MRS. ERMA JANE DOSS CARTER

ERMA JANE GOSS was born on October 20, 1929, in the community of New Zion (Louisville, MS) to the late Harvey and Rosie Lee Goss. To this union there were 16 children of which Erma was the third eldest. She leaves to cherish her memories (5) sisters: Mattie (Robert) Henry; Marvell (Ed) Whitaker, Ernestine Thompson, and Dorothy Wilks; Judith (James) Thompson; (5) brothers: Edward Goss, Joe Goss; Norman (Linda) Goss; Alvin (Mary) Goss and Quinton Goss; (3) brothers deceased: J.T. Goss, Leon Goss and Kenneth Ray Goss; (2) sisters deceased: Effie Goss and Hallie Jean Miller. Erma accepted Christ at an early age at New Zion M.B. Church. She attended Winston County Public Schools. On February 14, 1946, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Leonard Carter. Through a union of 62 years, they raised 13 children along with several grandchildren. Harvey Lee of PA; Lee Wesley, Larry Jr. (Lucille), Clarence, Linda (Arthur) Pope and Leonard Elvis (Fatoum) of GA; Jimmy, Curtis, and Pamela (Bennie) Henley of IL; Alfredia (Gary) Barton of AZ; Gloria (Jerry) Threats of MS; and Mary (Charles) Ross of MI; Clyde (deceased); a very special niece/daughter, Alice James. Grandchildren: 37 grandchildren, two deceased: Douglas and Quintaurus; 58 great grands and 13 great-great grands along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. In the community Erma was affectionately known as Momma, Jane, and Miss Umma. She was very well known for her home cooked meals, often making a 3-course meal out of “we ain’t got nothing in this house for dinner”. Everyone loved Miss Umma Jane’s home-baked teacakes, made-from-scratch biscuits, and oh yes, her smothered pork chops & gravy! Throughout life Erma was always known as a true and faithful servant for the Lord. She joined Hopewell Baptist Church soon after relocating to Spay where she actively served for over 60 years. She would lovingly become known as ‘Mother Carter’ while she served as a Sunday school teacher and President of the Women’s Missionary. While raising her younger children she was employed as a Home Care provider for 13 years with the Choctaw County Extension Services. Leonard and Erma loved farming, gardening and helping others in the community. They would often give a ‘mess’ of greens or a bushel of corn to the elderly and single mothers or for that matter, to anyone in need. Quilt making was another passion of Erma’s. She loved gifting her legacy through her quilts to her children and grandchildren for the milestones they achieved in life. In 2016, Erma begin to have a few health issues and could no longer care for herself. She then relocated to GA so that she could be closer to her children. She took residence at Sadie G. Mays Nursing Home in 2019 where she remained surrounded by her family and friends until the Lord called her home on November 12, 2022.

MRS. ERMA JANE DOSS CARTER

October 20, 1929 - November 12, 2022