Bernard’s Family Funeral Care announces the passing of Mr. Carlton Renaldo Hargrove. Mr. Hargrove of Eatonton, Georgia, passed peacefully at Eatonton Health and Rehabilitation in the early morning of January 5, 2026.

Carlton Renaldo Hargrove was born on June 20, 1958, in Eatonton, Georgia, to Louis Carlton Hargrove and Sonja Buckner Hargrove. He graduated from Putnam County High School in 1976 and attended the University of Georgia, where he was a proud member of the Marching Redcoat Band. Carlton married Kathy Bryant of Macon, Georgia. Though the marriage later ended in divorce, the union produced no children.

A man of wide-ranging interests and deep curiosity, Carlton loved tennis, music, international travel, photography, and golf. In 2005, he founded Principia International, a corporate consulting, business development, marketing, and training firm. Through this work, he traveled extensively and engaged with people and cultures around the world.

Carlton faced a long and courageous battle with Multiple Sclerosis, which eventually limited his mobility and required residential care at Eatonton Health and Rehabilitation. He departed this life peacefully on Monday, January 5, 2025.

Never one to shy away from honest reflection or spirited dialogue, Carlton described himself as “an inquisitive, iconoclastic, decidedly tradition-eschewing, deep-thinking ‘puddin’ stirrer who will gently but firmly challenge all of your ‘sacred cow’ beliefs. WARNING! WILL MAKE YOU THINK!”

One of his favorite quotes reflected the way he lived his life:
“Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don’t, and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it.”

In his own words, Carlton shared:

I have had the great fortune to have seen and done things far beyond what a ‘poor child of the Deep South’ should have had the chance to experience. I credit my great fortune to God’s grace and mercy and a series of rather unconventional choices along the way. While more conventional thinkers have questioned my sanity, I remain convinced they were the right choices for me—allowing me to arrive at this point in my life with an eclectic belief system, a deeper understanding of how life really works, and an unshakable faith in and love for the Lord Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t trade anything for my journey—even (especially!) the tough parts.”

Carlton was preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Sonja Hargrove. He leaves to cherish his memory his sister, Dr. Faye Hargrove (Dr. Clarence Williams, Jr.) of Evans, Georgia; his niece, Chenille Hargrove Williams of Columbia, South Carolina; a nephew, Cameron Hargrove Williams (Arielle and their children, Makai Xavier Williams and Makayla ReneeWilliams) of Stockbridge, Georgia; and a host of loving cousins and dear friends.

Viewing and the life celebration will be held at Bernard’s Eatonton Chapel, 103 Willie Bailey Street, Eatonton, Georgia, on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

Viewing-2:00 PM-2:45 PM.

Service-3:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting
Topic: Celebration of Life for Carlton Hargrove
Time: Jan 11, 2026 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6386190928?omn=87475697995
Meeting ID: 638 619 0928

Bernard's Family Funeral Care, The Eatonton Chapel, is honored to be entrusted with the care of the Hargrove family.