All who were blessed to come under the influence of the captivating life of Dr. Weptanomah W. Carter, sensed that she was someone with special grace. The aura of her personality and the charm of her demeanor was uniquely reflected in her personality as a child of God, a pastor’s wife, a first lady in her congregation, a mother to her daughter and son, and grandmother to her granddaughter and grandsons.

This woman of God was a daughter of ministry, born into the home of Dr. and Mrs. T. Robert Washington, February 15, 1937 in Ossining, New York. In due course, her father pastored the Second Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where Weptanomah spent her formative years. As she blossomed into a beautiful young woman, she often stated that she would never marry a minister. However, as she was completing her studies at Millersville State Teachers College, Millersville, Pennsylvania she met and married a recent graduate of the nearby Crozier Theological Seminary, Chester, Pennsylvania by the name of Harold A. Carter. During that year, of 1959, her husband was called to pastor the Court Street Baptist Church, Lynchburg, Virginia where they served as pastor and first lady until 1964. During their time in Lynchburg, they became the parents of a daughter, Weptanomah, whom they affectionately called “Weppy,” and a son, Harold, whom they affectionately called “little man.” Also, Weptanomah was a teacher in the Lynchburg Public School System.

The ministerial influence of her father and mother was deeply etched into her soul, as she followed in the pioneering spirit of her mother, Jacqueline, who was one of the founders of the International Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows. Truly, many of her greatest contributions in life came from inspiring wives of ministers through her speaking engagements and her seminal book, The Black Minister’s Wife. She wrote in her book these words that were lived out in her life:

“The minister’s wife to be true to her basic self, must have a sense of who she is as a person, and what her responsibility to God is. If she fails to have a vital sense of herself and her basic responsibility to God, her life will in effect reflect the images the public assigns to her.”

Weptanomah was not one to be guided and manipulated by public images. Instead, she lived out her life with a clear vision of who she was in Christ and what the church would have her to be. Among other strengths that she possessed, was her abiding support as a full partner in the ministry-vision of her husband and pastor.

For many years, her voice was heard sharing opening and closing statements during the weekly radio broadcast ministries of New Shiloh’s “Bread of Life” and “The New Shiloh Worship Hour.” Such was formative in lifting up a husband/wife Christian witness in the early days of this movement, so clearly evidenced in countless other ministries today.

Weptanomah began her involvement in New Shiloh playing for the Allen Gospel Chorus and founding and organizing the Progressive Shiloh Workers, a ministry that has provided thousands of dollars to assist college bound students. Her spirit of missions led her in founding schools in Port au Prince, Haiti and Kenya, Africa. She became a sought after author, making her books available during national conventions befriending thousands with her personal interactions as she autographed copies of the same. Weptanomah became well known in congregations throughout the country as a premier Women’s Day speaker. She was also a sought after lecturer for the I.A.M.W.M.W., as well as other ministries, conferences, and conventions. Her gracious presence and spirit allowed her to reach and touch so many in ways that will continue to resonate.

Weptanomah’s love was seen up close and personal by the ministers’ wives in New Shiloh as she led them in presenting cultural affairs for the church and community. Together, they became bonded in their work for the Lord. One of the great highlights of her ministry was when she was blessed to convene the Today’s Minister’s Wife Conference (2003 and 2004) under the theme, “Going Forth With Renewed Strength.” More than thirteen states were represented by wives of ministers and the event was highlighted with such notable personalities as the renowned Shirley Caesar and Mrs. Jacqueline Jackson, beloved wife of Dr. Jesse Jackson. A ministers division was, also, held in this conference and was led by Pastor Harold A. Carter. The conference was a powerful statement of her ability to pull ministers’ wives and their husbands together from across America and beyond. As the end of life’s days came upon her she was planning a follow-up conference and she was, along with her daughter, Weptanomah, in the planning stages of the publication of a quarterly newsletter for ministers’ wives.

Weptanomah was not one to sit back and relax when her husband was preaching. She joined him in preaching the gospel with an involvement that declared, “We are one!” She was not showy, but she was in earnest when she would say, “Preach, Harold!” She fully understood the demands of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She went all out to support her son, Harold A. Carter, Jr., Pastor of the New Shiloh Baptist Church, and her daughter, Weptanomah Bermuda Carter Davis, First Lady to the good people of the First Baptist Church of Highland Park, Landover, Maryland.

It is simply not possible to assess the magnitude and influence of the life of Weptanomah W. Carter. Additionally, we know that His great love freely given to us is never broken or destroyed. It is out of this flow of life that her family finds strength and continues to rejoice.

A loving wife and wonderful mother, Weptanomah made her home a special place for her family. Without a doubt the spirit of the Lord was present from day to day. Holidays and other special occasions were always a great time of laughter and joy.

The living tree this gracious woman of God leaves to cherish her memories and to celebrate her life are her husband of 46 years, Rev. Dr. Harold A. Carter; a daughter, Mrs. Weptanomah Carter Davis and son-in-law, Rev. Dr. Henry P. Davis III of Bowie, Maryland; a son, Rev. Dr. Harold A. Carter, Jr. and daughter-in-law, Rev. Monique T. Carter of Baltimore, Maryland; a sister, Mrs. Jacqueline Audreé Wilmer of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; four grandchildren, Daniel Nathan Carter (17), Lilybelle Davis (12), Timothy Carter (10), and Henry Pinckney Culberson Davis (2); a cousin, Mr. Robert Washington of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and four sisters-in-law, Dorothy Carter Jackson (Willie) of Selma, Alabama; Marian McKinnie (Walter) of Fishers, Indiana, Blanche Carter Thrash of Atlanta, Georgia, and Jean Carter of Baltimore, Maryland; and nieces and nephews.