12/01/2025
Services for Mr. Carleton will be held 12 p.m., Saturday, December 06, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church with burial in the Union City Cemetery. Rev. Chris Shelton officiated.
Visitation will be held 10 am -12:00 pm prior to services at the church.
Mr. Harold Carleton of Union, age 93, passed away Friday, November 28, 2025.
In 1929, Robert Carleton and Lois Monroe from Newton, Mississippi, married. On June 4, 1932, during the midst of the Great Depression, Harold Graham Carleton was born on South Decatur Street in a section of Union, Mississippi, that became known as Old Town. There, he was reared alongside his Freeman cousins, the children of his Aunt Mary Carleton.
His grandparents had moved to Union from Decatur in a horse-drawn wagon after Harold's father was born in 1906. Harold's great-grandfather was chancery clerk for Newton County, and his grandfather ran the commissary in the Union sawmill and served two mayoral terms.
In 1939, Harold moved with his parents to the new family home on Peachtree Street, where he and his two brothers were reared. Their home was located across from the former Laird Hospital along with several older, established houses. His father owned cows that grazed across the street from their house on King Street. Eventually, a four-acre family dairy farm was developed at the present town swimming pool. Harold's work on this small farm afforded early opportunities for him to develop a strong work ethic that would last throughout his lifetime. Harold's father later gave a portion of the farm plot to the city of Union for construction of the town pool.
Union High School stood behind his home in such close proximity that the ringing bell signaling the changing of classes could be heard. During Harold's senior year at Union High School, he received the prestigious Stewardship Award chosen by the school faculty. This award was presented to a young person who had gained the respect of staff and peers through the development of good character and leadership skills. His mother was extremely proud of this honor!
After graduating from high school in 1950, Harold spent his freshman year studying at Baylor University, Waco, Texas, with his lifelong friend, Reverend Bill Webb. Harold transferred to Mississippi State University and graduated in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in business. During the last semester of his senior year, he took two history courses, a choice that indicated his lifelong passion for the academic discipline, especially Mississippi History. The whole family, including his grandpa, George Monroe, attended his graduation which was held in the stock barn on the MSU campus; Harold was the eldest grandchild and the first to graduate from college.
In 1949, the Reverend Otho Brantley and family moved to Union for Reverend Brantley's appointment as pastor of Union United Methodist Church. Reverend and Mrs. Otho Brantley had three daughters, and by 1952, Harold and their eldest daughter, Joy, had begun dating.
When she left for college in Meridian and later at Mississippi State College for Women, they corresponded regularly.
In 1954, after graduation from college, Harold returned to Union to wait for the army to contact him, for he thought he would be drafted. While enrolled in ROTC at MSU, he attended a 1953 summer camp In Laredo, Texas; however, when his friend, Mr. Otis Foster, arrived with a notice from the army, Harold realized that he would not be drafted after all. While working on the farm that his father had purchased in the late 1940's, the next phase of Harold's life journey would begin his connection with Carleton Oil Company and developing the family business. Harold came from a family that was comfortable but not pretentious. He exited college with no debt and began to learn about work, responsibility, and modesty, becoming a person who people admired. The way he shaped his own life perpetuated the one that came from his parents. On July 6, 1956, Harold and Joy married. They established their own branch of Carletons from 1957-1973 and began creating family traditions along with those of a larger family unit and continuing with Carleton Oil. Together, the couple developed a positive vision and approach to parenting.
As a part of Carleton Oil, Harold developed relationships outside of Newton County and the oil industry. He formed many friendships that continued through his life. During these years, he was prominently involved in The Union United Methodist Church. He remained an avid reader of history books and collected historical fiction novels such as those of Eugenia Price. C.S. Lewis was also a favorite. In fact, many Union residents have often referred to him as the town historian, for he could recall most anything asked about the town. Harold loved all types of music, especially the Gaither Vocal Group, the Blackwood brothers, and Dino. He and Joy shared the love of the arts with their children. In addition, Harold enjoyed watching football, girls basketball, and Turner Classic Movies.
None of these interests surpassed his devotion to family. In fact, his main focus was on all aspects of his children's lives. His last effort to bring his children together was the orchestration of the family Thanksgiving and the continuation of family traditions among his children and grandchildren.
Harold leaves behind a legacy marked by gentleness, humility, and a kindness that touched everyone who knew him. His life was defined by devotion to the Lord he loved, to the family he cherished, and to the hometown where he planted deep roots. His gentle nature, steady presence, and lifelong example of faith will be remembered always by those blessed to have known him.
Survivors:
4 Daughters: Laurie Abraham and husband Mike of Madison, Claire Patmore and husband Jesse of Clyde, N.C., Sue Ellen Smith and husband Steve of Union, MS and Joan Hollis and husband Johnnie of North Little Rock, AR
1 Son: Harold Graham Carleton, Jr. of Jackson
7 Grandchildren: Anna Claire Bagley (Jonathan), Charlie Abraham (Anna), Lane Stewart (Carissa), Will Stewart (Rachel), Shelby Thames (Sam), Johnna Hollis, and Lee Smith
4 Great Grandchildren: JJ Bagley, Brantley Abraham, Millie Kate Abraham, and Carty Thames
2 Brothers: Wayne Carleton (Bitsey) of Union and Reese Carleton of Columbia, SC
He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Carleton is preceded in death by his parents, R.W. and Lois Carleton; wife, Joy Brantley Carleton; wife, Ann McWhorter Carleton, and special companion, Janell Ozborn.
Pallbearers: Lane Stewart, Will Stewart, Lee Smith, Johnnie Hollis, Steve Smith and Charlie Abraham
Honorary Pallbearers: Mike Abraham, Jesse Patmore, Jimmy Prince, Don Kilgore, Max Loper and Ralph Freeman
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 94 Union, MS. 39365
