Gwendolyn Martha Carpenter

1911 - 2010

Gwendolyn Martha Carpenter December 10, 1911 - October 4, 2010 Gwendolyn Martha Carpenter was born on December 10, 1911 in Moody, Missouri to Vernon and Rose McElmurry. Mom died peacefully and comfortably, looking forward to once again seeing her husband of 68 years who passed away three years ago. Gwen was the oldest of nine children. Her family were farmers and as the oldest she was expected to help care for the younger children as well as farm chores including milking cows, tending to the garden and assist in the kitchen duties. She rode a horse to school through most of elementary school. During the depression the family moved to Fort Scott, Kansas where Gwen's father worked in a lumber yard. Gwen attended high school in Kansas before starting work in retail and other jobs during this difficult time. Gwen met her future husband, Wilmer "Boose" Carpenter in 1937 and they were married in 1938. Gwen had two children; Dean, who currently lives in Bakersfield, CA and Max, who is retired in Missouri. Most of Gwen's married life she was a homemaker but worked some in retail part-time. Her main focus was taking care of her family. Her family never went out to dinner until her boys were in high school because her job was cooking and she took it very seriously. She maintained her own garden and always prepared very healthy meals. The family moved from Kansas to Taft, CA in 1955. Gwen's husband, Boose, died in 2007 and the following year she moved to Glenwood Gardens Independent Living where she lived for two years. The last two weeks of her life she lived at Dean's Care Villa where John, Sally and Tess compassionately cared for mom. Special thanks to Diana Hernandez of Mercy Hospice for your help and support. Gwen is survived by her children and their spouses, Dean Carpenter and wife Fredda of Bakersfield and Max Carpenter and wife Johnny of Gainesville, Missouri. Other survivors include her grandsons, Steve Carpenter of Bakersfield, Jeff Carpenter and wife Tina of Bakersfield, Chad Carpenter and wife Michelle of Bakersfield, Frank Carpenter, Jim Carpenter and wife Robin of Arkansas; 11 great-grandchildren; and four great- great-grandchildren. Also surviving are sister, Ella and husband Max Stone of Bakersfield; sister, Oleta Love of Kansas; brother, Ray McElmurry of Santa Cruz, CA; brother, Rex and wife Alice McElmurry of Kansas; and many nieces and nephews. Mom will be greatly missed by her family and anyone who had the privilege to know this kind and considerate person. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Joe Alexander Scholarship Foundation of Bakersfield East Rotary, P.O. Box 2383, Bakersfield, CA 93303. Family graveside services will be held in the West Side District Cemetery on Friday, October 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. There are no visitation hours scheduled and the arrangements are under the direction of the Erickson & Brown Funeral Home. www.EricksonAndBrown.com Erickson & Brown Funeral Home www.bakersfield.com/obits