Published on March 4, 2014 by William Nunnelley  

Dr. John T. Carter, who served on the faculty of Samford University's Orlean Bullard Beeson School of Education for 31 years, died Sunday, March 2, in Birmingham.  He was 92.

Dr. Carter joined the Samford faculty in 1956 and served until his retirement in 1987.  He was dean of the education school from 1980 until 1986.

A native of Newton, Miss., Carter held a bachelor of science degree from the Mississippi State University, master of science from the University of Tennessee and doctor of education from the University of Illinois.

He taught at Wood Junior College and Clarke Memorial Junior College in Mississippi prior to joining the Samford faculty.

Over the years, he and his wife, Dr. Frances Carter, supported education school programs by funding scholarships and sponsoring the Young Authors Conference held annually at the school.  Dr. Frances Carter also taught for many years in the education school.

John Carter was a veteran of World War II, having served as a paratrooper in the North African and European theaters of combat.  He was awarded five battle stars and a bronze arrowhead for his service.  He was also a licensed pilot and was active in the Civil Air Patrol.

A celebration service of Carter's life will be held Friday, March 7, at 11 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall of Dawson Memorial Baptist in Homewood.  In lieu of flowers, the family requested that donations be sent to the John and Frances Carter Scholarship Fund at Samford.

Carter is survived by his wife, Frances; their son, John Wayne Carter; their daughter, Frankye Nell Carter Branum; and eight grandchildren.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 5,791 students from 49 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks 6th nationally for its Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.