Melvin H. Canter, 86, of Elizabethton, went to be with the Lord and his wife on Monday, July 18, 2016, from Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Mr. Canter was born on June 8, 1930 in Elizabethton to the late Howard H. Canter and Rosie Hicks Canter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Ellen Wilson Canter, on September 30, 2013; a brother, Burley Canter; a sister, Ruby Peters; a grandson, Tony Canter, on February 13, 2013; and a granddaughter, Bobbie Sue Canter Tipton, in May 2015.
Mr. Canter was a member of Pleasant Beach Baptist Church for the past 68 years, where he and his wife helped establish the church. Mr. Canter owned several businesses over the past 68 years in Elizabethton including Canter’s Market, Canter’s Greenhouse, Canter’s Auction House, Canter’s Plumbing and Electric, and Canter’s Mobile Home Park, before retiring.
Those left to cherish his memory include two sons, Harvey H. Canter and wife Pat of Telford and Bobby Canter and wife Louise of Elizabethton; three daughters, Shirley Price, Judy Wiseman and Karen Stout, all of Elizabethton; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Virginia Harrison and husband Ryan, Ethel Winters and Ruth Russell, all of Elizabethton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Melvin H. Canter will be conducted at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at Pleasant Beach Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Honeycutt and Rev. Mark Fowler officiating. Honorary officiant will be Rev. Bobby Stout. Music will be provided by Greg and Tammy Russell. The family will receive friends at the church from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, prior to the service, or at the residence at other times. The graveside service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, July 22, in the Pearl Bowers Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Phillip Canter, Westley Canter, Harvey W. Canter, Jeffrey Crowe II, Stacy Whitaker and Andy Hyder. Honorary pallbearers will be Don Shepherd, Joseph Price, Joshua Stout, Burley Canter, Toby (Jamie) Williams and Randy Grindstaff. Those wishing to attend the service are asked to meet at Pleasant Beach Baptist Church at noon Friday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family of Mr. Canter would like to thank the staff in the ICU and 3rd Floor at Sycamore Shoals Hospital and Hospice for the care you gave to our father. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Pleasant Beach Baptist Church, 108 Pleasant Beach Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643 in honor of Mr. Canter. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is serving the Canter family. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.