By Ericka Alston Buck
Special to the AFRO
ealstonbuck@afro.com
In the summer of 1954, two young AFRO News carriers from Baltimore met for the first time during a beach trip for newspaper boys and girls. That moment, shared at Carr’s Beach, a popular resort for African Americans along the Chesapeake Bay, was the beginning of a lifelong love story.
“We met in the water and are still swimming,” said Rev. Beverly Carter, reflecting on the day she met her husband, Rev. George Carter at just 11 years old.
Both native Baltimoreans, the Carters had lived only three blocks apart, but never crossed paths until the summer trip, a reward from the AFRO-American Newspaper Company for the young carriers.
“We were both earning much needed funds selling newspapers,” she stated. “Not just any newspapers– but the renowned AFRO…even at our early ages, we knew the importance of education and strong devout work ethics. These values were instilled in the very fabric of our being.”
Rev. Beverly explained that George, who was roughly three years older when they met, was raised by his great-aunt Daisy. He was driven to contribute to their household, even as he battled asthma and grew up without modern amenities like electricity or indoor plumbing.
“If Rastus (George’s childhood nickname) was late getting home from school, Aunt Daisy would start on his paper route,” she said. “That was an embarrassment to him, but it showed the strength she had.”
Though it would be shunned in today’s time, in 1957, three years after they met, the couple married. George was 17, and Beverly was 14 and a half. That same year, he graduated from Frederick Douglass High School. Though Beverly left school at a young age, she never let go of her dream to return.
Encouraged by a night school teacher, she went on to earn her GED, pass the SAT, and eventually graduate from Morgan State University in 2015 at the age of 73. Not long after, Rev. George enrolled at Coppin State University and, in 2020, earned a degree in applied psychology Degree, graduating at 80 and a half years old.
“He was told that he is the oldest male to have graduated from Coppin,” she said proudly.
Their journey has been one of faith, perseverance and service. As long-time ministers at New Shiloh Baptist Church, they have remained active in various ministries, including prison ministry. “We encountered and endured numerous hardships requiring loving God and exercising forgiveness in order to mature.” she shared.
In 2022, the couple founded The Determined to Live Transition House, Inc., a reentry program for returning citizens. Though currently in transition, Rev. Beverly stated, “We are expecting to reopen a new facility very soon. It is currently in the process of being built from the ground up.”
The Carters’ legacy lives on in their family.
“We have six children who have obtained degrees of higher learning and are currently engaged in helping to improve our city’s youth,” she said. “Our oldest daughter is a minister at Shiloh and has four earned degrees. All of our children are overcomers, and for that we are grateful.”
Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are also carrying the torch.
“Our great-granddaughter Zaire recently graduated from Western High School with earned college credits and will be attending North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University.” she shared. “Our oldest great-grandson Joshua is entering his second year at McDaniel in Western Maryland.”
Looking back, Rev. Beverly is certain that none of this was by chance.
“Our story is one of divine intervention with arduous preparation for the life that was before us,” Carter stated. “Little did we know that our lives would unite in such a divinely orchestrated way.”
From newspaper routes to ministry, from night school to college degrees, the Carters remain a testament to the power of love, faith and community.
“As a family, we pass on every good and perfect gift that comes from above,” she exclaimed. “To God be the glory!”