Charles Wilmer Carter was born December 7, 1925 in Winterville, Georgia to Shelton Thomas Carter and Eddie Mae Johnson Carter. He died at home Thursday, November 16, 2017, a few weeks short of his 92nd birthday.
He attended Gaines Elementary School and graduated from Winterville High School. Charles was proud of his service in World War II, where he served in the U.S. Army in the Philippines and as part of the occupying forces in Japan. From childhood, agriculture was Charles’ passion and at the time of his retirement from full-time farming he was farming 650 acres in Clarke County. A seed cleaning business still operates at 1010 Beaverdam Road, Winterville, Georgia. In 1990, Charles ran for the District One Commission post for the new Unified government of Athens-Clarke County, serving for 16 years. While on the Commission, he chaired the Citizen’s Solid Waste committee and was a major advocate for recycling.
During his farm career, Charles was a member of multiple conservation and agricultural organizations, including the Board of the Northeast Georgia Cattle Barn, Clarke County Farm Bureau, Clarke- Oconee Cattlemen’s Association, and Northeast Georgia Resource Conservation and Development Council.
At the time of his death, he was a member of American Legion Post 20, Tuckston United Methodist Church, and Clarke County Farmers Roundtable.
He was preceded in death by his parents. Siblings Edward Carter, James Roland Carter, and Claudia Carter Sikes, and nieces Emily Reeves Ingram and Sara Sikes Bolen, also predeceased him. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Laura Williams Carter, Athens and his sister Ann Carter Reeves (Herschel), Winterville; nieces Nancy Reeves Harrison (Jamey), Bogart; Amy Reeves Coker (Mike), Monroe; Janet Sikes Tanner (David), Roanoke, VA; nephews, Thomas Carter (Teresa), Raleigh, NC; John Carter (Amendia), Carlton; Ed Sikes (Marilynn), Charlotte, NC; Jerry Reeves (Jan), Flowery Branch; Greg Reeves (Terri), Colbert; Ric Ingram (Amy), LaGrange, GA; Todd Williams (Laura), Gainesville, GA; Ben Williams (Jenny), Athens. He is also survived by numerous great nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be Chad Reeves, Clint Reeves, Peyton Reeves, Todd Williams, Ben Williams, and Steven Amos. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of Clarke County Farmers Roundtable.
Services will be 2:00 pm Saturday November 18, 2017 at Tuckston United Methodist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Family will receive visitors Friday, November 17, from 5 – 7 pm at Lord & Stephens East, and on Saturday at Tuckston Church from 1:00 pm until shortly before 2:00.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made payable to the Trustees of Tuckston United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 4175 Lexington Road, Athens, GA 30605.
Lord and Stephens, East is in charge of arrangements.
www.lordandstephens.com