Desiree Teresa Ross Carpenter

Desiree Teresa Ross Carpenter was born January 6th, 1956 to Frank and Knight DePaul in Houston, Texas. Her youth was spent in Pasadena, Texas. She lived out most of her adult life on the north side of Houston.

Her life was anything but monochromatic, she traveled, she married, she loved deeply and she loved passionately. Through her numerous roles as daughter, sister, wife, mother, step-mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother she left everyone in her family feeling loved and cared for. Over the years she could leave audiences in tears from laughter through her storytelling.

In the 1960’s as a high school student she led a student protest at Sam Rayburn High School which led the school administrators to allow girls to wear miniskirts.

In her early twenties she married Barry Ross, and together they had one daughter Destiny Knight Ross. While balancing her role as mother and wife she helped Barry become a local Houston celebrity “Ol’Bare” and together they grew Superior Waterbeds. In the early years of Superior Waterbeds, she decorated the stores, organized corporate events, and watched as “Ol’Bare’s” commercials were played throughout the southern states. In their leisure time Desiree and Barry found joy in traveling and raising their daughter. She was also the care giver of her ailing mother Knight DePaul during these years, and she took on this great responsibility with all of her heart. Around the age of 30 Desiree and Barry divorced.

In her thirties Desiree married Dennis Richards. Together they traveled the world through his international law practice. During this time, she became a legal secretary to help her husband with his law firm. After a few years together they divorced. They would remain friends throughout the remainder of his life.

In her late thirties she began a long-term relationship with a movie producer, and together they tried their best to get a large movie project off the ground. She learned a tremendous amount during those years about what it takes to produce a movie. While traveling to Hollywood and holding personal meetings with Hollywood stars such as Anjelica Huston, and many more Desiree organized the material necessary for investors, and stars in hope that the project would get off the ground. Big names signed, but the movies financing never came through. During those years she was able to balance this consuming work with raising her daughter.

During her forties Desiree married the last love of her life; Dewayne Carpenter. He was her best friend, and her partner in crime during the last part of her life. They lived the last 28 years of her life inseparable no matter what life threw at them. They raised many Chihuahuas together, and their dogs were their passion. Any visitor to their home will recall the barks from all of their beloved Chihuahuas "their babies”! She helped Dewayne with his carpet business through-out the years, and they even got to go to Alaska through his successes in the industry.

During this time, she also formed memorable bonds with her step-grandchildren during their formative teenage years. They spent a lot of time together laughing, and creating good old mischief that only Grandma Desi knew how to create. They will miss her, and their time together.

Desiree’s down to earth roots, infectious laugh and astounding story telling were enjoyed by all, and will be missed immensely. There is and will be a hole in each of her loved one’s hearts until they hear that laugh again.

Desiree is survived by her husband Dewayne Carpenter. Her daughter Destiny Lucas, step-daughter Nicole Carpenter, son-in law Marshall Lucas, grand-son Ross Lucas, grand-daughter Barri Lucas, step grand-children Joscelyn Hart, Joshua Lucas, Aubrey Lucas, Asa Lucas, step-mother Lynn DePaul, siblings Dina DePaul, Lisa Bowles, Jerry DePaul, Debra DePaul, David Cribbs, Cynthia Cribbs, Chris Manners, and last but not certainly least her last two Chihuahuas Secret and Little Bit.

Desiree is preceded in death by her mother Knight DePaul, father Frank DePaul, grand-mother Mozelle Freeman, and brother Frank DePaul Jr.

Until we meet again our beloved Desire.

A Celebration Of Life Service will be held at Forest Park The Woodlands Funeral Home on September 4th, 2022 at 1:00pm.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.forestparkthewoodlands.com for the Carpenter family.