April 23, 2026, 79, Beautancus — Michael Owen Carter, 79, lifelong resident of the Beautancus community near Mount Olive, went to sleep Wednesday night, April 22, after attending choir practice and prayer meeting at church, to awaken early Thursday morning, April 23, 2026, in the arms of Jesus.
Mike, as he was known, had been employed with Bell South Telephone Company as a cable repairs technician. After his retirement of 30 years of service, he and his wife embarked on operating M and W Farms on which they raised turkeys. After another 30 years of farming, they retired again.
Mike was a loyal member of the Bear Marsh Missionary Baptist Church. Involving the church, if it was to be done, Mike could do it. He had served as a deacon, church custodian, choir member, groundskeeper, had been on the building and grounds committee, the hospitality committee, and the baptismal committee, as well as many other capacities in which he saw a way to serve.
Graveside services at which Mike’s life will be remembered will be Saturday, April 25, at 11:00 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park. Officiating will be his pastor, the Rev. J. Paul Rose. The family will greet friends at the cemetery after the service, and at other times, at the Carter residence. Flowers are welcome, or for those who wish to make a memorial contribution, the family suggests Bear Marsh Church, 1649 Beautancus Road, Mount Olive, NC 28365, or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Surviving family members include his wife of 54 years, Wanda Lindsay Carter, of the home; three daughters, Nita Boney and companion, Dave Davidson, of Sanford, Mary Michael Calcutt and husband, Matt, of Sanford, and Tammy Gordon and husband, Darrell, of Winston-Salem; grandchildren, Shannon Matthis and husband, Tony, Stephanie Bunce and companion, Robbie MacCullum, Brandi Cross and husband, Stephen, Jessica Holt and fiance, Austin Ammons, Hali Turner and husband, Cody, Katelyn Benfield, Cody Benfield, Robbie Benfield, Hannah Gordon, Jacob Gordon, and Claire Gordon; eleven great-grandchildren; a sister, Barbara C. Glover of Williamsburg, Va.; a brother and sister-in-law, Mark and Randy Carter of Mount Olive; another sister-in-law, Marilyn G. Carter, of Mount Olive; a brother-in-law, Eddie Lindsay and wife, Gail, of New Bern; several nieces, nephews, and their families; along with a close friend of the family, Thomas May.
He now reunites with his parents, Jarvis M. and Patty Belle Faulk Carter; and a brother, Reginald Carter, in death.
