WISE, VA – Ray Eugene Carter, Sr., 85, passed away Monday May 11, 2026, after a courageous battle with heart failure. He was surrounded by his loving family and close friends.

Ray was born October 18, 1940, in Wise, VA to the late Charles Wince and Edna (Kilgore) Carter.

Ray served his country in the United States Marine Corps for 6 years, rising to the rank of Corporal (E-4) and receiving the Good Conduct Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, the National Defense Medal and the Vietnam Service Medal. He was truly proud of his military service. He loved his country and his fellow veteran community. One of his favorite past times was placing flags on fallen soldiers' graves in local cemeteries during holidays. He also constructed a war memorial on his property honoring those from Wise County that made the ultimate sacrifice.

In addition to his parents, Ray was preceded in death by his brother; Paul Carter; sister Brenda Tribble, a grandson; Jessie Carter, and a granddaughter; Nicole Collier Ray was the proudest of his family and loved nothing more than being surrounded by them. He leaves behind his loving and devoted wife , Rose (Mefford) Carter, four children; Ray Carter Jr (Mechelle) Becky Henry (Chuck), Jeff Carter (Christine) , Annie Spurlock (Les) ;10 grandchildren, Allison Carter, Ashley Hayes (Shawn), Morgan Riner (Jeremiah), Cole Henry, Jeff Carter, Zach Carter, Chris Carter, Evvy Spurlock, Jacob Spurlock, Isabella Spurlock; 9 great-grand-children; Ava Stough, Noah Stough, Alex Hayes, Cooper Hayes, Everly Riner, Judah Riner, Kailee Adkins, Halle Collier and Soren Gonzalez; sisters, Ruth Mefford, Mary Donovan (twin sister), Shirley Gardner, Betty Winebarger, Janice Keessee Martha Carter and Peggy Bolling (Terry); a brother Charles Wince Carter (Jenny) and a host of friends and family.

The family would also like to thank the multitude of nurses and doctors that took part in his care at Norton Community Hospital as well as his caregivers from the VA Hospital, especially Kelly, Angela, Shasta, Carly, Daniel and his social worker, Judy.

Funeral services will be conducted at Baker Funeral Home in Pound, Virginia Wednesday, May 13, 2026. The family will be accepting visitors from 5:00 to 7:00 PM with services at 7:00 PM with Pastor Jeremiah Riner officiating.

Local VFW Posts and the Marine Corps Honor Guard will conduct military honors at 2:00 PM Thursday May 14, 2026, at the Wise Cemetery- Wise, VA. Brother Jimmy Hall will conduct graveside services and grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Family and friends are asked meet at. Baker Funeral Home by 1:00 pm to prepare to go in procession to the cemetery.

Baker Funeral Home- Pound, VA is serving the family of Ray Eugene Carter Sr.