Maxine Stevenson Carpenter

Mattie Maxine Stevenson was born 13 February 1931 in Pamlico County on the Dixon family homestead, daughter of Mattie Leas Moore and George Dixon Stevenson. Her father was a dairyman and her mother was the Postmistress of Clarks, NC and operated a Post Office in the front of their home.

Maxine met Everette Caudle Carpenter in Clarks where his family had relocated from Anson County, NC . He saw her at the Post Office and told his siblings he was going to marry "that pretty red-headed girl." They were married on 8 August 1949 at the family home in Clarks. They raised four children who were all college educated and are happily married.

Maxine was a wonderful homemaker, wife, mother and granny. She was a superb seamstress and made most of her children's clothing including some of their wedding dresses. Maxine and Everette's home garden was the source of most of their vegetables and were enjoyed by them and their friends year-round. They became avid fishermen and spent many a day at their fishing home on the Neuse River near Oriental. At one time they had four freezers to hold all their vegetables and seafood. No one ever went hungry in the Carpenter home.

Maxine was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, Joe Clayton Stevenson and Evelyn Victoria Stevenson.

Maxine is survived by her loving husband of almost 66 years, Everette C. Carpenter; three daughters, Larraine (Henry) Stephens of Williamsburg, VA; Georgia (Olin) Finch of Duck, NC; Connie (Robert) Shertz of Raleigh, NC; one son, Jerry (Mary) Carpenter of New Bern, NC; nine grandchildren: Kate Stephens of Charlottesville, VA; Jason (Carissa) Stephens of Austin, TX; Rob (Marsha) Stephens of Charleston, SC; Sam (Brittany) Finch of Duck, NC; Elizabeth Finch of Girdwood, AK; Rebecca (Trent) Scott of New Bern, NC; Julie (James) Bullock of Clayton, NC; Phillip (Brandy) Carpenter of New Bern, NC; Amanda (Colby) Griffin of Nashville, NC; ten great-grandchildren: Jasper, Penelope and Dean Stephens; Olive McCoy; Caba and Ozzie Finch; Claire Scott; Abigail Bullock; Bowen Carpenter; and Hudson Griffin (due early August). She is also survived by her brother, Walter (Martha) Stevenson of Jacksonville, FL; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at Trinity United Methodist Church from 1-2 p.m. Sunday, 28 June 2015 followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. Entombment will be private at Greenleaf Memorial Park, New Bern.

The family wishes to extend their sincere appreciation to the caregivers from Assisted Living at Home who made it possible for their parents to remain at home: Carolyn, Lessie, Bertha, Debbie and Helen. Also, for the assistance of the hospice staff of 3HC.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Maxine's memory may be made to: Trinity United Methodist Church, 2311 Elizabeth Ave, New Bern, NC 28562 or Clark's United Methodist Church,105 Clarks Road, New Bern, NC 28562.