Herbert Martin ‘Herb’ Carr

Herbert Martin ‘Herb’ Carr

Herbert Martin “Herb” Carr, 97, of Blackshear, passed away Thursday, May 9, 2024. He would have turned 98 August 21.                                

He was born in Vidalia, Toombs County to the late Henry Marvin and Birdie Fountain Carr. His family moved to Jacksonville, FL, when he was 15 years old. He attended Lee High School in Jacksonville, FL. 

He was a World War II Veteran, having served in the United States Coast Guard. Upon his honorable discharge from the U.S. Coast Guard in 1946, he was a self-employed businessman, in Jacksonville, FL. He retired at age 57 from ING, Insurance Company.

He met Tonnie Crawford Carr, in Jacksonville, FL, and they married February 10, 1951.

He was currently a member of Sweat Memorial Baptist Church, in Waycross. He was a former member of Jacksonville Baptist Temple, Jacksonville, FL, where he volunteered as a Sunday school transportation driver for many years. He was a former member of Lake Forest Baptist Church, Jacksonville, FL, where he served as deacon. 

He was also a member of Laura Chapel Baptist Church in Patterson for over 20 years, where he served and volunteered in many areas, to include deacon, treasurer, Sunday school superintendent and he thoroughly enjoyed singing in the church quartet. 

He had a passion for music. He loved singing in various church quartets and volunteered after retirement to those in need through song.

One of his best sayings was “You have to help someone who cannot help themselves.” 

He thoroughly enjoyed listening to his diverse collection of music. He came from a musical family, while his mother played piano beautifully and other talented family members formed a band, sang and played various musical instruments.

He was previously a sportsman who loved hunting and fishing however, fishing became his greatest passion. He also enjoyed gardening, dancing and square dancing. 

He greatly fulfilled his responsibilities in life, especially concerning his family. He was the most kind, loving and deeply devoted Christian person, that anyone, or any family could ever wish for. 

The credit for this, in a big way, was due to his wonderful Christian parents who fulfilled their duties, which was obviously passed on.

His family was truly blessed.

“We are so thankful God shared and appointed him as head of our earthly family. He will be sorely missed,” said his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Marvin (1960), and Birdie Fountain Carr (1964); a daughter, Alice Loraine Carr (2014), father-in-law and mother-in-law, Rueben (Little Beal) (1975) and Lessie Harper Crawford (1966).

He was also preceded in death by Crawford brothers-in law and spouses: Lonzie and Hazel Crawford, Eugene and Loretta Crawford- Crawford, Carl Crawford, (sister-in-law Kizzie Walker C. Sloan), Julian and Joanna Bradley Crawford and infant, Rueben Beal Crawford Jr.; Crawford sisters-in -law and spouses: Artha (“Sister”) Crawford and Lewis Strickland, Rhoda Valree (“Scrap”) Crawford and Gibson Walker, Hazel Crawford Cabler, Geneva Crawford and H J Murphy, and infant, Louise Crawford.

He was also preceded in death by an incredibly special niece, Janet Marie Carr Lockwood.

Survived include his wife of 73 years, Tonnie Crawford Carr; one deeply blessed daughter and an incredibly special son-in-law, Rita Carr Nelson (Husband Jim); grandson, Timothy Griffis (wife Bailey), two great-grandsons, Brown Griffis and R C Griffis, one first cousin, Mary O’Neal-Carr Page, along with other family and friends.