Kerry Leon Carter Jr., age 51 and a resident of Lizana, passed away on Sunday, January 21, 2018, after many months of battling with an illness he just couldn’t beat. He was surrounded by his daughter, his little sisters, cherished cousins and lifelong friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ulvin and Marie Cuevas and Loie and Mattie Carter; his parents, Kerry and Faye Carter; his uncles, Harvey Carter, Clyde, Wayne and David Cuevas; his aunt, Elouise Deschamp; his cousins, Kendall Deschamp and Randy Melton and his nephew, Blake Carroll.

He is survived by his daughter, Libby Carter (Steven Ladner) of Lizana; his sisters, Phyllis (Brian) Phillips of Saucier, Shannon (Gary) Stephenson of Pass Christian and Bridgett (Bill) Carroll of Pass Christian; his grandsons, Kroy Michael Leon and soon-to-arrive Mason Cole; his great uncle, Jay Lee (Margaret) Northrup of Lizana; his uncles, Junior Cuevas of Lizana, Bobby (Judy) Cuevas of Lizana, and Ben Deschamp of Lizana; his aunts, Doris (Mike) Biegel of Long Beach, his nan Brenda (Jerry) Miller of Tampa, Florida, Brenda (Wayne) Melton of Gulfport, and Sharen Ladner of Pass Christian; his nephews, Seth (Amanda) Stephenson, Dylan Stephenson, and Chase Phillips; his nieces, Brooke Carroll and Ariana Phillips; his great nieces and nephews, Amity and Kyler Stephenson, Landen, Caiden, and Ethen Carroll and countless cousins and family and all of his lifelong buddies.

All who knew ‘Lil Kerry,’ knew he was larger than life. The kind of person who never saw himself as any better than anyone else and always took the opportunity to help those who needed it to learn from the mistakes he felt he could help them steer clear of. He loved being a Paw Paw more than anything and he was very proud of Kroy, his little best friend, and was beyond excited to be welcoming his grandson, Mason into the world. The proudest daddy, he loved his baby girl Libby more than any words could say. Always a momma’s boy, Kerry was so ready and could not wait to hug her neck again. He will continue to protect and watch over his dear little sisters from above just as he had done his entire life here. Kerry will be missed by too many buddies to count. In his time here, he never lacked friends and he will be remembered amongst circles of friends forever.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 5pm at Campground Baptist Church, 20577 Highway 53 in Gulfport. Family and friends may visit one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate any memorial contributions to be made to the family. Please see an immediate family member for more information.

Southern Mississippi Funeral Services of Bay St. Louis is honored to serve the Carter family.

For more information, please call (228) 215-3636.