Elizabeth Carter

Elizabeth Delois (Claybrook) Carter affectionately known as “Liz”, was born July 27, 1942 to William Roy and Maggie Berniece Claybrook in Brownsville, Tennessee. God called her name on Friday, January 15, 2021 at the age of 78 years.

Liz accepted Christ at an early age as a member of Saint Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Ripley, Tennessee. She attended Haywood County Public Schools in Brownsville, Tennessee. Education was very monumental in Liz’s life. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Tennessee State University. In 1969, Liz relocated to Saginaw, Michigan. She was a dedicated teacher for 42 years with Buena Vista Public Schools. Over the span of her teaching career, she taught students between 1st and 8th grades, while obtaining a Masters’ degree in Reading from Michigan State University.

Liz had a big heart for her students. She worked several hours beyond school hours to ensure that her students received the best education that she could give them. She tutored as well as mentored a vast number of students. This dedication led to her recognition in collection of “Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers,”. Liz will be remembered by her students for saying “I’m not a Burger King Teacher, you can’t have it your way”.

Liz loved God and instilled in her children the importance of having their own personal relationship with him. She became a member of New Covenant Christian Center Church in 1994. She was a dedicated kindergarten teacher in the Christian Education Ministry for twenty years.

Liz loved spending time with her family. She provided enormous homemade meals and was known for her caramel cakes and dressing. She was an avid lover of dogs and drawing, many of which she did for her classrooms. She also enjoyed creative writing, composing poems, songs and plays and spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, that affectionately called her “Muh”. Most importantly Liz was a giver, she constantly gave of her time and resources to help others. She travelled many hours to Tennessee to visit and help her parents, along with other family members. Liz was a very independent woman that always provided for her children.

Liz was preceded in death by her parents, William Roy and Maggie Bernice Claybrook; sister, Marva Jean (Claybrook) Mabon; brothers, Charles, Royal, Cecil Ray Claybrook; grandparents, Thomas Allen and Mattie Claybrook, Fred and Leila Beard.

She leaves to cherish her memory and legacy two sons, Rollin (Theresa), William (Ruby) Carter; one daughter Taiyel Carter, all of Saginaw, Michigan; one niece/daughter, Saundra Clay (Willis) Neal, Lithonia, Georgia; grandchildren, Donzell (Lyntrell) Dixson, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Rollin II (Artemis), Travante, William II, Ryan, Jasmine Carter, all of Saginaw, Michigan; great-grandchildren, Rollin III, Romerus, Alani, Camila Carter, Lexington Dixson; sister, Shirley Claybrook, Saginaw, Michigan; special niece, Marvine Mabon; great-nieces/granddaughters, Destiny Claybrook, Harmony Neal, both of Lithonia, Georgia; special cousins, Tenthy Pounds, Lawrence Bradley; granddogs, Chasmere and Chu-Chu Carter; goddaughter, Audrey Davis; many nieces, nephews, dear loved ones and friends, including special friends Minister Roberta Jones and Annette Robinson.

The family would like to express special thanks to Covenant Healthcare ICU Team and RN Sarah, Bishop Ron Frierson and NCCC Church Family, Diane Donald, Pastor Tony Monroe, Ivan E. Phillips and the Staff of Paradise Funeral Chapel.

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