Dorothy Mullins Carter

Dorothy “Dot” Mullins Carter, age 90, was called to her heavenly home on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Shelby Baptist Medical Center in Alabaster, AL. Dot was born October 12, 1933 in Clanton, AL to the late Cary and Gatie Mullins of Clanton, AL.

A graduate of Verbena High School, Dot attended business school in Birmingham, Alabama before marrying Howell Carter on August 6, 1955. When asked how they met, Dot said that Howell was walking with a friend by her house one afternoon and saw her and her sisters on the porch swing. He told his friend that “You see that girl; I’m going to marry her one day.” After their marriage, they lived in Birmingham and started a family. Dot enjoyed being a stay-at-home Mom for several years, raising her three children, Joy, Hal and Lisa. They decided to fulfill a dream of owning a small country store and moved back to Clanton where they ran Clearview Grocery and later Food Pak convenience stores for several years. Dot also worked for the Probate Office as assistant chief clerk for 23 years before her retirement. Dot was a long-time member of Shiloh Baptist Church and thoroughly enjoyed working with the Children’s Sunday School and Vacation Bible School where she touched their lives. One of her Vacation Bible School kids, Darian Davis (now a young man), came to her 90th birthday celebration to tell her how much she meant to him for her guidance. Dot shared with Joy her many recipes teaching her special ‘secrets’ for great cooking. Joy has become a wonderful cook but also learned from the best how to be a great Mom to her kids and Nonna to her grandkids. Since Hal was the only boy surrounded by girls, Dot had a special relationship with him, instilling in Hal with important life lessons making him into the man, father, and grandfather that he is today. With her advancing age, Dot moved into her brand new apartment in Lisa and James’ home. She enjoyed sitting on her patio and watching the birds, squirrels and occasional rabbit doting around the yard or watching ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Emergency’ with Lisa and James. Dot was known for her special kindness and compassion; she holds a very special place in our hearts and she will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her.

Dot was preceded in death by her parents, Cary and Gatie Ray Mullins, her husband and lifelong friend Howell T. Carter, brother Oliver Mullins, sister Barbara Ann Bice, and three grandchildren, Jamie, Joseph and Jennifer Robinson. She is survived by her three children, Joy (Dan) Capps, Howell “Hal” (Theresa) Carter and Lisa (James) Robinson, grandchildren Nathan and Kevin Carter, Amy (Aaron) Hannahman, and Carter (Haley) Capps, eight great-grandchildren Ethan and Cayden Carter, Tripp Fritz, Hendricks and Thomas Capps, Bryce, Parks, and Emma Hannahman, three sisters, Geraldine Mims, Patricia Aycock, and Linda (Johnny) Mims, several cousins, nieces, nephews, and countless friends.

Friends will be received from 1-2 pm, Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at Shiloh Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, November 22, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Shiloh Baptist Church located at 4206 County Road 16, Clanton with Rev. Earnest Fike officiating.

Burial will follow in the Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery in Clanton, AL.

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Martin Funeral Home.