Obituary of Earl Carter

Earl Carter passed peacefully into the presence of God on Sunday, February 3, 2013. Services will be at 2:00pm on Wednesday, February 6th at the First United Methodist Church in Abernathy, TX. The family will receive friends at Abell Funeral Home Tuesday, February 5th from 6:00 - 7:00pm. Services are under the direction of Abell Funeral Home and Flower Shop of Abernathy, TX. Earl was born on March 15, 1914 and was raised in Rogers, Arkansas where he played football until graduating and moving on to McMurry College. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1941. After graduating, he served his country as as Army officer in the Caribbean and South Atlantic during World War II. Upon separation from the service, he began his teaching and coaching career at Lueders-Avoca ISD, near Abilene, before accepting a position at Roby ISD. In 1947, Earl and Jo moved to Abernathy where Earl continued his teaching and coaching career. In 1959, he became the school Business Manager and Tax Officer where he served until his retirement in 1984. After a rewarding 43 year career in education, he and Jo enjoyed many years of traveling. Earl was a member of numerous educational associations and was a Certified Tax Accountant. He was selected as Abernathy Citizen of the Year in 1998. In 2009 he received the Distinguished Teacher Award and his 50-year plaque from the Lion's Club. Earl and Jo were members of the First United Methodist Church in Abernathy. Earl was known for his humble and kind manner. When he made the career change to administrator, he missed the day-to-day contact with students. Celebrating his nearly 99 years of life, along with his wife Jo, include son, Mickey (Jan) Carter of Amarillo, daughter Peggy (Bob) Pearce of Lubbock, three grandchildren, Cecil (Melissa) Carter and Robert (Erin) Carter, all of Amarillo, and Ashley (Grant) Looney of Midland, two great-granddaughters, Emily and Brooklyn, and a special niece, Sarah (David) Clark of Nowata, OK.