Thelma White Carter

Thelma White Carter, born on May 16, 1931, to the late Fay and Mae Belle Vinson White in Jonesville, SC, departed this earthly shore for the glorious heavens above on July 28, 2023, in Campobello, SC. The roots she planted in her beloved hometown of Jonesville were strong and deep, just like the love she had for her vast family and her Savior, Jesus Christ.

Thelma was married to the late. James Carter of Greenville, SC
She was a member of Overbrook Baptist Church and Sunday School
She was employed with JP Stevens, Dunean Mills Wunda Weave Textile in Greenville, SC
Retired from Greenville County Schools.

Thelma was the loving mother to her three sons, Mont Cooper(Susan) of Campobello, the late Wayne Cooper, and Steve Cooper (Diane) of Greenville, her daughter, Suzanne Carter of Greenville, and the cherished "Granny Lou" to her 11 grandchildren and countless great-grandchildren. A blessed matriarch of a large and loving family, she was one amongst thirteen from Faye and Maybell’s union, the last leaf to fall from a mighty family tree.

In her days, Thelma endeared to her loved ones as Granny Lou, guided her family through a Christ-centered life, emanating wisdom and grace in every lesson she taught, every word she spoke. The magnitude of her influence will continue to resonate in the hearts and minds of her progeny for generations, her teachings no doubt their beloved inheritance.


Thelma's love for creation was immeasurable, as evident in her pursuits. Be it tending her vibrant garden, admiring the intricate artistry of nature's songbirds, or beholding the earth's majestic mountains, she found her greatest serenity in the beauty of God’s world. Equally, she cherished the tranquility of the dawn at the beach, her heart warmed by the rising sun, which she often shared with her faithful canine companion, Maggie.

Thelma White Carter lived a life steeped in love, grounded in faith, and warmed by the grace of God, leaving behind a legacy as far-reaching and deeply rooted as the mountains she so cherished.