Ralph Davis Carter Jr.

Published 1:31 pm Wednesday, March 12, 2025

April 29, 1948 – March 9, 2025

Ralph Davis Carter Jr., 76, of Woodville, MS passed away March 9, 2025, at St. Dominic’s Hospital in Jackson, MS.

Ralph was born April 29, 1948, in Natchez, to the late Ralph Davis (R.D.) and Clara Lea Leake Carter. He grew up in the Buffalo community and later returned in 2007. He was a member of Corinth Church of Christ – Buffalo Road. He raised his family in Potts Camp, MS, where they were members of Potts Camp Church of Christ for 20 years.

Ralph Carter loved God, loved his family, and loved working with his hands. He enjoyed storytelling and caring for his wife. He liked to say he attended the school of hard knocks and earned his “PHD” while digging post holes for Uncle Sessions’ fence.

He was a welder by trade and draftsman by desire. Throughout his career, he worked at Todd Shipyard in New Orleans, LA; Griffin Armored Cars in Byhalia, MS; Transport Trailers in Tupelo, MS; and Contract Fabricators in Holly Springs, MS.

Ralph was a hard worker and kept busy in his wood shop. He would tell you he does not like to read nor enjoy math, but he was often seen reading his Bible or drafting detailed plans for renovations, cabinets, or gifts. If he was not in his workshop; he was on his tractor. He believed in a full day’s work and completing what he started. His last project was an accessible bathroom add-on for his bride of 54 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother, Dudley E. Carter.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Johnnie Mae Barber Carter, the daughter of the late J.C. Barber and Bessie Mae Taylor Barber of Marietta, MS; his two sons and daughters-in-law, Ralph Davis Carter III and wife, Michelle of Columbus, MS; and Joseph Sessions Carter and wife, Tiffany ‘Grace’ of Smackover, AR. He has five grandchildren, Cassie, Sawyer, Collin, Taylor, and Cannon. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Donna Wilbanks Carter of Brookhaven, MS; aunt, Sallie Carter Smith and aunt, Lydia Leake Morris of Woodville, MS, and a long list of in-laws, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. leading up to the Funeral Service at 3 p.m. at Corinth Church of Christ – Buffalo Road, Woodville, MS, with Bro. John Bryant officiating.

Interment at Carter Family Cemetery on Pat Leake Road.

Pallbearers will be Kyle Carter, William Morris, Jr., Tim Morris, Eric Morris, Elliott Hammack, and Edward Smith.

Honorary pallbearers will be Eugene “Junior” Pritchard, W.C. Reed, and Norman Carter.

Arrangements by Newman Funeral Home of Centreville, MS.