Iris Brooks Carter

Iris Brooks Carter, the beloved daughter of Inez and Arthur Brooks, was born on July 15, 1937, in Arlington, Virginia. She was Inez and Arthur’s second child. Her siblings included brother, Arthur Dalvin Brooks, and younger sisters: Elaine Foster, Jewel “Buttercup” Gravette, and Sylvia Evans.

Iris’s childhood was filled with joyful memories and playful mischief. As a young girl, she enjoyed spending time with her brother Dalvin and often reminisced about how he always convinced her to walk across the Key Bridge from D.C. into Virginia so they could save a nickel. Her sisters, at a young age, started playing pranks on Iris and only relented in recent years. Growing up in segregation, she often spoke about the neighbors who lovingly took each of the Brooks girls under their wings, and how her family, one of the few on the block with a television, once took out all the windows so everyone in the neighborhood could watch the Joe Louis fight together. These stories reflected her family’s deep sense of community and generosity.

She loved spending summers with her godmother, Arlene Franklin, whose parents owned a shop—an early influence on her lifelong love of fashion.

Because her father deeply valued education and believed D.C. Public Schools to be superior to the schools in Virginia at the time, Mr. Brooks arranged for Iris to live with her friend, Rita Dent’s, family during her high school years. Not only did Iris gain a stellar education by living with Uncle Willie and Aunt Alice, she gained a lifelong circle of “bonus sisters,” including Rita Dent Palmer—her best friend of over 80 years—Aurelia Martin, Ann Carter, and later, Tyra Dent. Iris and Rita attended Spingarn High School where they were known for their fun-loving spirits and popularity, with their classmates naming them “Most Popular” and “Most All-Around Girl,” respectively.

Iris went on to attend West Virginia State University where she majored in Mathematics. Iris made lasting friendships and became a passionate supporter of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), feeling strongly that professors and staff at HBCUs looked out for students in a special and intentional way. She remained active in her alumni chapter, helping with class fundraising, and returning regularly for homecomings that brought her joy and connection.

In 1968, Iris married Garnett George Adams. Out of this union was born their only child, Inez Felicia Adams. Together, Iris and Garnett shared a deep love of travel and entertaining. They explored Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and much of Europe—often in the company of their dear friends, Mildred and Preston Herald. Their stories were sidesplitting: taking the bus in Kenya, misplacing luggage, encountering dogs that allegedly “spoke Greek,” and husbands secretly hoping that the Pucci store would be closed to avoid an expensive shopping spree. These travels brought laughter and a wealth of shared memories that became the fabric of their lives.

After Garnett's passing, her daughter, dear brother-in-law, Nathaniel Adams, and close friends embraced her new love, John Alden Carter, with open arms. Introduced by a mutual friend, Iris and John married in 2002 and lived out an epic love story. Through her marriage to John, she also became part of a new family. Iris’s heart opened to John Jr., John’s only child, as well as John Jr.’s two sons, DeJuan and Jaylin. John’s extended family loved Iris as much as her own, calling daily and visiting frequently to check on “Aunt Iris.” She embraced the chance to share love and guidance with them in her own way—bringing her joy and a new expression of family. Iris and John’s union lasted 22 years. Their time together was full of warmth, humor, and companionship. They continued to travel—taking cruises, visiting Canada, exploring the United States, and spending time with the Heralds, the Dent sisters, and John’s family in Massachusetts.

The Brooks sisters had the opportunity to spend more time together after their children were grown. One of their favorite getaways was Atlantic City where sisters Buttercup, Sylvia, and Elaine were so loud that casino staff knew they were related even when they were in different parts of the casino.

As a mother, Iris was loving, attentive, and deeply intentional. In Inez’s younger years, Iris created a world that was both joyful and enriching—taking Inez to museums and plays and surrounding her with experiences that sparked curiosity and a love for culture. Iris often said, “You only have one chance to educate your child,” and she lived by that belief, making sure Inez had access to the very best education and every opportunity she could provide. As Inez grew older, Iris guided her with quiet strength. She was the type of mother Inez could count on, not just for comfort but for guidance that came from deep care and a deep belief in the woman she was becoming.

Professionally, Iris enjoyed a distinguished career at the United States Department of Agriculture, working in the Rural Electrification Administration for more than 30 years. She served as the Branch Chief of the Statistical Services Branch and the Deputy Director of the Statistics and Data Processing Division. Her friendships with colleagues lasted long after retirement, and her work left a lasting mark on the agency. Some of her closest friendships were born at USDA, including those with Mel and Clarence Goldsborough, Harolyn Boulware, and Bonnie Jackson.

In addition to her contributions at work, for 35 years, Iris served on the Agricultural Federal Credit Union's Board of Directors where she was instrumental in the credit union’s growth and success. She served on the Personnel, Loan, and Marketing Committees. In honor of her legacy, Agricultural Federal Credit Union and its foundation created a scholarship in her memory.

In her community, she served as Treasurer of the Penn-Branch Civic Association. She found joy in the simple pleasures of card games, old game shows, and summers spent at the family’s beach house in Lusby, Maryland. Every Memorial Day, no matter the weather, she honored her promise to let Inez swim in Lake Lariat—because her word was always her bond. From 1975 through 2020, Lusby was a sanctuary for friends, book club members, college classmates, and family. Her legendary crab cakes were the star of each gathering.

Friendships were a defining feature of Iris’s life. She had friends from every chapter—high school and college classmates, USDA colleagues, neighbors, and new companions she met in her eighties playing bridge. She was magnetic and gracious, the kind of person who was always invited, always remembered, and always generous with her time and love.

Iris was known for her elegant style, her sharp wit, and her understated kindness. Though she presented herself as all business, behind that cool exterior was a woman constantly making sure others had what they needed.

Faith was a quiet but steady part of her life. While she did not regularly attend church, she was deeply rooted in Christian values and believed in the power of prayer. She made sure her daughter was raised with a strong spiritual foundation, ensuring she attended church and was confirmed in the Episcopal Church. Her faith was expressed not through ritual, but through the way she lived—with grace, compassion, and unwavering integrity.

Iris’s life was a masterclass in elegance, loyalty, humor, and love—and her legacy will live on in the stories we share, the lessons she taught, and the grace she embodied every day. She will be deeply missed by her loving husband, John Alden Carter; her devoted daughter, Inez Felicia Adams; her sisters Jewel “Buttercup” Gravette and Sylvia Evans; her dearest friend Rita Dent Palmer; her stepson John Carter Jr.; her beloved grandsons through marriage; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. She was preceded in death by her brother Arthur Dalvin Brooks and her sister Elaine Brooks Foster.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Iris Carter Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made at https://www.agfedcufoundation.org/. Write “In Memory of Iris Carter” in the memo.