Viola Williams Carter

Viola Williams Carter, affectionately known as Vi, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, September 25 at Care One in East Brunswick, NJ surrounded by her loving family. She was 92. A devoted and generous wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, Vi always had a kind and uplifting word for everyone in her life. Born in Blair, South Carolina, Vi moved to New Brunswick, NJ with her parents, Arthur and Charlotte Williams, at age eight. She remained a New Brunswick resident throughout her life. Vi was educated in the New Brunswick public school system, graduating with honors from New Brunswick High School in 1950. Immediately following her graduation, Vi married the late Bernard Carter. Together they had two sons, Bernard Jr. and Bruce. She and Bernard Sr. enjoyed 37 years of marriage until his death in 1987. The same year Vi graduated high school she began her career as a clerk stenographer at what was then known as the Middlesex County Welfare Agency, administering Old Age Assistance, Blind Assistance and Children’s Guardian. The agency later became known as the Middlesex County Board of Social Services. Talented and hardworking, Vi rose through the agency ranks, retiring after 38 years as the Data Processing Coordinator. In that capacity, Vi supervised staff in New Brunswick and Perth Amboy and oversaw the computerization of the agency’s offices for distribution of welfare and food stamps. At the time of her retirement Vi was the second most senior employee at the agency. A devoted Christian, Vi was a faithful member of Sharon Baptist Church in New Brunswick, where she was baptized. She has been a member of the church since 1962. Over her many years at the church Vi served in many capacities including, as a member of the Usher Board for over 40 years and as an advisor to the Junior Usher Board. Additionally, she served as the Announcing Clerk, Church Clerk, Secretary to multiple pastors and Co-chairperson of the 65th Church Anniversary Committee. Vi enjoyed reading, traveling, cooking and spending time with her family. She is well known for her delicious pound cakes which she regularly baked for friends and family. An avid sightseer, following her retirement Vi ventured far and wide traveling throughout the world. Her travels took her to the Caribbean, China, Egypt, South Africa, Europe, Thailand, Alaska and beyond. She is predeceased by her sisters, Lila Garvin and her late husband John of New Brunswick, and Jessie Walker and her late husband Johnny of New Brunswick and Columbia, South Carolina. She leaves to cherish her memory a brother, Michael Ford, and his wife, Rose; two sons, Bernard Carter, and his wife, Lynette, and Bruce Carter and his wife, Kathy; two grandsons, Jason Carter and his wife, Jaslyn; and Aaron Carter and his wife, Jennifer; two great granddaughters, Sienna and Sydney Carter; one new great grandson, Malcolm Carter. Vi loved her numerous nieces and nephews and her special cousin Hattie Dorrell. She was loved by all and leaves many great memories with her dear friends.

Viola Williams Carter

May 30, 1932 - September 25, 2024