Bobby Joe "B.J." Carter of Sheridan, Arkansas was born August 26, 1943 at Prattsville, Arkansas, the son of the late James Allen and Ava Marie Worthen Carter. He was a member of Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Prattsville and was retired from Cotton Belt Railroad with over 30 years of service. B.J. was one of a group of Cotton Belt employees known as the 2nd Shift Renegades. He had a passion for trains, so much so that he built his own train, "The Spirit of the West", that he often used for parades. He loved music and although he couldn't play an instrument, he would spend most Friday nights listening to the "Prattsville Bluffers".

Mr. Carter died Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at Hospice Homecare in Little Rock at the age of 65.

Survivors include his wife and best friend for over 43 years, Ann Hale Carter of Sheridan. They were married October 15, 1965. He is also survived by his daughters and sons-in-law, Joanne and Ron Theiss and Connie and Ron Harrington, all of Prattsville; Brothers, Jimmie Carter and Edwin Carter, both of Prattsville; Grandchildren, Ashlea, Austen, and Aron Theiss and Tyler, Taylor and Shelby Harrington.

A celebration of Bob's life will be at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, March 14, 2009, at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Prattsville with Bro. Neal Pumphrey, Bro. Shawn Hill and Bro. Richard Alonzo officiating. Burial will be in Philadelphia Cemetery at Prattsville. Visitation will be Friday, 5:00-8:00 P.M. at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Sheridan. Memorials may be made to Harmony Baptist Church, 9346 Hwy. 270 West, Prattsville, Arkansas 72129 or to Hospice Homecare, 2200 South Bowman, Little Rock, Arkansas 72211.