Say not it's a dreadful journey

When the Savoir leads the way;

It?s but passing through the shadows

To the land of endless day!



Mrs. Carter of Norfolk, Virginia, a native of Chowan, North Carolina, died in Sentara Life Nursing Home on Wednesday, May 21, 2008. She was predeceased by her husband, Lester Carter and by her parents, Alcay and Sweddie Rountree. She lived 85 years.



She had retired as a cosmetician clerk at Peoples Drug Stores after 35 years of service. Earlier she served in the choir and on the usher board of Greater Metropolitan AME Zion Church of Norfolk and later at St. Paul's Church of Christ of Tyner, North Carolina, where she was the church mother.



Survivors include a daughter, Joyce C. Griffin (Robert) of Virginia Beach; two sons, Garland B. Carter of Teaneck, NJ and Lester R. Carter of Irvington, NJ; five brothers, Joseph Rountree of Connecticut, Mack Rountree of Norfolk, W. Odell Rountree (Emily) of Tyner, NC, Melvin Rountree of Tyner, NC and Hubert C. Rountree (Ernestine) of Portsmouth, and one sister, Dorestine Cobb of Newark,, NJ; grandchildren, Pamela Griffin, Robert Griffin, Jr., Keisha Carter, Hassan Carter, Leigh Carter and Drew Carter and three great grandchildren.



The funeral will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church with Rev. Vann Flemings, officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Viewing will be held 12 pm - 5 pm Monday at Pretlow and Sons Funeral Home, Chesapeake.



We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:51