Rev. Edwin Carter

Rev. Edwin Thomas Carter, son of the late Ernest and Zelphia (Edwards) Carter was born in Mountain Grove, Missouri on September 12, 1932. He was raised in a loving family which included three brothers and three sisters. He departed this life on June 9, 2026. He was a dedicated loving husband, father, brother, and friend.

Edwin grew up in a loving home and community on a farm north of Mountain Grove, many fond memories were made playing with siblings, family, and neighborhood children. Lifelong relationships were formed during these early years. Edwin graduated from Mountain Grove High School in 1950. After graduation he worked at General Motors in Kansas City, Missouri. Edwin was drafted in 1951 and chose to serve in the US Air Force for five years during the Korean War. Upon returning, Edwin owned and operated the “Dairy Kup” for two years in Rogersville, Missouri. After selling the Dairy Kup he moved back to Kansas City and worked at the Lake City Ammunition Plant while courting his sweetheart and wife, Cleta June.

Edwin married Cleta June (Amos) on March 12, 1961. The couple moved back to Rogersville and Edwin worked at a paint factory in Springfield, Missouri. After a while, the couple purchased two hundred acres of the family farm from his parents. They milked cows for several years then transitioned to beef cattle. Edwin treasured farming with his father Ernest and brother Eual. There were no two brothers closer than Edwin and Eual. The two worked hard and enjoyed all aspects of farming. When time allowed, they enjoyed hunting and fishing together with family and friends on the farm. In 1979, Edwin and June were blessed with a daughter, Rebecca Jane.

Edwin was called to ministry while attending his childhood church, Oak Grove Free Will Baptist Church, where at the time he served as the congregational song leader. The first time he preached the Sunday service he felt like he had a mouth full of cotton but decided to preach from Exodus 5:2, "And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.”

Edwin was ordained at New Hope Baptist Church in Solo, Missouri. He pastored thirteen years at Embree Community Church east of Manes. As a full-time pastor, he and June decided to sell the farm and build their present home in Mountain Grove. Edwin and June spent their days visiting hospitals, care centers, and private homes to offer prayers of support. Their daughter Rebecca sang her first song at church at the age of four years old and encouraged her parents to sing with her. After leaving Embree Community Church, Edwin spent two years filling in as pastor for various churches. Edwin pastored at Mountain Valley Freewill Baptist Church for twenty-three years upon his retirement. He retired from Mountain Valley Church on his 91st birthday. Many wonderful friendships and memories were formed throughout his ministry.

Besides his parents, Edwin was preceded in death by his brothers, Delbert Carter and Eual Carter; sisters, Lorrita Smith and Eloise Austin; sister-in law, Ruby Lee (Amos) Lyman, Mae (Amos) Massey, Oleta (Amos) Clinton, Ruth (Amos) Barnett; and brothers-in law, Farris Austin, Jon Smith, Burl Amos, Dean Amos, Wayne Amos, Bill Hamer, and Darrell Lyman.

Edwin is survived by his wife, Cleta June Carter of Mountain Grove, Missouri; his daughter, Rebecca Jane Carter of Sedalia, Missouri; his sister, Janice and Gene Easterwood of Nixa, Missouri; his sisters-in-law, Greta Carter of Lee's Summit, Missouri, and Ladenia Carter of Mountain Grove, Missouri; many nephews, nieces, other relatives and many friends who will miss him.

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Gary Moore for his enduring friendship, caring support, love and compassion for Ed and the family.

Memorial Contributions may be made to: Gideons International or Mtn. Valley FWB Church