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Lt. Col. (ret) Robert E. Carden passed away peacefully at his home in Jemison on July 6 with his wife Levada by his side.

Carden was born Jan. 19, 1931.  He joined the United States Army and served his country with courage, honor and valor in Korea and Vietnam, receiving many distinguished awards.  He retired after 25 years of dedicated service to the nation he loved.

Carden is survived by his wife, Levada Carden; stepsons, T. J. Porter (Nicole) and Matthew Porter (Stephanie); step grandchildren, Tyer, Jacob, Rebecca and Braden Porter, Lance and Alivia Dennis.

He is also survived by his step children; Johnny Butler (Mary), Tammy Raines (Mike) and Leah Gray; step grandchildren, Zachary Butler, Brittany and Kristen Pew, Scotty and Tiffany Raines, Robert Crane, who is following in the steps of Carden by serving his country as Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps, Dillan Caudle, Lisa and Becky Fulton, Kyle and Wayne Butler.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Mary Sue Carden; wife, Corlene Coates Carden; son, Charles Robert Carden; brothers, Floyd and J. D. Carden; sister, Doris Ray; wife, Luckie Butler Carden; stepchildren, Vickie Butler Fulton and Tommy Butler.

Funeral services will be held at Martin Funeral Home Chapel on July 10, at 1 pm.

The family received friends at the funeral home on Tuesday, July 9 from 6-8 p.m.  Interment will be at Midway Memorial Gardens in Jemison.

From the Alabama Soldiers Monument at Chickamauga National Battlefield: “This shaft shall point to those exciting scenes and visions long since flown.  For memory is the only friend that grief can call its own.”

Martin Funeral Home directing.

You may leave online condolences for the family at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.