Leslie Paul Carter

Leslie Paul Carter, age 92, passed away on March 20, 2025, in Smyrna, TN. He was born in Macon County, TN, yet lived many of his years in Pleasant View, TN. Paul spent his youth in Galen and Old Hickory, TN. He enlisted into the US Navy in 1950, completing his four-year commitment in 1954. During his service amidst the Korean War, he spent some time on the same ship as his brother Joe Carter, the USS Ashland. After his service commitment, Paul went on to work at DuPont for over 40 years, eventually retiring and even going back to teach and consult at times.

Known locally around his longtime home in Pleasant View, TN as “the Bee Man”, he spent decades as a master beekeeper, teacher, and friend to anyone that was willing and able to listen. He helped organize the Cheatham County Beekeepers Association and has been a longtime educational leader in beekeeping in the area by being a mentor to fellow and aspiring beekeepers. Hundreds of schoolchildren would travel to Carter’s “Honey House” (painted to look like a beehive by his late wife, Joyce) in his backyard to learn more about bees and their impact on the world.

He was honored and presented a proclamation from the Tennessee General Assembly and a proclamation from the Cheatham County Commission for his decades of work with bees and his contributions to beekeeping in the area.

A smart, kind, and generous man, Paul Carter leaves not only his beekeeping legacy, but hundreds, if not more, people touched and changed by his no-nonsense, open-minded view of the world to pass on to others. He enjoyed his beekeeping, gardening, and helping his community where possible.

He is survived by his daughter Pamela Carter; grandchildren, Jamie Hire, Jeremy Hire, and Leslie Prater; great-grandchildren, Luke and Jake; nieces Kim Nicholson (Glenn, husband), Donica Raiche (Alan, husband), and many other nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his loving wife of nearly 30 years, Joyce Carter; his brothers J.C. Carter and Joe Carter, and sister Sara Davis; and 3 children, Leslie Paul Carter Jr., Mike Carter, and Joanie Prater.

Mr. Carter will be laid to rest with military recognition at 10:00 AM at Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on McCrory Lane on Thursday, April 3, 2025.