Mary Nelle Carpenter was born in Lynn Grove, KY on September 30, 1924. She was the ninth out of ten children born to John Tracy Turnbow and Mary Jerlene Turnbow. Her mother passed away when she was 3 years old and when she was 6 years old, she was placed in the Potter Orphan Home because her oldest sister couldn’t care for all of the siblings.
Mary grew up at the Orphan Home and when she graduated High School she moved to Indianapolis, IN, roomed with Virginia Gibbs and babysat her children. She went to secretarial school and worked for the Indianapolis Star newspaper. She met Dale Carpenter through church connections in 1950 and they married on March 25, 1951. They were blessed with three children – Jayson Dale, Carol Ann and Ken David. Mary was an accomplished seamstress and made extra money by sewing for people when her children were growing up. She moved with her family from Indiana to Iowa, Texas, and Illinois. Then they retired and moved to Tennessee to be near their grown children. When all of the children moved away from Tennessee she and Dale moved to Orlando, FL.
Mary began quilting when her first grandson was born and was an avid quilter until just a few months before her death. She made quilts for friends and family. She made over 50 quilts during her lifetime. Mary was loved by everyone who knew her. She had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved her family deeply and would do anything for them.
She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters Jeffy Yates and Ruth Askew, and brothers SS Turnbow, Howard Turnbow, Brent Turnbow, Robert Turnbow, Norman Turnbow, Jewell Turnbow, and John Turnbow. She is survived by her husband Dale Carpenter, son Jayson (Fior) Carpenter, daughter Carol (Michael) Bowden, son Ken Carpenter, grandchildren John Mark Bowden, Hannah Harriet (Tim) Nixon, Jayson (Madison) Bowden, Alex Carpenter, Natasha Carpenter, Michael Carpenter and great grandchildren Timothy James (TJ) Nixon and Heath Nixon.
Visitation is 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM with the Service beginning at 3:30 PM at Concord Street Church Of Christ on Saturday, May 4, 2024. 626 E Concord St, Orlando, FL 32803
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Go Fund Me Link below.
https://gofund.me/63c0501f
To share a memory of Mary or leave a special message for her family, please visit the guestbook below.