Laverne Ellison Carter (b. 1951) served in the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) and the United States Navy from 1971-1981. Laverne Carter was born in Greensboro, North Carolina in 1951. She grew up spending time in Greensboro, Caswell County, and Burlington. Upon graduating from high school, she briefly worked for Burlington Industries before deciding to join the United States Navy.

After completing basic training in Bainbridge, Maryland, she was retained as a company assistant to aid in training. She was then assigned to San Diego, California, where she was trained as a storekeeper. While in San Diego, she became known for her abilities in bowling, nearly qualifying for the Inter-service bowling team. Carter was then stationed in Philadelphia, and then in Puerto Rico from 1977 to 1979, at Roosevelt Roads Naval Station. Her next duty station was Naval Air Station Bermuda, where she remained from 1979 through 1981. By this time, Carter held a rating of E-6 or Petty Officer Second Class, and while in Bermuda, she was assigned to be Officer of the Day.

After completing her tour of duty in Bermuda in 1981, Carter left the military and attended college at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina, using her GI Bill. After graduation, Carter worked in accounting, in part with the prominent firm of Deloitte Haskins & Sells. She also re-entered the military via the naval reserve, and mention is made of her being in the naval reserve in 1990-1991 during the Gulf War. Carter also later became a pastor.