Wayne L. Carter Sr.

Wayne Lee Carter, Sr. devoted son and youngest of 12 children of the late Bernard John Carter Sr. and Helen Miriam Carter, was born on October 16, 1961 in Baltimore, Maryland and suddenly departed this life on Saturday, July 28, 2018. Wayne received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System, attending Medfield Heights Elementary, Roland Park Middle, and graduating from Baltimore City College. Following high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps, serving our country for 4 years, traveling to California and Japan amongst many other duty stations. He was honorably discharged in California after receiving numerous awards and recognitions. In California, Wayne started a new career with the Orange County Rapid Transit Authority. Duing that time the first joy of his life came along, his daughter, LaChelle. Being a proud father, he devoted himself to working nights and taking care of his daughter during the day. His first son, Shaye, was born in and continues to live in California. In 1985, he returned to Baltimore from the West Coast and started working with his brothers, taking on new career options. His second son, Caiya was born later that year in October. On May 29, 1987 Wayne met Debbie, the love of his life. After a short courtship, he proposed to her on Halloween, 1987. On July 16, 1988 he married his best friend and their families became one and Wayne got the honor of being a father to another daughter, Quiana. Out of this union came his youngest son and namesake, Wayne Jr, born January 8, 1990. Wayne briefly worked with his brother Larry, learning the skill of heating and cooling, before he moved on to work with his other brother Michael in his business, Carter's Plumbing from whom he learned and mastered his passion, the work of plumbing. Following his years of working with Michael, he found employment in apartment management where he soon excelled. From his love and dedication to the services he provided, he was awarded multiple awards and recognitions and gained a host of clients that always ended up as friends. One of the outcomes of these relationships is that Wayne was a walking entrepreneurial directory. If he couldn't do it, he knew someone who could. Wayne's life journey took him through highs and lows, but he was triumphant through it all, and he came out victorious. His wife of 30 years, Debbie, became his strength and the joy of his life - in his own words, "his ride or die." He completely devoted his life to his family, his friends, and his home, and his work. He loved remodeling his home, making multiple upgrades and improvements both inside and outside of his home until it became his oasis. He and Debbie made it a home where anyone who walked in felt welcome. Each year he loved hosting the Annual Christmas morning family breakfast with Debbie at their home. Outside of being known for his work, Wayne was also known for being the fund loving guy that everyone wanted to be around. Sporting events, amusement parks, parties and traveling were amongst a long list of things he thoroughly enjoyed. And the more the merrier, always! Thanks to him, our family enjoyed vacations that included multiple generations from multiple states and multiple households that topped out with one particular gathering of 96 family members with our Thomas cousins in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The proof of his enjoyment of all of this is all over his Facebook page where he loved taking pictures to commemorate everything he was a part of. There you might see pictures of him enjoying his beloved Ravens or watching the Orioles at Camden Yards with his family and his friends. Feeding his competitive spirit, he always found joy in binging his extended family, the Epps, together for a friendly but high spirited battle. Now, Fridays, those were always devoted to "date night" with his wife. After a long work week, he looked forward to this night and never let anything alter an evening out with his baby. Though they had some special guests here and there and maybe even a few crashers, the two were committed to this cherished time and everyone knew it. During the week, after long days at work you could find Wayne retiring to his man cave, his oasis inside his oasis. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a large glass of milk, with ice of course, was his late night snack of choice which was always followed by a special sweet treat: ice cream, Oreos, or you name it. Preceding Wayne in death, his parents, and sisters; Patricia (Patsy) Carter and Deborah Carter Patterson. Wayne leaves to cherish his memories and to celebrate his life and legacy: his loving wife, Debbie; his children, Quiana Moore (Terry); LaChelle Carter; Shaye Carter; Caiya Jiggets; and Wayne Carter, Jr; a honorary son, Jordan; nine siblings, Bernard Jr. (Karen); Ann; William (Deborah); jacqueline Carter Oplinger (Glenn); James; Michael (Kathy); Larry (Gwen); Jean Carter, and Joan Carter-Rimbach (David)' sisters-in-law Donna Burgess' Cheryl Thompson; Crystal Thompson; Cynthia Thompson; brothers-in-law David Jenifer and Dwight Jenifer; grandsons, Van Meadows III and Breyden Martin; two Aunts, Edith Marshall and Ann Thomas; a lifelong friend Abdullah Damon Moaney; his work partner, "MO" Muhammad; and a host of nieces, newphews, cousins, and a whole lot of friends.

Tributes

Wayne L. Carter Sr.

October 16, 1961 - July 28, 2018