Josephine Carter

Precious Memories

Josephine Carter

As beautiful as a rose to see, was her life she lived so gracefully. She made things precious by

her touch; her selfless love lives on in each of us. The petals of her life fell one by one; each a

gift of her heart till there were none. Yet her radiance blooms once again in fields of glory with

no end.

Josephine Carter was born on September 27, 1943, in Somerville, Tennessee to her parents,

Thomas Howse and Marie Lee Howse. She was the third child born in the family. She was raised

surrounded by her sisters, Ethel and Dorothy Jean. They remember her as being quiet and often

played by herself. Being the youngest, she was considered spoiled because she didn’t have to

work in the cotton fields as they did. She could ride her horse around the cotton fields gleefully.

They also remember her telling secrets that would often get all of them in trouble.

Josephine received her formal education in Somerville, Tennessee, where she graduated from

Fayette Ware High School. She furthered her education by attending Rice College in Memphis,

Tennessee, completing a course to become a Nursing Assistant. She also completed a Typing

course from the Miller-Hawkins Business College also in Memphis.

On September 15, 1966, Josephine wed, Charlie C. Carter in Memphis, TN. To this union,

Charlie, Jr. and Veronda were born. She was also the proud mother of her first born son,

Anthony, and her youngest son, Anwar. They remember her as a loving and devoted mother, who

took great pride in the care and nurture of her family. They considered her a “Closet

Entertainer.” She loved to imitate, James Brown singing, “Please, Please, Please.” She would

get down on her knees and Anthony would drape a towel on her back like Maceo as if she was

wearing a velvet cape. They would laugh hysterically. Her love for them was unconditional and

never ending. Josephine truly loved the “Mother’s Day Brunch” that Veronda started in her

honor.

She was later blessed with thirteen grandchildren, Dominique, Destine’, Trinite’, C. Marcus,

Imani, Rashon, Roemello, Caron, Kamal, Carmello, Camorra, Nicholas, and Kenya; and seven

great grandchildren, who all were an additional source of joy and pride in her life. They lovingly

called her “Granny, Josegranny, Ms. Thang, and Love Bug” and fondly remember all the treats

she gave them, the love she showered them with during Christmas, the many phone calls just to

check on them, and her “grandma ears” that listened to them and gave them good sound advice.

She truly had a heart of gold.

By profession, Josephine was employed as a Customer Service Representative for USPS. She was

also employed as a Medical Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery office when she lived in Memphis.

Her last place of employment was with Teletech as a CSR Technician. She retired after many

years of faithful and dedicated service.

A woman of faith and belief in the Lord, Josephine was a member of Emmanuel Christian Center

located in Aurora, Colorado, under the pastoral leadership of Pastor Alvin Simpkins. She served

her church and the Lord as a Greeter. She loved doing so because it allowed her to meet the

people when entering the church. She would often say to them when passing out programs “It

will cost you 50 cents.” She loved her church and the fellowship shared with her church family.

At the time of her passing, she had been a member for over 25 years.

Josephine was a fun-loving woman, who enjoyed life and those she encircled. In her free time,

she enjoyed watching westerns and old black and white movies on TV. She also enjoyed eating

out in new restaurants with family and friends. Her closest friends, Terrie Gathron, Minister

Eileen Walker, Louvenia Smith, Edna Baker, her sister, Pearl, and Elizabeth Windless will miss

her sense of humor, the many phone conversations, dining out, and the fact that she was a true

and trusted friend.

Josephine was the kindest person you’d ever meet. She took great pride and joy in making others

smile. She was a cheerful and giving person who never met a stranger. To know Josephine was

to love her. How she lived her life and treated others were values she instilled in her children

She is preceded in death by a son, Charlie Carnell Carter, Jr; her parents, Tommy and Marie

Howse; a sister, Dorothy Jean Madison; and nephews, Carl and Teddy Puryear.

Josephine Carter departed this life to the embrace of the Lord on August 20, 2022, in the home of

her daughter, surrounded by her family. Those left to cherish her memory and mourn her loss

include 2 sons, Anthony (Judy) Johnson of Memphis, TN and Anwar D. Woody of Denver,

Colorado; her daughter, Veronda K. (Charleton) Carter -Smith of Aurora, Colorado; 1 sister,

Ethel P. Brown of Memphis, TN; 13 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; a very special niece

Jemeya Mason, , nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends.