Photo courtesy of Mountain View Funeral Home
Blairsville, Georgia
Jun 27, 1926 – Aug 9, 2021 (Age 95)
Mr. Carlton Harry Colwell, age 95 of Colwell Drive, Blairsville, passed away peacefully on Monday August 9, 2021 in the Union General Hospital following an extended illness. Carlton was born on June 27, 1926 in Blairsville, GA., son of the late Patrick Colwell & Hattie Weaver Colwell. Carlton served in the United States Army in 1944. After his discharge, he soon became employed at the Bell Bomber Plant which is now known as Lockheed Marietta. In 1948, Carlton met and later married the love of his life; Odetta Ralston of Fannin County. After moving Odetta to Atlanta, he worked at General Motors for 7 years. As he longed to return to the North Georgia Mountains, Carlton established and owned Colwell Construction Company for 71 years; as well as being elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1964 where he proudly served Union County. In his first year serving; he was appointed to the Appropriations Committee where he remained for 30 years. Carlton was a member of the Blairsville Church of Christ where he once served as an elder. Carlton is preceded in death by his parents, brothers and a son; Mike Colwell on May 10, 1968.
Survivors include his loving wife of 73 years; Odetta Colwell of Blairsville, four sons & four daughters-in-law; Curtis & Mary Colwell, Steve & Phyllis Colwell, Doug & Rhonda Colwell, Tom & Karla Colwell all of Blairsvile, one daughter & son-in law; Carla & Steve Drake of Blairsville, ten grandchildren; Haley & Scotty Dyer, Luke & Rebecca Colwell, Jake & Stacy Colwell, Randy & Katie Murdock, David & Jade Dennis, Ralston Drake, Sawyer Drake, Layne Colwell, Candler Colwell, and Crawford Colwell and eight great-grandchildren - Sloane, Jules, Samantha, Catherine, Eliza, Emmet, Grant and Hunter.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday August 12, 2021 at 5:00pm from the Union County Fine Arts Center with Minister Terry Stuart & Minister Butch Jones officiating. A eulogy will be presented by Ralston Drake and a reading by Jake Colwell. Special music will be presented by Kathryn Nelson, Greg Waller, and Terry Stuart. Interment will follow in the Union Memory Gardens. The following gentleman will serve as pallbearers; Luke Colwell, Scotty Dyer, Candler Colwell, Jake Colwell, Crawford Colwell, Randy Murdock, Ralston Drake, Sawyer Drake, and David Dennis. The following gentleman will serve as honorary pallbearers; Parker Daniels, Coleson Daniels, Cole Jenkins, John Akins, Bud Akins, Larry Williams, Dick Bell, Rick Davenport, Ray Parson, Ricky Rich, Jack Lance, Lester Chesser, and Derrick Cheek. The family will meet with friends on Wednesday evening from 5:00pm-9:00pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Blairsville Church of Christ in Carlton’s memory. Due to Covid the family respectfully request everyone wear a mask.
Mountain View Funeral Home of Blairsville is in charge of the arrangements. You may sign the family guest book and send condolences online at www.mountainviewfuneralhome.com.
Read More
So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers going up for the entire Colwell family. Carlton will surely be missed by by all .
Sharon Gay
August 17, 2021 | BLAIRSVILLE, GA | Friend
My Love and Prayers are with Carlton's family. We have lost another good man. May God Bless and Comfort you all. If anything I can do let me know. Your Friend Frances
Frances Brown
August 16, 2021 | Blairsville, GA | Friend
Carlton´s legacy speaks to the rich cultural heritage of the North Georgia Mountains. Although I was only blessed to know Carlton in his final years on Earth, he was such a wealth of knowledge who could recollect most events and people with whom he had interacted in his life! He had such a detailed memory and played such a distinct role in the social and economic growth in the state. While we have lost a friend and mentor to many, in him, we have also lost a library and an invaluable resource...
Lorenzo Lucchesi
August 14, 2021
Uncle Carlton was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and my dear dear uncle. As a small child I remember wonderful visits with Uncle Carlton and my mother's sister, Aunt Odetta. My cousins were my playmates and the whole Colwell family showed me love and stability in a time when my own family faced many many changes. We were blessed to have him in our lives and will miss him until we meet again. With love from Sharone and Juergen and Allie and Neil, in Harwich England.
Sharone Neuhoff
August 14, 2021 | Harwich England | Family
He was such an example of a life well lived! My grandparents grew up with him (Crawfords, Penlands, Berry’s) and he did so much for the community! Prayers for all.
Laura Higgins
August 14, 2021 | Bluffton, SC | Friend
Curtis and Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Mr. Carlton was a fine man who will surely be missed.
Rex and Anita Lilly
August 13, 2021 | Valdosta And Ellijay, GA
We have lost a great man, but Heaven holds him while he waits for you all to join him. I extend my love, sympathy, and prayers to each of you! Edith Payne Davis
Edith Davis
August 13, 2021 | Marble, NC
What an incredible Christian man, husband, father, grandfather and statesman! Carlton's legacy will live on long after his passing. My sincere condolences to his beloved family.
Ellen Kennedy
August 12, 2021 | Blairsville, GA | Friend
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Prayers for the family.
Jodie E & Portia CORN
August 12, 2021 | BLAIRSVILLE, GA | Friend
