Ruth Carpenter

Dorothy Ruth Carpenter, age 87, died peacefully on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 in Brooksville, Florida following complications from a recent stroke. She was born April 7, 1927, in Zafarabad, India to missionary parents Ellis A. Meeks and Chloie M. (Neeley) Meeks. In addition to India, Ruth lived in various towns in Illinois and Missouri as a child while her parents were pastors of churches in local communities. She graduated from high school at Owasso Bible College in Owasso, Michigan. Also, she graduated from Frankfort Bible College in Frankfort, Indiana with a bachelor's degree. She worked in various full-time Christian service positions during her lifetime, including teaching at Frankfort Bible College and leading the Women's Missionary Society for The Wesleyan Church World Headquarters. The highlight of those years was numerous trips to various parts of the world including the Philippine Islands, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. In addition, she served as both a pastor's and evangelist's wife after her marriage. She married P. O. Carpenter on September 1, 1973, in a ceremony in Lawrenceville, Illinois. They shared approximately fifteen years of marriage including time as pastors of a church in Selma, Alabama. She enjoyed her family including step-daughter Evelyn Bashford and a step-granddaughter, Kim Novicki. Following the death of her husband in 1988, Ruth lived for a number of years in Lawrenceville before eventually residing in Indiana and finally Florida. In addition to her immediate family, Ruth enjoyed time with her siblings and numerous nieces and nephews. A highlight of Ruth's life following the death of her husband was an extended trip through India with her brother, Paul, and his wife, Darlene. They journeyed back to her and Paul's birthplace, as well as riding an elephant to go on safari to view tigers in the jungle. Ruth was a lifelong member of The Wesleyan Church denomination with membership at various locations during her lifetime. She enjoyed entertaining and gardening. She never met a dog she didn't love and spoil. She is survived by one sister, Virginia (Wayne) Wright of Marion, Indiana and one brother Paul Meeks of Brooksville, Florida. She is also survived by her step-granddaughter Kim (Bruce) Novicki of Louisville, Kentucky and step-great grandsons Christian and Conner also of Louisville. In addition, she is survived by two nieces and seven nephews, twelve great-nieces and ten great-nephews, and four great-great-nieces and four great-great-nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Preston Owens (P. O.) Carpenter, sister Jane Duckworth and step-daughter, Evelyn Bashford. Visitation will be held at the Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville on Wednesday, November 12 from 9:00-10:30 a.m. with funeral service beginning at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at the Lawrenceville City Cemetery after the service. A memorial service will be held at a later date at The Brooksville Wesleyan Church for her friends at the Brooksville Retirement Village. Details will be communicated through the church there. Memorials may be made in Ruth's name to Global Partners, The Wesleyan Church Headquarters, P.O. Box 50434, Indianapolis, IN 46250.

Visitation

NOV 12. 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM (CST)

Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home 1303-12th Street Lawrenceville, IL

Service

NOV 12. 10:30 AM (CST)

Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home 1303-12th Street Lawrenceville, IL