Obituary of Jessie B. Carter

Jessie B. Carter, age 81, died Wednesday, January 18, 2012 at Sholom Home East. A Funeral Service will be held at 12 Noon on Friday, January 27 at Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ, 247 N. Grotto Street at Marshall Avenue, St. Paul, with the Reverend Thelma Battle-Buckner, officiating. Interment Elmhurst Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Herbert Edwards, Shaun Robins, Frank Edwards, Robert Edwards, Edmond Allen, and Daniel Allen. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Toby Robins and Jerry Edwards, Jr. Jessie B. Carter was born September 7, 1930 in Grenada, Mississippi. He was the fourth child of eight children born to the late Charlie and Florence Carter, who preceded him in death. Also preceding him in death were three sisters, Pearlie Mae Carter, Irene Edwards, and Edna McDuffie; brother, Charlie Bee Carter, Jr. Jessie attended school at Jones Chapel School in Big Creek, Mississippi. He worked as a machine operator at Waldorf Corporation for over 35 years until his retirement. His interests included fishing, hunting, gardening, and cooking. Jessie was a "sharp dresser." Most of all, he loved Gospel Quartets, singing in quartets, and traveling to see them perform. His quartet singing career began at a young age. As a teenager, he began singing with the Golden Crowns of Grenada, MS. He also sang with the Sunset Gospel Singers, was on WNAG Radio of Grenada, MS every Sunday, and the Famous Gospel Riders of West Memphis, Arkasnas. He produced and sang in Big Creek, MS as well as other towns in Mississippi. He taught his sisters harmony and started the Cartet Sisters (Edna, Naomi, Ruthie, and Essie)in Grenada, MS and they traveled. He also sang with the famous Southern Jubilees and sang on WDIA Radio in Memphis for about 7 years. He appeared on TV and cut albums with various quartets. Jessie continued singing even after his move to Minnesota. In the early 1950s, he had a holiness experience at Gospel Temple Church of God in Christ where he became a member. He also visited Mount Olivet Baptist Church. During the early 1990s, Jessie joined the Royal Jubilees, who later became the Golden Swans and was one of the original members who later became the Tones of Joy, performing throughout the Twin Cities. To remember and cherish Jessie's memory are his loving wife, Carolyn; sons, Carl Perry of Los Angeles, CA, Nathaniel Allen and Kevin Carter of Saint Paul, MN; grandsons, Edmond and Daniel Allen of Saint Paul, MN; great-grandchildren; also three sisters, Ruthie Battle of Brooklyn Park, MN, Naomi Murrell and Corene Neal of Saint Paul, MN; and a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Arrangements entrusted to the Spielman Mortuary.