Barbara Jean Carter

Barbara (Rentz) Carter, age 90, a native of Appling County, Georgia, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 13, 2026 in her home of over 50 years.

Born on February 7, 1936, to the late Gladys Holland Rentz and Rev. C.D. Rentz, Barbara was the oldest of five children.  In her early years her family lived in various locations throughout the Southeast including, Savannah and parts of Florida while striving to live the American dream.  Ultimately they returned to Appling County where she grew up surrounded by the love of family, while gaining invaluable life experiences and developing a strong spirit based on faith and devotion that helped her succeed and that she maintained throughout her life.  She was a member of Memorial Free Will Baptist Church and also often visited Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.

As a young woman, Barbara went to Nashville, TN to attend Free Will Baptist Bible College.  She was preparing herself for a planned career in education.  On one of her breaks from college she met and later married the love of her life, James D. Carter Sr. (also a Native of Appling Co.) and together they built a beautiful family celebrating 38 years of marriage filled with joy, laughter, and an unwavering partnership until he passed. They were blessed with two sons, James D. Carter Jr. (“Jim”) and Robert Stephen Carter (“Bobby”).   Barbara poured her heart and soul into every challenge.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, teacher and friend.  She generally led by example and always strived to maintain a God centered, warm and loving environment.

Barbara’s teaching career spanned over 40+ years.   She started in Appling County right out of college and after teaching elsewhere, later returned to Appling County where she ultimately finished out her career and retired.  She was known for a strict but loving teaching style which always included devotions for her students.   She was Appling County Elementary Teacher of the Year for the 1982-1983 school year and throughout her career enjoyed teaching and shaping both the minds and hearts of her many students with wisdom, patience and genuine care.  Her impact as a teacher extended far beyond the classroom, as she touched the lives of generations through her kindness and commitment tohelping others learn valuable information and life skills. 

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, her husband James D. Carter Sr., her cherished son Bobby, her brothers Warren and David Rentz, and sister Joyce Riggs.  She has countless cousins on both the paternal and maternal side of her family with many nieces and nephews as her extended family was quite large.   One of her greatest joys came late in life after patiently waiting years and years, as Barbara finally got her wish of becoming a grandmother when her grandson, Chase, was born in 2013 who brought her endless pride, joy and happiness.  

Barbara was truly a woman of great inner strength, deep faith, and a God given ability for unconditional love, especially for children.  She strived to live her life with purpose seeking to share the gospel and teach all who would listen.  As a result, she touched the lives of everyone who came to know her in a positive manner.  She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to have shared life experiences with her, especially those who could call her family, teacher or friend.   She possessed all the qualities of a virtuous and Godly woman as outlined in Proverbs 31 including, dignity, patience, diligence, generosity, courage, wisdom and devotion. 

Her family also wants to extend a special thankyou to her caretakers who have provided her with assistance and care over the past few years, Rhonda Carter, Ann Griffin, Karen Shipes, Betty Copeland and Brenda Williamson.  We will be forever grateful for the care and comfort you provided to her as she concluded the final “chapters of her life.”  Her love will continue to live on through every life she touched and she will be deeply missed and forever loved by her family, extended family, friends and loved ones.  

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 on Friday, April 17,  2026 at Swain Funeral Home.   

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, April 18, 2026 in the Chapel of Swain Funeral Home followed by interment at her home church, Memorial Free Will Baptist Church Cemetery.  Immediately thereafter a luncheon for the family/friends is being provided by the ladies of the church.   

Active Pallbearers will be nephews, Bruce Rentz, Darin Riggs, Barry Rentz, & Felix Rentz, along with great nephews Myers Harvey, Mason Delony, Chandler Rentz and her grandson, Chase Carter.  

Honorary pallbearers will be the Retired Educators and her brother, James Rentz. 

Presiding ministers will be Rev. Ronnie Rentz and Rev. Rick Brown with music provided by Sherry Lynn and Glen Beach.     

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swain Funeral Home.