Obituaries – Their Stories Live On

Mrs. Katie Mae Morris Carter

9/23/1938 - 5/18/2025

Text:

Obituary For Mrs. Katie Mae Morris Carter

Mrs. Katie Mae Morris Carter, 86, of Lester, WV, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital, surrounded by love and family.

Born in Slab Fork, WV, Katie was a devoted homemaker whose love for her family and community radiated through every meal she cooked, every kind word she offered, and every act of service she gave.

Katie was a confidant for so many because of her strong and loving spirit. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Lester, where her steadfast presence and generous spirit touched many lives. Known for her warmth, kindness, and unwavering love, she created a home where everyone felt welcome. She especially loved
praising the Lord, spending time with her family, cooking, baking, gardening, and watching the WV Mountaineers and Dallas Cowboys play football - joys that were at the heart of her life.

Katie was the beloved wife of the late Thomas D. Carter Jr., and together they built a strong and loving family. She was a nurturing mother to Reginald T. Carter (Freda) of Greensboro, NC, Rodger A. Carter (Vanessa) of Madison, NC, Ronald D. Carter (Wanda) of Ahoskie, NC, Richard A. Carter of Lester, WV, Regina D. Malloy of Madison, NC, Evelyn R. Carter of Lester, WV, and Edna R. Steele (Albert) of Jamestown, NC.

Katie is also survived by her brother, Nathaniel W. Morris of Philadelphia, PA, her son-in-law, Jasper Mays of Madison, NC, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Katie was preceded in death by her daughter, Renee Dianne Mays; her parents, Nimrod and Evelyn Morris; her sister, Lois Jean Brown; her brother, Frederick Douglas Morris; her granddaughters, Kathryn Brianna Pannell and Regina Michelle Allen Befort; and her brother-in-law, William M. Carter.

Katie leaves behind a legacy of love in her grandchildren, Tiffany Imes (Erica), Kendra Carter-Chaney (Xavier), Whitney Sewell (Nathanael), Courtney Mays (Sherry), David Carter (Tanzania), Lasasha Carter, William Malloy, Brandon Davis, Kathryn Davis, Stephen Davis, and Kevin Steele, as well as numerous great-grandchildren, who brought her joy and pride.

In honor of Katie’s love of baking, the family shares her cherished recipe for Mrs. Katie's Hummingbird Cake, a sweet symbol of the love and warmth she gave so freely:

Mrs. Katie’s Hummingbird Cake
• 3 cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cups chopped bananas
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 1 (8 oz) can crushed pineapple with juice

Directions:
Grease and flour a 10-inch tube or bundt pan. In a large mixing bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, and cinnamon. Add the remaining ingredients and stir by hand until mixed. Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes at 350°F. Cool on a cake rack for 25–30 minutes.

Her memory will forever live on in the hearts of those who loved her and in every slice of cake baked in her honor.

Funeral service will be 12:00PM Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at Heart of God Ministries 1703 S. Kanawha St. Beckley. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Prosperity.

Friends, while wearing masks and observing social distancing, may visit with the family one-hour prior.

Email condolences to ritchiejohnsonfuneralparlor@gmail.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Ritchie & Johnson Funeral Parlor, Beckley.

Photos & Video

Add New Photos & Video

Tributes

Joseph H Pearson sent Gracious Lavender Basket for Mrs. Katie Mae Morris Carter - 05/21/2025

To the CARTER Family. My Cousins, Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise to the God of All Comfort. My deepest LOVE and CONDOLENCES. Joseph Pearson and Family.

Condolences

05/27/2025

Jami Thomas

Aunt Katie, you always remained the same from our growing up in North Philly, to our moving to West Virginia! I always enjoy your laughter and how you'd always cover your mouth to try to stop - but to no avail! The laughter kept coming! You lived life well - loving and laughing! Rest well, Auntie!
05/27/2025

Carolyn Anderson

We are so sorry to hear about the passing of Ms. Katie. She was a very sweet lady always smiling. May God give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Mary Green, Pastor Randy and Carolyn Green Anderson
05/27/2025

Henrietta Renae Mahan

To a good precious friend that I loved her family like my own. She was a special person to me because of her great smile, her great spirit of honesty, devotional to our Savior, love to everyone she came in contact, she was always the same Mrs Katie Carter wherever you ran into her. She always had a good strong words from the Lord to encourage your Spirit. She is going to truly be miss by many. She was a child of the Good Lord. My deepest sympathy to the family and prayers all the time. I love her with my whole body and soul. Rest in peace my very good friend. Let not your heart be troubled. St John 14.1
05/26/2025

