Serita (Ri-Ri) Genese Carter, age 43, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on November 24, 2024. Serita was born January 8, 1981, to Lisa and Gary Carter. She was the life of any gathering, whether she volunteered for an activity or event. Her radiant spirit and captivating smile touched everyone she met. She will be remembered for her compassion, generosity, and sharp sense of humor. She leaves memories that will forever be cherished by her family, friends, and all those who knew her.

Serita was a graduate of Gibbs High School Class of 1999. She aspired to become a beautician and attended Dudley Cosmetology University after graduation. Shortly after, she made a career change to customer service working for multiple companies in Virginia and Knoxville. Serita went back to college to obtain her associate’s degree in business from Pellissippi State Community College and was months from completion when she became ill.

Serita grew up in Payne Avenue Baptist Church as a child. In later years, she relocated to Kingsport, Tennessee and united with Great Commission Baptist Church where she served as the youth choir director. Upon her return to Knoxville, she joined Foster Chapel Baptist Church.

Serita had an infectious spirit that radiated any room she was in. She had a huge heart and never met a stranger. Serita’s impact on her loved ones and her community is immeasurable and she will be deeply missed. She was well known for giving everyone nicknames. Her favorite nickname for so many was “Pookie.”

Serita had a deep and abiding love for her children, Keelan and Jamaya. They were the lights of her life, and she always took immense pride in their successes.

She is preceded in death by great-great grandparents, Bessie and Arthur Johnson; great-grandparents, Ada and Henry Evans; grandfather, Richard Brown; great-aunts, Lois E. Sterling, and Mae Evelyn Moore.

Serita’s legacy will be carried forward by her loving children, Jamaya and Keelan Pelcher, Knoxville; devoted mother, Lisa Carter, Knoxville; father, Gary Carter, Kingsport, Tennessee; grandmothers, Saundra Johnson and Josephine Anderson, Knoxville; aunts, Sabrina Sherman, Smyrna, Tennessee; Chauntini Carter, Johnson City, Tennessee; Tasha Carter and Betty Reed, Knoxville; uncles, Richard Brown, Jr., Knoxville; Terry Stevens, Johnson City, Tennessee, Jimmy (Shelia) Bagwell, and George (Denise) Winton, Knoxville; devoted cousins who were like sisters, Janiesha (Brandon) McGill, Brittani Whiteside, and Jamie Bagwell, all of Knoxville; cousins, Mikel Johnson, Smyrna, Tennessee; Aubrayo Franklin, Atlanta, Georgia; Camesha and Shawn Stevens, Johnson City, Tennessee; and Anthony (Whitney) Bagwell, Knoxville; extremely close friends, Michael Hurston, Knoxville; Carlotta Henry, Knoxville; Sonya Flanary, Donte’ Maxwell, Shawndra Nicole Marshall, all of Kingsport, Tennessee; Tabitha Davis, Cleveland, Ohio; Erica Rivers, Columbus, Georgia; Jamia Stokes, Barlett, Tennessee; Jakeya Caruthers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Lynnika Jones, Dallas, Texas, devoted friend and dedicated nurse, Missy Hughes, Knoxville; a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

The family extends a special thanks to Dr. David Aljadir, University Cancer Specialists; and the nurses and staff of 5 West,12 East, and the Palliative Care Team at the University of Tennessee Medical Center for their exceptional care.

Donations can be made in Serita’s name to the Leukemia & Lymphona Society.