Obituary of James Carter

Carter, JamesOn the morning of October 28, 2012, James L. Carter of Mathews, Virginia , peacefully passed away at Duke Medical Center, Durham, NC. James was born on April 22, 1930 to the late Maurice and Mildred Carter in Mobjack, Va. James had a love for Mobjack where he was also raised by his grandparents, the late Edgar and Clara Jones aka "Mama and Papa Jones" whom he affectionately loved and extremely adored. James moved with his parents to Bridgeport, Connecticut at the age of 8 where he continued his education. While attending school, James worked at various jobs until he joined the US Army where he was later honorably discharged.After returning to Bridgeport, James married Ellen Ruth Roundtree and from this union they had two daughters, Sharon an Valerie. While working at Musante, Berman and Stenberg frozen food company in Bridgeport, James also explored his love for plumbing. He later left MBS and received his plumbing license and became one of the first two African American plumbing contractors in Bridgeport where he was respectfully known for his expertise in the field. If someone needed a plumber, he was one of the first plumbers people referred to, and he could always be counted on to get the job done, but most importantly, he got the job done right. James was a member of East End Baptist Tabernacle Church, Bridgeport, and later he re-dedicated his life to Christ and became a member of Cornerstone Fellowship Church, Mathews. In 1984, James married his second wife, Charlene B. Nixon, and of this union they had no children. James and Charlene shared a comfortable life in Bridgeport, and later moved to Mathews where they lived until his death. James, who was a member of the Masonic Temple at Doric Lodge #4 in Bridgeport, was also a member of the American Legion, Elks Club , Small Games Club and V.F.W., all in Bridgeport. James had a great love for fishing and was a member of the M.O.V.E Yacht Club, in Bridgeport. After moving back to Virginia, James joined the Ruriton Club in Mathews. Leaving to cherish his memory is his devoted wife of 38 years, Charlene; a sister Mary Monaque of Mathews; three daughters, Adele Kelly and Sharon C.Ferguson, Bridgeport; Valerie C. DeBerry (Billy) of Charlotte, NC. , sister in-law MariAnn Nixon, Roanoke, Va. Several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a hosts of cousins and devoted friends. James is also survived by his aunt, Jean Jones, Bridgeport, and pre-deceased by his parents, Maurice and Mildred Carter and a sister, Wanda Carter. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions may be made in James' name to: Duke Medicine for Pulmonary Fibrosis and Renal Failure Research, c/o Elizabeth Hopkins, Duke Medicine Development, 512 S. Mangum Street, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27701.