September 16, 1926 — July 9, 2022
Rev. Earl B. Carter of North Little Rock passed away July 9, 2022. Earl was born in Altus, Arkansas on September 16, 1926. He graduated from Ozark High School, Hendrix College, and Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia. He was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree and received a Christian Education Award from Hendrix College.
Earl served as minister in the United Methodist Church from 1945 until his retirement in 1992. He served churches in the Prairie View-Scranton Circuit, Union Point Methodist Church (Dalton, GA.), Hartman Circuit, Nettleton, Leachville, Jacksonville, and North Little Rock. He served in the Office of the Conway District Superintendent, the Program Council for the North Arkansas Conference, and as Executive Director for the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church with offices in Dallas, Texas.
Earl was a former member of the Board of Trustees of Hendrix College, Southern Methodist University, Lydia Patterson Institute, St. Paul School of Theology, Mt. Sequoyah Assembly, Camp Aldersgate and United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas.
He was a member and former president of the Sherwood Rotary Club and a three-time recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow.
Earl served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and saw action in the Philippines, Iwo Jima and Okinawa and was awarded three battle stars. Six of his brothers also served in the Armed Forces during World War II and the Korean Conflict.
Earl is predeceased by his parents, Elmer Truman and Archie Beatrice Carter and by nine brothers and two sisters; Truman, Garner, Margaret, Willard, Joanna, Donald, Maurice, James, Claud, Albert, and Carroll. He is survived by his wife, Emma and three children. Their children are Bonnie (Lee) Hartz of North Little Rock, Stephen (Paula) of Bentonville, and Nan (Brooks) Clem of Hot Springs. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren include Ehren (Katie) Hartz with Wyatt, Nate and Graham; Amanda (Shepherd) Russell with Ellis and Shepherd; Chris Carter; Richard (Chika) with Keiichiro; Kyle Clem with India; Stephen Clem; Jon (Jamie) Clem with Jace and Jensen.
A memorial service for Rev. Earl Carter will be held on Saturday, August 13 at 10 a.m. at North Little Rock First United Methodist Church (6701 John F Kennedy Blvd, North Little Rock, AR 72116). Prior to the service, there will be a visitation reception in the Narthex beginning at 9 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the First United Methodist Church of North Little Rock (6701 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, North Little Rock, AR, 72116) or the United Methodist Foundation of Arkansas (601 Wellington Village Road, Little Rock, AR, 72211).
Arrangements by Smith North Little Rock Funeral Home, 1921 Main St, North Little Rock, AR 72114, 501-758-1170.