Martha H Carpenter

August 25, 1913 – June 9, 2014

Martha Holt Carpenter, 100, died peacefully in her sleep June 9, 2014. She leaves behind two daughters, Susan Gray (Wayne) and Martha Fisher (Joe); four grandsons – Shawn Gray, Cory Gray, Matthew Fisher and Michael Fisher; a step-grandson, Erik Gray; and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service in celebration of her life will take place at the Hermitage in Northern Virginia on Sunday, June 22 at 2:00 PM.

One of six children, Martha was born in Norfolk, Virginia on August 25, 1913. When she was four, the family moved to Washington, DC where they lived on Capitol Hill. She was a graduate of Eastern High School. Martha worked for the Bell Telephone Company in the early 1940s, helping to compile the classified ads for the Yellow Pages. Following her marriage to Stewart Carpenter in 1945, she moved to Arlington, Virginia, becoming a devoted and loving housewife and mother. She was an active member of Christ United Methodist Church in Arlington where she assisted with the children’s choirs, helped with weddings and catered receptions, attended weekly Bible studies and took part in the United Methodist Women. Martha was an accomplished seamstress, making clothes for her daughters and later became skilled at cross stitching and an avid quilter. She became a widow in 1992. In 1998 she moved into the Hermitage in Northern Virginia making many close friends and leading an active and independent life. Her gracious, gentle spirit will be missed by all who knew her.

Memorial donations may be made to the Hermitage in Northern Virginia, 5000 Fairbanks Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22311.