Robert Carter was born on June 21, 1946, in Elm Park, Louisiana. Robert was one of the fourteen
children born to Travis Carter Sr. and Martha Comena Carter. At age twelve, Robert was baptized
at Sage Hill Baptist Church in St. Francisville, Louisiana. Affectionally known as Rob, he was
described as mischievous and “not taking no mess” which often landed him at odds with others,
especially in school. Rob had a difficult time with the movement of the KKK in the south where he
was growing up and he did not back down from a fight. Due mostly to this strife, Rob left
traditional education at age sixteen and entered the Job Corp and began his travels away from his
home of Louisiana which included to places Tennessee, Kentucky, and New Jersey.
When Robert arrived in NJ, he would work with two well-known companies: Delco Battery and
Squibb (presently Bristol-Myers Squibb) Robert would remain at Squibb for over 20years until
forced to retire due to medical circumstances. Robert was a leader on the job and trained many on
the proper handling of various toxic materials, pharmaceutical machinery, bottling and packaging in
pharmaceuticals. It was unfortunate that proper safeguards were not in place to support the health
and safety of many Black men and women on the frontlines at the early inception of this
pharmaceutical giant.
Robert would share with his children and others about his travels in the Job Corp with great
enthusiasm and embellishment, but no tale was more exciting than meeting his wife, Lois Kanard at
the Job Corp in Hazelton Pennsylvania at the weekend dance. In the Corp, known by most as
Carter, the Hometown Basketball Hero, he would appear in the local newspaper weekly for his
performance in various leagues and his biggest fan, his wife, kept clippings to share with their
children. He could always be found at the local parks giving life lessons through conversation and
sports, aka ... “the school of hard knocks” basketball.
Robert and Lois would marry on April 10, 1970, and bring forth and raise six children in New
Jersey. The couple was well known in the area and kept a close group of friends and could always
be found welcoming others, sometimes strangers, into their home. There was always a cookout.
Even in 30° weather. “These kids have to eat.” Not just his children but the entire block. Robert
was known by so many loving names: Carter, Big B.C, Bob Carter, Pop-pop, Silverback to name a
few. Most unforgettable was the way he trained Dobermans and paraded them around the city of
New Brunswick being impressively mischievous. The stories remain alive and well in the town of
New Brunswick, NJ.
In April 2011, Robert would retire to the home state of his bride, South Carolina and would remain
until his passing. He enjoyed sitting on his porch, entertaining friends, playing his blues music,
working in his neighborhood garden, and continuing to be mischievous.
In 2021 Robert would become ill enough to require residency in a facility: Lake Emory. There he
would become affectionally known as Papa. Robert remained mischievous and always won the staff
and other residents over with that sinister grin, infectious smile and protective demeanor. Papa
would take his last breath at his Lake Emory home in the early morning of Thursday, January 2,
2025, surrounded by family and friends while holding his daughter’s hand.
Those to carry on his loving memories include his wife Lois Carter and children Rev. Martisha
Dwyer and son-in-law Radcliffe Dwyer, Ramona Carter, Robert Carter Jr., Kinta Carter, Binta Carter and daughter-in-law Batista Carter and Michael T. Carter; grandchildren Ayanna John-
Carter, Isis Dwyer, Nile Dwyer, Asha Dwyer, Heru Dwyer, Ida Brockington-Carter, Michael Carter, Aaliyah Carter, Benson Carter and Kamari Pilgrim; siblings Gussie Cummings, Wilmer
Carter, Rose Carter, Mary Jones and Elder Barbara Scott and Earnest Carter, and a host of adoring
nieces, nephews and close family friends.
Robert is preceded in death by his parents, Travis and Martha Carter and siblings: Min. Geraldine
Mitchell, Julia Ernest, Martha Haynes, Rev. Herman Carter and Travis Carter, Jr., and Nellie Carter.

Revised Schedule Due to Weather Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, January 12, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. at The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel. Livestream will be available via Facebook on the TEEFERGUSONREPORT.