Sandra Eugenia Carter was born and introduced on August 29, 1953 as the youngest child of the late Lewis Carter Jr. and Matriarch Mattie Carter. She completed the family that consisted of her two big brothers Fredrick Lawrence Carter and the late Lewis Carter III. At an early age, Sandra joined Mt. Olive AME Church where she was active in the Youth Choir (Choir #3) and the Junior Church (now known as Young People's Division). She attended Dunbar Elementary and Dunbar Junior-Senior High Schools and graduated in the Class of 1971 from North Fort Myers High School. While attending Junior-Senior High School, Sandra was in the National Junior Honor Society, a majorette and a cheerleader. After graduation from High School, Sandra continued her Post Secondary education to become a licensed nurse. Sandra also became a true Mariner High Triton in 1989 where a gate currently stands in her honor known as the "Sandra Smith" gate.
After moving from Ft. Myers to Gainesville, she joined Ward AME Church where she served as Church Secretary. Sandra loved the Lord and knew that he loved her. To continue her religious experience, upon moving to Tampa, she joined Revealing Truth Ministry where she attended faithfully while her health permitted.
Sandra leaves this duty station to join her father, daughter and brother for her next assignment. Celebrating her life here on earth remains her loving mother, Mattie Carter. Her four children, Shawn (Tylonda) Emanuel Pope, Alfreka Kenyatta Bloomfield-Bullard, Earnest (Alicia) Graham Jr. and Brandon (Nicole) Lewis Graham and one daughter to precede her in death Sharisse Stevens. 13 Grandchildren-Shawn Jr., Thaddasha, Terrod, Shaniyah Pope, Thaddeus and Titus Bullard, Tahkeem Bridley, Aiyana and Earnest Myles Graham, Jasmane, Michaela, Monique and Briony Graham. Great -grandkids, Shawn III, Nye'tavia and Aniyah Pope. Her big brothers, Fredrick (Patricia) Lawrence Carter and the late Lewis (Lillian) Carter III and Rose Carter and her aunt Christine Carter.
She has a host of nieces, nephews and cousins, Romona (Mack) Gollman, Tanya Carter, Vonda (Kelvin) Morrison and Falana (Ernesto) Staples. Gerald (Natalie) Carter, Belinda (Anthony) Blount and Edwin(Anika) Lawrence Carter and Yaisa (Malcolm) Reaves. Her God brother - Johnny Street and God children, Pete Pope, Thaddeus Bullard, Bernadette Athime and Janice Perkins.
Sandra Eugenia Carter was a passionate, proud, intelligent and beautiful woman. If we are measured by our efforts Sandra stood tall like a giant. Despite being a single mother she managed to invest every bit of her income and every ounce of energy she had into providing an avenue for her kids to succeed. She didn't miss any games, she was never late, and she never addressed you without a smile. Though she birthed five kids of her own she was seen as a mother to many throughout Lee County. She was a nurse for 30 plus years and was present at the arrival of numerous young men and women in Lee county and still maintained relationships with the parents and those kids until her passing. "Mama Sandra" was never the one to talk about herself. She was an avid reader, took time to write poetry, loved to fish whenever time permitted, and was a proud member of the graduating class of 1971 at Dunbar High School.
It is said whoever renders service too many puts herself in line for greatness - great wealth, great return, great satisfaction, great reputation, and great joy and she attained all these things. She was the epitome of sacrifice in her short time and "Mama Sandra" as many called her will forever be missed and will never be forgotten. We are proud to have a had a mother who exemplified great character, possessed great wisdom, and had the capacity in her heart to show affection to any and everyone who crossed her path. It is not how many breaths we take, but how we take them. Our mother never blinked in the face of adversity and never wavered in her love for all. We are all in awe of your effort hear Mama. See you soon.
