PORT GIBSON — Donald L. Carter, 79, a lifelong resident of Port Gibson, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Claiborne County Nursing Center after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Carter was born on Dec. 14, 1936 to the late Hurd Carter and Bessie Mae Stuart Carter.

He was married to Mary Lou Wren Carter for 57 years and raised two sons, Randall Hurd Carter of Mobile, Ala., and Richard Wayne Carter of Meadville.

A member of Port Gibson United Methodist Church, Mr. Carter was an accomplished pianist, although few people knew of his talent.

He was educated in the Port Gibson school system and completed banking and finance classes at Droughon Business College in Jackson after high school. He chose a career in banking, completing over 40 years of service to Mississippi Southern Bank and State Bank in Port Gibson before retiring as vice president and chief operating officer in 2004.  He received an honorable discharge from the Mississippi National Guard.

He loved his native Port Gibson and enjoyed serving in many local organizations and charities in various capacities over his lifetime. These included The Port Gibson Chamber of Commerce, Port Gibson Main Street Committee, Port Gibson Preservation Commission, Port Gibson Heritage Festival Committee, Methodist Men’s Club, Port Gibson Lions Club and Port Gibson Kiwanis Club. He also served as the Troop Master for Boy Scout Troop 100 in Port Gibson.

In addition to his many civic activities, Mr. Carter had a love of animals and nature that he continuously displayed at his farm just outside Port Gibson.  His hobbies included raising Doberman pinschers, poodles and many types of fowl. He also raised and managed cattle for most of his life.  One of his greatest achievements was attaining the title of Master Gardner through his extensive cultivation of over 1000 varieties of daylilies as well as a smaller number of orchid varieties surrounding is home.  His yard was his sanctuary and was well known locally for its beauty and variety.

Mr. Carter is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Wren Carter; two sons, Randall Carter and wife Beth of Mobile, Ala., and Wayne Carter and wife Terry of Meadville; three grandsons, Brad Carter, Justin Carter and wife Jessica of Mobile, Ala. and Stuart Carter of Meadville; one granddaughter Kaycee Carter of Meadville; two great-grandchildren, Kyla and Baylyn Carter both of Mobile, Ala.; one brother, Grover Carter of Oak Hill, W. Va.

The Family wishes to include devoted and beloved family friends Gwen Boren and Elbert McDaniel as survivors in respectful recognition for their many years of close association with the Carter family.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at Port Gibson United Methodist Church.  Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Glenwood Funeral Home in Port Gibson, and Tuesday from 10 a.m. Tuesday until the hour of the service at the church.

Interment will be at Wintergreen Cemetery in Port Gibson.