DEDICATION OF THIS HISTORICAL DOCUMENT

To the Memory of

 

 

John Lewis Carter, Association Clerk 1939-1978

 

John Lewis Carter and his twin sister Elsie Mae Carter were born July 19, 1906 in Parkton, North Carolina.  Their parents, Alonzo and Rodicy Carter had six children: Roy Clayton, Harlie, Mary, Beulah, Latha Bell, and Margie.  After the death of his first wife, Rodicy, he married O.D. Locklear Chavis.  To this union was born one son, James E. Carter.

 

John L. Carter married Mary Ellen Jacobs on November 1, 1930.  To them were born John L. Jr., Adrene, Mazelene, Christine, Regina, Dolores Mary Olene, Truex Vail, and Lex Anderson.

 

Mr. Carter enrolled as a student in the Croatan Indian Normal School in the fall of 1923.  His love and loyalty to that institution over the years during its change and growth was shown in the many roles his relationship took with the college.  Through the years he served as a member of the Board of Trustees, Secretary of the Board, Alumni President, and employed as Registrar in 1959 and Director of Special Projects in 1974 until his retirement.  Oddly enough, by virtue of him serving as secretary of the Board, he signed his own diploma upon graduation.  It is also to be noted that he signed all diplomas for the institution from 1942-1971, more than any other person connected with the college.

 

After earning a B.A. Degree from Pembroke State College, Mr. Carter did graduate work at the University of the Pacific, Stockton, California.

 

In addition to the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (former Croatan Indian Normal School) Mr. Carter’s professional career included principal and teacher in the Public Schools of Robeson County, which presented him a thirty-year pin for service.

 

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Mr. Carter busied himself also in the life and work of his community, county, and church.  Following the steps of his mentor, W.D. Oxendine, Mr. Carter served the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association for thirty years as Clerk and as its Sunday School Superintendent and Treasurer for twenty-four years.  His association ties afforded many other opportunities including clinician for the Southern Baptist Convention to Mobile, Alabama in 1942 and to Miami, Florida in 1951.  He attended Southern Baptist Convention meetings in Baltimore, Maryland, San Francisco, California, and Dallas, Texas.  

 

A very special opportunity was as a delegate to the Baptist World Alliance in London, England in 1955.  One of his favorite activities was participating in workshops held at the Sunday School Ridgecrest Baptist Assembly near Black Mountain, North Carolina.  His studies earned him a Masters Degree in Religious Education in 1955.

A member of the Mt. Airy community north of Pembroke, Mr. Carter was a model citizen and laborer.  Mr. Carter was a member of Mt. Airy Baptist Church and served its covenant with distinction and devotion.  Records indicate that he served in every available office of the church at some point during his adult life.  It was his aggressive and trusted leadership that led the church to many advances in its facilities, finances, and mission outreach.  A mentor to many and admirer of all, the church dedicated its park to his tribute on May 9, 1981.

 

His commitment to children and their welfare motivated his service to the Odum Baptist Home as a Trustee until it became under supervision of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina.  Likewise, it moved him to organize the Union Chapel Boy Scout Troop 325 in 1936 and serve as its Scout Master for several years.  His love and unusual service to the Boy Scout organization provided membership with the Boy Scout Cape Fear Area Council and 1981 committee member of the National Jamboree.  Other activities included Chairman of the ASC Committee for Burnt Swamp Township, Secretary-Treasurer of the Pembroke High School Booster Club, member of the Board of Trustees at Robeson Technical Institute, and President of the Kiwanis Club of Pembroke.

 

Because Mr. Carter excelled in his service to the Burnt Swamp Baptist Association and the advancement of its mission causes, and because it was his diligence over the years to protect the historical documents of the association’s activities, this history is dedicated to his memory.