[Photo: Bert Carter and my sister Kim Carter treated our mother Frances Smoot and me to lunch every Christmas.]
My sister wrote this tribute:
Lifelong scholar and writer, Bert Verdier Carter, Jr., age 64, passed away on October 28, 2020 at Piedmont Fayette Hospital. He was born in Savannah, Georgia, on April 11, 1956, to the late Bert Verdier Carter, Sr. and Darrell Priester Carter. The Carters were always proud of their son.
Bert graduated from Effingham County High School in 1975 and received a Methodist Scholarship to attend Andrew College where he earned his Associate in Science Degree in 1977. While in college he also worked parttime at the Andrew College Library where he met his future wife, Kim Ann Smoot, who was also working there. Bert and Kim would go on to different colleges, but they would meet most Sundays in Macon to study together. They married August 7, 1982.
Bert went to LaGrange College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1978 and Master of Science in Education Degree 1980. A hard worker Bert also worked in the Art Department at LaGrange College under the direction of by Mr. John Lawrence. Bert maintained warm, friendly memories of Mr. Lawrence throughout his life. After, graduation, Bert moved his family to Austell, Georgia, where he taught history at Cobb County High School.
[PHOTO: Kim and Bert with niece and nephew Mary Alice and Craig, ca. 2000]
Always reading or writing in his spare time he explored the histories of several covered wooden bridges in the Atlanta area. He and Kim would hike to the bridges to study the bridges and take photographs. Bert included some of these photographs in his 1995 work, Georgia Bridges.
Another hobby of Bert’s was collecting and categorizing articles, historical facts, and his own personal experiences and memories from the 1960s/1970s from all over Georgia. This work was the groundwork for a larger project, Georgia: Past, Present and Future.
Bert worked for 29 years at KCT, off Fulton Industrial Boulevard, Bert worked in several departments including the lab and quality control. It was a difficult job, at times, but Bert made many good and life-long friends of his colleagues and business associates. He had an infectious laugh and enjoyed a good joke but was also serious when he needed to be. He also had an abundance of concern for others and would be willing to help out whenever he could or was asked. Bert will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
The family will receive friends on Monday, November 9, 2020, 5:00 PM – 7:00 Pm at Mowell Funeral Home in Fayetteville.
1 comment:
I have a confession to make. I fell in love with Kim Smoot first. If fact, the very first day she showed up at our doorstep to welcome all of us to the neighborhood. The day, years later that she told me she was going to marry Bert it broke my heart. But now, after years of thinking about it, I understand just why I was the wrong man for her and why Bert was the right one.
Now, looking back I have to smile. She was right to do what she had done.
I really wish I had gotten to know Bert. He must have been a real worthy person who turned Kim on in the right way. All I can tell you now is that once there were two who felt that way about her. I wish he could have lived longer. She has and will always deserve happiness!
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