Joseph M. Carter
November 2, 1932 – August 9, 2021
Joseph Marion Carter, loving husband and father of six children, passed away Monday, August 9, 2021 at the age of 88. Joe was born on November 2, 1932 to Joe and Florine (Phillips) Carter. On November 27, 1953 he married the late Bettye (Elliott) Carter, raising four sons and two daughters. Joe served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps for twenty years, having the honor of being selected as an enlisted-to-officer Mustang. His military career included serving a tour in Vietnam. Joe also was an instructor at Northern Virginia Community College for approximately fifteen years, ultimately serving as head of the HVAC Program. On May 20, 2006 Joe married Linda (McFadden) and remained joined until his passing.
Joe loved spending time on his rural property, tending to his fruit trees, repairing things and feeding the animals. He also had a keen interest in military history, and was known for his quick wit, compassion, and kind spirit. Joe was a devout Christian and member of the Brooksville church of Christ in Florida, and was previously a member of the North Charlottesville church of Christ in Virginia. Joe was dearly loved by his entire family and was a wonderful role model to those that knew him.
Joe was preceded in death by his father, Joe, his mother, Florine, his wife, Bettye, his sister, Carolyn Jensen, and his brother, Royce. He is survived by his wife, Linda, his four sons: Chris (Julie); Randy (Christine); Jeff (Jennifer); and Vic (Carolyne); and two daughters: Gwynne Candelaria (Tim); and Melissa Lester (Adam). Joe is also survived by his brothers: Paul (Virginia); Gary (Janet); John; and Lance (Nancy); and sisters: Marie Black; and Martha Seay. Joe also has fourteen grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two stepchildren and eight step-grandchildren.
Please note that the cemetery requires those attending the graveside service to wear a mask. The service will be held on Monday, August 30, 2021 at 11:30 am. The location is Quantico National Cemetery, 18424 Joplin Rd, Triangle, VA 22172. Please assemble in the vehicle line at 11:15 am; attendees will be led in a vehicle procession to the burial shelter. The service also will be live-streamed at the Woodward Funeral Home website at: http://woodwardfuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks for donations to be sent in Joe’s memory to Florida College at https://www.floridacollege.edu/giving/make-a-gift/. Although the family would like to have an after-service gathering, we are not planning one due to the unfortunate severity of the pandemic.
Joe Carter will be greatly missed by those fortunate enough to have known him. Dad always was highly respected by his immediate and extended family, and as a father he taught well and by example. I loved having spirited conversation with Dad, and his mind and wit were sharp even in his latter years. I am so grateful to have had Joe Carter as my Dad, my mentor, and my friend. I take great comfort knowing that Dad is now with Mom, and that they both are in God’s loving hands. I’ll miss you so much Dad, until we meet again. Love, Randy
Uncle Joe Marion was a wonderful Christian. I will always remember him as a man of God. He and I had several conversations throughout the years. Often concerning the Bible or the church. He let me know how proud he was of me for the work I was doing in the Lords church. I’ll never forget that. I will certainly miss uncle joe.
My thoughts and prayers are with Aunt Linda, his sons and daughters and grandchildren; and also with our aunts and uncles and cousins.
Thank you Gary and thank you for the kind words. I’ve heard others say he was encouraging to them and seems like everyone enjoyed their conversations with him.
Dad was a good bloke who helped people his whole life and served his country honourably as a Marine. He served two tours in Okinawa, two tours as a drill instructor and was S3 of 2nd Battalion, 7th regiment, 1st Marine Division in the I corps area Dec1967-Dec1968 (during Tet). He was a good older brother to his family, a good husband to our Mother, a good Dad and Grandfather to us. He then married Linda and was a good husband and helped raise her grandchildren. Though I worry about my own soul, I reckon Dad is with God.
I’ll miss Dad forever and will never forget his voice saying, “Love you Sugar”.
Dearest family,
A sad day mourning Joe’s passing. He is a Christian man, always looking at what he had as a blessing. Melissa your right and it brought me to tears, “I Love you Sugar” , I can hear him saying those words.
Grandpa was one of the kindest people I ever met. I will forever be greatful of all the times I spent with him. I miss him so much and I look forward to the eternal day when I will see him again.
Dad always told me that his greatest and most painful loss in life was burying his granddaughter, Heather Nicole Bland. His love for her as a grandfather was as great as mine was as her mother. Now they will rest in eternity together. Love you, Dad.
When my sister died I’ll never forget that your father was the first to come over to our house offering your family’s condolences and and your mom’s pot roast. I appreciate his sincerity and words of comfort to this day. I respect his service and sacrifices for our country and I know he will be missed. Thank you sir.
Thank you Richard. Hope you and yours are well.
I miss you Joe more than words can express. I am very happy that the Lord brought us together though the time was too short. All of my children miss you too. Tobias said , I miss grandpa will I ever see him again? I replied, you can pray to him.
Joe shared with me, an experience that he had at Betty’s funeral. A butterfly landed on his knee for a long time. When Joe passed, I prayed that the Lord would show me a sign that he was in heaven. A beautiful Bluebutterfly flew on the porch and kept flying over table where we sat. I knew that had to be a sign his spirit was with us.
Joe thank you for raising such a nice family.