Prenice Ray Carter, Sr.

Prenice Ray Carter Sr. (89) of Pawnee, IL passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, on December 17, 2025.

Pa, as he was lovingly known by his family, will be dearly missed. His life was lived to the fullest and will be one we never forget!

The oldest of 11 children, Ray was a young boy when his father (Ozo Lee Carter) passed away. This event, combined with his love for his mother (Gracie M Marr) and his siblings, instilled in him the heart of a caretaker.

A true patriot, with a fierce love for his country, Ray proudly enlisted in the US Army in 1955, served two tours and reached the rank of SP5 before he was honorably discharged in 1962.

In 1963 Ray met and married his wife of 37 years, Judith A. Carter, raised his son Prenice Ray Carter, Jr. and stepson Michael Hinkle, was a loving grandfather (Pa) to his grandchildren, Jodi Robinson (Brian), Amy Elrod, Kaila Mozee (Joe), Heather Carter, Prenice Ray Carter III (Courtney) and 10 great-grandchildren.

After the loss of his wife in 2001, Ray found love again in 2005 when he married Bonnie Anderson. They spent 15 years together until her passing in 2020.

Ray worked tirelessly to make a better life for his family. Though he retired from Commonwealth Edison in 1994, anyone that knew him would say he did not know the meaning of the word “retired”. In 1996 he formed Carter Construction Company and continued working up to and until his final days.

Ray was a long-time member of Pawnee Christian Church where he enjoyed fellowship with his church family and was able to be of service.

He was preceded in death by his wife Judith A. Carter, wife, Bonnie Anderson, stepson, Michael Hinkle and sister, Janice McLeod.

He is survived by his sisters, Velma Cooly, Jean Wiegand (Jim), Brenda Beckman (Jim), Nettie Harmon, Lavern Huffman, Sandra Franklin (Steve), Sheila Swick and Regina Flowers; his brother, JC Marr (Laura); daughters, Elaine Self, Pamela Warren, Shelly Flener (Roy) and Sharon Ray Lux; his son, Prenice Ray Carter Jr. (Dianna); many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Visitation will be from 9am till time of services at 12pm, Monday, December 22, 2025 at Pawnee Christian Church with Rev. David Swihart officiating.  Burial will be in Horse Creek Cemetery, Pawnee.

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