Linda Lipford Carter

Linda Lipford Carter, 78, wife of Earl Carter passed away on August 9. She was the only child of the late Guy and Edna Cornwell Lipford. She was proud to say she was a lifelong resident of the Baton Rouge Section of Chester County and received her early education from West Chester School. She graduated from Chester High School in 1965 and rather than attend college, she married the love of her life Earl Carter on July 17, 1965. Linda began taking piano lessons at an early age and soon became the church pianist/organist around the age of 13. Leaving Calvary after the morning service and traveling to New Hope Methodist and Caper’s Chapel Methodist to play for those services. Thus, she began her musical ministry playing for numerous church services, weddings and funerals.

Her marriage to Earl produced two children, Robert Earl & Kim. Linda was a stay-at-home mom until Robert Earl started school. She began employment at the Cyclone Restaurant where she made lots of friends, she then worked at Bi-Lo and later sold Tupperware. She soon realized her true passion was teaching. First becoming a substitute teacher, then working at Head Start, when Chester County Schools began full-day kindergarten, she became a teacher’s aide. After a few years she decided, at the age of 40, to attend college. She began taking just a few classes at York Technical College later transferring to Winthrop College. She graduated with a BS in Elementary Education,1st in her class earning the Tillman Award. At that stage in her life, she did not plan for any further degrees. While employed at Chester Park, USC brought a Master’s program to the school and she earned a Master’s Degree. After suffering a heart attack which lead to quintuple bypass surgery in 2009, through prayers and tears she decided to retire from professional teaching. However, she continued teaching in other capacities and enjoyed teaching the Tuesday Bible Study at the Cyclone Restaurant. Returning to Chester Park, she began teaching Good News Club after school to spread the Gospel to children.

She was a loyal and faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church for more than 60 years. A devout Christian she served any way possible with the church. She taught the Young Adult Sunday School Class and Vacation Bible School. For many years she served her church, association, & the South Carolina Baptist Convention in various capacities for the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU) which encompassed Girls in Action (GAs), Acteens, Baptist Young Women, & Baptist Women. For many years, she taught both home and foreign mission studies courses throughout the Chester Baptist Association. She served on the planning committee that was responsible for locating the Chester Baptist Association Office in Richburg. After the Associational Office opened, Linda worked with Rev. Wade Griffin & Rev. Tommy Cribb to organize a community wide Vacation Bible School at the office which resulted in over 100 attendees each day during that week. She served on committees locating and organizing Camp LaVida as the replacement for Camp Rawls, which she loved dearly. She organized and directed many church cantatas. Linda loved organizing church trips to Jubilee, Women of Joy, This Man Called Jesus, and anything else that spread the Gospel of Jesus her Lord and Savior. She served on the church cemetery committee and as the unofficial church historian. Most of all, Linda was known to everyone as a prayer warrior.

Linda was a former member of the Order of the Eastern Star. She was Past Matron of Sandy River Chapter, served as organist for many years at Chester Chapter and was a member of Richburg Chapter. She served on the Advisory Board and Past Mother Advisor for Chester Assembly #6, International Order of the Rainbow for Girls (IORG) where she had been a member as a girl. She was also awarded the Grand Cross of Color, the highest honor the IORG can confer.

As the years passed and her health declined, she loved sitting on her porch and telling anyone who visited stories of family, friends, and the community she loved.

Although Linda was an only child, she loved large family gatherings. Relatives from near and far always visited her when there was a question pertaining to their genealogy or the history of the community.

She was so proud when she gained the title of Nana and told everyone of Avery and Payton’s adventures and accomplishments. Linda was anxiously awaiting the birth of her first great-granddaughter due in September and was excited to see Avery & Sarah as parents. She was so thankful she was able to make the trip to Lynchburg, Va in April to witness Brad proposing to Payton and was excited about the wedding in December.

On July 17, 2025, Linda and her sweetheart Earl achieved a very special milestone and celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. They enjoyed a trip to Tennessee just as they did on their honeymoon in 1965.

Linda is survived by her husband, Earl. Her son Robert Earl Carter, his wife Mandy of Fort Mill, SC and their children Avery (Sarah) Carter and Payton (Brad-Edward Davis) Carter all of Virginia. Her daughter Kim Carter Desrosiers of Chester and her family, her best friend of 50 years Brenda Wilks of Chester and her family. Nieces, nephews, cousins and her beloved Church family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son-in-law Bob Desrosiers. Her husband’s family: Parents – John Joe & Mattie Carter, Siblings – Adeline (Julian) Faust, Billy Joe (Barbara) Carter, and Neil (Joyce) Carter.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, August 13 at Barron Funeral Home from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be officiated by her Pastor Mike Black and her grandson Rev. Avery Carter and will be held at her beloved Calvary Baptist Church 760 Calvary Church Road, Carlisle, SC at 3:00 PM, Thursday, August 14, 2025 with burial in the family plot in the church cemetery.