Obituaries

Willard Don Carter

Photo of Willard Don Carter
Willard Don Carter, 87, of Little Rock went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 29, 2014. He was born August 29, 1927 in the Crossroads Community of Prairie County, AR to the late Robert Lee Carter and Sadie Catherine Carter. On August 9, 1946, he married the love of his life, Norma Jean Rogers. They were married 68 years. Don graduated from Beebe High School in 1945 where he played basketball and football. His basketball team came in second in the 1944 State Championship against Little Rock Central High. He was a graduate of Arkansas State Teachers College. Don taught high school and coached basketball for 11 years at Brown Grove, Ulm, DeValls Bluff, and Des Arc where he was loved by students and faculty alike. His teams won several district championships from 1952 to 1957. In 1957, he went to work for the Arkansas Rehabilitation Service, first as a counselor, and then in 1968 he became the Personnel Director until his retirement in 1986. During his career, his positions and accomplishments include President of Eastern AR Social Workers Conference, President of Regional Rehab Counselor Division, and President of West Memphis Boys' Club. He also served as Chairman of Deacons at West Memphis First Baptist Church, and for the last 46 years, he served as a deacon at Immanuel Baptist Church of Little Rock. He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers: Rayford, Herman, and Robert Carter; and three sisters: Ila Berry, Elora Berry, and Geneva Crowder. He is survived by his wife, Jean Carter; son, Dr. Mike Carter (Gena) of Conway; daughter, Carolyn Williams (Ray) of Little Rock; grandchildren: Leslie Lloyd (Chris) of Conway, Stephen Carter (Melissa) of Fayetteville, Kevin Carter (Samantha) of Conway, Christy Lax (Chris) of Little Rock, and Cara Dean (Nathan) of Little Elm, Texas; and eight great-grandchildren: Madison and Carter Lloyd, Elsa and June Carter, William Lax, and Henry, Wesley, and Allie Dean. He leaves a legacy of faith, love, and hope for all who knew him. His stories and laughter will be missed by friends and family. The private graveside service will be Wednesday morning at Pinecrest Memorial Park. The celebration of Don's life will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, October 1, 2014, at Immanuel Baptist Church Sanctuary, 501 N. Shackleford Rd., Little Rock, Ark. 72211, (501) 376-3071. The family will receive friends from 6–7 p.m. Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at Roller-Chenal Funeral Home, 13801 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock, Ark. 72211, (501) 224-8300. If you would like to honor Don's memory with a donation, the family suggests Gideons International, 113 N. Division Street, Guthrie, Okla. 73044, (405) 282-4422 or Immanuel Baptist Church, Bereavement Fund. Please share memories and words of encouragement in Don's online guestbook: www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/chenal.

Published September 30, 2014

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