Lela Mae (Tit) Carter

Sylacauga, Alabama - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  Lela Mae Carter, affectionately known as “Tit” journey began on August 3, 1950, in Talladega County, Alabama. She was born to Milton McElrath and Janie Mae Russell McElrath who both preceded her in death.

Tit was educated in the public school system at Phyllis Wheatley High School. After receiving her education she was employed with Avondale Mills, Inc. for a short length of time before becoming a homemaker and staying home to raise her children.

Tit accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and later became a member of New Hope Baptist Church in Sylacauga, Alabama.

Along Tit’s life’s journey she met and united in Holy Matrimony to Mr. James Elisha Carter, Jr. on April 4, 1970.  Tit was an outstanding wife, mother, grandmother and sister who loved the fresh wind of outdoors.  She had a passion for gardening. Often you could find her sitting on her front porch, for her peace and serenity.  She could be very outspoken at times and come up with different and wild phrases. To know her, was to love her. She often would lend a helping hand to anyone in her path.

On April 8, 2025, at Lineville Nursing and Rehab Facility, Lela (Tit) departed this walk of life, leaving an unforgettable impact on the hearts of everyone she touched, as she peacefully departed this life at the age of 74.  She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, mother-in-law, Florine Carter, father-in-law, James E. Carter, Sr., brothers, Terry McElrath, Bobby McElrath, Ishmon McElrath, James Winston McElrath, and Henry Gene McElrath, sisters, Linda Patrick, and Mary Davis, brother in laws, Dwight Carter and Gurtis Burns, sister in laws, and Janice Crayton.

She is survived by her beloved husband of 55 years, James E. Carter, Jr.; loving children, Stacey (Bridget) Carter, Valencia (Shannon Cook) Carter, Spencer (Kimberly) Carter, and Santana (Carolyn) Carter; loving siblings, Evelyn Burns, Helen Townsend, Peggy Gilder, John Milton (Betty) McElrath, Willie Lee McElrath, Edward (Angie) McElrath, Ray (Lavenia) McElrath, and Marvin McElrath; sister in laws, Vanessa “T-Nessa” Carter, and Brenda McElrath; brother in laws, Erskine Carter, Harold (Craig) Carter, and Alton (Brent) Carter; grandchildren, Tiffany, Demarcus, Darius, Trey, Maliyah, Jayla, Jamya, Spencer, Jr., Cameron, Caleb, Caiden, Jazylah, Raina, Javien, Malik, and Micaiah; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Celebration of life for Lela Mae Carter “Tit”, age 74, will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 1:00PM at New Hope Baptist Church, Sylacauga, Alabama. Pastor Bobby L. Harris, Eulogist. Interment will commence in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery, Sylacauga, Alabama.  Public Viewing will be held on Friday, April 18, 2025, 1:00PM to 7:00PM at Community Funeral Home. 

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