Mary Lee Carter

Mary Lee Carter (Hill) was born on July 22, 1935 in Lowdes County, Mississippi, to the late Oliver Hill and Sammie Hill (McCarter). She was the oldest child of 10 children. She departed this life journey on November 19, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Mary accepted Christ and dedicated her life to the Lord at an early age as a child at True Vine Missionary Baptist Church in Starkville, Mississippi. She grew up in Starkville and played basketball in high school. She had many wonderful stories about playing sports and “How good that Hill girl was”, as others would say.

Mary was united in Holy Matrimony to the late Willie James Carter, Sr. on May 28, 1955. The two of them moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and started their life’s journey together. She was married to the love of her life for 60 years. From this union were born seven children (four daughters and three sons).

Shortly after moving to Cincinnati, Ohio, Mary, her husband and children joined The Greater Golden Gate Baptist Church where she introduced her seven children to Christ. She loved going to church and praising God. She served in various ministries at the church for over 58 years, including the Senior Usher Board and the Mother’s Board. She loved her church family very much and would rarely miss church where she would attend every Sunday. She knew no stranger and was always a loving and kind woman, welcoming everyone.

Mary was a stay at home mom for many years. She was an exceptional mother and grandmother. After her children got older, she decided to go to work. Her many years of work included working in the hotel industry. After 30 plus years of working, she retired. She loved her job and whatever she did there, she did with pride and excellence. One of the things she really liked doing in her early years was going to club meetings. The Belair Club was made up of a group of beautiful, elegant Christian women that met every Saturday evening. They would dress up in their best, get their hair done, and the smell of perfume would be amazing. The women would come together and fellowship as sisters. Watching this gave us daughters a true sense of pride and taught us how to become women as they all were.

Mary loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved spending time with them all, going to all their sporting events. She also loved traveling to go see family members as well as going to the Cincinnati Reds games.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Willie Carter, Sr.; son, Randolph (RoRo) Carter; parents, Oliver and Sammie Hill; and siblings, Rosie McGee, Cora Lee Isaac and Jessie James.

She leaves to cherish her memory: six children, Mable Allen (Robert-deceased), Willie Carter, Jr., Steven Carter (Brenda), Gloria Williams (David), Arnetta Williams (Greg) and Shevelle Larkin (Jeff); 15 grandchildren, Willie III, LaQuita, Detroy, Cameya, Steve Jr., Brian, Damarr, Jason, Jennifer, Jeffrey, Jeremy, Anaiah, Adriannah, Christina and Devon; 10 great-grandchildren, Lakayla, Terriana, Wilyssa, Ladasia, Amon, D’erik, Dereka, Na’riyah, Brilynn and Kameron; siblings, Annie Louise Ward, Annie Mae Seal, George Hill, Walter Hill, Oliver Hill and Willie James Hill; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

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