Reverend Thomas James Carter was born on September 22, 1945, in Birmingham, Alabama, to James and Lois Carter. Raised in the church, Thomas felt the call to ministry at the age of nineteen while serving as a youth group leader at Mount Zion Baptist Church. He answered that call with his whole heart and never looked back. Thomas earned his Bachelor of Divinity from Samford University in 1968 and was ordained the following year. He served as associate pastor at Bethel Community Church for six years before being called as senior pastor of Grace Fellowship Church in 1975, a position he held with distinction for over four decades. Under his leadership, Grace Fellowship grew from a congregation of eighty to more than nine hundred members, launched a community food ministry that served thousands of families annually, and established a scholarship fund that has sent over two hundred young people to college. Reverend Carter was known for sermons that were equal parts scripture and story — grounded in the Word and alive with the humanity of the people he served. He counseled the grieving, married the hopeful, and baptized the faithful across three generations of Birmingham families. He was a mentor to dozens of young ministers and a trusted voice in the broader community on matters of justice, reconciliation, and faith. He is remembered not only for what he built, but for how he made people feel: seen, valued, and loved by God. Reverend Thomas James Carter entered his eternal reward on July 30, 2026. He was 80 years old.

Hobbies & interests

Studying scripture and preparing sermons; mentoring young ministers; attending Birmingham community events and city council meetings; woodworking in his home workshop; watching Alabama football; fishing on Logan Martin Lake with his sons

Survived by

His wife of 57 years, Dorothy Mae Carter (née Johnson); three children: Pastor David Carter (Angela) of Birmingham, AL, Sharon Carter-Owens (Marcus) of Huntsville, AL, and Jonathan Carter (Renee) of Atlanta, GA; eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and the congregation of Grace Fellowship Church, who called him their shepherd for 47 years.

Preceded in death by

His parents, James and Lois Carter; his brother, William Carter; and his granddaughter, Faith Elaine Carter.