If the Grand Ole Opry were to be in Porterdale, Sidney E. Carter would have been in heaven a long time ago. Born at 33 Hazel St. in 1927, he departed this life and joined the rest of his immediate family on March 3. He was a man who loved Porterdale, and in his early years he was a delivery boy for Jack Elliott Grocery. Mr. Carter was a Porterdale Icon and was employed by Bibb Manufacturing Company for 36 years. After employment at Covington Manufacturing Company, he worked for Kroger at Newton Plaza for over 15 years. Mr. Carter was a dedicated member of North Covington United Methodist Church and often attended Julia A. Porter Methodist Church.

All his life, country music was at the top of the chart and Ernest "ET" Tubb was the king. The music of the Big Band Era, the likes of Guy Lombardo, was often his companion. Mr. Carter was preceded in death by parents Grover and Pearl (Trainer) Carter, brothers John T. Carter and Lamar Carter and sisters Emma E. Carter and Allie Carter Loyd.

Surviving are sister-in-law Kathleen Wilson Carter Johnson; nephews Johnny (Harriet) Carter, Ron (Libby) Carter, Don Carter, Pete (Gail) Carter; 11 great-nephews and great-nieces; 18 great-great-nephews and -nieces and many, many friends of yesterday and today.

The family of Sidney Carter appreciates each and every act of kindness shown to him over the past few weeks. He has left a legacy as a kind man with a smile on his face, a song in his heart and loyalty in his blood. Let us commit to be the same.

A celebration of life will be held Thursday, March 6, at 3 p.m. in the Access Road chapel of Caldwell & Cowan. Visitation will be today, March 5, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Caldwell & Cowan, Access Road location. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, Heartland Hospice of a charity of your choice.