Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Joe Lee Carr Sr., 80, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, family member and friend, died Saturday, April 20, 2024, at his home surrounded by family. 

A native of Carter County, he was born on September 26, 1943, one of 13 children of the late Jess and Elsie Carr (Sheets).

Mr. Carr was a retired carpenter and logger, having spent much of his work life alongside family members. He was a lifelong hunter and loved his trips to Wyoming and Virginia. In his later years he enjoyed fishing and helping his children with their home projects. He was a member of Harmony Baptist Church and served on the Emmert Cemetery Committee, as well as helping maintain the grounds.

Those who remain to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Bonnie Jane Carr (May); daughter, Melissa Anzelc and granddaughter, Jane Elsie Anzelc; daughter, Michelle Evans and husband Brian; son, Joe Lee Carr Jr.; five sisters, Rose Odom, Pearl Bradley, Arzella Rasnick, Louella Austin and Ruby Moore; and two brothers, James and Gary Carr, all whom reside in Elizabethton.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Carr was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Melodie May Carr; two sisters, Mabel Hamilton and Brenda Jensen; and three brothers, Charles, Howard and William “Grub” Carr.

A visitation will be conducted from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, followed by a funeral service at 7 p.m. at Tetrick Funeral Home, 211 N. Riverside Drive, Elizabethton, Tenn. 

A graveside ceremony and interment will take place at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 25, at Harmony Baptist Church, Emmert Cemetery, 130 Keenburg Road, Elizabethton, Tenn., with Rev. Jerry Lyons and Rev. Eric Brown officiating. Active pallbearers will be Brian Evans, Joe Smithdeal, Brian Mink, Carl Davenport, Bryan Miller and William Womack. Honorary pallbearers include Sam Hamilton, Ray Tester, Mike Williams, Gary Rice, Thomas “Yogi” Bowers, Paul Lane, Earl “Squeaky” Richards and all of Joe’s friends from Outdoors Unlimited, The Fishin Hole and Reynolds Grocery. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton at 12:15 p.m. Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family extends their heartfelt thank you to Dr. Abigail Gass and her staff for their care which extended Mr. Carr’s time and enjoyment here with us all. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Emmert Cemetery Fund, c/o Harmony Baptist Church, 130 Keenburg Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643. Words of comfort can be shared with the family by visiting our website at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.

Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton is honored to serve the family of Joe Lee Carr Sr. Office Phone (423) 542-2232.