Dorothy Carter

The Life of Our Beloved Soul
Dorothy Louise Stiger-Carter
From August 18, 1934 to May 31, 2026

Dorothy Louise Stiger Carter was born and raised in Tuscumbia, AL. She was the daughter of the late Payton Stiger and late Louise Ford Stiger of Tuscumbia. Dorothy’s life was shaped in the close communities of her family, Trenholm elementary and High School and First Missionary Baptist Church in Tuscumbia from a child to an adult. Her love for all, her spiritual fortitude and her knowledge were therefore fueled by these communities resulting with her living a tremendous life.

She received her high school diploma from Trenholm High School in 1952 and then attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, AL where she graduated with a B.S. in Commerce and Secondary Education in 1956. Later, she received her elementary certification in education from Alabama A&M University, Normal AL in 1958. In 1971, Dorothy Carter received her M.S. in elementary Education from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Dorothy’s first employments were with the Walker Co. Board of Education during 1956-57 and then the Chilton Co. Board of Education from 1957-58. She was later employed by the Tuscumbia Board of Education from 1958-82 where she started as the secretary of her Alma Mata, Trenholm High School, under Mr. Bell for one year and then she taught second grade at Trenholm High School until they transferred the primary grades to Southside Elementary school. She later taught at Northside and R.E. Thompson Elementary schools. From 1982-88 she taught for
the Bullock Co. Board of Education until her retirement from the Alabama Education System in 1988.

After teaching in the school system for 30 years Dorothy Carter pursued her second career as a massage therapist. She graduated from the Alabama School of Massage Therapy, in 1993 and was certified in Neuromuscular Therapy. She opened Therapeutic Massage Healthcare Services in Muscle Shoals AL from 1993-2006. She was known as the massage therapist with those “Healing Hands”. She served as a group leader and conducted workshops on Therapeutic Touch, for Option Care Outpatient Services. She received training in the Oriental art of Qigong, from the Qigong Research Institute in Boading, China and specialized in Neuromuscular Sports Massage and Fibromyalgia. She was appointed by Gov. Fob James as a member of the Alabama State Board of Massage Therapy from 1996-2001. In 2007, the Dorothy Carter Northwest Alabama Massage Association Award was given and named in her honor. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Dorothy Carter in her later years spent time traveling the world while participating in indigenous ceremonies and healing. She was a special member of the CORE Center and the Florence Mound Community. Her life was unique and special. Even the birds sung her home. We were all blessed to have this Wonderful Soul in life. May she rest in Peace, Power and Love.

Known as Mama or “Mama C “Dorothy L. Stiger Carter is survived by three children. Charlene (Winfield), Deborah and Jerry (Tronda), three grandchildren (Brandon, Marland and Jazmine), and ten great- grand- children. She is also survived by nephews, nieces, great nieces and nephews and great grand- nieces and nephews and many dear friends.

Acknowledgements
The Family gives Special Thanks to all her wonderful friends who loved and supported her throughout her life and during her health challenges. Special Thanks to Preferred Hospice, Dr. Jones, and Dr. Mobley, the CORE Drummers and her Special Meditation and Prayer warriors.

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