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Obituary For Elder Golden Joseph Carter
On Saturday, February 28, 2026, our beloved father, grandfather and friend, Elder Golden Carter, 91, of Stoney Mountain Rd., Martinsville peacefully transitioned from this life at his residence.
He was born on January 29, 1935, in Pulaski, VA the twelfth of fourteen children born to his father, John Henry Carter, and the seventh of nine children born to his father, John Henry and mother, Amelia Davis Carter.
The last of his generation, Elder Carter was preceded in death by his parents, and all his siblings, brothers, Jack Carter, James Carter, John Henry Carter, Robert Carter, Sr., James “Lil Bit” Carter, William Carter, Eddie Carter, Gabriel Carter and Gerald Carter; sisters, Alice Carter, Willie Anderson Anthony, Bertha Davidson and Rosa Lee Carter.
Married the love of his life and his partner in the gospel, the late Rev. Della Choate Carter on December 20, 1958. They were married 40 years at her passing.
To this union were born four children, Sharri Lafaune, Joseph Jerome, Andrea Lynne and Cedric Channing.
In 1954, he received the gift of Jesus Christ as the Lord of His life and was baptized in the Holy Ghost. He accepted God's call to ministry in 1956, and for more than 55 years, he served as a pastor of several churches in Christiansburg, VA, Whitethorne, VA, Berwind, WV, Keystone, WV, Axton, VA, Gretna, VA and Stuart, VA.
Having preached Christ in local jails and prisons since his call to ministry, he volunteered with Good News Jail & Prison Ministry in 1986, and in April 1987, he became an Assistant Chaplain in Martinsville-Henry County.
In August 2004, he was promoted to Chaplain for the Martinsville-Henry County jurisdiction where he continued to serve at Henry County Jail, Martinsville City Jail, Martinsville City Jail Annex (City Farm), and Patrick Henry Corrections Unit (Camp 28). He retired from the prison ministry in 2013, from pastoring in 2019, but continued singing and preaching until his health failed in the Fall of 2025.
Elder Carter has travelled nationally and internationally singing and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, his daughter, Sharri Carter, and all his siblings.
Elder Carter leaves to cherish his memory and honor his legacy, his daughter, Minister Andrea L. Carter, two sons, Rev. Joseph Carter (Cynthia) and Minister Cedric Carter (Donna); three granddaughters, Sharri “LaFaune” Carter, Seona LaMirr Carter (Keedeam Dodson), and Chelsea Nicole Carter Wall (Tyrone); eight great-grandchildren: Jaida Carter, Darion Duncan, Cameron Fuller, Blessing Carter, Jah-Ni Paines, Aiden Bradley, Kaliyah Bradley and Legacy Dodson; one great-great granddaughter, Harmony Belton; one godson, Reverend Dr. C Lee Hagwood; one “adopted” daughter, Dinah Clements; three sisters-in-love, Louise Carter of Jersey City, NJ, and Barbara Carter of Fernandina Beach, FL, and Elder Lois Choate Stewart of Euclid, OH; special friends, Shirley Jeffress Davis, Conny Bryson, and James Thomas Martin; a host of bonus grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.
He fulfilled his greatest desire to live a life that pleased the Lord, and the words of his favorite song “if I can help somebody, then my living will not be in vain.”
A visitation service will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. with the funeral service at 12 noon at Refuge Temple Ministries, 205 Clearview Dr., Martinsville with Reverend Joseph Carter and Minister Cedric Carter, Eulogist. Interment will follow at Roselawn Burial Park.
A public viewing will be held on Thursday, March 5, 2026, at Hairston Funeral Home, 301 Fayette St., Martinsville between the hours of 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Other times, the family will receive friends at the residence, 956 Stoney Mountain Rd., Martinsville beginning on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, from 3 p.m. until 7 p.m. daily. Live streaming of the funeral service will be available at Hairston Funeral Home Live via Facebook.
Courteous, efficient and dependable services provided by Hairston Funeral Home.
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My sincere condolences are being extended to the family of Elder Carter. I was saddened to learn of his passing .He was a gentle giant. He was so talented. He could teach, preach and sing 👏 🙌🏽 He was very soft spoken 👏 A very nice man. He will be greatly missed by all that knew him. God just came back for one of his own. Family ,be encouraged. God loves you and so do we. We will continue to keep you lifted up in prayer 🙌🏽 🙏🏾 Norma Gravely and Lillie G.Wilson
My sincere condolences during this season of bereavement. May God give you strength, comfort, and peace today and in the days ahead.
Pastor Joseph and First Lady Cynthia I'm sending prayers and sincere condolences to your family. I was 😭🙏saddened to hear of the passing of Rev.Golden Joseph Carter.He was a Holy man of God. I will miss his joyful hugs, and listening to his singing.❤️ Rest in heaven Rev. Golden Joseph Carter with the love of your life.🙌💞🥰🙏 Praying for the family.
Joe was a dear friend and we'll always be thankful for the privilege of knowing and spending time with him. May the Lord bless and comfort the family.
Praying for the entire Carter family and friends. I always remember as young child, Rev. Carter as a great man of God. RIH Rev. Carter. Eric & Sherri King-Hairston, Hampton, VA
Joe so sorry for the loss of your father praying for you and the family teeny Henderson
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So sorry for your loss. Sending my Prayers, Condolences and Heartfelt Sympathy to you all. I truly enjoyed being in service with his praising our Lord and Savior.
Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.
