Earnest L. Carpenter

Leroy was born October 14, 1931 to William and Annabelle Lyles Carpenter in Grenada County, MS. He graduated from Walnut High School and then attended Delta State Teachers College for 2 years before entering the USAF in March 1951. During his 28 1/2 year career, he served at many locations in the US and had 2 tours on Okinawa and in Vietnam. One of the stateside locations was Perrin AFB at Sherman, TX where he met and later married Helen Harvey of Sherman. He retired from the Air Force in 1979 as a CM Sgt. After his AF career; he worked for Bell Helicopter, City of Amarillo, and Anderson Mattress Co. before quitting public employment. Leroy was a member of the North Amarillo Church of Christ where he served as an Elder for many years. Leroy is preceded in death by his parents; 3 infant siblings, brother William Chester Carpenter, son-in-law Glen Rumley. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helen; 6 children; Pat Rumley of Mesa Arizona; Meschelle Mitchell and husband Tim of Jacksonville AL; Terri Boswell- Williams and husband Jim of Amarillo, TX; Eric Carpenter and wife Cathy of Phoenix, AZ; Kim Dempsey and husband Dean of Oxford,AL; Collin Carpenter of Phoenix, AZ. 12 grandchildren; Brian Mitchell of Decatur, AL; Shea and Skyla Rumley of Mesa, AZ; Maggie Boswell of Amarillo; Erica Janousek and husband Robert of El Mirage AZ; Rachel Otero and husband Tyler of Wahiawa, HI; Autumn, Leanne, and Thomas Carpenter of Phoenix, AZ; Michael Williams and wife Raven of Alpharetta, GA; Garrett Williams of Amarillo; Callie Williams of Abilene, TX. 5 Great-Grandchildren; Brileigh and Anna Mitchell of Decatur, AL; Al, Aiden and Brantley Janousek of El Mirage, AZ; Sephie Williams of Alpharetta, GA. Other survivors include; Sister Marie Payne of Guyton, GA; sister-in-law Frances Carpenter of Clinton, MS; 2 Nephews; David Carpenter and wife Jane of Flora, MS; Bo Payne and wife Bethany of Pooler, GA; 2 nieces Ann Coleman and husband James of Wetumpke, AL; Jan Leggett and husband Jerry of Guyton, GA.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful people at the VA Community Living Center who cared for Ernie. The dedication and the continued support to Ernie is greatly appreciated. You all are a very special group of people.

MEMORIALS: The family suggests in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to North Amarillo Church of Christ or to the VA Community Living Center.