Read Mr. Terry "Top Cat" Carter's Obituary & Leave Condolences

In memory of

Mr. Terry "Top Cat" Carter

St. Louis, MO

November 8, 1949 - November 30, 2021

Nov 8, 1949 - Nov 30, 2021

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On Tuesday evening, November 30, 2021, Terry Carter, TC, Top Cat, The Original Mr. Carter (Hello), upgraded his time on earth to take his rightful position in eternity. The Bible says, “To be absent from the body is to be present with the LORD.” He is forever in our hearts, and his spirit lives on through us. He is survived by his wife, Yolanda D.W. (Down for Whatever ) Carter, his youngest daughter Justine “Juicy Juice” Carter, his eldest daughter, Brianna “Breezy” Alston, and his son, Issac “Bambino” Carter. We were all together in his final hours, and he received a standing ovation as he made his way into Glory! An old "G" is now with the Original OG, GOD!

Terry “Blue" Carter was born on November 8, 1949, and is the only son of two children of William and Lillian Carter. He was baptized at Washington Avenue Baptist Church, Springfield, MO. He was raised by a giving village that included his grandparents, William Sr, and Lucille Pettigrew Carter and his two aunts Mimi and Cat. Terry's sister Claudia Hoyle is holding things down here on earth. He is a graduate of Beaumont High School in St. Louis, MO, and Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. In Springfield, MO, he scooped up the love of his life, his Afro Queen, Ni’si,, and their love has fueled a fire that has guided his family over the past 49 years, and it still flames eternal.

He continued his education, receiving an M.A. in Human Resources. He should have earned an honorary degree in being Friendly. He would strike up a conversation with anyone and almost everyone he came in contact with from the stock person at the grocery store to someone sitting next to him at the movies. He was an avid reader and loved sharing what he had read.

Terry Carter is a wealthy man. Not in the way most think or appreciate, he is rich in the kindness of his spirit. Never much for drama, but as the hit song by the Dramatics states, What you See is What you Get! He shares his wealth with his family, friends, neighborhood, and community and touches far too many lives to name. Friend, stranger, or foe doesn't matter; his kindness knows no bounds. You feel it when you are in his presence and you long for it, in your darkest moments.

And it is certainly worth saying Mr. Carter can burn y’all! From scratch-made biscuits, rolls, waffles, mac and cheese, and his pièce de résistance, German Chocolate Cake, to cube steak, burgers, wings, and fried turkey. He enjoys nourishing others and his cooking comes from the soul and nourishes deeply to the core of our beings. There is nothing like waking up to the smells of Terry’s culinary skills, and there is no replacement.

Terry is also a gardener. Again, not in the traditional sense. He shares a philosophy that Tupac Shakur once wrote about, The Rose That Grew from Concrete. Terry is certainly a rose and mastered the ability to connect with youth authentically, graciously pruning their thorns, allowing them to come into full bloom. He has tended gardens at the Boy Scouts of America, Group Home System, and the Family Court of St. Louis , Missouri. After his children were adults he opened his home up to families in need as part of the Treatment Family Home Program aimed at reuniting families. He was also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and he counseled many youth For years he coached youth in basketball and baseball and had the honor of being named Coach of the Year.

No matter the locale, the impact of his presence can't be denied. Top Cat, as some know him, a Strong, Black man from the city, Northside standup, never forgot where he came from and that is why he can never be forgotten. While here on Earth, he was a friend, athlete, mentor, encourager, and giver. He would often remind us to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Luke 6:31. His spirit is with us now, and I encourage each of us to continue to carry his KINDNESS, throughout our lifetimes.

Terry is in Heaven making way for his loved ones yet to come, that include his ride or die partner, wife, love of his life, Dr. Yolanda Whitney Carter; his son Dr. Issac M. Carter, (Beatriz), his daughters, Brianna D. Alston (Antoine); and Justine W. Carter. Also his surrogate son Derrick Crouch (Trinette Lashley) of St. Louis, Mo. His sister Claudia Hoyle of St. Louis, MO and her children Tammy, Jerece and granddaughter Donesha, His Aunt Mary & Calvin McKissack of Nashville Tennessee. Aunt Evelyn Whitney of Los Angeles, California, His Brothers-in-law and sisters: Eva Whitney of St. Louis, Mo. Jessie and Susan Whitney of Temple Texas, Charles & Iris Whitney of Warrenton Virginia; Vinton & Deborah Whitney of St. Louis, Mo; Tammie Whitney of Oklahoma City, Ok.; Kim & Vernell Sims of St. Louis, MO. His grandchildren, Soreya, Sean, Kush, Ismail, Latifa, & Zulaika. His Brothers; Andrew, Bill, Gerald, Kim & Royce. His Sistas; Demaris, Vanessa, Althea, Regina, Sherry, & Ginger. His extended family Jerome & Gwen. Carol & Ernest, Richard & Linda, Doris& Elton, Kanionette, Kaye, Mr.& Mrs. Lee, His family the 22nd Judicial District, Family Court. A host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

“Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use. It will be measured to you.” Luke 6:28

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