The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Nazarene Church of Jesus Christ, 2286 Pineville Road, Buena Vista, Georgia. Burial will take place in the Church cemetery.
James Calvin McCarter was born in Buena Vista, Georgia on December 28, 1931 to the late L.C. McCarter and Melnee Black McCarter. He was preceded in death by 6 siblings: Joseph McCarter, Marvin McCarter, Leroy McCarter, Marilyn McCarter Hamilton, Gloristeen McCarter Hall and Mary Lee McCarter Napper.
James was educated in the Marion County School System. At a young age, he dedicated his life to Christ and served as an usher at the Mount Carmel Baptist Church where Reverend Davis was Pastor and officiant of his future marriage. Soon after he met and fell in love with his cherished Clemmie Thomas. They met in Sunday School at Poplar Spring Baptist Church in Buena Vista. They later married and their love bloomed for 67 years. After marriage, the couple relocated to St. Petersburg, Florida where James worked at Charles Wedding Nursery. To this union 3 children were born; one child preceded him in death. While in Florida the couple were members at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church where Reverend Cubby was Pastor. After 5 years the couple relocated to New York where he was employed by the New York City Board of Education until he retired in 1986. Also, in NY two additional children were added to the union. During this season, James was a faithful member of First Freedom Baptist Church under Reverend Samuel Dixon where he sung in the Male Choir. In 1987 the couple returned to their roots in Buena Vista, Georgia. James became a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church where he was ordained as a Deacon under the leadership of Reverend Curtis Bason. His favorite song was "There’s a Dark Cloud Rising" and his favorite hymn was "Must Jesus Bear This Cross Alone." Before he left this life, James was a faithful member and Deacon at Nazarene Church of Jesus Christ under the leadership of Elder Larry Franklin, Jr., a devoted Pastor.
Deacon McCarter leaves a multitude of loving memories with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his faithful wife, Clemmie affectionately known as Candy, and four beautiful children: Edna Mae McCarter Taylor (Jeffrey), James Randolph McCarter (Linda), Rodist McCarter, and Tammy Renée McCarter Coakley (O’Neil). James raised many children in his household which included 13 foster children and his oldest grandchild whom he loved as his son; Jamaal Hasan McCarter (Wendy). He also leaves behind grandchildren James Duvón McCarter (LaChrista), O’Neil Rashon Coakley, Samone Alexa McCarter Choice (Tyree), Latrice Rena McCarter, Briana Chenille Coakley, Jarée Cavon Coakley, and Veronica India Taylor Hayes (Curtis); 6 great grandchildren: Jayden Jamaal McCarter, Jasmyne Ayanna Hayes, Justin Hasan McCarter, Brooklyn Renee Hayes, Alori Lindi Eden McCarter Choice, and Curtis Hayes, III.
James is survived by two loving brothers: Moses McCarter (Pauline), Brooklyn, New York and Eldridge McCarter (Antoinette), Clayton, North Carolina, two additional sisters-in-law, Catherine McCarter, Columbus, Georgia and Annie Pearl McCarter, St. Petersburg, Florida, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and dear friends.