Verlee C. Haynes Carter

July 16, 1928~~~November 23, 2020

My Mama was as unique as her name and larger than life, a burst of energy wrapped in a complex personality so huge, It was barely contained within her insignificant stature which gained her the Moniker “Big Shorty” from her Iconic Grand Father Levi Madison Haynes. Verlee Callie Celestine Haynes-Carter was the second child and oldest daughter of the Union of Pierce Samuel Haynes Sr. and Mae Etta Kimble-Haynes, born in the Creedmoor Community just North of Lockhart on July 16, in 1928. Except for a short stay in Sand Springs Oklahoma, in the late 1940’s seeking a Cosmetology career and two and a half years in Las Vegas Nevada to help a family member thru a challenging episode in the mid 1960’s she lived less than 20 miles from where she was born and died. Even though Big Shorty lived much of her life within the borders of Caldwell County her influence was felt much farther, she had a small footprint, but her shoes will be hard to fill. She is preceded in death by five of her six siblings Robert, Cardell, Levi, Berth-ola, and LaVera, Leaving Pierce Samuel Haynes Jr. to mourn her passing. Sadly, Big Shorty’s own Mother died when she was seven years old which caused a special bond of love and respect with her Papa which lasted a lifetime even after his sudden death in 1954. Mama’s Christian Faith was rooted in her early life by her grandparents, Paternal Matt and Lillie Haynes and Maternal Bertha and Boss Kimble until her Papa married the young beautiful Velvie Tea, daughter of Phyllis and Flenoy French from the Ebbon community. She chose Ebbon as her Church Home and was nurtured and mentored by her Mama Tea thru the Ebbon Ministry and the Women’s Mission under the stewardship of Rev. Dr. Herman Luckey for many years. The Ethos of Mama’s life boiled down to the three F’s, Faith, Family and Finance. Faith caused her to have 75 years plus relationship with Ebbon Baptist Church. She built her Family joined in marriage with Carroll Clemon ‘Cal’ Carter from 1952 they strove as one until he preceded her in death in August of 2018. She leaves 12 children to celebrate her Homegoing, Charles, Mae Etta, James, Hattie, Truman, Lula, Margaret, Pierce, Lillie, Levita, Fred, and Timothy. Cal Dean and Earmine preceded her in death. Mama believed the key to Finance was hard work and education, Mama demanded each of us get a high school diploma and encouraged us to seek higher education. She led by example as she taught us a work ethic in the cotton fields, pecan orchards, or shucking corn or shelling peas for canning during the summers of our youth. By her example transitioning from the fields to commuting to Austin working as a Domestic for the Affluent White Upper class Or working as a Custodian at the Bingo Club to Cooking for hundreds at Camp Gary  we learned to adapt and persevere. Along with one Sister in law Mary Haynes and three Daughters in law Becky, Linda, and Donna, Mama has 30 Grandchildren, 35 Great grandchildren many Nephews, nieces, and cousins. There are a few childhood cousins that remain to mourn her, Antoinette Milton of Chicago Illinois, Illa Wright of Salt Lake City, Utah, Bertie Bea Smith of Lockhart Texas, Dorothy Thompson of Austin and Portia Brodie of Chicago Illinois. Mama has a multitude of family and friends that mourn her passing along with special friends Ione Johnson, Patricia and Jackie Miles and Ms. Stella her hairdresser. To view and sign the guest book, visit www.post-register.com/Verlee-C-Haynes-Carter