Sister Floretta Pitts Carson, age 90, was born to the parentage of Deacon Thomas N. (Elmer) Pitts on November 24, 1927. She was a native of Birmingham, Alabama and a resident of Prichard, Alabama for 76 years. In her home, surrounded by the love of her family, Sister Carson transitioned on Friday, July 13, 2018.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Reverend Arthur Carson; two brothers, Thomas N. Pitts and Willie Allen Pitts; and three children: Nathaniel Edwards, Mauldrene Edwards, and Grace Pitts. Sister Carson was affectionately called by her parents and friends as “Sister;” by her children as “Year;” by her grandchildren as “Dear;” by most relatives as Aunt Floretta; by her neighbors as “Miss Floretta;” and by her Christian family as “Sister Carson.”

A 1945 graduate of Mobile County Training School, she celebrated her class reunion until 2016. Because so few class members remained, “Bear,” the class president, decided to terminate their class reunions. She graduated from Spaulding Business College and studied at Bishop State Community College. Professionally, she worked as a speech therapist’s assistant, retiring from the Rotary Rehabilitation Center, Mobile Infirmary Hospital in 1988.
Her church membership started very early by joining Saint Peter Primitive Baptist Church in Bessemer, Alabama under the pastorage of Reverend W. A. Clark. Later, with her family, she moved to Prichard, Alabama where they united with Friendship Primitive Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend D.V. George. Later, she joined Mount Calvary Primitive Baptist Church, organized and pastored by her late husband, Reverend Arthur Carson, Jr. In her church, she served faithfully as a former Church School Teacher, Church Musician, past president of Senior Mission, and as a member of Deaconess/Mothers’ Board.

Sister Floretta Carson loved the Lord with her whole heart. His praise was continuously expressed by her actions of love and services that she rendered to God. She lived by this gospel musical inspiration, If I can help somebody, as I pass along, If I can cheer somebody, with a word or song, If I can show somebody, that he's traveling wrong… Then my living shall not be in vain.

She has been a church musician since 1944 in the following churches: Friendship Primitive Baptist Church- 4 years; El Bethel Primitive Baptist Church- 17 years; Mount Olive Primitive Baptist Church- 24 years; and Mt. Calvary Primitive Baptist Church- 50 years. Her community involvements include: Piano Instructor since 1962; former member, Port City United Voices; former member, District Mobile Music Instructors. Emeritus positions include: Vice-President, National Primitive Baptist Ministers Wives; Vice President, West Alabama Women’s Congress; Tri-State President Women’s Congress; National Primitive Baptist Choir Directress; President, Mobile Primitive Baptist Minister’s Wives; and Vice-President, Mobile County Mass Choir.

One of her many honors was her being featured on Local News 15 by Darwin Singleton on the “Where’s Darwin’s” feature as What’s Right in Prichard! Darwin featured her as a piano instructor. She was honored by the Mobile Women Federated Club, her church, and the National Primitive Baptist Convention.

Cherishing her memories are: two devoted, loving children, Howard L. Edwards and Dr. Hannah Edwards (Vernon) Hart; one step-daughter, Lillie Carson Middlebrooks, Atlanta Georgia; 13 Grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren, three Great-Great Grandchildren; Sisters-In-Law: Thelma B. Carson, Dorothy M. Pitts, Eleanor C. Washington, Bernice Carson, and Juanita Hines; Nieces, Nephews, one God-Daughter, Denise Hatcher; one adopted daughter, Kathy Jackson; one adopted grandson, Derrick Johnson; and other adoring relatives and many friends.

Viewing Friday, July 20, 2018, 5pm-7pm at Mt. Calvary P.B. Church, 1652 Butler Street, Trinity Gardens, AL. A visitation will be held on Saturday, July 21, 2018 from 9am-11am “Homegoing Celebration” at Friendship P.B. Church, 819 St. Stephens Road, Prichard, AL, with family visitation at 10:30am. Officiating is her grandson, Elder Terry Price. Interment will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery, Mobile, AL.

DIGNIFIED AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ENTRUSTED TO SMALL'S MORTUARY, 950 S. BROAD ST., MOBILE, AL, 36603.

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