Walter Thomas Carr III

We all fulfill many roles as we walk this life. Walter was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, colleague, and boss, to name a few.

As a son, he cared for his parents. He built a small cottage for them where Mamamaude spent summers and they both lived full-time in their later years. He and Eva went daily to the nursing home to check on and help care for Daddy Carr after Mamamaude’s passing when the Alzheimer’s prevented Daddy Carr from being at home any longer.

As a brother, he helped care for his younger siblings. Richard eagerly anticipated summer vacations spent with Daisy Mae and L’il Abner, as he affectionately referred to Walter and Eva. Nancy, likewise, spent many vacations here in Florida visiting with Bubba and Eva, filling the house with laughter and crazy antics.

As a husband, he adored his wife, his “gal”, his sugar dumplin’… or as Uncle Gary put it the girl who was “as cute as a speckled pup under a red wagon”. At fifteen, he made the decision that Eva Opal Glenn would be his life-long partner. Grandma Glenn insisted he wait until Eva graduated from high school, but Walter did not waver. And they married on July 3, 1950. He worked diligently to provide. He built their home, he worked long hours, he loved her to the end. And as he drew his last breath, he had Eva’s arms around him, loving him until the end.

As a father, he worked hard on the railroad to put food on the table for his three daughters. He taught his daughters how to work and how to love. He left no monument, or great riches; he left no valuables, but he left a legacy, a heritage of young women that he taught how to succeed and how to raise another generation of men like him, men who would work, who would fight through the battles of life and never fail.

As a grandfather, he was able to teach his grandsons to use the tools that he had used his entire life. He built toys for all of his grandchildren. These toys were not just wooden cars or trains, but in a way they were his monument that he passed down. He taught his grandsons and granddaughters a work ethic. Beyond that, he taught all of the children of the family the importance of imagination and creativity. Countless adventures took place in the enchanted forest, the magic space ship that appeared to be simply a pickup truck, and the brownie work shop.

As a colleague and boss, he was a teacher, a mentor, and a friend. He was the lead carman at the L&N. He always shared stories of the shenanigans he and the crew got into. His men even gave him a boat oar inscribed “Keep on stirring” because he loved to get mischief going and sit back and watch the show! Beyond the fun, though, he helped the younger men to increase their knowledge of their trades and to grow into stronger men.

In all roles, he was a provider, a protector, a prayer warrior. He provided a strong example of responsible manhood. A man of good character, strong faith, and high morals.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents Walter T. Carr, Jr. and Maude Loftin Carr; baby daughter, Christine Carr; sister, Dorothy Carr Gulledge. He also leaves behind his wife Eva Opal Glenn Carr; three daughters, Debroah Godwin and her husband John V. Godwin, Susan Haveard and her husband Steven A. Haveard, Donna Fuller and her husband Paul J. Fuller; grandsons, John V. Godwin, Jr., Steven Ashley Haveard, Robert Blaine Lautner, Caleb D. Fuller; granddaughters, Katherine Escudero, Charity Haveard, Elizabeth Grace Fuller; Great grandsons, Elijah Haveard, Samuel Godwin, Luis Escudero, James Godwin, Juan Pablo Escudero; great granddaughters, Cony Escudero, Lily Haveard, Keila Haveard, Abigail Haveard and Esabella Haveard.