Billy Joe ("B.J.") Carter

Billy Joe “BJ” Carter, of Sanford went to his heavenly home on May 7th, 2026, with family by his side.

 He was born on June 2nd, 1941, in Rockingham County North Carolina, and was the oldest child of the late Johnie Cecil and Ellen Hicks Carter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Billy Craig Carter, his brother Johnie Cecil Carter Jr. and   brother-in-law Kelly Thomas.

On June 8th, 1962, he married the love of his life, Edna Earle Sloan, and they enjoyed almost 64 years of marriage. In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters Pamela J. Carter Mason (Brian), and Penny Elaine Carter Testerman, grandchildren Richard Craig “CJ” Carter (Kendell), Matthew Remington Mason (Jessica), Briar Lee Godwin (Tiffany), Jo Hanna Grace Carter Becker (Adam), Shyanne Moone Luman, Bridget Skye Testerman and Brittany Nicole Oldham, sisters Irene “Tootsie” Carter Thomas and Brenda Carter Lawson (Bobby), brother William Ray Carter (Candy), greatgrandchildren Laney Claire Carter, Kinsley Ann Godwin, Bodie Craig Carter, Ember Godfrey, Aubrey Jo Becker, and Maxim Vallon Mason, uncle Bailey Hicks, aunts Alice Morris and Faye May, nieces and nephews, Susan Dean Wells (Andy), Kristi Thomas Proffitt (Will),  Michael Kelly Thomas (Jill), Amanda Nicole Carter Combs (Brian), Christopher Brodie Carter and many special cousins. He never met a stranger and has many friends everywhere including in the North Carolina mountains where they spent time at their second home.

Billy Joe retired from Kelly Springfield Tire Company in 2003 after 30 years of service. Prior to that he had worked at Center Heating and Air, Saco-Lowell, and the local brick yard. After retirement he served as a volunteer with the Baptist Men’s Disaster Relief Organization responding to disasters in and out of state along with his wife. They spent 10 days in Texas working during the aftermath of hurricane Ike. He volunteered for many years as a Hunter Safety Instructor for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and he enjoyed hunting for many years with his brother, son, grandsons and close friend, the late Joe Hartley. He loved spending time with family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who were his pride and joy. He often enjoyed road trips exploring around the state, especially in Rockingham and Stokes counties with aunts, uncle, and cousins as they recounted family history to the younger family members.

He was an active member of Lemon Springs Baptist Church where he and Edna Earle prepared communion and the baptismal and he volunteered for service to others such as building handicap ramps. He played guitar and other instruments and wrote songs that he performed at the church with his cousin Romey Hall and his close friend, the late Bill Gordon.

He was a member of the Masonic Buffalo Lodge No. 172 and two times past master. In 2007 he was their first recipient of the Mason of The Year award and coached new members. He was also a member of the Amran Shrine Temple of Raleigh.

The funeral service will be Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 1pm at Lemon Springs Baptist Church followed by burial at the church with full Masonic Rites. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall.  In lieu of flowers donations made be made in his memory to the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford North Carolina.

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