Mary Carpenter

Mary Frances Carpenter, 90, of Waco passed away Thursday, January 25, 2018. Visitation will be 5-7 Monday, January 29, at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, 8220 Woodway Drive. Funeral Services will be 2 p.m., Tuesday, January 30, at Western Heights Baptist Church officiated by her nephew, Steve Abbe. A private burial will be on Saturday at Oakwood Cemetery.

Mary Frances Cooper Carpenter was born July 14, 1927 in Waco, Texas to Ernest and Lula Wofford Cooper. Mary attended school at LaVega. She graduated from Durham Business College. She was married to J. T. Carpenter on August 31, 1948. At that time, J.T. had four children and Mary loved them, and raised them as her own. Mary and J.T. had three daughters, one that died at birth in 1950, then Patti and Teresa.

When Teresa passed away in 1987, Mary and J.T. took her three children and raised them, and later a great-grandson, Logan. Over the span of 60 years, J. T. and Mary raised 10 children.

Mary worked many years at Word Record, retiring from there to take care of the grandchildren. It was always said that there would be a special place in heaven for her because of her love and complete devotion to all of the children she raised. She loved each and every one of her grandbabies and was quick to tell you that our family had the prettiest ones.

Mary loved to sew and spent many years as a member of the Primrose Quilting Club in Oaklawn. Over the years she gave many beautiful handmade quilts to her family. They are each and everyone a treasure. Mary also was blessed with the talent of being an artist. Many of her paintings are in the homes of family members.

Mary and J.T. were charter members of Western Heights Baptist Church. Mary loved her Sunday School girlfriends. It gave her great comfort to be with her church friends.

Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, J. T. Carpenter; her parents; her infant

daughter; her daughter, Juli Teresa Carpenter Crow; and her son, James E. Carpenter.

She is survived by her daughters, Patti Johnson and husband Barry, Anita Pryor and her husband Robert, Loretta Woehrle and her husband Richard; her son, Robert Lee Carpenter and his wife Mary Lou; and her brother, Richard Cooper. Mary had 14 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins that she loved unconditionally.

Mom and Dad were kind and gentle people who loved their family. It meant all the world to them to have all of the kids under one roof for family gatherings. Many, many holidays at the Carpenter house would be filled to the brim with the family. We kids were truly blessed to have had the parents we did, and a home filled with love. We will forever hold the wonderful memories in our hearts. The laughter, the tears, the discussions, the reminiscing, the advice, will never be forgotten. Memories, we have some wonderful ones.

A special thank you to the staff of Royal Manor II, especially Kyle, Allyson, Diane, Roy, Maria, and Annie, your special attention and care will always be remembered. Also thank you to Providence Hospice for their care.