KILMARNOCK—Milton Jethro “M.J.” Carter Jr. passed away on July 11, 2018.
Born on May 4, 1927 in Foxwells, he was the son of Milton J. Carter Sr. and Ealise Brown Carter. M.J. grew up and was educated in Lancaster County. His family later moved to Norfolk, where he transferred to Broad Creek Village High School and finished his senior year.
M.J. enlisted in the United States Coast Guard during World War II. He completed his basic training in Curtis Bay, Maryland, and then transferred to Oakland, Calif. He returned home to Norfolk after the war ended.
M.J. maintained contact with his friends and family in Lancaster, where he met and married Ida Frances Conklin in 1950. He worked for the Virginian Railway for the next three years before he and his family moved back to Foxwells, and later to Kilmarnock.
M.J. worked for United Insurance Company for 37 years before his retirement and then worked 13 years for Chesapeake Bank in Kilmarnock.
At the time of his death, M.J. was the oldest living member of Wesley (Evangelical) Presbyterian Church, in Weems, where he was an active member for over 65 years. During those years at Wesley he played softball, helped to build the church fellowship hall addition and served as a Sunday school teacher. His pride in his church was known to all.
M.J. was predeceased in death by his wife of 56 years, Ida Conklin Carter; and his grandson, Hubbard Ashburn Davis II.
He is survived by his two daughters, Brenda Welborn and husband Richard Welborn of Virginia Beach, Darlene Griffith and husband David Griffith of Emmerton; and son, Barry Carter of Heathsville. He is also survived by his sister Barbara Cox of Chesapeake; as well as five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
M.J. Carter was well loved by all of his family and friends, and will be sorely missed.
The family received visitors at Currie Funeral Home in Kilmarnock from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 13.
Funeral Services were held at Wesley Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Weems at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 14. The Reverend Donna Ashburn Blythe officiated.
Interment followed the funeral service at the Wesley Church Cemetery. A reception in the church fellowship hall followed.
The family has requested that memorial contributions be made to Wesley Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 70 Faith Circle, Weems, VA 22576.