Diane Green

Mother Carter shined the love of Jesus, and I never saw her any other way!!! Her welcoming and non-judgmental spirit was my joy in having met her & witnessing that kind of love ❤️!!! Gone but never forgotten!!! Rest precious lady & my prayers to the family 🙏🏾!!!!!!!
05/26/2025

The Moore Family-Tampa, Fl

Condolences to the Carter family on the transition of your beloved matriarch. 🙏 The Moore Family- Tampa, FL
05/26/2025

B.J. Garriest

I first met Aunt Katie, when I was dating her niece. She made me feel at home. I married her niece and she started calling me one of her sons. I will never forget that. Rest Well Aunt, you will be missed. B.J.
05/26/2025

Bennie Keene

One of the most precious ladies I have ever known. God gained an angel. Love n prayers to family.
05/26/2025

Regina McGrady Birchfield

A fine lady..whenever you went into their store you were always greeted..they always had the coldest bottles of pop..arms of comfort for the family.💐💐.Regina McGrady Birchfield
05/25/2025

Brenda Martin

Our condolences and prayers are with you and the Carter family.Growing up in Lester as children she was a very sweet lady! Psalms 30:5 Weeping may endure through the night but joy cometh in the morning. Psalms 34:18 God Is Close to the broken hearted. Brenda,Linda,Hortense,Jean.
05/25/2025

Arthur Hardin

Our memories of Ms. Carter have enriched our lives. We love the family and wish everyone well.
05/25/2025

Albert Green

The Carter Family, I was saddened to hear about your loss. Ms.Katie was a wonderful person who everyone loved and respected. We will always remember Ms.Katie . Someone so special will never be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May the love of God brings you comfort at this difficult time. Albert Green
05/24/2025

Lasasha Carter

We have so many wonderful memories of MaMa that we hold in our hearts. We are thinking of you all and send our love, prays and blessings from the Most High God. David, Lasasha, Toya and family
05/24/2025

Wanda Carter

Marrying into the Carter family was like marrying one of the Superstars of Lester. LOL. Early on, I would hear stories of how the Carter house and store were the places where EVERYONE felt welcome. And the heartbeat of it all was Katie Carter. I have always purposed to spend time with women who would give me wisdom, encourage me, and help me in my walk with the Lord. Ma Katie was this woman. NEVER have I ever heard her say a negative word about anyone or anything. She loved the Lord, her grace and presence would take over any room, and she had a laugh that could warm your heart. With her, there were no daughter-in-laws or son-in-laws, only daughters and sons! My life is much better because she was in it. Hopefully, she can catch up with my dad to get another hot dog on buttered potato bread (which they both loved eating together), before worshipping forever at the feet of Jesus! We good down here. Enjoy Heaven, Ma Katie! Wanda
05/24/2025

Otealia Crider

To the Carter family, I send my love and prayers, in the loss of your precious loved one. I will always remember Mrs. Katie and the sweet, kind, and loving spirit she had. We had some good times with the Winding Gulf Music Convention, and I will treasure those times always. Rest with God Miss Katie. Otealia Crider and family
05/23/2025

Brady & Joann Turner

To the Carter family, Joann and I sends our deepest sympathy to each of you, during the loss of your mother, and our friend.! We pray that God will bless, and comfort you all, during this trying time!. She was a Lester mentor, that will sorely be missed !! RIP Mrs. Katie !!
05/22/2025

Delores Robinson

My friend my classmate my sister -in-love for 60+ years my one to go to and share great memories my prayer warrior the way we made each other laugh regardless of our situations and our love for praising God will forever be etched in my heart...Rest Well Friend you earned your wings...❣️🌹🌹
05/21/2025

Jimmy Simms

To The Carter Family; Miss Katie fought the good fight, she has finished her course, and she kept the faith! You all have our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences. I pray that God's Word gives you strength and that His peace gives you comfort! She was one of the nicest people in all of Lester! You're in our thoughts and prayers. Jimmy & Lynn Simms
05/19/2025

Pam Saddler Daniel

Carter family, Ms. Katie was one of the sweetest ladies I knew growing up around Lester with a great family. I pray God will comfort and be everything you need both now and in the days to come. My love to you all!
05/19/2025

Melinda Green Mitchell

Sending condolences and prayers to the Carter family. Ms. Katie was a very kind, loving and beautiful person who will be missed. May God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time.