Mary Elizabeth Durbin Carpenter

Mary Elizabeth Durbin Carpenter, 101, passed away Sunday, July 10, 2016 in Riviera Beach, Florida.

Mrs. Carpenter moved to Fort Pierce in 1947 coming from Memphis, Tennessee.

Mary Elizabeth was born to the late Chester and Annie Mae Durbin on September 19, 1914 in Memphis, Tennessee. She married the late Amos “Carp” Carpenter in Louisville, Kentucky in May 1941. After moving to Fort Pierce, Mary opened Mary’s Donuts in the Durbin Grocery.

Mrs. Carpenter was a mother, homemaker and a devoted member of Community United Methodist Church since 1950. She enjoyed singing in the choir, working as a Sunday School teacher and serving as the Sunday School Superintendent for more than 50 years. She also worked in the PTA while her daughters attended school; she served as PTA President and homeroom mother. Mary was a lifetime member, past president and current chaplain of the Fort Pierce Elkettes Lodge #1520 and Women of the Moose Chapter #1121 of Fort Pierce. She was a member of the St. Lucie County Historical Society. Mary loved to travel and dance; she visited all 50 States including Hawaii. She also visited South America and Mexico, and took many cruises throughout the Caribbean. She won many dance trophies and awards participating in Ball Room Dance Competitions. The Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County passed a resolution when Mary turned 100 making September 19, 2014 Mary Elizabeth Durbin Carpenter Day.

Mary was a strong leader. She loved her children, family, church family, friends and her Lhasa Apso, “Chipper”, who was her best buddy.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Community United Methodist Church Fort Pierce, Florida.
Survivors include; daughters, Dolores “Jeannie” Carpenter Stark of Fort Pierce, Florida and Shirley Lynne (James) Rowland of Macon, Georgia; grandchildren, Thomas James Rowland, Molly Lynne Rowland and Joshua James Rowland; one great-granddaughter, Maya Elizabeth Powell and her best buddy, “Chipper” her little dog.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 14, 2016 at Haisley Funeral Home, Fort Pierce from 12:00-1:00 PM with a Celebration of Life Service to start at 1:00 PM with Rev. Dan Baker officiating. She will be laid to rest at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens. Arrangements are under the guidance of Haisley Funeral Home and Cremation Services. An online guestbook may be signed at www.haisleyfuneralhome.com