The passing of Rev. Naomi Carter

[HeavenlyOne]

This is a precious lady I was blessed to have known, and one of her granddaughters was the only other person to graduate with me in the private school we attended together. She was a wonderful woman.

Carter, Sister Naomi Nadine

BUSH - Sister Naomi Nadine Carter, 82, went home to be with her Lord and Savior at 8:05 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, 2008, at her home.

Naomi Nadine Goshen was born Aug. 11, 1925, in Fontenot, Ind., to Roy Thomas and Thelma (Elliott) Goshen. She was so tiny and delicate that they carried her around on a little pillow and referred to her as a little doll, hence came her nickname, "Doll." She was known as Doll throughout her school and adult years until becoming a pastor.

Her family moved to Bush in 1930. She graduated from Hurst-Bush High School in 1943. She met her lifetime true love, Robert Carter, at the age of 16. He returned home from World War II in January 1946 and they married a few days later, Jan. 15, 1946. They shared over 60 years of marriage until his passing on Jan. 10, 2007. To this loving union were born two children, Robert J. Jr. and Linda Susan.

Naomi gave her heart to the love of her life, the Lord Jesus Christ, in the hospital room of a very sick daughter in March of 1949. She promised to serve the Lord all the days of her life whether her daughter lived or died. She loved the Lord faithfully all her days, living her testimony even until her departure from this life and entering her long awaited Heavenly home.

She became a minister with the United Pentecostal Church International in 1955 and was ordained in 1981. She was co-pastored in Westlawn, with the Rev. Rita Medlin from 1971 to 1973, pastored in Colp from 1979 to 1989 and at Crossroads Tabernacle in Hurst from 1996 until her stroke in March 2006. She still served as Pastor Emeritus at Crossroads Tabernacle. Prior to pastoring, Sister Carter worked as an item control supervisor in Goldblatts Department Store in Chicago from 1955 to 1973.

Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Robert J. and Renee Carter Jr. of Crestwood; daughter and son-in-law, Linda S. and David Godfrey of Bush; six grandchildren and their spouses, Melissa Zizas and husband Robert of Cresthill, Robert D. Carter and wife, Suzie, of Manhattan, Sandra Wyskochil and husband, John, of Mesa, Ariz., Melanie Noland and husband, Kevin, of Plainfield, Christopher Godfrey of Manhattan and Ryan Godfrey of Phoenix; eight great-grandchildren, Christopher and Amber McNulty, J.R. Wyskochil, C.J. Godfrey, Clayton and Madeline Noland Rachel Bassillion, Michael Robert Carter; several nieces and nephews; and dear friends, Mary "Remember the Biscuits" Nichols of Houston and Julie Kabella of Chicago.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, William R. Goshen; and one sister, Gloria Sedlacke.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2008, in Crossroads Tabernacle Apostolic Church in Hurst, with the Rev. Terry Erwin officiating and the Revs. Linda Kyzar, Michael Glasco, Lois Erwin, Jack Jenkins, John Graham and Lloyd Dunaway co-officiating. Burial will be in Blairsville Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 21, 2008, at Johnson-Hughes Funeral Home in Herrin and from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church.