Obituary of Ernestine Carter

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“His lord said unto him, well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”

God in his wisdom and love called Ernestine Carter from labor to reward with peace on Wednesday, August 21, 2024.

Ernestine Carter was born on April 6, 1934, to the late Reverend Clyde T. Washington, Sr., and O’Dell (Muldrow) Washington in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a child and the daughter of Reverend Clyde T. Washington, Sr., who pastored Daniel Temple Baptist Church, Ernestine spent a great deal of time in church. After accepting Christ as her personal Savior, she was baptized along with her sister, Earlene and both sang in the Young Adult Choir. After graduating from Simon Gratz High School, Ernestine attended and graduated from business school where she met and later married Carl Matthew Carter. From this glorious union, Carl and Ernestine were blessed with a son, Michael Keith, and a daughter, Karen Michele.

Ernestine followed her husband and became an active member of Saint Matthews A.M.E. Church on 57th Street in West Philadelphia. She served as a Sunday School teacher During the time her husband was Sunday School Superintendent. She worked alongside him to direct and teach a class at Vacation Bible School. Ernestine also designed costumes, performed and sang in church biblical productions, and planned and attended Sunday School Spiritual Retreats every year to the Pennsylvania Poconos.

Ernestine was employed in the administrative department of the United States Marine Corps and became a dedicated member of the Philadelphia Chapter Marine Corps Choir. After 16 years of working and coping with numerous health issues, Ernestine opted for early retirement. Ernestine made a major readjustment at home after leaving the working world and became more available to family and friends by helping with babysitting and sometimes picking up their children from school. She eventually assumed new hobbies and the one hobby that fulfilled her the most was cake decorating. When a cake decorating course became available, Ernestine signed up and completed the course. She soon realized she had a special talent for cake decorating and creativity and got great satisfaction in baking. Many hours were spent making wedding and other special occasion cakes for church, family, and friends.

After relocating to Pemberton, New Jersey with her husband, they both continued to commute to Saint Matthew A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia. After many years traveling the long distance, they decided to join a church in New Jersey. That church was Second Baptist of Moorestown, New Jersey. Ernestine became a Deaconess after her husband was appointed a deacon. She was a member of the Second Baptist Adult Choir and the Pulpit Committee. Ernestine traveled to Aspen Hills Healthcare Center every Sunday before morning worship to serve with the Nursing Home Ministry and continue to serve as a Deaconess.

Ernestine attended many workshops, classes, and seminars to further her understanding and knowledge of the Bible. After her husband’s retirement, she was able to travel more and that’s just what Carl, her best friend, and Ernestine did. They enjoyed cruises to many islands and traveling to both coastal regions. Nighttime is when Ernestine would be most energetic. It was remarkably familiar for her to talk on the phone in the middle of the night whether it be a sister-in-law, friend, or grandchild. Anyone who knew her well understood that her grandchildren were her heart, and she would give anything to spend time with each one.

Ernestine leaves to cherish her legacy of fond and precious memories: a loving son, Michael Keith Carter (Joyce); a loving daughter, Karen Carter Anthony, and dedicated son-in-love, Mark Lee Anthony; a brother, Ferman Washington; brothers-in-law, Albert Carter and John Carter; sisters-in-law, Myrlene Washington, Betty Frederick, Freda Carter, and Rebecca Gray; five grandchildren, Irvin Joel Carpenter (Fiona); Michael K. Carter, Jr., Milan Karl Carter (Ashley); and twins, Jeron Tyler Carpenter and Jenyse Tai Carpenter and a bonus grandson, Tory Mario Sammons; five great-grandchildren, Ruby Lynn, London Elijah, Maasai Karl, Luna Sol, and Phoenix Sky; nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

Lovingly submitted,
The Family