Percy Capell Carter

Percy Capell Carter June 29, 1928 - January 12, 2024

Percy Capell Carter was born June 29, 1928 in Sewanee TN to Reverend Percy Gates Carter and Mary Amanda Capell Carter. Percy lived most of his childhood in Clio, AL where his father was a Baptist minister and his mother was a school teacher.

When he was just seven years old and in the middle of the Great Depression, Percy's father passed away from pneumonia. Despite these hardships, Percy excelled at school, graduating from High School at 15 and from Auburn University at the age of 18. While at Auburn, Percy became active in the Baptist Student Union and several other christian organizations. After graduation, Percy moved to Birmingham AL to work for the Tennessee Coal, Iron, and Railroad company (TCI) in the accounting department as a cost analyst. He joined the Hunter Street Baptist church where he served as music director and was chosen as one of the youngest men to ever become a deacon.

Percy met Gladys Edna Pritchett (Edna) at church in 1947 and they married after Edna graduated from college in 1950. She was the love of his life. Their son, Thomas Edward was born in 1954 and Jeffery Alan followed two years later.

In 1964, the US Steel corporation acquired TCI and the Carter family moved to Pittsburgh PA where they became involved with the North Park Baptist church. A gifted musician and singer, Percy served as music director and lead vocalist for over 20 years. After retiring in 1985, they followed their sons to California, settling in Escondido and serving at Bethel Baptist church.

Percy and Edna loved to travel, including trips to the Holy Land, Egypt, the United Kingdom, and continental Europe. They had a large Airstream trailer and spent many months visiting the US National Parks and Canada.

Throughout his life, Percy served as a choir director, deacon, Sunday school teacher, bookkeeper, and Bible study leader (including leading a Bible study at The Springs senior living community until the age of 93). Percy and Edna served for several years as volunteer home missionaries in Colorado, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.

In early 2022, Edna had a bad fall and required additional care, so they moved to an Assisted Living facility in Vancouver WA to be near Tom and his family. As Edna's health continued to deteriorate, Percy attended to her faithfully until her passing in August 2023. Percy passed peacefully five months later, at the age of 95.

Percy leaves a legacy in his two sons, two daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, and six great grandchildren. He will be greatly missed.

"Well done, good and faithful servant ... enter thou into the joy of thy lord."