Alta Elaine Killgore Carpenter

Alta Elaine Kincaid was born in Big Spring, Texas on September 12,1942 to parents Paul and Anna May Kincaid. She had an older brother Dennis and twin brother Allen. She enjoyed school, family, church and singing in Swink, Colorado. Alta was an accomplished High School Barrel Racing Champion with her favorite horse ‘Duke’ and longtime member of local 4H. Her father was a rancher and her mother ran the restaurant at the La Junta, Colorado Livestock Sale. Alta learned to cook by her mother's side as they prepared dozens of pies for the sale each week.

Alta attended Lubbock Christian and Abilene Christian University and obtained her degree in Home Economics. She was an avid designer and exquisite cook.

While teaching High School Home Economics in Gallup, New Mexico, she was pleasantly asked out on a date in front of the entire teaching staff in the lunchroom by her future husband and fellow teacher Marvin Killgore. They would be wed 3 months later on December 24, 1966. While visiting family during Christmas in Camarillo, California, and experiencing 86-degree weather on Christmas Day, they decided in that moment they would like to stay in Camarillo. They then drove back to Gallup and packed their things for a permanent return to California. Alta and Marvin would again continue their careers as teachers.

Their love produced 2 sons, Steve and Bill and both sons still reside in California.

After retirement Alta and Marvin decided to make their new home in Sandy Harbor, Texas. With the help of cousin Kathy Nobles and best friend Donna Cotton they were able to locate a new home for the next chapter of their life. Alta became a community leader and organizer making many beloved friends. She was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.

After 43 years of adventure raising 2 kids and sharing eternal love, Alta tragically lost her Marvin to cancer in 2009. With the love and support of friends and family Alta was able to find happiness again. Though as she would often describe “not until after a few frogs” did she find her Texas gentleman named Jim Carpenter. Alta married Jim in November 2016 and they shared 10 wonderful, happy years together.

She is survived by her beloved husband Jim Carpenter;

also her sons William Paul and Steven and his wife Dionah, and 2 grandchildren Nicholas and Alexis.

Other surviving family members include her twin brother Allen, his wife Lorna and numerous nieces and nephews and cousins.