James Herman Carter of La Plata, MD departed this life on Good Friday, April 3, 2015 at Hospice of Charles County in Waldorf, MD. Herman was born on January 16, 1927 to the late Joseph Lorenzo and the late Alberta Adell Carter of La Plata, MD. He was the second of seven children, and attended Charles County Public Schools.

Herman began his career in trucking and construction at an early age. He was best known for his expertise in pouring concrete and worked on many large-scale projects across Maryland and in other states. Herman could fix anything and would often be found under a shade tree working on a car or truck.

Herman was a gifted pianist and could play jazz, blues, boogie woogie or any type of music all by ear. He also had a deep and abiding love of all animals, and enjoyed sitting on the porch birdwatching along with his menagerie of cats and dogs. Among Herman's greatest gifts was sharing stories with his many nieces and nephews, assigning hilarious nicknames to friends and family, and dispensing sage wisdom to the neighborhood men.

Herman was preceded in death by his parents, brothers; Roger Barnes, James Leo, and James Calvin (Tricky) Brooks; and sisters Pearl Carter and Martha Rosier. Herman leaves to cherish his memory daughter, Helen Woodland; granddaughter, LaTanya Woodland; grandson, James Woodland; sisters; Alice Lucille Tolson and Janett Carter; brother, Jerome Lyles; special nephew, Thomas Chisley; ace buddy, Ricky Thomas, a host of nieces, nephews, and very special lifelong friends.

His viewing and service will take place on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at the Thornton Funeral Home, 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, MD 20640. Viewing begins at 9am with a service to follow at 11am. Interment, St. Matthews United Methodist Church Cemetery, Newtown, MD. Arrangements provided by Thornton Funeral Home.