Dorenda Carter

April 6, 1941 - March 18, 2022

Dorenda McClain Harris (Rennie to her friends and family) was born to Fred Harris and Blanche ColeMitchell in Saint Louis, Missouri on April 6, 1941. In 1959, Dorenda graduated from Vashon High School with honors one year early and was Salutatorian of her class. She went on to study Nursing at Homer G. Phillips School of Nursing. Soon after graduation, she married her high school sweetheart, Roy Lee Carter on August 12, 1962. Dorenda accepted the Lord as her personal Savior during her teenage years while she attended Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Church. Dorenda later attended and was an original founding member of Blessed Hope Bible Church. She participated in the Women's Ministry as President of 'When Ladies Meet.' Her favorite Bible scripture was Psalms 23. Dorenda began her career as a triage nurse. She went on to work in maternity labor and delivery, then later as a registered Psychiatric Nurse. Dorenda was employed at several hospitals in the Saint Louis area, including Saint Louis County Hospital, Jewish Hospital, and John Cochran & Jefferson Barracks Veterans Hospitals. Her nursing skills and experience benefited her contributions in positions with the Human Development Corporation Parent-Child Center and Monsanto Corporation. Dorenda ended her nursing career at DePaul/St. Vincent's Hospital. After her retirement from nursing in 2003, Dorenda spent her time serving the Lord and her church, volunteering at Christian Northeast Hospital and traveling to visit family, loved ones and friends across the country. She also enjoyed watching westerns, crime tv shows and old movies. Dorenda is preceded in death by her parents, Fred Harris and Blanche Cole-Mitchell; stepfather, Edward Mitchell; an aunt and uncle who assisted in raising her, Harrison and Juanita McClain; her loving husband, Roy Lee Carter, beloved sister, Nellie Harrison and devoted daughter-in-law, Sydney Carter. She is survived by her five children ~ Andrea Michelle (Mark), Mark David, Timothy Joseph (former spouse, Nicole), Stephen Michael (Marnie) and Deborah Denise (William); her brother ~ Aaron Matthews; sister ~ Sophia Ledet (Elvin); three nieces; a nephew, seventeen grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, grandnieces nephews; a host of cousins and friends.