Faith Baird Carpenter

Faith was born on June 2, 1950, in Charlotte, North Carolina to Nancy and Boydson Baird. Her early years were spent in Davidson, North Carolina and Williamsburg, Virginia until the family moved to Maryville, Tennessee in 1959. She graduated from Maryville High School and attended Ohio Wesleyan University and the University of Glasgow (Scotland) before graduating from Maryville College.

Faith also attended the University of Tennessee College of Law. While in law school she met Kyle Carpenter, whom she married in 1976. They resided in Knoxville until the end of June this year when they moved to a retirement community in Austin, Texas to be closer to family. They were blessed with two children, David and Mary. During her early years of marriage, Faith worked at several jobs, including working on the staff of Congressman John Duncan Sr.

After Mary’s birth, Faith chose to be a stay-at-home mom and ultimate volunteer, dutifully serving on numerous public and charitable boards. Among her proudest achievements were her tenure as president of the Junior League of Knoxville, serving as the first female board member of Knox Youth Sports, and work with her alma mater Maryville College. She was also a long-time member of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral.

But what Faith will be remembered for is her fierce loyalty to, love for, and devotion to her family and friends. Through David and Mary’s high school graduation, Faith was a committed volunteer at countless school and sporting events and a member and leader of committees and teams supporting all aspects of her children’s lives. Following the births of her five grandchildren, “Faithie” was a constant presence and pillar of support in their lives. Beyond her family, the impact she had on so many friends throughout the Knoxville community will never be forgotten.

Faith was preceded in death by her parents Nancy and Boydson Baird. She is survived by her husband of 50 years Kyle Carpenter, her son David Carpenter (Kate) of Atlanta, Georgia, her daughter Mary Costello (Chris) of Austin, Texas, grandchildren Lucy, Parker, and Will Carpenter and Kylie and Annie Costello. She is also survived by her sister Annie Frick and brother Weldon Baird.

There will be a memorial service celebrating her life at St. John's Episcopal Cathedral, 413 Cumberland Ave., Knoxville, at 1:30 p.m. on August 8, with a reception to follow at Gourmet’s Market & Café, 5107 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to the Boydson and Nancy Baird Scholarship at Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy, Maryville, Tennessee 37804, or the charity of your choice.