CARTER, S. Clyde
SAMUEL CLYDE CARTER
Source: Unknown newspaper - article found in scrapbook of obituaries collected by Fauniel Hershberger, - typed by: GA
As the lone surviving member of the Life Long Four, I offer this tribute to the memory of S. Clyde Carter. In 1895, a class of Sunday School boys ate Thanksgiving dinner with Mont Crain at the hospitable country home of the Crains, and, having enjoyed the day so much, they planned to meet somewhere at the same time the following year. This continued for four years, but other interests called some of them away until in 1900 only four were left; Mont Crain, Archie Heath, Clyde Carter and Stewart Carwile. Being close neighbors and playmates, these four boys pledged to one another life-long friendship and having adopted the name, "The Life-Long Four," they agreed that each in turn would entertain the club at Thanksgiving throughout their lives. This vow was faithfully kept. In 1938, the circle was broken by the death of Archie Heath. The next to be called was Mont Crain in 1950, but the meetings continued until the last one was held in the Carter home in November, 1962. For the past thirteen anniversaries, in the handclasp of greeting at each Thanksgiving, there was always this silent pledge of friendship: "The way is short, O friend, That reaches out before us; God's tender heavens above us bend, His love is smiling o'er us; A little time is ours For sorrow or for laughter, I'll lay my hand with love in yours On the shore of the Hereafter." Knowing full well that in the memories of Yesteryear lie the peace and strength we need to face Tomorrow, I, for yet a little while, will travel on. Stewart E. Carwile.
Funeral services for Samuel Clyde Carter, age 79, resident of 516 Johnson St., who died at 5:50 a.m. Saturday, March 23, in Lakeview Memorial Hospital in Danville, where he had been a patient one day, were held at 2 p.m. Monday at the West Liberty Church of Christ, south of Covington. The Rev. Ed Zimmerman, assisted by the Rev. Leslie Parker, officiated and burial was in the adjoining church cemetery. Mr. Carter was born Feb. 3, 1884 in Fountain County, the son of Charles and Anna Wolf Carter. He was married to Grace Mae Coffing March 17, 1907 and she preceded him in death Oct. 10, 1957. Most of his life was spent in Fulton, Wabash and Troy townships. He had resided in Covington for the past 18 years. He was a member of the West Liberty Church of Christ. He is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Helen Coleman and Mrs. Ruth Coleman, both of Covington Rt. 1, and Mrs. Ora Mae Brown of Lafayette; one son, James Carter of Covington; 16 grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren. Serving as pallbearers were: Albert Suiters, Purlie Suiters, Kenneth France, Joe Beckelhymer, Charles Shaw and Paul Summers. Flower-bearers were members of the Ladies Aid Society of the West Liberty Church.