Sybil Lenora Spires Carter passed away March 4, 2026 at Sumter Retirement Center in Plains, Georgia. A graveside service will be held at Lebanon Cemetery in Plains, GA on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM.  

Born in Clayton, Alabama November 21, 1938 to William and Lucille Spires, Sybil was the youngest of three and was both spoiled and bossed around by her sister Lila Ruth and brother Sonny. She spent her days running around barefoot in the yard, fishing with her daddy and learning to cook by standing on a stool at her mama’s side.

When the family moved to Plains, Georgia Sybil caught the eye of a tow headed, blue-eyed boy who lived around the corner so enamored of her that he asked “Miss” Lucille to give her to him one day in Plains Pharmacy. That was when her adventure with Billy Carter, the love of her life, began. Married in 1955, Sybil and Billy were definitely a couple who worked together through the ups and downs of 33 years. Along the way six children were added to the family Kim Carter Fuller (Mark), Jana Kae Carter, Buddy Carter (Marlene), Marle Carter Usry (Jody), Mandy Carter Flynn (Mike), and Earl Carter.

Sybil’s life was filled with music…her sweet soprano was beautiful… the countless meals she shared with family and friends… her table groaned at Thanksgiving…her love of reading anything she could find…her church when she was able to participate… and most importantly her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She never met a stranger and if you were blessed enough to be called her friend you never had to doubt that the friendship would ever waver. She loved gardenias, a cup of hot coffee, that ‘new book’ smell and countless reruns of “Little House on the Prairie”. Her loving support of those around her served her well through her years of working in the family business, Carter’s Warehouse, owning Syb’s Restaurant, and Plains Flower Shop and later working in Development for Habitat for Humanity.

Sybil will be missed by many because she was a constant in so many lives. She leaves behind eleven grandchildren who were blessed to call her theirs: Billy Carter, Mandy Barr (Charles), Will Carter (Jenn), Luke Usry (Meghan), Bud Fuller, Maddie Carter, Cassie Branum (Tommy), Anna Person (Corbin), Trey Flynn, Cameron Herbert (Christian) and Carter James (Evans),). Her stories will also be kept alive by her ten great grandchildren.

Sybil was preceded in death by her parents William and Lucille Spires, her sister Lila Ruth Howard, her brother Louis (Sonny) Harrison, her husband Billy Carter, and her daughter Jana Carter.

We know that our daddy met her at the gate as soon as she got there and that he hasn’t let her out of his sight and now they’re all sitting around listening to her stories of everyone she left behind… and she’s just as happy as she can be.

We all would like to thank the staff of Sumter Retirement Center for their constant care for Mama, Pruitt Hospice for their countless visits and advice, and Blake Barfield, who sat with Mama and comforted her and treated her as family .

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Rush Physical Therapy in Americus, Georgia.