Rev. Leon Carter

Rev. Leon Carter, age 89, Cleveland, passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

Jesse Leon Carter was born January 19, 1930 in White County to the late David Fred and Hattie Mae Black Carter. He was preceded in death by his son, Rondal Perry Carter, brother, Samuel Carter and sisters, Mary Elizabeth Pruitt, Christine Coleman. He was the last remaining member of his immediate family.

Leon served with honor in the United States Army from 1949-1952 during the Korean War. He received six bronze service stars for bravery. He was very proud to have served his country.

In addition to many jobs, he was a farmer by trade and most of his life raised chickens, cattle and hogs. Leon enjoyed working his land and planted a garden every year until he became disabled. Other than serving his country, he was most proud of his ministry. He pastored several churches in northeast Georgia, which include Double Springs Baptist Church (twice), Wauka Mountain Baptist (twice), Union Baptist and Blue Creek Baptist (twice). He was a member of Blue Creek Baptist Church, where he also served many years as a deacon.  

Leon was dedicated to his ministry and put God first. He witnessed to non-believers, visited the sick, brought couples together in holy matrimony, led people to Christ and baptized many. Always available 24 hours, he would help a neighbor in need or go in the middle of the night to pray with a friend. He lived by this verse, “Jesus said to him, thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself.” Matthew 22: 34-40.

He had the greatest love for his family and enjoyed spending time, especially his grandchildren.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 65 years, Mary Ruth Sutton Carter; his sons and daughters-in-law, Lamar and Renee Carter, Cleveland, Scott and Tammy Carter, Cleveland; daughters and sons-in-law, Doris and Bill Swann, Marietta; Robin and Parrish Dudley, Flowery Branch; grandchildren, Alison Autry, Atlanta, Jesse Carter, Cleveland, Brett Carter, Cleveland, Roxie Dalton, Gainesville, and Rachel Carter, Cleveland; and several nieces and one nephew.

The family would like to give special thanks to Leon’s Caregivers: Homestead Hospice, Health Care Angels and Rest Care; Taylor Edge, Betty Lance, Kristen Mitchell, Mickey Hayes, Rebecca Yearwood, and Joy Baker.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 P.M. Friday, February 1, 2019 at Blue Creek Baptist Church.  The Rev. Phillip Robinson, Rev. Lyman Caldwell, Rev. Dave Fortner and Rev. Darren Palmer will officiate.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the funeral home.

Any minister is asked to sit at a designated area during the funeral.

The family will acknowledge flowers, but contributions may be made to the Gideons – White County Camp - PO Box 946, Cleveland, GA 30528 and the Alzheimer’s Foundation: 225 N. Michigan Ave Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601.

To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit barrettfh.com.

Barrett Funeral Home, Cleveland.