Laura Wright Carter, 89, native and lifelong resident of Palatka, entered the sunset of life on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at Putnam Community Medical Center, Palatka. The daughter of Walter Wright and Johnnie Pearl (McClendon) Wright, she was born on Thursday, July 9, 1931. Laura was a 1949 graduate of Central Academy High School. She furthered her education and received certification in Childcare from the Tuskegee Institute. At an early age, she joined Calvary Missionary Baptist Church. Over the years, she has served Calvary in numerous ministries, especially: prayer band chaplain, youth choir director, assistant Sunday school superintendent and Deaconess. Laura was employed with the City of Palatka Northside Neighborhood Center and also Putnam County School District for 18 years at Moseley Elementary School and E.H. Miller School, respectively. She was the owner and operator of Carter's Kindercare for over 40 years. Her love for children and to ensure they received their education was her lifelong mission. Laura enjoyed reading her bible, singing hymns, spending time with family, and writing poems as she was affectionately referred to as "Maya Angelou the 2 ^nd ".

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in eternal rest by her daughter, Thomasena Beauford; sisters, Walter Lee, Odessa Burgess, Johnnie Lee Wright; brothers, McCoy Wright, Herbert Wright, James F. Wright, Sr.

She leaves to cherish her memories: daughter, Darlene (Al) Leonard, Palatka; sons, Aubrey Beauford, Palatka; Chris (Yassah) Lee, Green Cove Springs; "raised as a daughter" Inez Beauford, Palatka; "like a daughter" Tina Adams, Winter Haven; grandchildren, Al'Quawn (Kelvina) Leonard, Upper Malboro, MD; Dar'Nesha Leonard, Tallahassee; Danzel (Brenda) Beauford, Orlando; Derris Lee, Facia Lee, Landon Lee, Green Cove Springs; Luke Lee, Palatka; 8 step-grandchildren; brothers, Reverend Robert L. (Ethel) Wright, Green Cove Springs; Willie (Pearl) Wright, Palatka; godchildren, Beverly (Ervin) Basdon, Manassas, VA; Phyllis (Keith) Garnett, Louisville, KY; Terrie (Wade) Dallas, East Palatka; Kanecia (Kevin) Jones, Sanford; Otis Lawrence, Palatka; Ronald (Sylvia) Jones, Hastings, Kendria Milton, Palatka; Leaverl (Ronald) Meadows, Middleburg; Aisha Simmons, Hinesville, GA; Kiawana Chestnut, Bradenton; Cynthia Appling, Jacksonville; prized Jack Russell Terrier "Solomon" and a host of other relatives and friends, including her dear friends, Annette Walker, Valdosta, GA; Evelyn Hills, East Palatka; Alma Brown, Palatka.

In compliance with CDC COVID-19 guidelines (including required masks) a socially-distanced visitation of family and friends will be 5-7 p.m., Friday, April 30 and Celebration of Life will be 10 a.m., Saturday, May 1 ^st at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 322 N. 10 ^th Street, Palatka, Reverend  Herbert L. Johnson, Jr., pastor, officiating. Interment will be in Oak Hill West Cemetery.