John Byrd Carter, Sr.

John Byrd Carter, "Jack/Big," entered into eternal rest on May 15, 2024, at the age of 97.  

Jack was a native of Charleston growing up on Council Street on the peninsula. Jack graduated from Charleston High School and attended the Citadel on the G.I. Bill.  He was proud to have served his country in the Navy in World War II and the Korean Conflict. His professional career spanned 40 years with the U.S. Postal Service retiring as Manager of the Broad and Meeting Streets Main Office.  His passion in life was his family, his church and service to others. His grandchildren were privileged to have Big as their personal “Bus Driver”. He took them to school and picked them up every day until they could drive.  Jack was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church for 68 years and held every volunteer leadership position during that time; some two and three times.  As a Master Gardener he spent a lot of time keeping his yards in full bloom with many brightly colored flowers. He was awarded Yard of the Month on several occasions.  Jack was a member of the Walhalla (Master 1960) and Mariner Masonic Lodges, the York Rite, Omar Shrine Temple and the Charleston Director’s Staff.   He served his community in many ways as a member of the James Island YMCA for 25 years and Chairman for 4 years, as a Boy Scout Troop leader, as a coach and referee to youth baseball and football teams, and a member and Chair of the Folly Beach Senior Citizens. Some of his many awards included the Exchange Club Man of the Year, Sertoma Club Man of the Year, the key to the City of Folly Beach and Folly Beach Citizen of the Year.  

His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren unanimously tabbed him as their personal MAN of ALL TIMES.  He truly lived his life to the fullest and to benefit the lives of others.  We are so blessed to have had him in our lives for so many happy years. Jack was “holding court” with his family the day before his passing and when his cell phone rang, he said, “Oh! I bet that’s St. Peter!”

He is predeceased by his loving wife, Jean Riddle Carter; his parents: Pearl Buero Carter Redell, Henry H. L. Carter and Christian H. L. Redell; two sisters: Helen Clarkin, and Claire Gelwicks. 

Jack is survived by his brother, Christian H. L. Redell, Jr., (Maria); his son, John Byrd Carter, Jr. (Susan); daughter, Janet Carter Cooper (Ronnie); grandchildren and great-grands: Kate Evans (Sandy), (Malcolm, Henry, and Winn), Brooke Wood (Daniel), (Sadie, Ronnie, and Dallas), Bryan Cooper (Paige), (Carter, Lila Grace), Elizabeth Kelly (Ryan), (Harrison), and Jarrett Cooper (Andrea), (Jack and Avery)

Pall Bearers are Bill Bulpitt, Thomas Gelwicks, Kenny Gillam, Bill Overend, Sandy Sander and Billy Wise.                                                                         

Visitation will be Sunday, May 19, 2024, in the at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street, Chas. SC 29401 from 4:00 pm until 6:00 pm. 

The family invites you to his Celebration of Life Service on Monday, May 20, 2024, at Bethany United Methodist Church, 1853 Maybank Highway on James Island at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in Holy Cross Cemetery on James Island.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Bethany United Methodist Church, 1853 Maybank Highway, Charleston, South Carolina, 29412 or your favorite charity.