On October 16, the faculty, staff and students of Susie Tolbert Elementary School, along with district staff members, gathered to pay tribute to Chuck and Susan Carter.
Members of the Carter family were also present to honor the lives of the husband and wife who tragically lose their lives in an automobile accident earlier this summer.
Both husband and wife were employees of Duval County Public Schools. Chuck was a supervisor with the grounds crew, and Susan, a guidance counselor at Susie Tolbert.
To open the tribute, Niki Dawson, a student at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, performed an uplifting jazz-inspired rendition of “Why Me?” by Irene Cara.
Shortly following the performance, emotions began to run high as students, faculty and district staff members gave heart wrenching accounts of their experience with the Carters.
Meshell Harris, a fourth-grade teacher at Tolbert, recited a poem she had written about Susan entitled, We Must Remember. After the poem, a group of students read a poem, also written by Harris, which used the letters in Susan’s last name to describe her. C was for Close because she was a close friend to many; A was for Awesome; R was for Ruby because she was a precious jewel; T was for Trustworthy; E was for her dedication to Education; and the final R was for Respectful.
Other staff members wrote letters to Susan, which were read by students. In one letter, a teacher wrote that Susan was the glue that held their ship together.
Harvey Height, a grounds crew foreman who worked with Chuck, spoke to the crowd about Chuck, and his experiences while working alongside him. Harvey told the crowd that everyone should be joyful in knowing that Chuck and Susan are in a better place, and to remember the legacy they have left for their two children.
After the touching ceremony, the group was lead out to Carter’s Corner, a butterfly garden dedicated to the couple for their support, dedication and commitment to Duval County Public Schools.
While in the garden, Niki sang “Hero” by Mariah Carey, and Principal Harrison shared a personal story with the crowd. Harrison said as she arrived to the school and was so busy trying to prepare things for the tribute, she looked up and saw a beautiful rainbow. She reminded the group to always take time out of their busy lives to enjoy the rainbow.
At the conclusion of the dedication, butterflies and balloons were released to celebrate Mrs. Carter’s birthday. Susan would have been 40 years old on the day of the ceremony.
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