Ray Carpenter

Charles Ray Carpenter was born in D’Lo Mississippi on March 3, 1922 to George Edison Carpenter, Sr. and Chrystelle (“Honey”) Albritton Carpenter. He was the third of five boys born to their union. He grew up in Mobile during the great depression and graduated from Murphy High School in 1941.

In 1943, he answered the call of his country and served as a Tech Sergeant in Northern Africa and Palermo, Sicily during World War II. He was decorated with the prestigious Bronze Star. After the war, he returned stateside and completed his education at the University of Illinois and the University of Alabama.

He returned home to spend the rest of his life in Mobile, and met a young nurse, Sara Lou Easley, who became the love of his life. They were married in 1957 and remained a testimony to Christian marriage until her death in 2013. He was employed as an accountant at Smith, Dukes, and Buckelew and later at Underwood Builders Supply and Ryan-Walsh. Ray was preceded in death by his wife Sara, his parents, and three brothers, William Edward Carpenter, Billy John Carpenter, and George Edison Carpenter Jr. He is survived by his only child, David B. Carpenter and his daughter-in-law Angela Carpenter of Mobile. He is also survived by one brother, James Clifford Carpenter of Mobile, three grandchildren, Sara Elaine Carpenter (Joshua) Huynh, William Ray Carpenter, and David Lee Carpenter as well as 13 nieces and nephews and a host of beloved friends. Visitation will be at Radney Funeral Home on Dauphin Street on Tuesday, May 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. Funeral services will be held at the Kingswood United Methodist Church on Wednesday, May 18 at 10:00 a.m. with interment to follow at Mobile Memorial Gardens. Pastor David B. Carpenter, Rev. Joe Reams, and David L. Carpenter will be officiating. Condolences may be offered online at www.radneyfuneralhome-mobile.com.