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I am STEPHANIE MAY, third daughter of Nellie Carter Jackson and Billy Joe Jackson of Decatur, Alabama. My knowledge of the Carter Family history begins in North Alabama with my grandfather, the late Rev. James Samuel Carter. Rev. Carter, fondly known as "Chuck" Carter, served as Pastor in several Methodist Churches in the Northern District in the early 1900's. Among them, I am most familiar with Jones Chapel United Methodist Church. Located on the corner of Church and Ash Street, Jones Chapel was the spiritual icon of the Eastern "East Town" Decatur Community. From that Church, sprang many notable musicians, ministers and community leaders. Dr. James Reginald Jackson is an internationally acclaimed minister of music, and is one of the grandsons proudly bearing the name of James. Nellie Jackson, minister of music for over 40 years, taught numerous students throughout Decatur, Alabama. Quida Jackson Pryor is a minister of music in Houston, Texas. James Samuel Townsend serves as a deacon of his Church in Cleveland Ohio. The late Thomas Matthews, of Cleveland Ohio, served as a pastor for over 50 years before his recent passing. The Jones Chapel Church was demolished in 1977 and the congregation was relocated to central Decatur Alabama as the membership was combined with King's Memorial United Church. Rev. Carter was the father of 3 sons, Milton, Henry and Major Carter. His daughters were Elizabeth, Lucinda, Mary Francis, Anna, Henrietta, Ella, Nellie and Dorothy Jean. Reverend Carter died on Labor Day in 1955. He was married twice, his first wife, Bobetta Carter preceded him in death. His second wife Loveland, my grandmother was a school teacher at Carver Elementary School. After his death she remained a faithful member of Jones Chapel United Methodist Church until her death on July 4, 1963. Although there are Carters all over the United States, the bulk of the clan still reside in Decatur, Alabama. The first official modern day reunion was in 1991 in Cleveland Ohio. It was hosted by James Samuel Townsend and John Walter Townsend. A series of reunions followed in Decatur, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia, hosted by Ella Carter-Mitchell and her husband Isaiah and by Stephanie Carter Jackson-May and her husband Robert; and in 1999 the Houston Texas Reunion was hosted by Mrs. Quida Jackson Pryor and Mr.Richard Boglin. The next Carter reunion will be held in Decatur, Alabama, in 2013 hosted by Mrs. Vanessa Jackson and Mrs. Paula Stevenson. My family research reveals that James Samuel Carter was born in Alabama but beyond that fact, his roots remain a mystery to the Family.
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