Onily Susan Carter

Onily Susan Carter, daughter of the late Ira S. and Irene Grimes, was born on July 3, 1928 in Kilmarnock, Virginia. She departed this life on February 9, 2012. She graduated from A.T. Wright High School in Whitestone, Virginia. She received her Associate Degree from the Community College of Baltimore. She began working as a Special Educator in the Baltimore City Public Schools, where she remained for thirty-four years. She also enjoyed operating a childcare center for Baltimore City Department of Childcare Services for over thirty years. Clearly, Onily had a lifelong love of children and they loved her back. In 1949 she married her childhood sweetheart, Frank B. Carter, Jr. who died in 1993. Looking for better economic opportunity, they moved to Baltimore where Frank became a carpenter and, with Onily’s help, the first African American court reporter in Baltimore City. From this union they welcomed three children, Delaphine, Frankie and Brenda. In 1966 they made good on a promise and built a new house in the Howard Park Community with Frank doing much of the carpentry work himself. She was affectionately known to many as “Ma-Ma”. Onily made numerous friends wherever she went and will be sincerely missed by all. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, caring grandmother and friend. Other words to describe Onily are strong are strong, determined, family-oriented and outspoken. Ma-Ma was a wonderful cook and will be remembered fro her elaborate, down home meals; namely for her fried chicken, potato salad and sweet potatoes. She loved to travel, and in recent years, particularly enjoyed trips to New York and to the Bahamas with her great-grandchildren. Onily loved all types of family gatherings. But, Christmas was her favorite because she insisted on having gifts for all of the kids, no matter how old and huge meal that she would spend all week preparing. She is survived by three children, Del Henson, Frankie Carter and Brenda Kelly; two sons-in-law, Daniel P. Henson, III and Alan Kelly; one daughter-in-law, Dawn Carter; three brothers, Samuel Grimes, Moses Grimes (Audrey) and Flexmond Grimes (Dorothy); two sisters, Helen Bird and Pearl Waller; ten grandchildren, Darren, Dana, Charlie, Chantel, Danica, Shamont, Dominique, Kenya, Morgan and Patrick; fifteen great-grandchildren, Ashton, Sean, Kristian, Jasmine, Darrien, Jordan, Quan, Jaelin, Bryanna, Kyla, Kiersten, Kennedy, Shamont, Daniel and Noah; one sister-in-law, Mariah Beane (James); one god-daughter, Lorri Murrell; and a host of other relatives and friends. She had a strong hand in the raising of every child in the family as well as many of their friends. She was always there with a kind word and advice. Onily will be missed by everyone whose life she touched. May God receive her with open arms. Thank you for making a whole lot out of a little bit, and leaving us a legacy of fond memories to cherish.

Tributes

Onily Susan Carter

July 3, 1928 - February 9, 2012