Cynthia M. Carter

CYNTHIA MAE BLAIR LENOIR CARTER, Age 93, left her earthly home on Friday, December 8, 2017 at 11:57 A.M. at Pearl Pavilion Rehab Center surrounded by loved ones. CYNTHIA was born in Madison, Wisconsin to Pauline Blair and Eli Lenoir on July 22, 1924. She was the oldest of 6 siblings and 1 step sibling. CYNTHIA moved to Freeport, Illinois as a child. She is the great granddaughter of Sister Sarah Sides (the Organizer of St. Paul M.B. Church). She became a member of the St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church and was a faithful Sunday School Teacher, Nurse and Mother Emeritus. CYNTHIA attended Freeport Senior High School and graduated from the Lydia School of Cosmetology in Chicago, Illinois. She was a licensed beautician. She worked with Mrs. Effie McGee in her shop on Winneshiek St. and Mrs. Mary C. Johnson. She also did hair out of her home at 52 South Hooker Ave. Cynthia also worked at Micro Switch Plant 4 (now known as Honeywell), Freeport Memorial Hospital in the X-Ray Department, Surgical Department, as well as Northwestern Telephone Company where she retired in the 1980's. After her retirement, she babysat in her home. She loved children and all the kids loved "Mama Cynthie" as she was fondly called by everyone including her grandchildren. CYNTHIA met Henry Carter Sr. through a good friend, Deacon John Barry Shipp (AKA Cupid) and they were united in marriage on September 4, 1951. He brought one son to this union and she brought one daughter. Together they raised 7 children, 5 girls and 2 boys. She was a loving wife until his death and now they are reunited together again. CYNTHIA was a member of the Couples Club and enjoyed going to Wisconsin Dells yearly on her wedding anniversary. She enjoyed cooking for her family and insisted the family sat together and ate dinner every day. On Sunday morning she would have family prayer with her children before they left to go to Sunday School. She did not tolerate any fighting what-so-ever among her children and insisted they love each other no matter what. She was a great disciplinarian to her children, grand-children and other neighborhood children. She is one of the last nurturing mothers on Hooker Ave. She had a great sense of humor and wit. She always told it like it was. She embraced life and lived it to the fullest. CYNTHIA was proceeded in death by her loving husband Henry, her parents, one brother, one sister, one step-sister, two granddaughters, Arletta Kay Collins-Horde and Carla Carter and one great great granddaughter Malaysia Wade and a special friend, Geneva Love. CYNTHIA leaves to cherish her memories: five daughters: Pauletta Collins (Edward), LaVonna Mays (Marvin) both of Freeport, Claudette Carter-Thomas (Jerome - deceased) of Dubuque, Iowa, Marilyn Carter of Dallas, Texas, and Sarah Carter (Renaldo Weathersby - Fiance) of Freeport, Illinois. Two sons: Henry Carter Jr. (Mary) and Quincy Carter Sr. (Carmen) both of Freeport, also one adopted daughter, Rose Ann Kennedy (Leon - deceased). She also leaves to cherish her memory, 11 grand-children, 18 great- grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; two sisters, Joyce Pruitt and Eva Jean Craig both of Freeport and one brother Clinton Lenoir (Willa Mae) of Denver, Colorado. She also had one sister-in-law Percy Lee Rogers (Sherman - deceased) of Water Valley, Mississippi. Special friends includes: Deacon John B and Deaconess Mamie Shipp, and Pastor Everlena Thurmond. Also left to mourn a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. The visitation for Cynthia Carter will be held on Friday, December 15, 2017 from 5-7 p.m. at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church in the sanctuary. The funeral service will be on Saturday, December 16, 2017 at St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church at 11:00 a.m. with a viewing before the service starting at 10:00 a.m. St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church is located 607-641 E. Stephenson Street, Freeport, Illinois 61032. Please sign Mrs. Carter's guestbook and share a memory at www.burketubbs.com