Bro. Elmer & Sis. May Carter
Bro. James Elmer Carter was born in Grayson County, KY on March 4, 1915 to Shelby and Hettie Carter. They moved to Louisville and lived at the end of the block from Bro. William Sowders church in Louisville, KY on Broadway. His mom and dad went to Bro. Sowders church. In 1934, Elmer gave his life to the Lord and received the Holy Ghost. In 1936, he married Alma May Milby (born May 13, 1915 to James & Clara Belle Milby). May was living at the church at the church along with Mom Stow and Eleanora Stow. She would bake pies for Bro. Sowders and Bro. T.M. Jolly who was also living there for awhile. Elmer helped Bro. Sowders at the local church as well as helping to build the campground. He began sitting next to Bro. Sowders as well as pastoring the little church at the campground on Shepherdsville Hill. Many people received the Holy Ghost under his ministry. He was quite a preacher. One of the sayings he was known for was, "I wouldn't give a wooden nickel with a hole punched in it for a salvation I couldn't feel." He loved working around the church and fellowshipping the saints. He baptized many people for Bro. Sowders. May worked in the kitchen in the Louisville church and at the campground. They were quite a team! Elmer and May had four daughters born between 1937-1946, Elaine, Joyce, June and Carol. They all received the Holy Ghost and married Holy Ghost boys (Herb, Tom, Bill and Dave), and all of their children (eight boys and one girl) also received the Holy Ghost. One of their son-in-laws, Herb, Elaine's husband became a minister. The other girls and their husbands all love and serve the Lord. In 1966, Elmer began pastoring in Louisville, KY, under Bro. T.M. Jolly's leadership. In 1974. he and May moved to Terre Haute, IN and pastored a church there. Then in 1977, they went to Panama City, FL. and pastored a church. In 1977, Elmer was not feeling well and retired; he passed away later that year in October. He had just finished giving a talk at the Eldorado, IL church, where he was in service with Bro. Jolly. He definitely died working for the Lord. After Elmer passed away, May continued serving the Lord and passed away on August 4, 2004. |