Vernon Hardy Carter, age 62, of Flora, Illinois, passed away Tuesday evening, February 7, 2023, at SSM Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon.
He was born October 31, 1960, in Flora, the son of Bobbie Gene and Katheryn Maybell (Connerley) Carter. He was united in marriage to Betty Henderson on October 16, 1999, in Flora.
Vernon had worked for Bob Bailey Farms and Darrell Allen Farms and drove a truck. He was considered a “jack-of-all-trades” and enjoyed fishing, mowing, and gardening. He was an avid coon hunter and was a member of the Flora Coon Club, Salem Coon Club, PKC, and UKC. Vernon had never met a stranger and will be remembered for his spirit of living in the moment.
He is survived by his wife: Betty Carter of Flora; two sons: Jeremy Carter of Casey and Jarrod (Ginny) Carter of Flora; 3 stepchildren: Jamie Willis of Flora, Shayne (Heather) Cosner of Flora, and Dakota Cosner of Flora; 18 grandchildren: Rhyver, Cayne, Blaze, Bryar, Ethan, Garrett, Serenity, Libertee, Talon, Harmony, Jaxon, Miayah, Tiegan, Kaidince, Jaidyn, Kaylee, Deanna, and Ceyerah; 5 great-grandchildren: Jace, Eden, Karsyn, Wyatt, and Camden; a sister: Karen (Lee) Watkins of Flora; and a nephew: Calvin Watkins of Flora.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter: Rozzalynn Kate Carter.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, February 10, 2023, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora. A Memorial Ceremony will be held at a later date. Memorial donations are suggested to the family to assist with final expenses and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com
