Jesse Allen Carter, Sr.

Jesse Allen Carter, Sr., CPA, age 58, formerly of Gainesville, Georgia went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 9, 2024, at Southeast Georgia Health System following a brief illness.

Born on June 11th, 1966, Jesse was a man of great faith often speaking of the Bible offering encouragement to others. A generational member of First Baptist Church, he was Baptized in 1980. Jesse was a generational graduate of Gainesville High School in 1984, where he lettered in soccer and enjoyed his membership in Key Club International. Like his father and grandfather before him, Jesse earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1982. A proud legacy member of the Kappa Alpha Order (Kappa Chapter), he graduated from Mercer University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting.

Jesse earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in 1995. Professional memberships included the Georgia Society of CPAs. He was a fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners International and a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Accounting. Jesse served as the Managing Partner of his firm Hudson, Carter and Company, PC for 33 years. Many of his clients became dear friends. Volunteer service included tenure as Treasurer of the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra and volunteering with his son’s Sunday School Class. Jesse was a member of the Chapel Sunday School Class, A Wing and A Prayer Class and the usher committee. He chaired the Church Décor Committee alongside his wife for a number of years hanging many fresh wreaths on the exterior doors of the church and lovingly placing Nativity sets throughout the church.

Jesse was a generational member of the Kiwanis International and enjoyed volunteering for the annual Pancake Breakfast. Jesse served on the Board of HCI Telecommunications in the position of Board Advisor. He served on the Governance Board of AEG, where he participated in domestic and international Board Retreats and several meetings that were held in the Board Room where the G-8 Summit was held in 2004. Jesse was a member of the Sea Island Club and Sea Island Property Owners Association.

Aside from being an accomplished businessman, Jesse was an avid outdoorsman finding joy in hunting, skeet shooting and fishing with his son at their homes on Lake Sidney Lanier and in the tidal creeks and rivers of Glynn County. He enjoyed snow skiing with his family in Steamboat Springs and Aspen, Colorado. Being a double black diamond skier, he sumitted the Highland Bowl his final time at age 56.

Jesse was preceded in death by his father, Lenton Allen Carter; his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Lenton Calloway Carter (Mary Rives), and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Perry Andrew Whatley, Sr. (Myrla Horne). Left to cherish his memory are his wife Rev. Michelle Carter, their son, Jesse Allen Carter, Jr., his mother, Linda Whatley Carter, his brother Christopher Andrew Carter (Chris and Amber), his nephews, Thomas Carter, Matthew Carter, and Sam Carter; along with extended family, many dear friends and business associates.

A family graveside service was held on Sunday, August 11, 2024, in Alta Vista Cemetery in Gainesville, GA. The Rev. Andrew (Drew) Adams was the officiant and had served as ring bearer in Jesse and Michelle’s wedding. Jesse Allen Carter, Jr. spoke during the service reciting his father’s favorite scripture from Proverbs 27:17 which reads “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

A celebration of life honoring Jesse Allen Carter, Sr. will be held at a later date. The positive impact of Jesse’s faith, love, supportive nature, devotion, kindness and selfless actions will live on for generations.

If you consider a charitable contribution in Jesse’s memory, please consider Georgia Hunters for the Hungry, Victory Junction or the charity of your choice.

Little and Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory are in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be made on the website at www.littledavenport.com      

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