Ira G. Carter, age 88, died Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at the Windsor Place in Columbus, MS. Mr. Carter was born October 7, 1926, in Amory, MS. He moved to Smithville, MS, in early childhood where he graduated from Smithville High School in l944. He served in the Air Force during World War II and then entered Ole Miss after the war. He graduated in 1949 and after graduation worked for 33 ½ years as a sales rep and trainer for Procter and Gamble before retiring in l983. Mr. Carter was preceded in death by his parents, Monroe and Della Carter of Amory, siblings, Ray Carter of Birmingham, AL, Rosa Carter Dawkins of Birmingham and Marie Carter Parish of Amory and his loving wife of 52 years, Hazel Edwards Carter. He is survived by two sons, Randy Carter of Swainsboro, GA, and Kelly Carter of Cocoa, FL, a grandson, Kyle Carter (Samantha), of Fort Carson, CO and a granddaughter, Keri Carter Vazquez (Matthew) of Rockledge, FL, and four great grandchildren, Hayden and Landen Carter and Isaac and Elijah Vazquez. He is also survived by a brother, James ( Mery Jane) Carter of Tupelo, MS, and a sister, Nell Carter Abel, of Tuscaloosa, AL. He was a longtime member and Sunday School teacher at Central United Methodist Church before becoming a member of First Baptist Church where he has served as Director of an adult Seniors Sunday School Department. He was also an avid fisherman and a member of Lake Norris Fishing Club where he served as a past president and was on the board of directors for many years. Other organizations where he served on the board of directors were Habitat for Humanity, Friends of the Library at Columbus-Lowndes Library, and Trinity Place Retirement Center and Nursing Home Complex. Mr. Carter was also a member of the Rotary Club where he was a Paul Harris Fellow and was the longtime host for the "Old Geezers" Fish Eating Club. In 1999 he authored and published a book of country peddler stories. Funeral services will be held Sunday July 19, 2015, at 3:00 pm at First Baptist Church with Gunter and Peel Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service with burial following at Friendship Cemetery. Dr. Shawn Parker will conduct the services. Pallbearers are members of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School Class from Central United Methodist Church. Honorary pallbearers are members of the "Old Geezers" Fish Eating Club.
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