Pastor L. Clyde Carter Jr., 84, of Daleville passed away peacefully in his home on Friday, February 28, 2020, in the presence of his wife and daughter.
Brother Clyde was born on April 4, 1935 in Bassett, Va. Clyde was the son of the late Leonard Clyde Carter Sr. and Gladys Stone Carter. Brother Clyde was baptized into the body of Christ in the Bassett Church of the Brethren in 1944 and licensed to the ministry there in 1961. He was ordained to the Gospel Ministry in May 1962 by the Midland Church of the Brethren in the Eastern District of Virginia (now the Mid-Atlantic District). He was in the ministry for 50 years.
Brother Clyde is survived by his wife of 60 years, Karen Spohr Carter; daughter, Claudia Carter Egge; sons, Kermon Carter and Leonard C. Carter III; and five grandchildren.
Brother Clyde graduated in 1952 from the John D. Bassett High School, in 1956 from Bridgewater College, and in 1961 from Bethany Theological Seminary in Chicago, Ill. He served as pastor of Midland Church of the Brethren (1961-1972), the Daleville Church of the Brethren (1972-1979) and the Mount Bethel Church of the Brethren (1979-1995). Clyde served as conference moderator for the Eastern District of Virginia in 1966 and for the Virlina District in 1993. Clyde has served on the Virlina District Board, in several local ministerial associations, as state president of the Weekday Religious Education program and on the Community Action Board of Directors. For many years he served as the Pastor to Pastors of the Virlina District.
Brother Clyde’s ministry has been marked by an emphasis on peacemaking and counseling. Clyde served as a conscientious objector with Brethren Volunteer Service in Germany from (1956-1958), working in refugee camps in northern Germany and Berlin. Brother Clyde’s motto “Listen to the pain!” was exemplified through the conciliatory approach he provided in a variety of contexts: volunteer mediator, certified state court system mediator, magistrate, family counselor, and refugee advocate. He operated a counseling service from his home for many years. His ministry is best illustrated by the old cliché: “Preach the Gospel, use words if you must.”
A memorial service honoring Brother Clyde’s life will be held at the Daleville Church of the Brethren, 1540 Valley Road, Daleville, at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8. Officiating at the service will be the Daleville pastors, Thomas and Naomi Powers, and Virlina District Executive David Shumate.
In lieu of flowers please consider memorial contributions to Good Samaritan Hospice, goodsamhospice.org, 2408 Electric Road, Roanoke, 24018 or Alzheimer’s Association, alzfdn.org, 3959 Electric Road,Suite 357, Roanoke, 24018. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.rader-funeralhome.com.
