Deacon Alfred C. Carson
Deacon Alfred C. Carson, Sandersville, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 at Washington County Regional Medical Center Extended Care Facility. Funeral services were held on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at 11:00 A.M. at Washington County High School Gymnasium with Rev. Calvin Hatcher officiating. Interment was held in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens.
Coach Carson was born on August 12, 1927 in Reynolds, Georgia to the parentage of the late Rev. Leonard Carson and the late Mrs. Vivian Troutman Carson.
His first teaching job was at the Thomas Jefferson Elder High School in Sandersville, Georgia as a Physical Education Teacher and Football Coach. When he came to T.J. Elder High School, he was wearing his Morehouse jacket with a Big M. The students were eager to know the significance of the “M”. It was then that the students started calling him “Big M.” the younger students who he helped coach at T.J. Elder Middle School, refer to him as “Granddaddy.”
He entered graduate school at North Carolina Central in Durham, North Carolina, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Health and Physical Education. Coach Carson continued his education and took Post Graduate courses at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia. At Thomas Jefferson Elder High School, he met and married the former Jeanne Kitchen of Summerville, South Carolina.
Coach Carson retired from the Washington County School System after teaching Health and Physical Education at the T.J. Elder and Washington County High School for thirty nine (39) years. He coached girls sports: softball, cross country, track and field and basketball. In basketball, he has a State Champion record with a record of 30-0. Annually, a scholarship is awarded to a young lady who meets the criteria of his scholarship. Thus far, twenty-two young ladies have received the Alfred C. Carson Award. To express their appreciation to Coach Carson, the community of Washington County gave a banquet in his honor and presented to him a street sign with his name, Alfred C. Carson Drive.
He was a deacon at Springfield Missionary Baptist Church , where he served as Chairman of Deacons, Superintendent of Sunday School and Sunday School Teacher. He was also a charter member of the Sandersville-Tennille Optimist Club. He has served as its President and Lieutenant Governor. He has served as President of the Washington County Educators Association and Area Director for several years. He is a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the AMVETS Club, served as President of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association (GACA) and served on the National Athletic Coaches Association Board of Directors.
Fond memories of Coach Carson will be cherished by his wife of forty (40) years: Mrs. Jeanne Kitchen Carson, Sandersville, Georgia; one brother: Mr. Nathaniel Carson, Sr., Birmingham, Alabama; two sons: Mr. Mitchell Washington, Los Angeles, California, Mr. James Tabor, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren: Mitchell Washington, Tanjanic Washington, Kieley Washington, Mytch Washington, Erikka Washington; nieces and nephews: Mr. Nathaniel (Mary) Carson, Jr., Mr. David Carson, Ms. Kiki Revells, Ms. Jeanne Grays, Mr. Kelly (Tracey) Revells, Mr. Thornton Williams; one sister-in-law: Ms. Lillian L. Williams, Brooklyn, New York; devoted cousins: Mrs. Laura Bell (Ozzie) Graves, Mr. Matthew (Shirley) Troutman; faithful friends: Mr. George Smith, Mr. Bern (Loyce) Anderson, Mr. Henry (Agnes) Watts, Mr. Emory (Geraldine) Lamar; three goddaughters: Mrs. Audra (Darryl) Gilbert, Mrs. Runea (David) Sallad, Ms. Renee Evans; two godsons: Mr. Jerry (Helen) Gilbert, Mr. Freddie (Kathy) Blocker; chauffeurs, attendees and caregivers: Mrs. Rebecca (Tony) Brown, Ms. Pier Thomas, Mrs. Brenda (Eddie) Miller, Ms. Jan Ray, Mrs. Christine (Vince) McPherson, Mrs. Ernestine (McLendon) Pinkston, Mrs. Cheryl (Dartez) Talbot; dedicated adopted granddaughter: Ms. Gre’Shun Nicholson; eight great grandchildren; other adopted daughters and sons; a host of other relatives and friends. M.C. Smith Funeral Home in charge.
