Frederick Lamar Carswell

Frederick Lamar Carswell, age 87 of Columbus, Georgia, passed away at the beginning of Autumn, September 22, 2023 at his home surrounded by his family. This came after struggling with significant medical conditions for many years. He was born in Fitzgerald, Georgia on May 8, 1936, son of Stewart Gilbert Carswell born in Arlington, Georgia, and Adelaide Sarmon Carswell born in Tallulah Falls, Georgia. He grew up in Abbeville, Georgia, where he developed a life-long love of hunting, fishing and the outdoors with his dear brother Stewart.

Fred (as he was known to family and friends) attended Fitzgerald High School where he met Emilie Stone in an English class in which he sat behind her in order to keep a fellow classmate from teasing her. Their classroom friendship eventually led to a first date on which they went to see the movie King Kong at the Grand Theatre. From that first date, both always professed they just ‘knew’ they were meant to be together.

Fred went on to study at the University of Georgia where he joined the ATO fraternity, became popular on campus as the Marlboro Man advertising for Phillip Morris, and attained his BS in Business Administration. Fred and Emilie married in 1959 and moved to Americus where he established a successful small business. Later he sold the business and they moved to Columbus where Fred went to work for McKesson Robbins wine and spirits division as a salesman. His natural ability to form genuine connections with people led to great success in his field, winning many awards along the way, but most important, he formed many lifelong friendships with colleagues and clients.

The first words used to describe Fred by everyone who knew him are that he was a remarkably kind, loving and genuine person. The type they don’t make anymore. He never met a stranger, but his appeal was not based on mere friendliness and cheer. He genuinely cared about people and appreciated them just as they were. His was an embrace of full acceptance. He loved to meet new people and welcomed any visitor’s presence with warmth and openness. People felt this and were naturally drawn to him.  He was at his core a very kind and generous person.

In spite of chronic pain and the physical limitations he suffered for over four years of being confined to a bed, he seldom complained beyond a heartfelt desire to get up and walk again. He loved his hometown of Abbeville, and even though he spent most of his life living elsewhere, his primary motivation for wanting to regain his mobility was to be able to return to his home town and home church. And of course, to go fishing. He loved being in South Georgia.

Fred was a loving husband, father, and granddad to his family. He is survived by the love of his life, to whom he was married 64 years, Emilie Stone Carswell; his son Barry Roland Carswell of Bibb City, GA; grandson, Frederick Lamar Carswell III (Eleanor) of Leicester, NC; granddaughter Miranda Carswell Tanner (Beau), and great grandchildren Liam and Lydia Tanner of Statesboro, Georgia; and the loving former wife of his son Frederick Jr, Rita Kelley Carswell of Dadeville, Alabama. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Frederick Lamar Carswell, Jr., and his brother, Stewart Carswell, Jr.

Fred was a devout Christian, reading daily the Upper Room and corresponding Bible verses. He is now welcomed back into the arms of the Lord where is finally free of the physical pain he suffered for more than three decades.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 7, 2023 at Abbeville Christian Church (Abbeville, Georgia) at 11:30 AM, followed by a meal and visitation of family and friends in the Fellowship Hall. Reverends Kevin Baker and Dennis Lanning will officiate.  Private burial will be in the family plot in the Stubbs Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may donate in Frederick's memory to

Preferred Care Hospice, 1921 Whittlesey Road, Suite 110, Columbus, GA 31904.

Frazier and Son Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Please sign our on-line registry at www.fraziersonfuneralhome.com