Pearl E. Carter

Pearl E. Carter, age 90, of Massillon, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, November 21, 2025. She was born on April 27, 1935, to Richard Gleespen and Naoma (Nichols) Gleespen, and spent her life devoted to her family and to caring for others.

Pearl was a warm, gentle, and giving woman whose faith and love touched everyone she met. Her greatest joy was her love for Jesus and loving her family, and she lived every day in a way that reflected that devotion. A dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she was known for her sweet spirit, her kindness, and the way she made each person feel loved and important. She also had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to kid and tease with those around her.

For many years, Pearl volunteered in child care, sharing her love and gentleness with countless children. She and her husband, Don Carter, were proud season ticket holders for the Massillon Tigers, and she enjoyed cheering on the Cleveland Browns. Pearl was a long-time student of Precept Ministries, a faithful member of the JOY Bible Study, she was a member and active on the prayer line at First Baptist Church, volunteered in child care at the Massillon YMCA, and served in the nursery at Epworth United Methodist Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Don Carter; grandson, Travis Valentine; and siblings, JoAnn Parkinson and Ray Gleespen.

Pearl is survived by her children: Donald Baker Jr., Richard “Rick” Baker, and Sharon (Baker) Valentine; and by her stepdaughters: Vicki (Carter) Henderson, Debra (Carter) Haslar, and Lori (Carter) Brinker.

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Angela Baker, Shelly Rankl, Julie (Baker) Manfredi, Lori Baker, Holly Baker, Blake Baker, Chad Nodo, Amanda (Nodo) Haslar, Justin Haslar III, Jared Haslar, Jenna (Brinker) Young, Amanda Anderson, and Jensy Myers, along with her great-grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly.

Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, December 13th, with calling hours from 12:00-2:00 p.m. and a service at 2:00pm at Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon. Burial will follow at Brookfield Cemetery.

Pearl leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, kindness, and love. Her family takes comfort in knowing she is now healed, whole, and safely in the arms of Jesus.