HERBERT WAYNE CARR

Herbert Wayne Carr, age 90, died September 10, 2017 at home, in Donalsonville, after a short illness. He was born to William Homer and Roberta Strickland Carr in Henry County Alabama, in the Capp Station community on April 5, 1927. The family moved to the Donalsonville area when Wayne was seventeen. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1945 and was stationed in Eschwege, Germany before returning home. Growing up as the son of a sharecropper, he began farming early in his life by picking a bucket of peas for dinner with his younger brother and later, begging his older brothers to let him “plow the mule.” After purchasing his own farm in the early 1950s, he was actively engaged in farming through the Fall harvest of 2016. His often commented admiringly about others who “loved the land”. That phrase most certainly applied to him and the pleasure he found in farming. He participated in organizations that supported farming, education, veterans and community. He especially enjoyed farm auctions, where, he once arrived, dressed in a suit, after attending a morning church meeting, and left the car door standing open in his hurry to get to the call of the auctioneer. He loved people; his conversations with others included questions about family, and long-time or newly-discovered mutual acquaintances. On July 6, 1949, he married his sweetheart, Joanna Pauline Sowell, a native of Chipley, Florida and the daughter of Eddie and Effie Duncan Sowell. They were married for 63 years, and, in her last few years he served as her caregiver, before Polly’s death on February 25, 2012. He was a member of Jakin Free Will Baptist Church where he served as song leader and a deacon; he served as Finance Chairman of the Paul Palmer Conference for many years. His heartfelt prayer during these last few months was that his illness might bring someone into a personal relationshiop with Jesus Christ. Wayne is survived by three daughters: Suzanne Carr Coates of Smithfield, North Carolina, Lauren Carr Spooner and husband Wade of Donalsonville, and Veronica Carr Pearce of Bainbridge; nine grandchildren, Meg Herring and Mark of Whigham, Ben Spooner and Brandy of Donalsonville, Matthew Coates and Maegan of Pine Level, North Carolina, Merrie Beth Eubanks and Eric of Arlington, Maria Williams and Wes of Donalsonville, Jordan Coates and Kate of Smithfield, North Carolina, Ashley Coates Higgings and Jake of Nashville, Tennessee, Austin Coates of Smithfield, North Carolina, and Clay Pearce of Bainbridge, and 21 great-grandchildren. In addition to his wife, Wayne was preceded in death by siblings Maudrie, Mildred, Bill, Gene, Louella, Hugh, and Joe. He is survived by three siblings: Carolyn Brady of Cedar Springs, Kay Moore of Madison, Florida, and Bobby Carr and wife Oneida of Hampton. The family would like to thank those who helped with his care including other family members; staff of Kindred at Home and Kindred Hospice; Dr. Gregory Hall, Dr. Luke Williams, and staff of Donalsonville Hospital; Dr. Jonathan McNeal, Dr. Jarrod Adkison, and staff of Southeast Alabama Medical Center; and his irreplaceable caregivers. Many thanks also go to the morning coffee shop group, his church family and those who came by to visit with him. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Jakin Free Will Baptist Church, c/o Kydie Dean, PO Box 92, Jakin, Georgia, 39861 or to Seminole County Warpath On Cancer, Inc., PO Box 205, Donalsonville, GA, 39845 The family will receive family and friends at Evans-Skipper Funeral Home in Donalsonville, Georgia, on Thursday, September 14, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held at Jakin Free Will Baptist Church on Friday, September 15, 2017 at 11:00 AM with interment to follow.