On Tuesday, March 3, 1959, in Charlotte, NC, Gerald Calvin Carter was born to Barbara and Haywood Carter, Jr. Gerald was the eldest of five siblings, who were all raised by their loving parents, Barbara, and Leonard Howard.

As a child, Gerald was shy and had a slight stutter. His uncle Billy Talbert saw the genius in Gerald and sent him to a private school in 1965. Then, from 1974-1977, Gerald attended Independence Senior High School.

Gerald was a member of the National Honor Society, National Art Society, Student Council Executive Committee, and the newspaper.

Gerald graduated number thirty-three out of approximately seven hundred and forty-two students and was classified number one amongst his African American peers.

The next stop for Gerald on his journey called life was at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC. While in college Gerald was the lead actor in plays, a published poet, and became a distinguished, dedicated, and intricate member of the Nu Zeta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Spring `78).

He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting (1981), then began his career at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as an intern.

Gerald’s dearest stop on his journey was when he met his forever flower of thirty-six years, Renee Grimsley. Gerald and Renee made their holy union on August 15, 1987, and became the Carters.

Shortly after their union, the Carters moved to Atlanta, GA, where they began their family. Gerald and Renee brought two sons and a beautiful daughter into the world.

Gerald instilled many values in his children. Gerald’s journey shaped him into an extraordinary man. As a family man, a father, an Alpha brother, a Christian, a role model, a former president of Panola Mill and Meadowbrook Glen Homeowner’s Associations, a coach to many boys who grew into men, a devoted friend, and a community leader.

Gerald began a path to changing not only his life, but many others. He left an impact on many lives that will last forever.

Gerald retired from the IRS in 2021, a place where he enjoyed working for forty years. Retirement was a time in Gerald’s life when he was at peace. He could spend it with his forever flower, Renee, family, and loved ones. During his retirement, he was able to spend more time doing the activities he loved, such as gardening, attending sporting events (Falcons, Hawks, and Braves), traveling with family and friends, and critiquing movies.

On Tuesday, September 26, 2023, at 10:25 p.m., Gerald’s journey called life came to an end at Grady Health System. Gerald was preceded in death by his fathers, Haywood Carter Jr. and Leonard Howard; grandparents, Sylvester (Katherine) Talbert, Ernest (Sue) Howard, and Haywood (Minnie) Carter, Sr.

Gerald will live forever through the many stories he shared and the memories he made with those who crossed his path.

Gerald leaves loved ones whom he cherished to carry on his legacy: his forever flower of 36 years, Renee; two outstanding sons, Julian and Matthew; one awesome and precious daughter, Jessica; a beloved Mother, Barbara Bailey; three wonderful sisters, Sharon(Mendel) Mackey, Kathy Carter, Tonya(Jeffrey) Krider, one treasured brother, Paul(Willie Rose-deceased) Howard, a sweet sister in law, Gloria McKinnie Lashley, Brothers-in-Law, Bernard(Cecelia) McKinnie, Michael(Tonia) McKinnie, an adored Mother-in-law, Elnora(Willie Earl–deceased)Grimsley, father-in-law, Caleb(Marvia) McKinnie, one cherished uncle, Johnny (Julie)Carter, two beloved aunts, Dr. Doris (Eddie-deceased) Ward, Carol Williams, many loved nieces, nephews, a host of relatives, and friends.

Gerald touched a multitude of lives in so many ways! Gerald will live on forever through memories, prayers, and legendary stories cherished by his loved ones. Gone but not forgotten!

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