Catherine Elizabeth (Kitty) Carter

Catherine Elizabeth Carter, 88, of Solon, OH, passed away on May 18, 2023 after a long battle with vascular dementia. Catherine was the first child born to John and Aileen Johnston in Staunton, Virginia, March 2, 1935. At an early age, she joined Cochran’s Chapel and later Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Staunton, VA. Catherine, called “Kitty” by her family and friends, graduated from Booker T. Washington High School, and continued her education at Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN for 2 years. There, she became a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority while attending school. Kitty and her sister, Anita, then moved to Cleveland, Ohio to find employment and soon began working in the Cleveland Public Library. While in Cleveland, Kitty became an active member of Antioch Baptist Church, the Young Adult Choir, and other organizations.

Several years later, she returned to Tennessee State University to complete her undergraduate degree in Physical Education. Upon completion and returning to Cleveland, OH, she began teaching physical education at Wilson Jr. High School. It was there at Wilson where she met her future husband, Miles Carter, Jr., who taught art at the school. Kitty and Miles were soon married and to that union a son, Anthony, was born. After earning her Master’s Degree in Education in 1979 from Cleveland State University, she began a career in guidance counseling in the Cleveland public school system, including time at Margaret Spellacy Jr, High School, West Tech High School, Cleveland School of Science, and South High School. Her career with the Cleveland School Board of Education covered a period of more than 30 years as she continued counseling until her well-deserved retirement.

Kitty continued to support her alma mater Tennessee State University by working on various alumni committees helping high school students to matriculate onto college with the help of scholarships and other financial resources.  She is a Life Member of TSU.  Kitty also served as a Western Reserve Section Member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), an organization that seeks to promote education, entrepreneurship, and empower women of African descent. Kitty continued to be an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Alpha Omega Chapter. In 2021, Catherine Carter was awarded the ‘Pearl1 Pin’, to signify 65 years of Service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Catherine was preceded in death by her husband, Miles Carter. Cherished memories she leaves with her family: a son, Anthony (Anne), granddaughter Sienna, grandson Grayson, of Los Angeles, CA; sister Barbara J. Webb, of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; brothers John Johnston and Wes Johnston of Cleveland, OH. Many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends also mourn our loss.

Public visitation on Friday, June 2nd from 4 – 7 pm at E. F. Boyd & Son, Inc. 2165 East 89th Street.  Family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of life, which will be held at Antioch Baptist Church, 8869 Cedar Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106 on Saturday, June 3rd beginning at 10:00 a.m.  Visit www.efboyd.com for more details. Memorial donations may be made to Cleveland Clinic Hospice, P.O. Box 931517, Cleveland, Ohio 44193-1655.

Memories last forever, she will always live in our hearts!

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