Joel Carter, 62, of Valdosta, passed away at his home on Friday, December 26, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born and raised in Savannah, Georgia, Joel was a proud graduate of Benedictine Military School, where he excelled as a multi-sport athlete, playing football, baseball, and basketball. He went on to attend Georgia Institute of Technology, where he played football and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Management, an achievement he was deeply proud of throughout his life.

Joel began his professional career with Crown Lift Trucks before dedicating more than 30 years to Bonar Plastics, where he served as a National Account Manager. He was widely respected for his work ethic, integrity, and deep knowledge of his field, and was consistently recognized as a leading sales performer within the company.

Above all else, Joel was a devoted family man. He cherished time with his loved ones and shared a special bond with his beloved pets, Gracie, Stella, and Berkley. As a faithful Catholic, Joel was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, where his faith was an important part of his daily life. He found great joy in fishing trips to Grayton Beach, Florida, and in spending time with his close friends and teammates from Georgia Tech.

Joel is lovingly remembered by his wife, Cheri Peters Carter of Valdosta; his son and daughter-in-law, Bryce and Oriana Carter of Houston, TX; daughter, Caroline Carter of Valdosta, GA; his brother, David Carter, Jr. of Savannah; his sister and brother-in-law Elizabeth and Jerry Kappa of Bloomingdale, Ga; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gail and Buddy Pinkston of Lawrenceville, GA; his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Terry and Elaine Peters of Greenville, SC, and Mickey and Teresa Peters of Boston, GA; and his mother-in-law, Betty Peters of Boston, GA, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Gail Thigpen Carter, and his brother, Bobby Carter.

Joel will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

His legacy lives on in the family he loved.

A funeral Mass to celebrate Joel’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church. The family will receive friends on Friday, January 2, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Carson McLane Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions be made to St. John Catholic School, 800 Gornto Road, Valdosta, GA 31602, or Hospice of South Georgia, 2263 Pineview Drive, Valdosta, GA 31602.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home is honored to assist the Carter family during this time.