The Reverend Stephen "Jake" Carter, 88, of Spottsville, Kentucky, was called by his loving Father to his Heavenly reward at 10:05 a.m. Monday, June 13, 2016, at his home.

He loved God most of all and served Him faithfully and passionately. He was founder and Pastor of Union Holiness Church in Henderson, Kentucky, for 33 years. He and his wife, Gail (Momma), had a love story like no other. He said she was the Love of his life. He loved and faithfully provided for his children. He told them often how proud he was of them. He loved his church and its members with all his heart and cared for them as a shepherd would care for his sheep. He greatly enjoyed working in his garden and especially raising tomatoes for his family and neighbors. He was highly respected and loved by his congregation, his friends from far and near, and especially his family. He was a consistent shining example of Christ for 47 years. He very much valued and placed his hope in God's promise recorded in II Cor. 5:17, "… if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Mary Emily Carter; one brother, George Carter; and one sister, Alice Kelley.

Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Gail Carter; two sons, the Reverend Mark Carter and his wife, Carmen, and Jason Carter and his wife, Jessica, both of Henderson, Kentucky; one daughter, Deborah Eaton and her husband, John, of Evansville, Indiana; nine grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home. The Reverend Jim Suits will officiate. Burial will be in Carter Cemetery in Reed, Kentucky, with full military rites performed by American Legion Worsham Post No. 40.

Visitation will be 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday and until service time Friday at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to Union Holiness Church, 1515 Roosevelt Street, Henderson, Kentucky 42420.

Pallbearers will be grandsons.