Lewis Carter

Lewis Marcus Carter, 86, of Donalsonville, Georgia, passed away Tuesday, July 14, 2009 at his home. The son of Henry Marcus and Ruby Jordan Carter, Mr. Carter was born May 8, 1923 in Pike County, Alabama. A long time resident of Donalsonville, Mr. Carter is survived by his wife Nadine Cox Easom Carter of Donalsonville. Mr. Carter was preceded in death by his wife and the mother of his children, Lois Ann Williams Carter. Mr. Carter is also survived by his children Lewis Carter, Jr. and his wife Betty of Donalsonville, John Carter and his wife Joy of Seminole, Florida, and Suzanne Bendinger and her husband Rick of Headland, Alabama. Mr. Carter is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Jenny Golden of Tallahassee, Florida is his surviving sister. In his professional life, Mr. Carter was owner of Lewis M. Carter Mfg. Co. in Donalsonville and was considered the preeminent designer of peanut processing systems and equipment. The machinery he designed and manufactured is used to process the entire U. S. peanut crop. His designs are working all over the world and on over 80 different commodities. In 1999, the American Peanut Council awarded Mr. Carter their Lifetime Achievement Award for his service to the world peanut industry. Mr. Carter served as President and Director of Donalsonville First Federal Savings and Loan, a Director of the National Peanut Association, and as a Director of the Donalsonville Hospital Authority. He was an Elder for the Donalsonville Church of Christ and taught Bible classes for over 50 years. A naval veteran, Mr. Carter served on PT Boats in the Mediterranean Sea during World War II. Graveside funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 17, 2009 at Friendship Cemetery in Donalsonville, Georgia with Tim Martin leading the service. Active pallbearers will be Larry Evans, David Sandlin, Jim Adams, Veachel Williams, Percy Jones, Mark Hanna, John Mosely, Jack Williams, Jr. and Joey Trice. Visitation will be Thursday, July 16, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Lewis M. Carter, Jr.'s home, 5668 Carter Dr., Donalsonville. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com . In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to The Ann Briggs McCullough Memorial Endowment at the University of South Alabama, 307 University Blvd., Mobile, Alabama 36688-0002 or the Lois Ann Carter Scholarship Fund, Lipscomb University, 3901 Granny White Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37204-3951.