John Givens Carter Sr.

John G. Carter, Sr., “JC” of Hampton entered into eternal rest on Thursday, October 6, 2022. Mr. Carter is the widower of Mrs. Virginia Carter; son of the late Mrs. Lillian Irene Jackson Carter and Rev. Theodore Marshall Carter; father of Kimberly Phillips Knighten (Reginald), Paula Carter, Lillian Ross (Dwayne), John Carter, Jr. (Ayanna), and Derrick Frank (Lisa); brother of Mrs. Harriett Sanders (Vernon-deceased), Mrs. Marsha Carter Johnson (Companion: Paul), the late Mrs. Jeanne Carter Gray and the late Mrs. Joan Dixon (Sylvester-deceased); and brother-in-law to Evelyn Wilson, Cassendra Rose (James-deceased), Gerald Hunter and the late Lillian Biddle, James Hunter, and Myron Hunter.

JC was married for 57 years to the late Virginia “Ginya” Carter and traveled around the world with their family with his United States Air Force (USAF) career until his honorable discharge in 1986 with various medals (Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Vietnam Service Medal, to name a few). He graduated from Norfolk State University (NSU) and after his USAF retirement, worked at the NSU Military Services and Veterans Affairs Office (Veterans Upward Bound Program). He supported veterans in various ways and was a member of the American Legion. 

An avid musician since high school (tuba, piano and percussions), his main love was playing conga drums as well as the bongos and jembes, specifically, African style drumming. He held a special bond with his musician friends—they truly were his family. He also enjoyed many years of giving drumming lessons to children and adults. He enjoyed attending sporting events (boxing, hockey, football, and basketball), deep-sea fishing, and cooking gourmet meals for anyone who wanted to eat.

He is the grandfather to Davell Phillips, James Hilliard, Mary Thomas, Britany Carter, Blair Carter, Curtis Boyd, Shannon Carter, John Carter, III, Kyriq Woods, Jarell Frank, Kevin Frank, Derrick Frank, Jr., Jareek Frank and Darien Frank; great grandfather to Kyler Hilliard, Miree Phillips, Davell Phillips, Jr., Zion Phillips, Kingly Phillips, Ariya Washington, Azavon Carter, twins Caleb and Caden Dupree, the late Cassidy Carter, Mya Boyd, A’llayah Boyd, Skylar Frank, Sincere Frank, Hayden Frank, Kashton Frank, Asher Frank and King Frank; and leaves to cherish his memory a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends. He IS loved and will be missed.

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