John Frank Carter passed away Friday, August 18, 2017. He was 82 years old and had fought a hard battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Funeral services will be held at Curtis and Son Funeral Home on Tuesday, August 22, 2017 with the Rev. Charles Sims from First Presbyterian Church officiating. Visitation will be from 10:00-12:00 with the funeral service directly following. Graveside service will be held at Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
He deeply loved and was survived by his wife of 59 years, Janice Tillery Carter; daughter Kathy Carter Ragan of Dothan, AL; daughter Amanda Carter Rains (Tommy) of Fayetteville, NC; grandchildren, Dr. Matt Ragan (Sarah Morriss) of New Orleans, LA; Michael Ragan (Haley Mulford) of Panama City, FL; Amy Ragan of Dothan, AL; John Thomas Rains and Benjamin Rains of Fayetteville, NC; great grandson Luke Morriss Ragan; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Richard and Lillie Carter; four sisters Frances Carter, Essie Hood, Mary Lowery and Louise Sorrells; four brothers Richard, Bill, Jake and Ben.
His grandsons will serve as pall bearers along with nephews Tony Stonicher, Jerome Lowery, and Billy Carter.
John was born in Brantley, AL on March 29, 1935. He graduated from Brantley HS (1954), served 2 years in the US Army, received a B.S. degree from Troy State University (1960), an M.A. Degree in School Administration from the University of Alabama (1969), and a Law Enforcement Degree from UA in 1986. He was a coach and teacher (1960-1970), principal of SHS (1970-1995), served with Talladega County Sherriff’s Reserve (1978-1984), and elected to the Talladega County Commission (1992-2012). He also served as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church.
His professional honors are too numerous to list, but he was especially proud of the SHS football team winning the 3A State Championship (1969), the SHS National Excellence Award (1984-85), and his selection as Outstanding Principal (1984).
He enjoyed Alabama football, Talladega race weekends with niece Becky Sorrells Welch, playing with his grandchildren, hunting and fishing, wood working, Saturday night grilling of mouth-watering steaks, yearly trips to the beach with his family, and his endless supply of jokes and pranks.
The family offers their heartfelt thanks to caretaker and friend, David Dodd, for his kindness and patience, and to the staff at Sylacauga Health and Rehab for their devotion and excellent care.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church. 100 S. Norton Street, Sylacauga, AL 35150.
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