Charles Ray Carter

Charles Ray Carter, 87, of Macon, passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Born on July 21, 1938, in Pikeville, Kentucky, to the late Emma Hess and William Carter, he married the love of his life, Betty Lou Coleman, shortly after graduating high school. The couple shared 47 loving years together, many of them in Jones County, where they raised their family and became deeply rooted in the community, particularly at New Hope Baptist Church, where Charles served as a deacon. He was also a Master Mason, earning the highest honor in Freemasonry through years of dedicated service.

Charles honorably served his country in the United States Air Force, enlisting in October 1961. Following his discharge, he built a long career in civil service at Robins Air Force Base, where he specialized in non-destructive testing until his retirement in 2003. In his later years, he found joy in gardening, bowling, spending time with family, and gathering regularly at Ol Times. A proud native of Kentucky, he remained a devoted University of Kentucky fan, often seen wearing blue and teaching his grandchildren to cheer “Go Big Blue” for the Wildcats.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Lou Carter; daughter, Lisa Albrycht; and siblings, James Carter, Robert Carter, Michael Carter, Loraine Carter Thacker, and Christine Thacker. Charles is survived by his son, Jimmy Carter (Dale); grandchildren, Ashley McWilliams (Jason), Alisha Blair (Jason), Rusty Albrycht, and Ryan Albrycht; great-grandchildren, Zoe and Kaylin Blair; brother, Richard Carter; and sisters, Bonnie Tucker (Louie) and Brenda Talbert (Jay).