Edith Carpenter

On Sunday, September 20, 2020, Edith Russell Carpenter, at the age of 94, passed away into the loving arms of our Lord. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend who lived a life full of love and family.

Edith was born on February 11, 1925, in Fines Creek, North Carolina to Selma and Lawrence Russell. As 1 of 8 children, she grew up in the mountains of North Carolina. Her childhood, as she recalls it, was hard work, but filled with love and lots of fun. She says there was never a dull or bored moment with that many siblings.

Edith followed her sisters to school when she was just 5 years old and after sending her home day after day, the teacher finally decided to let her stay in first grade since she was doing the work perfectly.

She was an excellent seamstress and enjoyed sewing for herself, friends, and family. Later, as a mother herself, she sewed for her children. With daughters in dance class, she was constantly sewing costumes and stage props. Edith loved to garden, and had a beautiful vegetable garden every year after she retired. She had an amazing green thumb and could grow anything including Christmas trees stuck out in the yard!!

Edith was quite a lady, small in stature, but was smart and full of spirit. She graduated at 16 and board a bus from North Carolina to Brooklyn Field, where she became a machinist making parts for military aircraft. Later she moved to Tennessee where she worked on a top secret job that helped to bring an end to the war in Japan. It was code named “Manhattan Project”. She also worked her way up to become the first all female branch manager for Hancock Bank.

On September 7, 1946, she married her spouse of 55 years, Donald W. Carpenter. Together they built a life and family having three children, Donnie, Barbara, and Debbie. Weekends were spent with friends and family, having fish frys and just enjoying life. She was one of a kind and always welcomed anyone into her home for a visit, coffee, or a home cooked meal. She loved her children and grandchildren and would do anything within her power to help one in need. Her guiding advice leaves a huge void in our lives and we will miss her always.

Edith was preceded in death by her parents, Selma and Lawrence Russell of North Carolina; her husband, Donald W. Carpenter; her son, Donald R. Carpenter (Donnie); her daughter, Barbara Lee, all of Gulfport; 4 sisters, Pauline Roland, Edna Messer, Lucille Sheffield, and Lois Bradley.

She is survived by a daughter, Deborah “Debbie” Cole (Bobby); her 6 grandson, David Cospelich (Kelly), Anthony Hale (Carol), Donald Carpenter, Christopher Carpenter, Justin Cole, and Matthew Cole (Katrina); her 9 great grandchildren, Braden Cole, Jessica Cole, Ava Cole, of Biloxi, Sierra Carpenter, Crystal Carpenter, Tre Carpenter, Logan Carpenter, Chandler Carpenter, and Wyatt Carpenter, of Gulfport; 2 sisters, Betty Baker of Long Beach, Phyllis Kirkpatrick of North Carolina; 1 brother, Bob Russell of North Carolina.

Special thanks to Rusty and Shelly Sheffield for your help, love, and devotion, Billie Jean and Mike McCann for loving her like a mother, and Kelly Cospelich for always being there ready to go above and beyond.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, September 26, 2020, at RIEMANN FAMILY FUNERAL HOME, 11280 Three Rivers Road, Gulfport, with a visitation from 1:00 PM until the service. Interment will follow at Finley Cemetery, Hwy 53, Gulfport.

2 TIMOTHY 4.7

“I HAVE FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, I FINISHED THE RACE. I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH”