Florentina Tagle Carter, 84, of North Dartmouth, MA, died unexpectedly on Thursday, February 4, 2010, surrounded by her loving family at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston, MA. She was born in the Philippine Islands on March 14, 1925. She married the late Earle M. Carter Sr., on September 2, 1945, while he was serving in the U.S. Army in Manila, PI. She first came to the United States in 1948 with their two sons, and began a life-long commitment to nurturing and guiding her children and grandchildren to become loving and respectable individuals with strong moral values and integrity. She was a humble and caring woman who was affectionately known as Lola (grandmother) to all her family and friends. Lola was a resident of New Bedford for many years before moving to N. Dartmouth to a community who welcomed and adored her. She was a member of Bethel A.M.E. Church in New Bedford, MA, serving as a Stewardess for many years. She was also a member of the Martha Briggs Club.
Lola is survived by her beloved six children, James T. (and Connie) Carter of Granada Hills, CA, Ronelino T. (and Tracy) Carter, Roberto T. Carter, and Dawne T. Botelho, all of New Bedford, MA; Melody Carter (and Melvin) Walls of Springfield, MA, Priscilla (and Richard) Hagins of Greenville, SC,and Kimberly Carter; two daughter-in-laws, Phyllis Carter and Zilma Carter of New Bedford, MA; a sister-in-law Arlene Carter, two nieces Bernadette Williams and Vernita Weeler all of Vermont; twenty-six grandchildren, twenty-two great grandchildren; special friends Bertha Jones, Elsa Texeira, Yvette, Terry and friends of Anderson Way and a host of relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her husband Earle M. Carter Sr., and three sons Ernesto Carter, Earle M. Carter Jr. and Vernon Carter. Special thanks to the staff at St. Luke’s Hospital and Beth Israel Hospital. Lola will be sadly missed by her family, friends and the community.
Her Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, February 9th at 11 AM in the Bethel A.M.E. Church. Burial will follow in Rural Cemetery. Visiting hours Monday, February 8th from 4-7 PM in the Saunders-Dwyer Home For Funerals, 495 Park St. New Bedford.