He was like a "John Boy Walton" to the little Phelps family of 6 children. A little man he was in his childhood days, having the responsibility of a paper route and earning extra by selling roasted peanuts, candy and other delicacies from our Mama's kitchen.  Older people in the  community, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins referred to him as "Little Carlton" even though he was not a Jr.  There was an age difference of 18 years between us.  I called him Buddy.  He was my handsome "Buddy Carlton"  He was the older big brother who carried me on his shoulders all over the farm, doing chores and humming a tune.  He was the brother who taught me  to drive the old Farmall Cub Tractor, and after a lot of practice, he let me drive that old tractor down Hwy 64 on and off the shoulder of the road, hauling tobacco to the barn at the homeplace in Pleasant Grove.  Imagine that ! A little girl of 6,7,or 8 years old.  He in the front with a load, me in the middle, and someone else behind with theirs.  That must have been a sight to see! He was the brother who managed to find somewhere in war torn Europe, a King Louis Doll to bring home to his little sister.  A dolly too precious to dirty at play, only to hold and treasuer from the storage box.He was the brother who lost his boyhood in the battlefields of  WWII, surviving the Battle of the Buldge , earning 3 Bronze Medals, and painfully becoming a man.  On my last visit with him at his home, while showing off his flock of fowls, he presented me with a handful of freshly gathered feathers from the chicken yard.Later he had Deborah pick a bouquet of cotton from the field for me.  Simple little gifts that have become a treasure.  Carlton was a man of the Earth, even the meaning of his name  carries that significance.  He so greatly respected, cherished and loved the land and his life on the farm.  He leaves a legacy for those who remain to hold on to. He was one of a kind.  A participant in what the world now calls the Greatest Generation.  Even though at times a harsh warrior, he was so many times a soft hearted man displaying much affection and generosity.  A  hardworking productive man who silently suffered from the limitations brought on from the disability  resulting from  those 2 terrible accidents, he was a man to respect and admire.  For those of us whose lives were touched by my brother there will be a void in our lives.  There will be memories both happy and sad, but there will be many memories.   He was one of a kind.  He was my "Buddy Carlton", and I will truly miss him.

I am the son of Walter Johnson Spruill, Jr. and am now 60 years old.  I remember my father and uncles speaking of Little Carlton over the years, and he would be around at my Grandmother's sometimes on Sundays.  He was always admired by my uncles.

My first memory of Carlton A. Phelps,Jr.,"Little Carlton", goes back to 1934 when I was 14 and Carlton was 10.  Even at that young age he was a very thrifty, conservative, and hardworking person.  I was living with my Mothers parents, Grandad and Fannie Mama Phelps, and had saved some peanuts from the ground in the area where the peanut pickers had been harvesting.  Carlton and his family came to visit us there.  His Father was my Mothers Brother and his Mother was my Dads Sister making us double first cousins!  I gave Carlton a large bag of peanuts which he later turned into his own little business.  During a later visit to Williamston with my Grandparents Big Papa and Big Mama Spruill to see their daughter Aunt Minnie and her husband Carlton,Sr., I would go with Carlton to all the places in town where he sold parched peanuts.  He was able to save $100 which was quite an accomplishment back in those days.

We were together later in Army training during WWII at Camp Wheeler Georgia in 1944.  He was a fine man and we were very fond of each other.  I will miss you Little Carlton!

                                                                          William Earle Spruill,Sr.
                                                                          Double First Cousin

Mr. Carlton was my friend and the father of a best friend. I loved him very much for who he was...a veteran, a great story teller and a person  of deep faith.  He always listened to what I had to say and he cared about me and my family. I was always welcomed into his home. I will miss our talk times under his "carport" at his house and feeding the chickens. And more importantly how many eggs we gathered that day.  Rest well, my friend, I will miss you. (Rita Rhodes, Plymouth)

I never had the chance to meet Carlton, but I was able to benefit from the wisdom and sense of decency that he passed on to his grandchildren. He left this world a far better place than he found it, and we are all grateful for having had him here.

Thank you for all of the kind words during this time.  Carlton (Grey) would certainly have loved seeing so many of the friendly faces that gathered on Sunday as we celebrated his life.  The outpouring of love from the communities in which he lived, and his two church families was very much appreciated.

My mother,Maxine Pickard looked up to her big brother Carlton. She is fond of teling of his generosity towards others. For instance when she graduated from high school Carlton gave her $50( a big sum of money -in those days!) to help her on her way, as she left the farm to venture in the big city lights of Washington D.C. 
The light of his good works will continue to shine.
Judith Pickard   Eschwege, Germany

Carlton was the best postmaster ever. (Perla Bray, the best postmistress.) He had a way of making everyone feel special.   When we moved back to Roper in the late '70's, I went to the Post Office to rent a box, and Carlton said, "I've been waiting for just the right person for this box."  Our address became "PO Box 1, Roper, NC" Our children adored him.  They raced down the street to get the mail and visit with Carlton.  Carlton made the world a better place.

My Prayers and thoughts are with you the family now. Mr. Carlton was always my buddy and no matter what.  He always made sure my Mother always had fresh cabbage from the garden, and brown eggs if he had them. He was the best mail man we ever had!  Yes i will miss him picking at me.  When he did that i knew he loved me.Its been a long hard road, but now you have reached your journey's end.  Filled with peace, love,and joy. I'll miss you Mr. Carlton. Jewel Chesson

Here is my favorite Carlton story:

Sometime in the 1950s my father, Reynold, and Carlton were attending the national covention of Ruritan. It was in Washington, Philadelphia or New York. I cannot remember which, but hope that this will not keep you from believing the rest of my story. 

My father told me . . . They had an afternoon off, and Carlton said, "Would you like to visit the main Post Office?  Since I am a postmaster, I think I can get us in for a visit to their back office." 

My father agree, and sure enough, Carlton talked the Post Office front desk into giving them a tour. Their host had them standing by one of their super-modern conveyor belts moving the mail.  He was explaining how it all worked, when suddenly Carlton leaned over and picked up a post card from the moving conveyor belt. It was a card he had mailed the day before to Leyta Faye, Deborah and Carleen back in Skinnersville. 

I know that only Carlton could have made this happen.

Carlton was a great friend.  He was a man of many talents, not the least of which was telling stories.  As a special way of honoring him, I suggest we all start posting our favorite story about Carlton.  I know he would be pleased.  Jack

OBITUARIO

Carlton A. Phelps

17 agosto, 1924 – 10 enero, 2013

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