Bobby Eugene Carter, 94, of Jasper, Tennessee passed away Tuesday, April, 11, 2023, at his home. Bobby was born May 24, 1928, in Birmingham, Alabama to Francis Bradford Carter and Vera Ann Taylor. He was the grandson of Leck Carter and Amanda Coppinger and William Smith Taylor and Mary Hettie Humphries. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Gwendolyn Martin, his two brothers, Jimmy Lewis Carter, and Billy Charles Carter (Sandra Kay Roberts Carter), and sister-in-law Jewell Stagner Carter.
He is survived by his sons, Brad Carter (Betty Harrison) of Orlando, FL, Dale Carter (Dawn Van Buren) of Old Hickory, TN, Rick Carter (Darlena McDade) of Jasper, TN, Daniel Carter (Rachel Gorham) of Jasper, TN, his daughter, Lee Ann Carter (Mitch Frazier) of Murfreesboro, TN and his grandsons Brad Carter, Jr of Orlando, FL, Dylan Carter, Wesley Carter, Ollie Carter and Harry Carter, all of Jasper, TN and granddaughters Amanda Carter Constantino (Mike Constantino) of Orlando, FL and Sarah Carter of Old Hickory, TN, Lloyd Allen Tate of Whitwell, and Chase Mitchell Frazier (Felicia) and Great-Grandson Jesse Frazier of Murfreesboro. Also, surviving are nieces, Kim Carter Smith (Gene Smith), Kelly Carter Cross (Paul Cross), Kris Carter Price (Mickey Price) and nephew, Kip Carter (Kelly), grand-nephews, Chandler and Carter Cross (Abby Norman), Logan Price, Keagan and Klayton Carter, grand-nieces Kinlee Carter, Peyton Price (Danny Hadden).
After attending the first grade in the Irving College, TN, Bobby and his family moved to South Pittsburg, TN where he attended school and made many lifelong friends. He played on the South Pittsburg High School varsity football and basketball. He earned a football scholarship to the Citadel University in Charleston, South Carolina in the fall of 1948, graduating with a major in Education. He played on the football team all four years and lettered his junior and senior years. He was named most valuable defensive player during his senior year. He also played on the Citadel baseball team all four years and lettered 3 years. He was captain of the baseball team his senior year.
After graduating from the Citadel in 1952 Bobby entered the US Air Force as a Second Lieutenant at Sewart Air Force Base in Smyrna, TN where he continued to coach and play football for the military base. During this time, Bobby met his wife, Gwen Martin in August of 1952, at Middle Tennessee State College (MTSU). They were married on December 29, 1953, in Lebanon, TN. Bobby entered Peabody College (now Peabody College of Vanderbilt University) in Nashville, TN and received a MS Degree in Education Administration. Bobby obtained a teaching position at Marion County High School in Jasper, TN after graduating from Peabody and taught biology and mathematics and was assistant football coach and the head basketball coach at MCHS for the 1955-1957 seasons.
Bobby was elected to the office of the Trustee of Marion County, TN in September 1958, serving until he retired in September 1994, Bobby then served as Executive Director of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce and Partnership for Economic Development, Inc. for several years. During the 1960’s through the 1980’s, Bobby helped organize the Dixie Youth Baseball League in Jasper, TN and was the driving force for procuring the land and funding to build several new baseball fields in what is now, Jasper Park. Among his other accomplishments, Bobby founded and served in leadership positions on several civic clubs in Marion County and helped form the Marion County Cattleman’s Association in 1962. He has been an active member of the First Baptist Church in Jasper, TN since moving to Jasper in 1955 and served as deacon for several years.
A very special thank you to his wonderful caregiver, Karen Tetter, her husband Brian, and to the hospice nurses and doctors at Amedysis.
Visitation is Saturday, April 15, 2023, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm CST at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper, Tennessee.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 2:00 pm CST at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper, Tennessee with Paul Cross officiating.
Pallbearers are Ollie Carter, Harry Carter, Dylan Carter, Wesley Carter, Chase Frazier and Lloyd Allen Tate.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Marion County Children’s Fund P. O. Box 11, Jasper, Tennessee 37347.
Funeral arrangements entrusted to Tate Funeral Home LLC, 950 Mel Dixon Lane, Jasper, Tennessee 37347, 423-942-9500.