Chester Carr

Robert Chester Carr, Sr., age 95, died Sunday August 6th, 2023. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 12th at Leak Memory Chapel in Montgomery, Alabama with Dr. John Ed Mathison officiating. Visitation will start at 10:00am. Celebration of Life will be at 11:00am with Graveside Service immediately following in Greenwood Cemetery adjacent to Leak Memory Chapel.

Robert Chester Carr Sr. was born October 12th, 1927, in Abbeville, AL to Joseph Alto Carr and Bidia Searcy Carr. He graduated from Abbeville High School in Alabama.

Chester was preceded in death by his wife Martha Sue (McGowan) Carr, parents, Joseph Alto Carr and Bidia Lee (Searcy) Carr, two brothers, Wilson Carr (Lucille), and Hubert Carr (Jonnie), sister Audrey Williams (Junior), and grandsons David Aaron Wilson, and Brian Scott Wilson. Second wife Miriam (Mims) Carr, stepdaughter Sherri Hearn.

He is survived by his daughter Sheila Wilson (Curt), son Robert C. Carr, Jr. (Brenda), and very special granddaughter Kayla Deanna Carr, stepsons Eugene Mims and Gene Mims (Cindy). As well as many nephews and nieces.

Chester started working with Pea River Electric Co-op in 1947 and worked as their Right-of-Way Easement Specialist until 1950. He then took a job with the Montgomery Advertiser / Alabama Journal as a circulation rep from 1950 -53. He was then promoted to District Manager from 1953-1958 and then became the State of Alabama Circulation Manager from 1958-1961. In 1961 he interviewed and was hired to be an Agent with State Farm Insurance Companies.

Chester was in the insurance industry for 53 years; 34 years with State Farm Insurance, retiring in 1995. He earned the coveted Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) degree in 1977 and the Life Underwriting Training Council Fellow (LUTCF) designation in 1986. He qualified with the State Farm Millionaire Club 15 times and traveled to various places around the world for the Millionaire Conventions. Chester was a member of the South-Central Alabama Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (SCAAIFA), where he served on the Board of Directors 1970-72 and as President in 1983. He earned the Underwriter of the Year award at the local and state association (IAFA) levels. In addition, he served on the State of Alabama (AIFA), where he was on the Board of Directors and President in 1996. Chester was also a member of the Central Alabama Chapter of Chartered Life Underwriters serving on the Board of Directors and as President 1981-82. After his retirement from State Farm, he began working with his son, Robert Carr, Jr. in Robert’s Farmers Insurance Agency for 19 years.

Chester has served in the Montgomery Dixie Lions Club for 58 years and was elected to all officer positions and as President 5 times. He was awarded the coveted Melvin Jones Fellow designation by Lions Clubs International Foundation for dedicated humanitarian service. In April of 2023, Chester was inducted into the Alabama Lions Hall of Fame being one of only 12 members.

Chester was a Member of the Montgomery Quarterback Club for 31 years and served as the organization’s Head Coach. He was awarded Most Valuable Player. Chester was a member of Frazer Church for 30 years.

Pallbearers will be Robert C. Carr Jr., Paul Robertson Jr., Tommy Sager, Tommy Young, Doug Cooper, Jason Hughes.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to your favorite charity, Dixie Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars Smith-Wynn Post 96, American Cancer Association, or the American Heart Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Carr family.