Reverend Gregory Lynn Carter, affectionately known as Pastor Greg, age 63, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord at KDMC in Ashland, Kentucky on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, after a long battle with liver disease.
Greg was born on April 9, 1960, in Portsmouth, Ohio to the late Ralph and Helen Carter. In addition to his parents, Greg was preceded in death by his two brothers, Bill and Charlie Carter, and a sister, Barb Carroll.
Greg is survived by his wife Carol Sue Conley Carter, whom he married on May 17, 1989, his children, Meghan (Matthew) Baird of Wheelersburg, Ohio, and Joshua Carter (and fiancee, Ashley Harr) of Lucasville, Ohio, his two grandsons, Henry Baird and Grant Baird, who he lovingly referred to as, “his boys”. In addition, he is survived by two sisters, Freda Carter of Arizona and Sue Spence of Burlington, Kentucky, along with many nieces and nephews that he loved.
He was a 1978 graduate of Portsmouth East High School. He next attended Pikeville College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in music education. He was a master trumpet player with an affinity for jazz music. Greg spent the next few years developing his reputation as a favorite band director at Prestonsburg High School in Kentucky, band and choir director at Millard Jr. and Sr. High School in Kentucky, and band director for Minford High School. He is well-remembered as a favorite educator who used his love of music and teaching to inspire his students.
In 1989, Greg answered the Lord’s calling on his life to go into full-time ministry. He accepted his first appointments, Oldtown and Friendship UMC in West Portsmouth, Ohio, pastoring both churches while attending Asbury Theological Seminary pursuing his Master of Divinity. This was also the year that he married his lifelong partner in ministry, Carol (Conley) Carter. They celebrated 34 years of marriage on May 17th of this year. In addition to his master’s degree, Greg completed the Advanced Beason Leadership Program. He was also an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and was a member of Orient Masonic Lodge # 321 of Waverly and a 32nd-degree Mason.
After seven years as a beloved pastor of Oldtown and Friendship, Greg moved to Circleville, Ohio to pastor Emmett Chapel UMC for four years. In 2000, he moved to Waverly, Ohio where he was the pastor at Grace UMC for the next four years.
In 2003, Greg opened the Greg Carter Allstate Insurance Agency followed by the Carter Insurance Agency, using both businesses as a way to minister to his customers. In 2012, along with Carol, he became a visitation pastor for Cornerstone UMC in Portsmouth, Ohio. He closed his insurance business in 2018 as his battle with liver disease intensified. Despite his health concerns, his passion for preaching the word of God and congregational care, led him back into full-time ministry, returning as pastor to his precious church family at Oldtown and Friendship UMC, until he was too sick to continue. He continually expressed his desire to become well enough to preach again.
A Celebration of Greg’s life will be held 1:00 PM Monday, July 31st at Cornerstone Church of Portsmouth. 808 Offnere St. Portsmouth, Ohio with Bruce Hehl officiating, Visitation will be at the church from 5 to 8:00 PM on Sunday and one hour prior to the service on Monday. A Masonic service will held Sunday at 8:00 PM. Services are under the direction of Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Oldtown, Friendship, or Cornerstone Churches.
