Sarah Ethel Carpenter

Born December 2, 1938 in Kannapolis, North Carolina, Ethel, as everyone knew her, met the love of her life in the spring of 1955. It was at the American Legion in Waxhaw that Jimmy Gordon Carpenter of Peachland, a member of the 82nd Airborne at the time asked her father if he could cut in and have a dance. It was just three short months later on July 2nd, 1955, they were married. Ethel was known by her friends and family as a dedicated and loving wife, mother, and friend. She spent 22 years as a food service worker with Union County public schools and a lifetime entertaining all who knew her. She learned to play numerous instruments such as the piano and guitar by ear, wrote programs for computers, and knew more about hunting than she cared to. She loved cooking, dancing, playing the piano, traveling, and caring for her family. Ethel was an active member of the Waxhaw American Legion Women's Auxiliary, Post 208, for decades and served in various positions. She was a woman of deep faith who believed in God and played a vital role in her church through the years. She passed on this faith to her children, and grandchildren, and strengthened her husband of 68 years faith. Her beginnings were humble and her passing is felt because she left a memorable impression on all who met her.

Ethel is preceded in death by her parents, Clara and Norris (Rube) Watts; daughter, Vickie Lynn Carpenter Belk; brother, Billy Watts; sister, Peggy Watts Gaye; granddaughter, Amanda Lynn Belk; and son-in-laws, Michael Edward Priebe and Richard Lynn Belk. She is survived by her loving husband, Jimmy (Jim) Gordon Carpenter; children, Katherine Carpenter Priebe and Angela Carpenter Shell; grandchildren, Kyle Jacob Shell and Katlynn Amanda Shell; great-grandchildren, Emily Marie Pena, Jasmine Anya Shell, and Damian Logan Tillman; and step-grandchildren, Christopher, Mark, and Matthew Priebe.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm at Calvary Baptist Church, located at 2518 Lancaster Hwy, Monroe, North Carolina. A funeral service to celebrate her life will be held in the church sanctuary following the visitation. Immediately following the service the family will be receiving anyone who wishes to stay for a time of fellowship and refreshments until 2:00 pm. Following that, the service will then conclude with burial taking place at Waxhaw City Cemetery, located at 111 Arbor Drive, Waxhaw, North Carolina.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations can be made to Calvary Baptist Church of Monroe.

McEwen Funeral Home of Monroe is honored to serve the family of Sarah Ethel Carpenter.