Nettie Mae Foreman Carter was born in New Bern North Carolina on April 28, 1932.  She was the daughter of Benjamin and Lydia Foreman, and the adopted daughter of Hanavah Carter.

Nettie graduated from West Street High School in 1951 and obtained a BA Degree in education from Bennett College in 1955 (both schools in North Carolina).  Immediately following graduation, Nettie moved to Paterson, NJ and secured employment at St. Joseph's Hospital, where she single-handedly organized the medical library for the School of Nursing.  After leaving St. Joseph's Hospital, she began her life-long career and "true calling", as an educator at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Elementary School, where she became the first African-American teacher to be hired to teach for the Paterson Diocese. After teaching there for several years, she spent the rest of her teaching career at Public School #4, now the Dr. Frank Napier Jr. School of Technology.  While there, she organized the only 4-H Club in the district.  She retired in 1998 after a rewarding 34 years of educational service.

Understanding that learning is a life-long process, she continued her education by earning a MA Degree from William Paterson College in 1986.  In 2004, at age seventy-four, she decided to further her education and enrolled at Felician College in Lodi, NJ.  She maintained a "B+" average and earned a degree in Religious Studies at age seventy-six, which allowed her to become a Pastoral Minister.

Nettie was an active member of "Our Lady of Victory" Church for over fifty years.  She was a devout Catholic, who always held the "virtue of humility" very dear, never sought attention or self-gratification and fully participated in all church functions for the glory and honor of God. She served on the Education Counsel for the Paterson Diocese, was Director of the only Gospel Choir in the Diocese of Paterson, served as Youth Director, was founder of B.L.A.C.K. (Black Leadership and Christian Knowledge), was a member of the Rosary & Diversity Societies and also served as Lecture and Eucharistic Minister.

Nettie Carter was a phenomenal woman, whose life was never just about herself, but rather about what she could do for others.  She was one of the founders of Paterson Habitat for Humanity, where she served as a board member, Chairperson of the Family Selection Committee and directed the Habitat Homeowners' Choir.  She also participated in the program for first time offenders in Paterson's Juvenile Court since the 1970's, volunteered at the PEA office every Thursday and made herself available to drive church members, neighbors and friends to doctor's appointments, food shopping and whatever else was needed.  She was recognized and presented with a plethora of certificates and awards for her educational, church and community leadership and volunteerism, which she accepted with a genuine sense of surprise and humility.

Among these awards and certificates are:

The Diocese of Paterson, 1964
NAACP Award, 1963, 1969
Outstanding Elementary Teacher of America, 1972
Outstanding Leaders in Elementary/Secondary Education, 1976
PEA, 1977
Community Leaders & Noteworthy Americans, 1978
4-H Club, Passaic County, 1980
Lamba Kappa Mu Sorority, Inc. Achievement Award, 1981, 1995
New Jersey Governor's Teacher Recognition Award, 1986
Basic Skills Appreciation Award, 1988
National Black Catholic Congress, 1995
Certification of Appreciation, City of Paterson, 1996
Jazzy Jazz Social Club, 1996
Archdiocese of Detriot, Extradionary Minister of the Eucharist, 1997
NJEA, 1998
Superior Court of New Jersey Probation/Family Division, 1998
Congressional Recognition Award (Bill Pascrell), 2003
Judicial Volunteer Service Award, 2008

Nettie Mae Foreman Carter, age seventy-six, of Paterson, New Jersey, went home to meet her Lord on Monday, April 6, 2009.  Her transition took place quietly and peacefully at Valley Hospital in Ridgewood, New Jersey, where she received excellent medical care and attention.  Nettie's medical care, physical comfort, safety and overall emotional well being were very carefully and lovingly monitored daily by her goddaughter, Udetta Chestnut-Garache.  Nettie was aware of Udetta's daily presence and knew that she was loved.

Nettie is survived by: sister, Elvetta Attmore of South Carolina; four godchildren, Udeta Chestnut-Garache, Thaddeus Chestnut, Monefa Evans and Diane Jonesof Paterson; three grandchildren, Thaddeus Chestnut of Paterson, Natakie Chesnut-Sanders of Philadelphia and John Chestnut, Jr. of New York; two great grandchildren, Tabia Chestnut-Sanders and Thaddeus Chestnut, Jr.; five devoted friends, Mary Ruffin, Mary Crooms, Maggie James, Margaret Gass and Deborah Burton of Paterson; and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

Read the Herald News article - Nettie Carter Made a Difference