John Jefferson Carter, 93, passed away Thursday, July 6, 2017, peacefully at The Cottages of the Shoals, Florence. The family will receive visitors at 2:00 pm, Sunday, July 9 at the First Presbyterian Church, Florence. A service will follow at 3:00 pm.
John Carter was born February 26, 1924 in Wadley, AL. Dr. Carter was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon Lee and Ruth Moon Carter and his wife Evelyn Oppenheim Carter.
He is survived by three sons, Dr. John Jefferson Carter, Jr. and his wife Sherry of Tryon, NC; Thomas Vernon Carter and his wife Ana of Savannah, GA; Michael Fuller Carter and his wife Shannon of Killen, AL; and daughter-in-law Dixie Weatherford Carter of Florence. He is survived by his grandchildren, John Berry Carter and wife Charly of Florence; Christopher Thomas Carter of Savannah, GA; Maggie Clare Carter of Killen, AL; and great-grandson, Samuel Troup Carter of Florence, AL. He is also survived by his brother, Dr. Vernon Lee Carter and his wife Liz and niece Pamela Hagely of Columbus, Ohio.
John graduated from Wadley High School in 1942. After only five quarters of pre-med at Auburn University, he was sent to basic training at Fort Benning, GA and then on to Stanford Medical School, California. He was graduated from the Medical College of Alabama in 1947. That same year he married Evelyn Oppenheim of Florence, AL. He spent two years of internship at the University of Arkansas and completed his residency at Tripler Army Hospital in Honolulu, Hawaii. Dr. Carter started his OB/GYN practice in Florence in 1954. Dr. Floyd joined his practice in 1958, Dr. Chappell in 1972 and Dr. Wakefield soon after. This practice became the OB/GYN Associates of Northwest Alabama. During his fifty plus years of practice he had the pleasure of working with excellent physician partners and friends and the benefit of practicing in an outstanding medical community. He served two terms as chief of staff of ECM Hospital and was the President of the Board of Directors of The Riverbend Mental Health Foundation. He was President of the Alabama OB/GYN Association in 1986. One of his proudest accomplishments during his medical career was his care for medically indigent maternity patients and the guidance he provided for teenage out-of-wedlock pregnant patients.
Dr. Carter was an Elder of First Presbyterian Church of Florence since 1967 and a member of the Florence Rotary Club. He loved his wife, family, church, his medical community, and his many dear friends.
The family appreciates the loving care and friendship of Deborah Darby and also the staff of The Cottage. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The First Presbyterian Church, Florence, AL.
Elkins Funeral Home would like to invite you to leave your condolences at www.elkinsfuneralhome.com