Valris Carter, a longtime resident of Monrovia, California, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, December 28, 2022.
Val was born in Houston, Texas on July 4, 1937, to Valris W. Carter and Ada (Jones) Carter. He was raised by his grandparents, Johnie and Laura Jones, in Louisiana, and when he was a teenager, Val went to Los Angeles to live with his father. He graduated from Dorsey High School and entered the Armed Forces where he served his country as an “MP” in the US Army.
Val worked at and retired from Loyola Marymount University. He was not one to take unnecessary days off from work. He loved his job. He was well-respected among students and staff. He was supportive of the Black students’ activities, and often prepared food for certain events. He believed in education and consistently motivated young people to take their education seriously. He was very proud of his family’s educational accomplishments.
Val loved football, particularly his favorite team, the San Francisco 49ers. During football season, he was most certainly going to be watching the 49er games and having game-day discussions with other family members, especially his nephew Mike, where they would constantly be on the phone discussing games as they were played. One of his other key passions was cooking. He loved to cook and share his recipes. He would take bus trips to the Hollywood Bowl and spent time at the Santa Anita Race Track. One thing that everyone can agree on is that Val loved to go places, but he would never fly there.
Val loved the little things in life, such as walking the beach, taking picnics, sitting in the park, eating at restaurants and spending time with family and friends. He loved family and would always defend them. He was especially proud of his daughter Lisa, and his son Nigel. He constantly mentioned their accomplishments and was especially proud of how they pursued their goals.
He loved gospel music, and his favorite song was the Rance Allen Group, “Something About the Name Jesus.” But he also had tremendous love for gospel singer, Mahalia Jackson.
Valris is preceded in death by his parents, Valris Wilmington Carter and Ada Jones Carter, his sister, Betty Jean Johnson, and his niece Joyce Walker. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa Carter, son, Nigel Carter, and grandsons Josiah and Cyrus Carter. He is survived by his nephews, Roderick (Rod) Walker and his wife Yvonne, Onnyx Walker, Michael (Mike) Walker, Sr., and Brent Walker. He is also survived by his nieces, Robyn Walker, and Judy Walker. He was granduncle to Clarence Curl, Jr, Michael (Lil Mike) Walker, Jr. and Krystal Walker, and great-granduncle to Jordan (Jayden) Walker, Chloe Curl, and Jace Walker. They cherish his memory and will always carry him in their hearts. He also leaves to cherish his memory his longtime companion, Diana Faniel, his many cousins, and other loving relatives and friends.
While we will miss Val fiercely and the void will forever be gaping, we are all at peace knowing that he transitioned from this life to the next with family by his side and a deep love for God and Jesus.
