Lee Rufus Carter

Lee graduated from Riley High School in South Bend where he was on the track and wrestling teams and as a senior, student taught in the Cadet teaching program with fourth graders. Lee served with the United States Army for three years and attended The Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, where he graduated from the Spanish-American language course. His last duty station was Ft. Bliss, Texas. Lee continued his education at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. While in college, Lee worked various part-time jobs including tutoring with the Muncie School Corp. at the Cambridge House and Children’s Home. He volunteered in the Upward Bound Program as a tutor counselor and at the Northern Indiana State Hospital with mentally challenged youth. While at Ball State, Lee pledged with the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Spanish and Social Work. Lee obtained his teacher’s license with the State of Indiana. Lee moved to Peoria, Illinois, where he worked at the Illinois Migrant Council as an outreach worker for the energy program, and as a teacher of English as a Second Language for adult migrants. Lee later worked at the Illinois Department of Human Services for 38 years, retiring in April 2011. Lee loved to teach and learn and earned certificates in income tax preparation courses with H & R Block. He worked a brief period with Peoria School District 150 as a substitute teacher. Lee was an impressive storyteller and his passion for teaching and reading led him to enroll in the Institute of Children’s Literature where he learned the skills to write his own children’s book and several other short stories. In addition to his love for teaching, Lee had a strong travel passion. He was a founding business associate of Surge365, and owner of L J Carter’s Global Travel for over 10 years.

Lee was a dedicated and faithful servant of Gospel Experience Church for over 30 years where he previously sang with the choir and served as a Deacon, Vacation Bible School teacher and coordinator, Men’s Bible Study Leader, the Evangelistic Team and Prison Ministry with the Illinois River Correctional Center.  Lee became a licensed minister through Independent Assemblies of God International on April 29, 2004, and completed coursework through Omega Bible Institute & Seminary in 2008 and receiving his Certificate of Ordination on March 24, 2013, at Gospel Experience Church by Pastor Hammonds. He loved teaching, preaching, and sharing God’s word, counseling, fellowshipping, and praying for others.

Lee married Jacqueline Holly on August 3, 1996, in Peoria, and was looking forward to sharing 27 years of marriage in a few weeks.

Lee leaves memories of fellowship, laughter, and love to:

his wife, Jacqueline Carter; daughter, Dafina “DeeDee” Kirk of Muncie, Indiana; son, Terrance Carter of Newark, New Jersey; daughter, Jakel Vinson of Peoria, Illinois; daughter, Teresa “Nikki” Long of Muncie, Indiana; son whom he nicknamed “Tiger” Lacy Anthony of Charlotte, North Carolina; sister, Darlene Carter of South Bend, Indiana; brother, Glenn Carter of Union City, Georgia; sister, Betty Johnson of Norfolk, Virginia; sons-in-law, Charles Kirk, Sr. of Muncie, Indiana, Jared Vinson of Peoria, Illinois, Edward Long of Muncie, Indiana; daughters-in-law, Jacqueline Carter of Newark, New Jersey, Africa Anthony of Charlotte, North Carolina and the many grandchildren who loved their “PawPaw”:  Shaudia, Jayden H., Charles, Jr., Jenesis, Aleena, Eliyah, Carter, Kenzo, Talitha, Jairus V., Noble, Corbin, Cori, Edward “CJ”, Jarius L., Jordan, Jayden L., Justin, Triniti, Chloe, Carter J., Camari,  Lee was “tickled” to learn of a new arrival coming in the early months of 2024; brother-in-law: William Johnson of Norfolk, Virginia; sisters-in-law: Janice Bailey of Cartersville, Georgia, Earlene Stewart of Jackson, Mississippi; God-daughter, Christian White of Bloomington, Illinois; Childhood friend, Lamar (Pam) Strong of South Bend, Indiana; “We go way back” friends, Randy (Lori) Brown of  Lawrenceville, Georgia and Kelly Branch of Springfield, Illinois; Mothers-in-law, aunts & uncles-in-law, a loving host of nephews, nieces, & many special cousins, his Gospel Experience Church Family, along with Lee’s many, many, many phone and fishing friends. Lee loved each and every one of you.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 15, 2023, at Gospel Experience Church, 3101 NE Madison, Peoria, Illinois from 11am to 12pm, with a visitation one hour prior. Pastor Richard K. Hammonds of Gospel Experience Church will officiate. Burial to follow at Springdale Cemetery with Military Honors by the U.S. Army. Online condolences and prayers may be submitted at www.cumerfordclary.com.