Dr. Lawrence D. Carrier

A Life Remembered: Lawrence “Larry” Douglas Carrier, 71, joined his Savior in Heaven on Sunday, October 9, 2016 after a courageous 20–month battle with cancer. He was at home with his family in Taylors, SC.

Larry was born on April 18, 1945 in Atlanta, GA to the late William Silas Carrier, a professional musician, and Willene Daniel Carrier, part-time musician, homemaker, and librarian. He is the middle child of 5 siblings, Brenda (Mark) Stinnett of OH, Dan (Pat) Carrier of TN, Mary Beth (Mac) Palmer of GA, and Tom (Lynn) Carrier of GA.

He is survived by his loving wife of almost 50 years, Eny Ledford Carrier; 4 children – Robin (David) Fox of TN, Randy (Julie) Carrier of SC, Ranya (Steven) Huffman of SC, and Rochelle (Bob) Grass of NC; and 14 grandchildren – David N. Fox, Ashlyn Huffman, Davina Fox, Austin Huffman, Bryn Carrier, Autumn Huffman, Dalton Fox, Blair Carrier, Monica Grass, Brooke Carrier, Carson Grass, Becca Carrier, Maycee Grass, and Connor Grass. He is preceded in death by his parents, Billy and Willene Carrier, one granddaughter, Aubrey Huffman, and five unborn grandchildren.

Larry trusted Christ as his personal Savior through the influence of his childhood friend Randy. He endured a two-year hip disease as an elementary aged child, and was confined to the bed in a body cast and became an avid reader. Hence, his domination at Trivial Pursuit! Larry was blessed in musical ability and gifted with a fantastic tenor voice. He was greatly influenced in music through his father, Billy Carrier, and Billy’s well known gospel quartet, The Swanee River boys, which Billy helped form in 1938. Larry began to sing in church with his mom and dad, and they had an LP record produced in Larry’s college years. Larry studied music at the University of Cincinnati Conservatory of Music for several years before his family moved back to Georgia and he resumed his musical studies at Georgia State University. Since his ordination into the Gospel ministry on June 7, 1970, Pastor Larry Carrier gave his life to serving the Lord and His church. He devoted his considerable talents to local-church ministries in GA, TX, FL, VA, PA, and SC, as well as to music publishing for over 23 years with SoundForth at Bob Jones University. By God’s grace, he was equipped to serve His church in many capacities. He ministered as an ordained pastor, choral and orchestra director, singer, songwriter, music composer and arranger, music publisher, recording producer, printer, carpenter, mission-team leader, mentor, and recipient of an honorary Doctor of Divinity.

Since his first Sunday at Morningside Baptist Church on February 7, 1988, he worked to develop musicians of all ages and ability levels to use their talents for God’s glory. Morningside has seen our music ministry grow to include a choir, full orchestra, a diversity of special music groups, a developmental youth music program, musical-mission teams, and even three music recordings from our own choir and orchestra. Pastor Carrier’s gospel ministry was complemented by the assistance of his wife, Eny, and in many ways validated by the fact that his four children, Robin, Randy, Ranya, Rochelle, and their families are all serving God! We are thankful for Pastor Carrier’s faithful ministry to the Lord, the body of Christ, and specifically to Morningside Baptist Church. We appreciate his joyful perseverance in ministry even during his battle with cancer as he lived out his life verse, Joshua 1:9. Pastor Carrier can say along with the Apostle Paul’s testimony in II Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Along with the Lord, we can say to a servant who has taken his talents and multiplied them for the glory of God, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things . . . enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” (Matthew 25:21)

Family Remembrances Eny: “Larry was a devoted, loving husband who always cared about my desires and needs. He wanted to honor the Lord with his wife and family. I am thankful he led our family by faith and demonstrated a servant’s heart. God has been good to our family to allow Larry to leave a Godly and lasting legacy to his family, church and community.” Robin: “My dad was one of the most patient, gentle, kind, and wisest men I have ever known. His consistent example of love for the Lord, music, and people have been a great challenge to me. Dad always put others first, sacrificing time and energy to care for his family and to minister to others. When a problem or situation arose that warranted Godly wisdom, my dad was the first one to call. He always pointed me to the wisdom and counsel of God's Word. I cannot thank the Lord enough for blessing me with such a wonderful, faithful father. I love you dad!” Randy: “I am thankful for a father who was passionate about faithfully serving his Saviour through the gift of God-honoring music. He lived his faith humbly and committed his life to Christ. Dad was a multi-talented man who had a teacher’s heart, and I am grateful he was a well-rounded man. Competitive in nature, gracious in spirit, a perfectionist without being overbearing, my greatest cherished memory with my dad has been assisting him in Morningside’s music ministry for 15 years.” Ranya: “I’m grateful that I grew up in a home where I was taught to love God, work hard and develop character. The closeness we share as a family is special. I’m thankful dad was able to find creative ways for us to have fun on a limited minister’s salary, especially memorable camping trips. As a parent, I appreciate even more the sacrifices dad made to provide a Christian education for his children. I thank the Lord for dad’s years of faithful ministry to our Lord, his love for his wife, children and grandchildren, and the Godly heritage he passed down to so many. I love you dad!” Rochelle: “Dad was the biggest cheerleader in my life; he was a constant encourager. He had a "can do" attitude about everything. He was fun to be around, joyful and excited about life. I appreciate his tenderness and affection. Dad didn't raise his voice in anger, yet his look of disappointment when we deserved it was crushing. I will always love him. If I could sum up the legacy Dad gave to me it would be, ‘Follow me as I follow Christ’.”