DULUTH—Deacon Joseph R. Carter, of Suwanee, who ministered in his parish community of St. Monica Church in Duluth, died Monday, Feb. 13. He was 71.

Deacon Joseph Carter

Deacon Carter was born April 16, 1945, in Nashville, Tennessee, and was a 1963 graduate of Father Ryan High School in Nashville. He later earned a bachelor of science in industrial technology from the University of Southern Illinois at Carbondale and a master of science in systems management from the University of Southern California.

He was a retired veteran of the U. S. Air Force after 20 years of service. He was also a retired industrial engineer from Lucent Technologies.

He and his wife, Carol Sanders Carter, have been married for 52 years.

Deacon Carter was ordained to the diaconate for the Atlanta Archdiocese on Feb. 7, 2009, and assigned to serve at St. Monica Church.

A memorial Mass was celebrated on Friday, Feb. 17, at St. Monica Church with Father Jack Durkin, the pastor, as celebrant.

In addition to his wife, Deacon Carter is survived by his daughters, Shani Carter, of Suwanee; Christy Carter and her husband, Drake Morgan, of Gainesville, Fla.; and Lee Ellen Carter, also of Gainesville, Fla.; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He is also survived by one sister, three brothers, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donations in his memory may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Monica Church, 1700 Buford Highway, Duluth, GA 30097.