Ernestine Harrelson Carter

Ernestine Harrelson Carter, age 92, of Smyrna and Franklin Georgia passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Benton House of Newnan surrounded by family. Ernestine is preceded in death by her parents, Joel Ernest Harrelson and Ludie Reid Harrelson, her husband, Mitchell Eugene Carter, her brother Joe Harrelson, sisters Edna Rivers, Georgia Hause, Helen Coleman and Jane Jeffares.

Although she had a career with General Electric for over 30 years, as an executive secretary, her passion was her family. Ernestine and Mitchell had no children of their own but considered all 15 plus nieces and nephews theirs to love and care for. They are Joe Harrelson/Brenda, Don Harrelson/Nancy, Steve Harrelson/Debbie, Winfield Rivers (deceased)/Myra, Joel Rivers (deceased)/Beverly, Elizabeth Rivers Prime/Kermit, David Rivers/Marsha, Dale Rivers O’Neal, Jimmy Hause (deceased), Mark Hause/Penny, Marie Coleman Hutson (deceased), Diane Jeffares Conley, Edward Jeffares/Nancy, Gregory Jeffares, Russell Jeffares , James Kerry Britton, Dale Britton, Betty Ansley (deceased), Myrna Bush (deceased). Ernestine and Mitchell also loved their dear friends and neighbors Sammy Noles and Bill and Donna Caldwell.

Ernestine’s love was unconditional and generous and given to her in return. Until a year before her death, Ernestine sent out scores of birthday cards each year to family members and friends, including spouses, children and their children as well. Those 16 and under received a dollar in their card. Ernestine initiated Harrelson family reunions which were held every year, many of them at her farm in Franklin were you would find 50-150 family members and friends visiting and playing and eating. Those who were there will remember the fun, food and hot Georgia sun. Ernestine’s specialty was Brunswick stew and the recipe remains in the family.

Ernestine loved to travel with her family. Her favorite cruise was to Alaska but she loved traveling with nieces and nephews in a motor coach throughout the country. Many of her trips were to country music concerts to hear her favorite-George Strait. On these trips and at home with family and friends she loved to play cards.

Ernestine requested cremation and you are invited to join us on March 14 at Kennesaw Memorial Park in Marietta at 2:30 pm to place her ashes beside her husband, Mitchell.

The family will be honoring Ernestine with a memorial service at Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna on March 15. You may visit with the family starting at 10 am and the service will begin at 11. After the service the family would like to invite you to a covered dish lunch in Carmichael’s event building.

The family would like to thank the kind and caring staff of Benton House of Newnan for helping us care for Ernestine this past year.