Valerie E. Carter

Services will be held on May 1, 2025 at 11am at Friendship Baptist Church of Girard for Mrs Valerie E. (Thompson) Carter who transitioned from this life into the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on April 21, 2025 at her home.

Mrs. Carter was Born October 3, 1960 in Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter of the late Eugene Thompson and the late Charlotte Louise (Young) Thompson-Daniel. Valerie met the love of her life, Michael M.J. Carter in 1996 and they married August 26, 2007. For many years, she and Michael were volunteers for the Children’s Miracle Network Telethon for Tod’s Children’s Hospital. They were also volunteers at the Canfield Fair on behalf of the former Forum Health Care System. She was a 1978 graduate from South High School in Youngstown where she graduated 2nd in her class and was a member of the National Honor Society. She attended Youngstown State University where she majored in Business Administration. Valerie was employed at Hills/Ames department Store in the Liberty Plaza from 1980 until the store closed in October 2002. In 2003, she was employed at First America Loans in Niles, OH where she became the Center Manager from 2010 until the center closed its doors in 2016.

At the tender age of 9 years old while listening to Dr. Billy Graham on television, Valerie received Jesus as her Lord and Savior. “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6th chapter the 23rd verse: The Bible). Her first step of obedience to the Word of God was to be baptized, which she did at the church of her childhood, Mt. Zion Baptist Church under Pastor W.A. Clark. As a teen, she joined the fellowship of New Hope Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Joe Bankston and was there for over 27 years where she was a member of the choir, praise team, and Sunday School. In 2002, she was led by the Spirit of God to Friendship Baptist Church of Girard under the godly leadership of Pastor Julius T. Davis, Jr. She served as the financial secretary for many years and was a member of the Sunday School, Wednesday Bible Study, mass choir, praise team and drama ministry.

Her husband Michael preceded her in death. She was also preceded by her parents, her father through marriage, Elbert L. Daniel, her sister Beverly A. Thompson, her maternal grandparents, John “Eddie” Young and Thelma Young along with her paternal grandparents, George and Emma Trotter Thompson, her maternal Aunt, Juanita Glen of Hephzibah, GA and brothers and sisters in-law.

She leaves to rejoice in her peace, her son, Michael E. Thompson of Campbell OH, her daughter through marriage, Mi-ckel A. Carter of Campbell, her grandchildren, David W. Moore, TeYon L. Harris, Jr. and Miley T. Harris, all of Campbell; a brother, Pastor Ronald E. (Cynthia) Thompson of Youngstown and sister, Atty. Kathleen Thompson of Girard. She also leaves two nephews: Andre (Estella) Thompson of Norristown, PA and Brandon Beck of Cleveland OH, her paternal Aunt Rev. Minnie Smith of Wilmington, DE, two sisters in-law Verenda Carter of Youngstown and Dorothea H. Stewart of Plantation, FL and a host of nieces and nephews through marriage along with a host of relatives and friends. Valerie was blessed with a “God-Family,” Roosevelt Sr. (deceased) and Elaine Griffin and their children, Linda (Griffin) Johnson, Darlene Griffin, Roosevelt Griffin, Jr. and Isaac Griffin and their families. They truly took on the role as her family.

Calling hours will be held at 10:00 am, an hour before the service at the Church. Arrangements entrusted to L.E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home

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