Rev. Vernon Ernest "Little Arrow" Carter, 88, of Burlington, VT, formerly of Cambridge and Boston, died August 21, 2007 at Vermont Respite House in after a brief illness.
He was the former husband of Arlene M. (Anderson) Carter of South Burlington, VT.
Born in New Bedford, the son of the late James and Ernestine (Maddox) Carter, he lived in Cambridge and Boston most of his life.
Rev. Carter was an ordained minister for 64 years. He had been a pastor in several African Methodist Episcopal churches throughout New England before becoming pastor of All Saints Lutheran Church, Boston in 1956. His former wife assisted him in pastoring his churches. In the early 1970's, he accepted the office of Advocacy for Community Change and continued as pastor of Heritage Circle Ministry.
Rev. Carter was a well known community and Civil Rights Activist for the past 50 years. He marched along side Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Boston and later was instrumental with the passing of the Racial Imbalance Bill where he held a three month vigil in 1965 in front of the Boston School Committee. In 1985, the Boston School Committee awarded him a citation for his efforts. Over the years, Rev. Carter received numerous awards for his continuous efforts for civil rights and his community.
Survivors include his former wife; 2 daughters, Bernadette A. Carter-Williams, and her husband Gerald R., of Burlington, VT and Vernita W. Carter-Weller, and her husband Pastor Timothy Weller, of South Burlington; 7 grandchildren, Sean Williams, Daimeyon Williams, Vincent Williams, Janalene Weller, Timothy David Weller, Elizabeth C. Weller and Shannah M.B. Weller; 4 great-grandchildren, Jaide, Quinn, Elora and Roselyn; and several nieces and nephews.
He was the brother of the late Earle M. Carter, Sr.
His Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, August 25th at 9 AM in the Bethel A.M.E. Church, 532 County St., New Bedford. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Friday, August 24th from 4-8 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home for Funerals, 495 Park St., New Bedford.