It is with profound sadness that the family of Beatrice Fay Burleson Carter (Bea) announces her passing from this life on August 1, 2022 at the age of 84. She was surrounded by members of her family who celebrated the life-time of love she had given them and the joy of knowing that she had passed into the arms of Jesus, her Lord and Savior.
Bea was born in Seymour, MO to Elmer Aaron and Martha Burleson. She had two older siblings, Albert and James. Bea’s family moved to Hollister, CA in the 1940s where she graduated from Hollister High School in 1957. That was also the year that her father experienced a miraculous healing of a life-threatening illness and the family began to attend the Hollister Assembly of God church where she received Christ as her personal Savior. Sensing a call to ministry, the next year she attended Bethany Bible College, graduating with a bachelor’s degree emphasizing missions. She later completed a year of graduate work in education at the University of Illinois while her husband, John, was completing a Ph.D.
On July 28, 1962, Bea was united in marriage to John Carter who had come to the Hollister church as youth pastor and music minister. They had two children, a daughter, Kimberly, and a son, Steven, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, all of whom celebrate her warm love and care for them. In 1976, the couple felt a pull towards foreign missionary ministry and served in educational ministries in Iran in the 1970s, Belgium in the 1980s, and the Philippines in the 1990s and early 2000s. With Bea’s support and encouragement, John held various leadership positions in these ministry assignments including serving as President of Asia Pacific Theological Seminar (APTS) in the Philippines. At APTS Bea was well loved for her ministry to the students and families on campus as she hosted many dinners at home for students and campus guests and enjoyed being known as “Campus Grandma.”
After 32 years of missionary service, John and Bea retired in 2010. During their ministry career, they were blessed with opportunities to travel extensively across Europe and Asia Pacific. Following retirement, they loved to cruise and completed 15 cruise itineraries covering most areas of the world.
Bea is survived by her husband, John; her daughter, Kimberly; her son, Steven; her grandchildren and great grandchildren, and her brother James. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Albert.
A visitation will be held for Bea at McCormick & Son Mortuary in Laguna Hills, California on August 13, 2:00 pm. Address: 25002 Moulton Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00pm on September 3, at North Hills Church, 3100 E. Birch St, Brea, CA.
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