase, we loved the name. Fast forward to years later. Riley and I got married and were expecting our baby. When we found out that it was a boy, we immediately knew his name was going to be Chase. I just was not sure that I wanted that for his first name. Our dear sister, Yvette, came up with Gregory Chase – we loved it.

Chase was born on a Thursday, May 6 1993 around 9:15pm – 6lbs, 13oz. He was a beautiful baby with thick hair, thick eyebrows, deep-set beautiful eyes, and the most perfect kissable lips.

Being the only child, he was showered with all of the love and attention imaginable. We made sure he attended every new Disney Movie, every fun park available and any activity that developed a child’s growth. His favorite Disney Movie was The Lion King. He watched it so many times that he could recite the entire script of the movie. Chase started preschool at Toddler’s Academy. GrandPa was heartbroken. GrandPa had been Chase’s daycare provider since birth. GrandPa offered to pick Chase up from daycare for us as a way to regain some of his missed time with him.

Chase then went on to Southwest Elementary from Kindergarten to 5th grade. When he started Kindergarten, he settled in quickly and made friends easily with everyone in the classroom. Back at home, Chase had it made as an only child. He had the best of both worlds. On Riley’s side, he had Nana, Aunts and Uncles and older cousins to play with during family gatherings. On my side he was the only grandchild and was the center of attention. But in 1998, his world was altered. The announcement of a baby sister on the way. He was okay with it, until realized that this baby cried a lot and required attention. We settled in. He was proud of his baby sister. During the hectic carpool pickup at school, Chase would try to show his teacher his baby sister sitting in the back seat everyday. It did not matter that the teacher was trying to hurry the carpool line along.

Soon afterward, we went out to dinner with my Parents. We announced that another bundle of joy was coming. My parents were elated, but Chase exclaimed that He did not want another baby! If “yall doing too much” was a phrase back then, Chase would have used it. Even Madison sitting in her high chair at only 6 months old had a mad expression to the news. Nonetheless, Chase adapted to having a baby brother. He would try to guide Jordan across the room to help him learn how to walk. When Jordan would fall down, Chase would say, “Cmon Jordie, you can do it.”

Chase was accepted into Durham School of The Arts – he attended there from 6th grade through 12th grade. He was mostly known as Greg at school. When he entered middle school, at DSA he learned how to play the Saxophone and later on he took percussion. He participated in the concert band recitals every year. He liked writing and poetry. He became involved with an afterschool program across the street from DSA where the kids did recreational activities. They had poetry readings and sometimes would put on rap concerts. His stage names were G. Money or G. Radical. We have a video of Chase on stage rapping with friends during one of the concerts. For his 16th birthday we had a birthday party at Mellow Mushroom in the downtown area outside. A lot of his classmates showed up and when I asked him at the end of the night did he have fun, he said it was AMAZING! He went to his Junior Prom. He looked really dapper and handsome. He had fun picking out his tuxedo and buying a corsage for his date.

Senior year in HS he was excited to graduate – although he liked DSA he had been there for 7 years and was ready for a change. He was accepted into UNC Pembroke. During the freshmen move-in we all had lunch at the cafeteria before it was time for parents to leave, I could tell in his eyes he had some trepidation about being separated from us. Without any words we locked eyes and I motioned to him that it would be okay.

Over the next 10 years, Chase worked various jobs, but I believe he liked public service jobs the most. Interacting with customers and task management through-out the day.

Chase had a laid-back, positive attitude in his adult years. He was always respectful to elders and had an easy-going personality. He was a non-confrontational person and believed that people should learn to just chill.

He loved Honda cars. When he wanted to buy his first car, he took an uber to work and saved all of his money to buy in cash his first Honda accord. Couple of years after that he upgraded to a newer Honda and paid cash for that as well. He was a self-appointed representative for Honda.

He loved sneakers too. He would prop his shoes up like they do in a store and look at them from across the room. Riley would often say, how are you going to have your shoes looking like a footlocker display but the rest of your room is a total mess.

In March, he was so proud when he secured his last apartment on his own. The minute he was handed the keys he video called me on IG and gave me a tour of the place. He was so happy and had the biggest smile on his face and the sun was shining through the apartment and the sun was shining on his face.

His last days we were all group texting. Riley and I had gone on vacation for our anniversary. He was happy for us. We texted pictures to the kids and we laughed about Riley eating alligator bites, and how I had him out late at night in the streets. Chase requested a t-shirt and suggested a jazz museum we should see that he had heard about.

Chase, you will always be my baby boy, my first born. I love you so much - my heart is broken and I can’t imagine life without you. But I know that I will see you again and your spirit will always be with me.

We love you forever and ever Mommy, Daddy, Madison, and Jordan.