Steven Verlon Carter
May 2, 1929 – November 11, 2017

Steven Verlon Carter (88) passed away on November 11, 2017 in Alma, GA surrounded by family and friends. Although he had battled and beaten melanoma in 2015, the cancer returned in October 2017 and ultimately quieted the man everyone remembers as kind and funny.

Mr. Carter was predeceased by his parents, Thomas Mason Carter and Cora Mae Jordan Carter, Alma, GA; siblings, LaVerne Carter, Alma, GA, LaForest Watson, Cocoa, FL, and Lamar Carter, Macon, GA; and brothers-in-law Harold Watson, Cocoa, FL and Marion Tuten, Alma, GA. He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Lorene Manning Carter; one sister, Jeanelle Tuten, Alma; son, Steven V. Carter, Jr., Spartanburg, S.C.; daughter, Eva Michelle Garcia (Jim), Round Rock, TX; granddaughters, Amanda Rowe (Ryan), Keller, TX, Chelsea Hughes (Rob), Arlington, TN, and Emily Garcia, Austin, TX; and great-grandsons Owen and Caleb Hughes.

Born in Blackshear, GA, Mr. Carter was raised in Alma/Bacon County and graduated Bacon County High School in 1948. In 1950 he was introduced to US Naval service through boot camp in San Diego, CA, and was subsequently stationed at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA and Naval Base Guam. Mr. Carter was discharged in 1954 through Seattle, WA. After naval service, Mr. Carter worked in printing and newspapers then joined the US Postal Service in 1966 and retired in 1989.

Throughout his life, Mr. Carter made time to support the activities of his wife and children (FHA honorary member, FBC Youth Choir trip chaperone/bus driver, Boy Scout Assistant Leader, Philmont Scout Ranch chaperone, BSA Camp Tolochee chaperone, and BCHS Band Booster). Known as a master tinkerer, he found ingenious ways to outsmart day-to-day engineering problems, and many of his creative tools are still in use today. He taught countless teenagers how to water ski, provided a couple of memorable autumn hayrides, and hands down served up the lightest fried fish and hushpuppies! Mr. Carter was a long-time member of First Baptist Church Alma where he served as a deacon for many years.

After the arrival of grandchildren, Mr. Carter delighted in hosting those youngsters for "Camp Mama and Papa" each summer. From cane pole fishing to gathering vegetables to water activities, he made sure practical learning was fun!

Mr. Carter devoted his volunteer time in the service of Freemasonry, achieving degrees in the Masonic Lodge's multiple orders. Early years in the Masons included transporting needy children to the Shriner's Hospitals for specialized medical treatments. Serving on the board of directors for the Masonic Children's Home of Georgia and spearheading the efforts to revitalize that group's summer camp facilities were highlights of his service. The RED BIRD cabin at Shellman's Bluff was constructed in his honor.

Mr. Carter was a 60-year member of Bacon Lodge #56 F & AM in Alma. There he served as Past Master, was Treasurer for 40 years and was recipient of Sam Owens Award as Outstanding Member in the 11 ^th Masonic District. He was a member and Past Patron of Alma Chapter #324 of the Order of the Eastern Star. In the Tri-City Chapter #90 of Royal Arch Masons he was Past High Priest, Past Most Eminent Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in Georgia, Past Prior Knights of the York Cross of Honor, and achieved Order of the High Priesthood. Mr. Carter was a member of Waycross Chapter #30 Royal and Select Masters having served as Past Illustrious Master and was awarded Order of the Silver Trowel. Also a member of Waycross Commandery #36 Knights Templar, Mr. Carter was Past Eminent Commander, Past Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar in Georgia, Order of the Knight Crusader of the Cross, Grand Masters Club, Knight Commander of the Temple, and Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests and Order of Holy Wisdom. He was a member of the New Covenant Conclave of Red Cross of Constantine in Macon and was a member of Herman E. Freeman York Rite College in Savannah. He was a 32 ^nd Degree Member of Scottish Rite Valley of Savannah.

Charitable donations in memory of Mr. Carter can be made to:

• Masonic Children's Home, c/o Grand Lodge Secretary, P.O. Box 4665, Macon, GA 31208 OR masonichomeofgeorgia.com
• First Baptist Church Alma, Building Fund, 301 West 9 ^th , Alma, GA 31510

Great appreciation is extended to the compassionate caregivers at Twin Oaks Convalescent Center. The family thanks Marvin Deen for his loving friendship, strong support and comprehensive guidance during this difficult time.

Visitation: Tuesday, November 14 ^th , 6-8 p.m. at Crosby Funeral Home, Alma.Funeral: Wednesday, November 15 ^th , 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Alma with Dr. Ron Sweatt officiating.Honorary Pallbearers: All Masonic Brethren. Woodrow and Lillian McCrea. Members of the Big Brothers Sunday School Class. Past Postal co-workers Maynard Anderson, McCoy Crosby, Pat Tanner, Vicky Adams, Jeffery Quinn, Henry Kite, and Jimmy Kirkland. Bacon County High School Class of 1948.
Active Pallbearers: Danny Giddens, George Lawton Johnson, Huey Davis, Jim Clark, Johnny King, and Darrell Douglas.