December 26, 1923 ~ August 11, 2021 (age 97)
The family of Herman Joseph Carr and the late Eloise Thomas Carr announce with sadness the passing of Mr. Carr on August 11, 2021, aged 97. Together with many longtime friends, the family now celebrates Mr. Carr’s long and happily fulfilled life.
Herman Carr was a native of Chadbourn, North Carolina, being the second child born to the late Cleveland DeVane and Mattie Stephens Carr on December 26, 1923. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his sister, Elaine, and most recently by his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Eloise.
A graduate of Chadbourn High School and an Army veteran of World War II, Mr. Carr returned to Chadbourn in the mid-1940’s to assist his mother with the operation of her small business located on Brown Street in downtown Chadbourn. Within a matter of a few short years, Mr. Carr transformed this small country store into a full-scale grocery shopping experience which became known throughout the region as Carr’s Red & White Supermarket. With the assistance of first his mother, Mattie, and later his wife, Eloise, each of his and Eloise’s maturing children, two generations of dedicated high school students working long after-school hours, and a faithful crew of full-time employees, Mr. Carr operated the commercial entity for more than forty years.
Mr. Carr was a lifelong member of Chadbourn Baptist Church, having held at one time or another nearly every lay leadership position within the congregation. He served as a deacon, a member of the church planning and building committee, the finance committee, a member of several pulpit committees, and a trustee.
He was a former volunteer fireman, an avid reader, a gunsmith, a competitive marksman, a ham radio operator, and a long-distance bicyclist. Formerly a high school band saxophonist, he enjoyed music of many varieties, especially the music of the Big Band Era and the classic spiritual “When the Saints Go Marching In.”
Among the many legacies Mr. Carr leaves are life lessons he imparted to his beloved children, Joe and Arimar Carr of Wilmington, Tommy Carr of Atlanta, and Judith (Judy) and Michael Reel of Leland. Mr. Carr spent nearly his entire adulthood instructing his children and regularly reminding them, even recently, of the importance of self-sufficiency and of the means for making productive, honest, responsible, and fulfilling lives. By living example, he taught devotion, the importance of caring for one’s family, the necessity for loving God and the church, and the means for making the best of any circumstance.
In addition to his children, Mr. Carr is survived by seven grandchildren spread across the continent from North Carolina to Washington state, and nearly a dozen great-grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be handled by Worthington Funeral Home, Chadbourn, with graveside services to take place at Chadbourn Memorial Cemetery on Sunday, August 15 at 2:00 pm. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to do so may make donations to any charitable entity in Mr. Carr’s memory.
