Hanson Rawlins Carter, 87, of Nashville passed away on Thursday, January 16, 2020 in Tift Regional Medical Center.

He was born on July 30, 1932 in Lowndes County to the late Yancey Franklin Carter and the late Ora Rawlins Carter of Ray City, Georgia. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a member of the first co-ed graduating class at Valdosta State University.

Hanson was the establishing owner of radio station WNGA with a magnetic voice for broadcasting and a love of country music.  He often hosted country music singers in person on the air at his radio station.  In later years he was the owner/broker for Hanson Carter Realty and Hanson Carter and Associates. He was a charter member and Paul Harris Fellow of the Nashville/Berrien Rotary Club and a member of the Nashville United Methodist Church. He was a Master Mason, York Rite Mason and a Shriner who was a faithful supporter of St. Jude's Children's Cancer Research Hospital.

His life was marked by years of public service to the people of Nashville and to the county he loved, Berrien County.  He served as an alderman on the Nashville City Council and served as Mayor of Nashville. He served his district for 16 years in the Georgia House of Representatives during the administrations of Governors Jimmy Carter, Joe Frank Harris and Zell Miller.  During his tenure in the House of Representatives he was instrumental in securing funding for the Berrien County Agricultural Services Center and for other various projects around Berrien, Cook, Tift and Colquitt counties. After his service in the state legislature he was appointed as Director of the USDA Farm Services Agency under President Bill Clinton. He was a true gentleman and servant leader with a heart for quietly helping others. He never desired accolades for his accomplishments.

He was preceded in death by a brother: Dr. Y.F. Carter, Jr. and four sisters: Evelyn Wilkes, Margaret Giddens, Lucille Leibel, and Clyde Lastinger. He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Chandler Carter, of 56 years whom he loved and adored; two daughters: Chandler (Trey) Haydon of Atlanta and Cindy White of Williamsburg, KY; son Hanson (Linda) Carter, Jr. of Augusta; 6 grandchildren: Carter, Sara Elizabeth, Michael, Angela, Brent and Trent and 4 great grandchildren. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews who brought great joy and laughter to his life.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 at 11:00 am at the Nashville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mark Addington, Rev. Bob Ellis and Rev. Russ Elkins officiating.  Interment will follow in Westview Cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Nashville United Methodist Church, 304 S. Berrien Street, Nashville, GA 31639 or CURE Childhood Cancer at https://curechildhoodcancer.org/donate/