Funeral services for Mrs. Lena J. Carter, former Grambling State University English and world literature instructor, were held Saturday, February 13 at Lewis Temple C.M.E. church. Mrs. Carter passed away on Monday, February 8 at the age of 90.
Lena Mae Jones was born in Harrison County, Marshall, Texas, on November 8, 1925 to Mr. Preston and Mrs. Helen Jones. She was the youngest of five children.
Courtesy photo
Lena J. and Lamore J. Carter. Mrs. Carter taught English at Grambling State University and Dr. Carter served as the
vice president of Academic Affairs.
She graduated from Pemberton High School, Marshall, Texas, and earned her bachelor’s degree from Bishop College, Marshall, Texas, in 1948. She continued her studies at Howard University, Washington, D.C.; California State University at Los Angeles, CA; and Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA.
In 1953, while at Grambling College pursuing her teaching certification, she met Lamore J. Carter. They were married in 1957.
The consummate educator taught at Coleman College, Shreveport, LA; Gould High School, Gould, Arkansas and the District of Columbia Public School System, Washington, D.C. She taught at Grambling State University for 35 years.
She was one of Wiley College’s most beloved First Ladies, serving from 1993-1997. She was most proud of the Wiley College Book Club, which she developed, chaired and hosted monthly in the president’s home. From Wiley College, she moved to Texas College, serving as the Coordinator of the Testing and Retention Academic Development Center. She officially retired in 2001.
She was a member of numerous professional organizations, including the Louisiana Education Association (LEA), Bishop College Alumni Association, and the Grambling University Retired Teachers (GURT). She was a faithful member of Lewis Temple C.M.E. Church, Grambling, LA, and a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Among those she leaves to cherish her memory are her husband, Dr. Lamore Joseph Carter, two daughters, Greta Lisa Carter (Grambling, LA) and Kris-Lana Carter (Arlington, VA), and three grandchildren: Lauryn Imann DuValle, (Arlington, VA), Reginald Lamore Carter DuValle (Indianapolis, IN,) and Morgan-E’Lysse Carter Drain (California), a very special niece, O’Neal Cage (Bachelor, LA) and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, dear friends and beloved former students.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Mrs. Lena J. Carter Scholarship Fund at Grambling State University. Checks and money orders should be made payable to Grambling University Foundation, c/o Advancement, Research and Economic Development, P. O. Box 587, Grambling, LA 71245.