Grettie George Carter was born in Smithfield, North Carolina on June 6, 1928 to the late Rev. Christopher Columbus George, and the late Lola W. George. She departed this life on Thursday May 29, 2025 at her home in Caroline County, Virginia.

Grettie was educated in the Johnston County Public School System. While in high school she was a star basketball player and bus driver. After high school, she completed her degree to become a licensed practical nurse.

Grettie later met and was joined in holy matrimony to the late Troy Carter in Alexandria, Virginia. They later moved to Hanover, Virginia where Grettie was hired to work at Lady Smith School where she remained until retirement. She loved her job and the children there. Grettie was full of energy during her younger years. She enjoyed bowling, roller skating, cooking, sewing, playing piano, dancing, and singing. Her favorite words were: Be good to yourself; Be good to others; I love you; and It is what it is. Grettie loved driving and helping other people even at age 96. Her favorite hymn was, "Without God I Could Do Nothing." Together, she and her husband raised a son, Tyrone Carter who preceded her in death.

Grettie was a faithful active member of her church, Second Mount Zion Baptist Church, as well as other civic organizations. She sang in the choir and acquired the nickname, Patti LaBelle, by Bubba, her choir director. Grettie also was a member of a group called The Zion Travelers. This was a popular group that sang at various churches all over Caroline County. When it came to civic duties, she was a faithful life member and membership recruiter for the NAACP.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rev. CC George, and Lola George. Her siblings, Walter, Columbus (CG), Clifton, and Earl. Also two adopted siblings, Clarence and Joyce.

She leaves behind a brother, William Gaston George (Clara) Kinston, NC, a sister, Ruby G. Smith (Henry) Smithfield, NC, Sheila Carter and two grandchildren, Traci and Troy Carter Jr. Special devoted close friends, Georgia Doles, Aretha Fields, Tom Steindler (wood man), Harriet Harris, Rena George, Nick Danfora and a host of nieces, nephews along with other relatives and friends.