Bro. Jerry Carter, 87, of Hamburg, died Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Nightingale at Stonegate Health and Rehabilitation Center in Crossett. Bro. Carter was a native of Hamburg, a 1954 graduate of Hamburg High School and had attended the University of Arkansas. He worked as a Substitute Teacher for several years in Banks. Bro. Carter surrendered to preach on the last Sunday of September in 1958. He was a Missionary Baptist Minister for over 65 years and began his ministry at Egypt Missionary Baptist Church in Hamburg. He continued his ministry as Pastor at Maplevale Missionary Baptist Church in Hamburg, was a Missionary at Meadow Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Tallulah, Louisiana and Pastor of Central Missionary Baptist Church in Warren for 29 years. He served as Dean at the Louisiana Missionary Baptist Church Institute and Seminary for several years. He Pastored at Springhill Missionary Baptist Church in Springhill, Louisiana, and Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in El Dorado. He came home to Hamburg to Maplevale Missionary Baptist Church until earlier this year. He was dedicated to doing everything he could for and with his church. He was a Moderator, locally and state-wide, for the Missionary Baptist Church Association and a Clerk on the Missionary Baptist Committee for many years. Bro. Carter has preached numerous revivals, weddings, and funerals and has mentored and encouraged many preachers. He had a calming effect on people, won many to the Lord and was still witnessing until the end. He could preach and quote the Bible even though he was loosing his eyesight. While he enjoyed hunting and fishing, his true enjoyment came from raising chickens. He was a past President of the South Arkansas Poultry Club, where they had dedicated a state fair show in his honor.
He is preceded in death by a grandson, Jonathan Lewis Hinkle; his parents, Arthur and Allie Carpenter Carter; a brother, Robby J. Carter and a sister, Alice Maxine Carter Lovett.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Clara Jeffers Carter of Hamburg; a son, Bro. Barry Carter and wife, Valerie, of Crossett; two daughters, Debbie Hinkle and husband, Lewis, of Pine Bluff, and Karen Brown and husband, Bobby, of Monticello; six grandchildren, Ruel Henry and wife, Jessica, Bro. Micah Carter and wife, Julie, Ariel Keplinger and husband, Ray, Carter Hinkle and wife, Stephanie, Cady Grice and husband, Aaron, and Ryan Carter; six great-grandchildren, Renee, Walker, Tatum, Alicia, Charleston and Hadlee; three sisters-in-law, Frances Hobbs of Deridder, Louisiana, Mattie Nicholson and husband, Milas, of Hiawasse, Georgia and Betty Wells and husband, Charles “Bull”, of Hamburg and a host of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services are 11 a.m., Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the Promise Land Missionary Baptist Church with Bro. Barry Carter and Bro. Micah Carter officiating. Burial will be in the Promise Land Cemetery with Bro. Jim Crain and Bro. Charles Woolley officiating. Pallbearers are Ryan Carter, Aaron Grice, Ruel Henry, Micah Carter, Ray Keplinger, and Jim Wells. Honorary pallbearers are Carter Hinkle and the Men of Maplevale Missionary Baptist Church. Memorials may be made to the Maplevale Missionary Baptist Church, c/o Donnie Miller, 465 Camp Road, Hamburg, AR 71646.
Visitation will be 10 – 11 a.m., Saturday at the church.
