Dennis Wayne Carter

Dennis Wayne Carter, age 68, of Tavares, Florida, passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024. Born in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Wayne moved to Central Florida in 1972 from Russellville, Kentucky. He served as the Executive Director with MainStreet Deland Association (MSDA), was a founding member of the Florida Downtown Association, and was an active member of Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Eustis. 

Serving since 2013, Wayne was the longest serving Executive Director with MainStreet DeLand Association. During his tenure, he represented MSDA at local organizations and events, including the Rotary Club of DeLand, River of Lakes Heritage Corridor, Fall Festival of the Arts, the Faith, Hope & Charity Society and several others. Under Wayne’s leadership, MSDA received numerous awards and recognitions at the local, regional and national levels, including “America’s Best Main Street” in 2017. In May of 2024, Wayne was certified as a MainStreet America Revitalization Professional. He was truly a MainStreet Rock Star!

Wayne loved music! So much so that he was a member of M. T. Pawketts Band and enjoyed hosting open mic nights around town.

Wayne is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth H. Carter of Tavares, FL, along with his two brothers, Elwood "Butch" W. (Martha) Carter, Jr. of Ormond Beach, FL and Donald J. Carter of Huntsville, AL. He is also survived by his two sisters, Carole Carter (Charles) Cole of Rock Spring, GA, and Layne Carter (Al) Hendrickson of Astor, FL, in addition to many cherished nieces and nephews. Wayne was preceded in death by his parents, Elwood Sr. and Edna Carter, and his brother, Thomas Neil Carter.

A Celebration of Wayne will be held at Trinity Church, located at 890 Abrams Rd, Eustis, FL 32726, on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 1:00 pm. The family has requested that to honor Wayne’s memory, donations in lieu of flowers go to the Trinity Church "Chill with Us" fundraiser (https://trinityfree.com/give), MainStreet DeLand Association (https://masinstreetdeland.org/donate) or the Florida Downtown Association Wayne Carter Scholarship (https://www.floridadowntownassociation.com/). An online guestbook is available at www.hardenpauli.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Harden/Pauli Funeral Home in Eustis, Florida. Wayne will be remembered for his dedication to his community and the love he shared with those around him.