Dr. Dorothy M. (Dobynes) Carter

Dr. Dorothy Carter, age 74, of Birmingham, AL, died, Sunday on April 17, 2022.  Dorothy was born in Perry County, AL on March 17, 1948 to the late Rev. James and Zula Dobynes.  She was the eldest of nine siblings.  She lived an extraordinary life of dedicated service to the body of Christ.  She enjoyed reading, singing, cooking and spending time with her family.

Dorothy graduated from Western (Jackson) Olin High School in 1966.  She later received a Bachelor's degree from Miles College, Master's Degree from University of Alabama-Birmingham, and Doctorate of Education from Pensacola Christian School.  In college, she enjoyed performing in stage plays and believed she would someday become a well-known actress.  Dorothy gave her life to Christ at age 18 at Abyssinia Missionary Baptist Church of God under the leadership of late Rev. Felix N. Nixon.  She later joined 17th Street A.O.H. Church of God under the leadership of late Bishop Jasper Roby.  It was this place of worship and service that she met the love of her life, Pastor Samuel Carter.  Dorothy and Samuel were joined together in matrimony on May 20, 1972.

Her life in service for Christ at A.O.H. Church included serving as a co-lead singer for the Melindettes Singers on National TV Broadcast, Assistant Pastor to Bishop Lonnie White (A.O.H. Cathedral & Hibernian Street), Assistant/Co-Pastor to Pastor Samuel Carter (Grace & Mercy A.O.H.), President of National A.O.H. Sunday School Convention and Director of A.O.H. Christian Seminary School.  Dorothy was preceded in death by her brother, Rev. James Dobynes, Jr., founder of The Living Word Radio Ministry.  Upon his death, Dorothy assumed the responsibility of producing and directing the radio ministry.  Dorothy was a scholar and educator at heart.  She worked eleven years as a teacher in the Birmingham School System.  She worked thirteen years as faculty for Faulkner University.  

Her loving memories will be cherished by her husband Samuel, Children: Marianna Gray (Derrick), Ethan Carter; Stepdaughter: Ann Tolbert (James III); Siblings: Carrie Heard (Tommy), Irene Agboola, Sheila Knight (Rudell), Reginald Dobynes of Birmingham; Shearley Cherry (Milton), of Washington, D.C.; and Juanita Akinleye (Johnson), of Durham, NC.  She also is survived by her Sister in Law Verrie Carter (Harold) & brother in law Saul Carter (Grace); six grandchildren: Tre, Yanis, Niyah, James IV (Mariah), Brittnay (Emmanuel) and Paisley; & 5 great-grandchildren.  Other Survivors include nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and a host of life-long friends.

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