Marjorie Stevens Carpenter Giles

Marjorie Stevens Carpenter Giles A devoted Mother, Grandmother, and Great grandmother Marjorie Adele, was born in Hutchinson, Kansas, October 20, 1911 to Elsie Mae and O. Nelson Stevens. She passed away on September 27, 2009, in Austin, Texas. The family moved to Corpus Christi, Texas in the early 1930's where her father directed construction of the Southern Alkali Chemical Plant and later became operating vice-president. Marjorie attended Akron University in Ohio, Ward Belmont School for Girls in Nashville, Tennessee, the University of Kansas in Lawrence, and The University of Texas at Austin. She was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority. Marjorie represented Corpus Christi as a duchess to the Order of the Alamo Fiesta Coronation in "The Court of the Midnight Sun" in San Antonio in 1934. During her many years in Corpus Christi, she was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, was a founding member of the Charity League, the Junior League, the Patrons of the Order of De Piñeda, Au Courant Study Club, the Antiques and Flowers Garden Club, the Kappa Alpha Theta Alumnae Club, the Corpus Christi Country Club, and Town Club. Marjorie loved to travel and was fortunate to have seen the world with family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all who loved her wonderful spirit, kindness, wisdom, and unflagging good cheer. We are comforted to know that Marjorie, beautiful both physically and spiritually, will live on in this eternal life. Her creed: Keep your heart free from hate Your mind free from worry Live simply, expect little, give much Fill your life with love, scatter sunshine Forget self, think of others, Do as you would be done by Norman Vincent Peale She was preceded in death by her loving husbands, Shawnee Turley "Buck" Carpenter and Dr. E. Jackson Giles: her sister Mrs. George Perry LaRue (Dorothy); her brother, John Nelson Stevens: sister-in-law, Mrs. William Ransom Hogan (Jane); Brother-in-law, Thomas Wheeler Carpenter; and nephew, Jon Carpenter Ogg. She is survived by her beloved daughter, Shawn Carpenter Smith and husband, Ford, of Austin: grandchildren, Charles Schreiner Nelson, Jr. and wife, Stephanie, of San Antonio; Shawnee Nelson Dempsey of Marion, and great-grandsons, David Marshall Denn and Christopher Nelson Denn of Seguin. Other family survivors include: her niece, Perry LaRue Tompkins and husband, Frank of Georgetown; grand-niece, Elisha LaRue Tompkins (children Kiersten and Kees Inserni); Stevens Tompkins and wife, Sarah, of Corpus Christi; and Elizabeth Adele Tompkins of Austin; her nephews, George LaRue of Utopia; Michael Stevens and wife, Rose, of San Antonio; Patrick Stevens and John Stevens; her niece, Mary Sue Wisdom; grand-nephew Randolph Blake Farenthold and wife, Debbie (children, Morgan Ann and Amanda Blake Farenthold); grand-niece, Sue Cleveland Farenthold, all of Corpus Christi; nephew Thomas Alonzo Ogg and wife, Arlene, of New Orleans, Louisisna (children, Thomas Ogg, IV, Leslie Ogg Williams and Rachel Ogg Fowler); her dearly loved God children, as well as stepchildren, Jacklyn Giles Sunderalnd and husband, Lane, of Galesburg, Illinois (children Mary Kendall Brady (Jim) and Jack MacInnis (Julia)); also Jackson Giles and wife, Anne, of Austin (children Estelle and Jackson). Her extended family includes, Ford Smith, Jr. and wife Lindsay (children Kendall and Ford); Frances Smith Netherton (children Mary Kathryn, Bill, and Walker); Allen Smith and wife, Mimi (children Hallie and Elizabeth) all of Austin; and Kathryn Smith Etcheverry and husband, Lance (children Calhoun, Elle and Lyles) of Dallas. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Adriana and Adele Jara for their compassionate care of Marjorie; Dr. Nancy Foster, and the Summit at Westlake Hills, her home for the last nine years. Also the family gratefully acknowledges the tender oversight and support of Robinson Creek Hospice during her last weeks. A graveside committal service and burial, conducted by Chaplain Rodger Ericson, will be held at Live Oak Cemetery near Manchaca and an informal reception in celebration of Marjorie's life will be at Shawn and Ford's home at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2009. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Marjorie Giles's name may be made to the church or charity of choice.