Randolph Coleman Carter

Rev. Randolph (Randy) Coleman Carter, 82, of Hannibal, Missouri, passed away October 23, 2014, at Circle of Life Hospice in Bentonville, Arkansas. Funeral services will be held at noon Monday, October 27, 2014, at Immanuel Baptist Church in Hannibal with graveside service following at Grand View Burial Park. Dr. Thomas Hufty will officiate. Visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Monday at the church. The family is being served by the Smith Funeral Home and Chapel in Hannibal. Son to Kelly Joseph and Lucille Renfro Carter, Randy was born May 25, 1932 in Macon, Georgia. With an entrepreneurial spirit, Randy helped support his family as a boy by selling newspapers and working in a cotton mill. Randy received his undergraduate degree from Mercer University, Macon, Georgia. He later took his family to Kansas City, Missouri, where he earned a Masters of Divinity from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Randy Carter served as a ROTC commissioned officer from 1952-1954, and earned the rank of US Army Sergeant First Class, stationed overseas during the Korean War was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1955 and served as a U.S. Army Sergeant First Class from 1952-1954, stationed overseas during the Korean War. After serving in the Army, Randy was ordained to the Gospel ministry in 1955 and held pastorates in several churches in South Georgia and Missouri, including his last pastorate as Senior Pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church in Hannibal, Missouri. He was on various committees and boards, and held numerous positions within the Southern Baptist and Missouri Baptist Conventions, including treasurer of the board of the Missouri Baptist Children's Home in Bridgeton, Missouri. After his retirement in 1997, Randy served as interim pastor at a number of churches in Missouri and Illinois. A man of great influence, Randy touched thousands of lives throughout the course of his ministry. His leadership in countless communities of faith led his congregations in forming meaningful relationships with Jesus Christ. His legacy extends to his family who has continued a life of service in the church. In addition to his parents, Randy is preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Mary Maude Gray Carter; brother, Charles Wayne Carter; and sister, Dianna Jo Carter. Randy had seven uncles and five aunts who have also preceded him in death. Randy is survived by his children, Philip (Randy) Carter and wife Kim, of Bella Vista, Arkansas; Daniel Kelly Carter and wife Susan, of Nixa, Missouri; and Rhonda Ann Carter Hufty and husband Tom, of Glen Carbon, Illinois; as well as six grandchildren: Jase Carter, Zac Hufty, Taylor Carter White, Caleb Carter, Mackenzie Hufty, and Kylie Carter Wright; and six great-grandchildren: Emmalyn, Kaylin and Vivian Hufty, Navy and Foster White, and Pearl Dilbeck. He is also survived by his five sisters, Mary Jo Wright, Southaven, Mississippi; Carolyn Findlay, Macon, Georgia; Joyce Stewart, Jacksonville, Florida; Diane Moore, Gray, Georgia; and Linda Sapp, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Pallbearers will be Randy's grandsons Jase Carter, Zac Hufty and Caleb Carter, and grandsons-in-law, Micah White, D.H. Dilbeck, and Devin Wright. Memorials in Randy's name may be made to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home, in care of Smith Funeral Home and Chapel. Online condolences can be offered to the family at www.smithfuneralhomeandchapel.com