Donald Lee Carter, 47, passed away Thursday, June 8, 2017.
He was born June 30, 1969, son of Danny and Lois Carter. He and Myra Marie Douglas Carter were married Oct. 15, 1988.
He answered the call to preach in 1990 at Union Grove Free Will Baptist Church in Norwood. His ministry began at Number 1 Free Will Baptist Church in Huggins and continued at multiple churches. He most recently was the pastor at Huntsville Free Will Baptist Church in Arkansas.
In 2005, he opened New Heights Christian Academy at First Free Will Baptist Church in Springfield. The school moved to Battlefield in 2013 and became Battlefield Christian Academy.
He enjoyed fishing, Car dinals games, Missouri State University basketball and watching the National Football League, especially the Miami Dolphins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Lois; and a granddaughter.
Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Myra Carter; five children, Joshua Carter of Thayer, Mikaela Hedges of Nowata, Okla., and Adrieanna Carter, Abigail Carter and Emilee Brown of Springfield; his father, Danny Carter of Houston; three siblings, Brent Carter of Houston, Deneta Nichols of Republic and Melena Carter of St. Louis; five grandchildren; two nieces; and three nephews.
Services were Monday, June 12, at Greenlawn Funeral Home East in Springfield. Burial was in Union Cemetery near Cabool.