Clara Belle Carter

Clara Belle Leavelle Carter was born in Clarksville, Tennessee on August 12, 1944. She was the fifth of five children born to the late James Wesley and Berthena Ewing Leavelle.

She received her education in the Burt High School, Clarksville, TN and attended E.H Crump School of Nursing, Memphis TN. In July 1966 after graduation, she relocated to Indianapolis, Indiana.

Clara accepted Christ at the age of 13 years old under the pastor of the late Rev Clarence Roberts at Woodlawn, Tennessee. She joined Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in January 1968 under the late Rev Arthur Johnson. She served as a faithful member, and was part of the Mass Choir, and Celestial Choir. In 1980, she became the assistant Secretary of the church, and in 1982 she became the Executive Secretary of Friendship Westside Charities. She was Chief Lead in the catering service, which Friendship Westside Charities hosted quite often. Clara was a member of the Womens III Sunday school, Class President of the Indianapolis Chapter of the Clarksvillians Club, and Mothers Board.

On January 27, 1968 she was united in holy matrimony to Mr Frank Ernest Carter, to their union, two sons were born, Tyrone and Desmond Carter.

Clara was a loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother and friend to all who knew her. Clara was employed by RCA Consumer Electronics for 12 years as assembly line worker. Clara was a radio repair and molding and finishing operator. She loved sewing, traveling, soap opera’s, playing bingo and pokeno, collecting dolls.

Clara had a love for catering, making homemade rolls, and a host of desserts. Clara’s specialty was canning vegetables: green beans, chow chow (relish), tomatoes, lima beans. Clara had a love for fashion and designed and made her own clothing. Clara was also known around Indianapolis for the millinery of hats. Clara would design, make and purchase custom hats. Clara was known for her charitable hat shows.

In 2014, Clara was diagnosed with dementia, and was moved to a memory care facility.

On Wednesday, January 13, 2021 Clara passed away peacefully and went home to be with the Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents, James Wesley and Berthena Leavelle; two sisters, Sarah L Powell and Kernetha L Reese; two brothers, James W Leavelle Jr, and Ewing Otis Leavelle.

Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are her devoted husband, Frank Ernest Carter; two children: Tyrone Carter of Huntsville, Alabama, Desmond Leavelle Carter ( Yamina ) of Orlando, Florida; grandchildren: Leelah Carter, Jazmine Carter; Daughter-In-Love: Mary Wilson of Indianapolis, Indiana; Son-In-Love: Luther Montgomery of Indianapolis, Indiana, God Daughter: Cortney Bellamy, God Grandson; Antoine Saidi, sisters-in-law: Linda Mays, Mildred Curd; brothers-in-law: Roosevelt Carter, Buford Carter, Edward Carter: a host of nieces, nephews, loving relatives and friends.