Joseph Franklin Carter, Jr. , 57, of Upper Marlboro, MD, departed this earthly life on Tuesday, February 28, 2023. He was born to the late Joseph Franklin Carter, Sr., and Hilda Lee Brooks Carter on March 27, 1965.

Known to friends and family as Franklin, growing up, Joe was both the comedian, and calm spirit among his six sisters. He graduated from Spotsylvania High School in 1985, enlisting in the US Army that same year. Joe served his country through the US Army Reserves until 1993 when he departed by honorable discharge. He went on to pursue a successful career in Washington DC's commercial construction industry for over twenty years.

In 1997, Joe married the love of his life, Christine Romney. The two welcomed their son in 1998 and daughter in 2003, affectionately known as Lil Joe and Anna, or Baby Girl. From spending countless hours in the kitchen cooking and teaching them his famous recipes, to sewing clothes for Baby Girl and bonding with Lil Joe over his music, his children were the joy of his life.

The definition of Joe's character was one of love, light, laughter, service to others, and resilience. Known for his constant jokes, and cutting up, there was never a dull moment in his presence. Uncle Joe - or Big Unc, as some nieces and nephews called him -was more like a father figure. Whether teaching some how to survive the mean streets of middle school in the 90s, allowing others to live with him while pursuing their educations, and careers in the DC area, walking them through their first home purchases, and renovation projects, or guiding his nephews through fatherhood, Joe effortlessly impacted generations.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Hilda Carter (Boggs).

Joe leaves to continue his legacy, his wife, Christine Carter; their two beloved children, Joseph Franklin Carter Ill "Lil Joe", and Christianna Morgann Carter; six sisters, Phyllis Mason and husband, Michael of Lexington Park, MD, Kathy Carter of Fredericksburg, VA, Ethel Holton of Lexington Park, MD, Dianne Moss and husband, Stanley of Spotsylvania, VA, Victoria Howard and husband, Roger of Spotsylvania, VA, and Lisa Watson and husband, Darrell of Caroline, VA; one brother of love, Earl Lewis; his parents in law, William Romney, and Linda Romney, both of New York; one sister in law, Kimberly Romney of Atlanta, GA. To cherish his memory, he leaves a host of nieces, nephews, great· and great-great nieces and nephews. Joe cherished his aunts, Dorothy Minor, Lucy Minor, Mary Robinson, Pansy Clay, and Sarah Brooks. Joe leaves in sincere love, an extended family, and special friends.

A viewing will be held at Temple of Deliverance HCG, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service at 11:00 AM. Click here to view a recording of the Celebration of Life service. Click here to view the funeral service program. The interment will follow at The Carter Family Cemetery in Spotsylvania, VA.