James Lecil "Papaw" Carter

James Lecil (Papaw) Carter of Celeste, Texas, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on February 11, 2026, at the Lexington Rehab facility in Farmersville, Texas. Funeral services will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Kingston Methodist Church with Son, Curtis Carter, officiating. Burial will follow at Money Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, February 15, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Coker-Mathews Funeral Home.

James was born June 3, 1939, in China Grove, Texas, to Jerome Kirby and Alma Watson Carter. He married Cheryl Odell on June 25, 2005 in Kingston, Texas. He was a truck driver for 30 years. He was a faithful member and servant of the Kingston Methodist Church for many years. He enjoyed serving on the Celeste Volunteer Fire Department. He was his grandchildren's biggest fan and cheerleader at their sporting events and activities, where he once got ejected from a ballgame because he didn't agree with a call made against one of his precious granddaughters. Papaw loved his grandchildren! He enjoyed cruises, gambling, eating at Molina's and Glenda's, and spending time with family and friends. He enjoyed doing all of these things with Cheryl, his beautiful wife of 20 years. He enjoyed having breakfast and catching up on the latest gossip with friends at the Kwik Chek in Celeste. He enjoyed watching baseball games on tv and rooting for the Texas Rangers with Jessie Mae. He never left anyone without giving them a big hug and telling them that he loved them. He was a man with a big heart, and he will be greatly missed and never forgotten.

He is survived by his wife, Cheryl Carter; children, Russell Carter and wife, Tammy, Kenneth Carter, Lisa Horton and husband, David, Curtis Carter and wife, Stacey, Cinnamon Malmgren, Tyler Malmgren; mother-in-law, Jessie Mae Odell; brothers-in-law, Ronald Odell and Jimmy Odell; numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; great-granddaughter, Adora Noelle Horton; brothers, Finland Carter, Quinlan Carter, Bobby Jack Carter; Beloved wife and loving mother to his children, Edna Ann Carter; and adopted son, Raymond Fulfer.

Pallbearers: Grandsons: Christopher Horton, Brandon Horton, Colton Smith and Trey Carter; Great Grandson, Brian Horton; Son-in-Love, Jason Minter; Grandsons-in-Love, Tanner Minter, Michael Sheets and Wade Sheets