Nancy Townsend Carpenter

Born on November 15, 1943, in Greenville, SC, Nancy was the youngest daughter of the late Luna Moon Townsend and Van Clinton “Jack” Townsend. She attended Greenville High, where she started dating the love of her life, Charlie. They went to Furman University together where she graduated magna cum laude.

Nancy and Charlie were married in 1968 and began an adventurous several years that started with a honeymoon driving across Europe. Charlie's law school and Army service soon took them to Charlottesville VA, Fort Lee, VA, Seoul, Korea, and Oakland, CA. Nancy earned a Master's in English at Mills College in California and taught school everywhere they lived. After completing army service, they settled in Columbia, SC, which was home for the next 50 years.

Nancy was a person of strong faith and cherished her church home at Eastminster Presbyterian Church where she served in many roles including Clerk of the Session, Stephen Minister, Sunday school teacher, and mentor to at-risk children. She also gave wonderful lifelong care to her dear sister Ellen who had mental and physical handicaps. The kindness and thoughtfulness that was so natural to her was felt by many.

Nothing was more important to Nancy than her family. Her children Elizabeth and John were the primary focus of her life. She loved them dearly. School, ballet, tennis and theater brought more memories and more friends. After spending time with her children during their early years, Nancy embarked on a new career founding a company to teach presentation skills and business writing to companies.

Nancy was delighted when her family grew again. She welcomed her daughter-in-law Allie and son-in-law Steven with open arms. Once her two grandchildren Charles and Francesca were born, there was nowhere else in the world she would rather be than with them. She would happily be the one on the floor in the tent playing dinosaurs or sliding down water slides rather than being with the adults.

Nancy found happiness surrounded by her friends, including her neighbors in Columbia and her beloved Caesar’s Head, church friends, garden club, Junior League, the “Boas,” the community at Aldersgate, and her incredible caregivers.

She lived every day of her life joyfully and truly appreciated the moments here on earth whether they were big or small. She faced obstacles with great courage and an always optimistic spirit.

Nancy is survived by her beloved husband of 57 years, Charlie Carpenter; children Elizabeth Carpenter Argila (Steven) and John Carpenter (Allie); and grandchildren Charles Carpenter and Francesca Argila, and several nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Woodlawn Memorial Park, 1 Pine Knoll Drive, Greenville, SC 29609. The family will receive friends immediately afterward. A private family burial will take place prior to the service at 11:00 am at Springwood Cemetery in Greenville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sistercare of Columbia, PO Box 1029, Columbia, SC 29202 or by using the link below.