Iula Olivia Wright Carter

Iula Olivia Wright Carter lived a life of faith and determination as a wife, mother, encourager, educator, trailblazer, author, and most importantly as a servant of the living God.

At an early age she accepted Jesus as her savior. Her trust in God enabled her to overcome childhood health challenges that included a life-threatening heart condition and asthma.  As a young adult, despite her doctors’ opinions and advice that her heart condition and asthma were insurmountable obstacles to childbearing, she trusted God and she was able to bear six children. She was determined to do God’s will despite numerous operations. She raised her family as she nurtured creativity and perseverance in her children and everyone she met.  Moreover, and most importantly she lived as a Christian witness who encouraged and guided people to Jesus Christ.

Iula had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. She sought an education for herself, her family, and for her people. She attended classes at Sinclair Business College, Cedarville Bible College, and Wright State University. She attended college graduations of all her children and grandchildren. She worked as a teachers’ aide in the Dayton Public School System for twenty years, taught Sunday School at Phillips Temple CME Church, and served as a tour guide for the African American Museum at Wilberforce, Ohio.  She was a member of Eastern Star Deborah Chapter for 50 years.

Iula was a trailblazer in her church and community. She initiated and commissioned the library at Phillips Temple CME Church, served as one of the founding members of the Reed Chapel CME Church in Dayton, Ohio. She established the Dayton affiliate of the National Patent Law Association. As an inventor and an author, she holds a registered patent on the "Portable Potty Chair", 1960; and a patent is pending on a rescue parachute for an airplane she invented at Wright State University, 1983, she also holds copyrights on three books: Walking with God as My Shepherd, I Want to Be an Inventor, and Iula Wright Carter, A Lady of Faith and Determination.

Iula received numerous awards and accolades. She was inducted into the Miami Valley Walk of Fame in 1996. She is listed in the books Dayton African American Heritage by Margaret E. Petters and Dayton Inventors: Facts and Fiction by Curt Dalton; and Innovative Spirit of African Americans by Patricia Carter Sluby.

She was preceded in death by father, Prilly Z. Wright Jr. and mother, Olivia Melson Wright; sister, Helen Wright Price; stepmother, Edgie; stepsister, Sara Ann Middlebrook, and stepbrother, Ronald C. Todd.  

Iula is survived by her husband of 75 years, William B. Carter Sr.; sister, Hazel (Willie Sr.); children, William P. Carter (Jennifer), Peggy E. Jones, James Z. Carter Sr. (Cynthia), Samuel Carter (Doris), Charles C. Carter I (Jackie), Teresa I. Caldwell (Robert Sr.); grandchildren, Teri Lynn Slaton, Jermaine Carter,  Martin Hill (Jennifer), Eddie Allen (Carol), Lamarr Allen, Anise Simpson, Tyrice Jones (Chantell), Constancia E. Carter, James Z. Carter Jr (Monique), Dorian S. Carter (LaToya), Kikia R. DaSilva (Thiago), Samarra O. Carter, Charles C. Carter II., Desiren McHenry, Jordan Kavanaugh (William), Robert A. Caldwell III, Ranard  B. Caldwell, Raymond A. Caldwell; 27 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews. 

Psalm 19:14

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Funeral service will be held 11 am Monday, January 10, 2022, at Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church, 3620 Shiloh Springs Rd. Visitation 10-11 am. (Mask Required). Interment West Memory Gardens. Arrangements entrusted to House of Wheat Funeral Home, Inc.

In lieu of flowers, you can make donations in the name of Iula Olivia Wright Carter to the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center. The museum is located on the campus of Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

(1)  You can give directly online via the link:  www.ohiohistory.org/givenaamcc

(2)  or you can mail a donation to the museum and cultural center at the following address:

           National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center

           1350 Brush Row Rd.

           P. O. Box 578

           Wilberforce, OH  45384-0578

Due to Covid there will not be a repast. A memorial dinner will be held in the spring or early summer.

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