Yvonne Holt

Carter

Yvonne Janet Holt Carter was born on July 19, 1933 in Richmond, Virginia to the late Clarence James Holt and Edith Celestine Pollard Holt. She was the younger of two children, growing up during the challenging era of the Great Depression, a time that shaped her resilience and strength from an early age.

On October 8, 2025, Yvonne peacefully transitioned into eternal life, surrounded by her family and loved ones at her home.

In the late 1930s, a staunch member of the former St. Philip's Episcopal Church on Leigh Street, Olga Dix, lovingly canvassed the Jackson Ward neighborhood, inviting children to attend Sunday school. At just five years old, Yvonne—along with her sister, Edith—was among those children. Through Olga's nurturing guidance and outreach, many of the neighborhood children, including Yvonne, went on to be confirmed and became faithful, lifelong members of St. Phillip's.

Yvonne attended Baker Street School in the heart of Jackson Ward. She fondly remembered walking to school each day and laughingly admitted she "was always late." As a child, she had a
joyful spirit and a love for the arts—especially singing, dancing, and reciting poetry. Her passion for music blossomed early and led her to join the St. Cecile Choir at the age of fourteen, and later, she became a dedicated member of the Senior Choir at St. Philip's.

In 1950, Yvonne graduated from Armstrong High School where she was a member of the Student Council, Dramatics Club, Honor Society, and Student Patrol. After graduation, she attended Virginia Union University and pledged Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1952. She was later married to Frederic Charles Carter, Jr., and to this union were born two sons.

Navigating adulthood, Yvonne worked at the District Theater as a part time cashier selling tickets. She later worked for the Department of Agriculture and Tucker Hospital. As the receptionist at Tucker Hospital, Yvonne quietly and single-handedly desegregated the two separate waiting rooms—a powerful act of quiet resistance and change. In the early 1970s, she began working in Research and Development at Philip Morris and retired in 1992.

Yvonne was a proud member of her pinochle club, the Setteyags - a close-knit group of friends who gathered monthly for 56 years. Each year, she displayed immense joy in preparing for her month to host the gathering. She also enjoyed weekly fellowship with the Circle of Love, served faithfully with the Food Pantry, and offered herself freely in service to her community, always eager to help those in need. Yvonne was a faithful member of the Episcopal Church and made history as one of the first African American women to serve on the Board of the Episcopal Church Women (ECW).

In her seasoned years, Yvonne embraced life with the same energy and curiosity she had always shown. She traveled to Paris, France, and enjoyed two cruises on the Queen Mary, accompanied by a few lifelong friends. She loved spending time with her family, celebrating holidays, and watching with pride as her three granddaughters blossomed into incredible young women.

Yvonne was preceded in death by her sister, Edith Holt North. She is survived by her two sons, Frederick Charles Carter, III and Scott Holt Carter; a loving daughter-in-law, Dr. Yvette Moorehead-Carter; two devoted step-daughters, Monica Evans Daniels and Michelle Johnson Fisher; three grandchildren - Tarin Yvonne Carter, Kirsten Marie Carter, and Korinn Yvonne Carter; a devoted niece, Aleta Yvonne Alsop; a gracious family friend, Belinda Evans-Randolph; a compassionate caregiver, DeNae Threatts, and a host of great nieces, great nephews, family members and the dearest of friends.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. Doors open at 10 AM.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the St. Philip's Church Food Pantry Ministry in loving memory of Yvonne H. Carter.