Elizabeth C. Gallagher

Elizabeth (Lib) Rebecca (Carpenter) Gallagher was an amazing woman with a dynamic personality and a passion to actively serve in her community and church. She was a highly recognized and respected educator and a popular tutor for middle and high school students. She was a creative Math teacher, with her "open classroom" model for visitation and observation by parents of new students and other teachers. Her "open" approach to teaching was highly endorsed and promoted by many CMS administrators and educators. Lib was also a role model and mentor for a number of other teachers. Outside the classroom, she was involved in many church and community activities, and was a loving and devoted wife and mother.

She lived a long and fulfilling life of 93 years with the desire to make each day meaningful and filled with laughter and purpose,whether in a meeting with a student or parent, a friend in need, or a church activity, she was willing to "reach out" and "raise up" wherever she could. Her dedication to, and love for teaching math to junior high students inspired her to teach in the classroom for over thirty years, with "perfect attendance" all thirty years. Her faith in God and desire to "raise up" others inspired Lib to serve as a Deacon and Elder at her beloved church, Myers Park Presbyterian Church, for more than sixty years. Lib was always ready to be an effective, devoted and loyal ambassador for Christ.

Lib was born in Chester, SC on May 22, 1930. She was the daughter of Elizabeth "Bessie" Kirkpatrick Carpenter and William Pinckney Carpenter, Sr. Lib, her sister, Mary Carpenter, and two brothers – Bill and Gage Carpenter – grew up on a dairy farm in the Lewis Community of Chester. Growing up in the small and friendly community taught Lib the values of devotion to family, church, hard work, and caring for others. She enjoyed gardening and growing flowers, which she dearly loved all of her life. Her family loved their church. Lib always looked forward to going back "home" to visit her family during the holidays, special occasions, and throughout the years.

After graduating from Lewisville High School, Lib attended and graduated from Winthrop College in 1952, with a B.S. in Mathematics and Science, earning recognition as a Magna Cum Laude graduate and her teaching certification. After graduation, she gained experience by teaching gifted and motivated students math and science at Winthrop College Training School. She was then hired as a 7th grade math and science teacher at Hawthorne Junior High School in Charlotte, NC.

While teaching at Hawthorne, Lib met her husband Clarence Gallagher, and they were married on August 4, 1956 at Purity Presbyterian Church in Chester, SC. Lib and Clarence were married for 59 years before Clarence passed away in June of 2015.

In the fall of 1968, Lib began teaching at Randolph Junior High School. She was highly involved serving as chairperson of the Math Department and the school Accreditation Committee for secondary schools. Lib retired after serving over 30 years with “perfect attendance” of teaching 7th and 8th grade math to thousands of junior high students.

As a believer in getting involved in community organizations, she joined the Daughters of American Revolution (D.A.R.) in 1963, serving as Chaplain for 10 years of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (U.D.C.), and over 60 years as a member.

In 1958 Lib was inducted in the Teacher's Sorority, Beta Tau Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma in 1958, a sorority of outstanding Educators.

After her marriage to Clarence in 1956, they joined Myers Park Presbyterian Church, where they served in lay leadership roles for over 59 years. Whether they were ushering, greeting, counting adult Sunday School attendance, sending cards with a personal note, preparing sandwiches, baking cookies or cakes, or making a telephone call to someone on their birthday or special situation, it was a labor of love and dedication. They loved the John Calvin Sunday Class. Before worship services, Lib would greet families and their children with a smile and a hug in the church "cross roads”, or at the back row of the sanctuary. Clarence would be opening car doors in the driveway for children to attend Sunday school. They were always seen at funerals and baptisms, serving as Elders. Lib was a member of her church "Circle Group," which offered services to both church and community. She enthusiastically participated as the Elder in infant and adult baptisms, and memorized the charge of responsibility for the congregation for over ten years. Lib was involved in Pastor's Aid, Christian Community Action and support of shut-ins in the Golden Circle and Circle #21. Lib was awarded "Honorary Life Membership" from the Presbyterian Women of the Church in 1982. Lib and Clarence received the "Outstanding Older Adult Award" from the Presbytery of Charlotte in 2009 for her dedicated service, love and commitment to the ministry of the church.

Lib’s church passion, for decorating and arranging flowers, gave her lots of joy and delight. A highlight was at Easter with members and families participating in "Flowering the Cross" on the church lawn. During Christmas, hanging wreaths, arranging poinsettias, and decorating Christmas trees with beautiful hand-knitted and hand-made ornaments was an annual tradition as she served on the Decorating Committee for many years.

After retirement, Lib continued her devoted church work and began tutoring private and public school students of all grades. She took pride in helping each student in achieving their goal in obtaining certain grades in order to enter college. During the summer months and school year, Lib tutored athletes who needed to maintain a specific GPA in order to continue to play sports. This was another way for her to "reach out and lift up" people in need of her teaching skills.

Lib was an avid bridge player, belonging to three different long-time groups of school teachers, sorority, church, and personal friends. She played canasta on the spur of the moment.

Lib was thankful for the outstanding clergy and staff at her church. Their time and attention to every member was deeply appreciated.

She was also a devoted wife and mother, highly respected teacher and educator, and dedicated church and community worker, whose bright spirit and glowing smile will be missed in the coming days and years.

Lib Gallagher was preceded in death by her two brothers, William "Bill" P. Carpenter, Jr. and Gage W. Carpenter, Jr., and her sister, Mary Carpenter Crowder.

Lib's brother Bill (Sue Kimbrell), was father to William "Billy" Carpenter, III (Wendy) and Kim Telligman (Bill). Bill and Sue were proud grandparents to William "Little Billy" Carpenter, IV (Taylor), Cody D. Carpenter, John Telligman (Holly), Will Telligman (Katie), Avery Telligman (Jess), Cheryl Telligman, Amy Telligman and Carie Telligman. They also have eleven great-grandchildren: Rylie, John Ross, Palmer, Liam, Kasiah, Henry, Margo, Trey Ellis, and Kristan Jacobs (Kevin), Paisley, Annie.

Lib's brother, Gage (Gail Howell) was the father to Bessie Whiteside (John), Gage W. Carpenter, Jr. (Tracy), John Carpenter (Liz) and Dora Adams. He and Gail were loving grandparents to Catie, Wade, Aiden, Emily, Thomas, Tyler, Luke, and Cameron.

Lib's sister, Mary Crowder (James W. Crowder Jr./Jimmy) was mother to Jim Crowder III (April) and Randolph Crowder (Jennifer). Mary and Jimmy were grandparents to Jay, Caroline, Cody Brown (Niulka), Madeline Ansley Sloan, and grandparents of William (Lauren), Abram, Cayce and Claire.

Lib Gallagher is survived by her son, William "Bill" H. Gallagher, II, who founded Superior School of Real Estate in Charlotte, NC.

Visitation will be held from 4-8 pm on Wednesday, December 27 in the Sanctuary of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, 2501 Oxford Place, Charlotte. Desserts, refreshments, and coffee will be served in the church Welcome Center. The service by the graveside will be held at 11 am on Thursday, December 28 at Sharon Memorial Park, 5400 Monroe Rd., Charlotte. A special musical prelude in Lib’s honor with brass ensemble will begin at 1:45 pm before the service in the sanctuary. The service will begin at 2 pm. A reception will immediately follow in Oxford Hall.

Memorial contributions may be made in Lib’s memory to Myers Park Presbyterian Church or to Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster.

Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com