Charles Allen Carter

Charles Allen Carter of Counce, Tennessee, passed into his eternal home on January 1, 2026. He was born January 27, 1948, at the Naval Hospital at NAS Memphis in Millington, Tennessee, the first son of Catherine Jean George Carter and George "Buck" Carter. He was a 12 year student of Millington schools and graduated from Millington Central High School in the class of 1966. He attended then Memphis State College after graduation. He served in the US Navy Reserve for 5 years during the Vietnam era.
Charles worked for Forsythe Vending in Millington. He and his uncle, Billy George, operated Tip Top Food Stores for several years. He and his father operated a back hoe business part time. He began his fire fighting career in 1972 when he joined the Millington Fire Department as a reserve firefighter. In 1978 he became a full time firefighter and in 1991 was promoted to Chief of the Millington Fire Department. He retired from that position in 2009 and moved full time to Counce and Pickwick Lake where he and his wife had a weekend home.
Charles was a past member of the Millington Jaycees and served as Worshipful Master of Millington Masonic Lodge 671. He was elected President of the Shelby County Fire Chiefs Association and in 1994 was elected President of the Tennessee Fire Chiefs Association. Charles made a profession of faith at an early age and was an active member of St. Peter's by the Lake Anglican Church in Counce.
Charles is survived by his wife, Linda Martin Carter, his daughter Tammy (Jeff) Knight and son Jay (Shannon) Wilson of Oakland, Tennessee. He has seven grandchildren, Arica (Michael) Beller of Frankenmuth, Michigan, Amanda (Trey) Acosta of Savannah, Taylor (David) Bouchard of Oakland, Dallas Lee of Bartlett, Christopher (Arielle) Wilson of Somerville, Hannah Wilson and Kelsey Wilson of Oakland. He has 4 great grandchildren, Addy Acosta and Mikey, Callie and James Beller. He has one brother, Gary (Ginger) Carter of Brighton TN and an extended family that counts into the hundreds. He was predeceased by his parents Buck and Jean Carter.
A man of many talents and loves, he spent as much time as possible on the water with Linda. They could be found several days a week on Pickwick Lake riding and fishing from their boat, TAJA Ill. He enjoyed the outdoors immensely and hunted with his dad in Colorado several times and locally as well. He loved to play golf, the highlight of that being attending the Master's in Augusta GA with his brother. He took many trips to Gatlinburg where he and Linda hiked to several waterfalls and toured Cades Cove each time they went. Going to Gulf Shores several times each year during the winter months satisfied the craving for water sports. His most famous water achievement was slalom skiing from Tipton County to the Memphis Arkansas Bridge and back in one trip, He played Little League baseball in Millington. He and Linda took over 30 cruises with family and friends and alone as well. He traveled across the United State and into Canada.
Charles was a happy, loving, kind and gentle man. He always had a smile and a kind word for everyone he met. He will be missed by so many people whom he helped, mentored and simply cared about. But most of all, he will be missed by his family and loved ones for whom he was their anchor. Charles loved our Lord and our Lord loved Charles.
Services will be held on Saturday, January 10, at Shackelford Funeral Home in Savannah. Visitation will be Friday evening and Saturday before the funeral. Burial will be in Memory Gardens of Hardin County.
Memorials may be made to the Darryl Worley Cancer Center, Sheltering Tree Ranch or St. Peter's by the Lake Anglican Church Futures Fund.