Nena "Tena" Carpenter Knight Andersen, 79, passed away in Charlotte, NC Saturday, April 6, 2019. Tena was born June 16, 1939 to the late Dr. William McNeill Carpenter and Nena McSwain Carpenter in Greenville, SC.

Tena graduated from Greenville High School (1957) then attended Randolph Macon Women's College for two years before graduating from Emory University in 1961 with a teaching degree. She married Jack Morris Knight, Sr. in 1961 and after spending time in San Antonio, TX and Durham, NC they settled in Charlotte.

Tena was an active member of Myers Park Baptist Church and an ambassador to Russia with the North Carolina Bridges for Peace in 1988. She was an active member of The Junior League of Charlotte, founding member and President of Opera Carolina, member of the Charlotte Symphony Guild, proud member of Daughters of the American Revolution and Colonial Dames.

Tena was a gifted, loving teacher and tutor to hundreds of children in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. She had a passion for teaching, literacy and Spanish and spent countless hours teaching Charlotte's children.

In addition, Tena loved traveling, dancing, clogging, Zumba, music and garden club. But above all, Tena loved people. She always said "strangers were friends she had not met yet." She was full of life and laughter and brought a smile to everyone.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Jack Morris Knight, Sr.; second husband, Robert Lars Andersen; brother, William McNeill Carpenter, Jr.; and sister-in-law, Ryan Daniels Carpenter.

She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Knight Palmertree; son, Jack Morris Knight, Jr.; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Fleming Knight; and grandchildren, Caitlin McAlister Palmertree, Kate Fleming Knight, William Carpenter Knight, Benjamin Thomas Knight; and step-children, Elizabeth and Mike Canada, William Andersen; and step-grandson, Matthew Canada.

Tena loved her church and was a woman of great faith. Known to many as Grammy, she cared for, loved and educated everyone she interacted with. Tena always put others before herself. Tena's greatest legacy is the way she loved and cared for her family and friends.

Her services will be held at Myers Park Baptist Church, 1900 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 on Monday, April 15 at 11:00 am. The family will receive friends after the service. Interment will then follow at Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Communities in Schools, Charlotte, NC.

Condolences may be offered at www.harryandbryantfuneralhome.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer from Apr. 10 to Apr. 11, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for Nena Andersen

18 Entries

AC GA

April 17, 2019

One day many will have the opportunity to live again. May the hope of everlasting life sustain and comfort you during this sad and difficult time. John 17:3

April 13, 2019

My deepest sympathies to the Anderson family. I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. May God's loyal love give you a measure of comfort during this time of sadness, Psalms 119:76.

F. GLENN SMITH

April 12, 2019

Tina was about as close to being perfect as anyone you are ever going to find on this Earth.

F. Glenn Smith

Edward Mathis

April 12, 2019

Sincere Condolences,

Tom Kay

April 12, 2019

Tena was a special lady,a friend to everyone. Rest in peace. Tom Kay GHS Classmate 1957

Mot Carroll

April 11, 2019

Tena was a classmte of mine at Greenville High. I will never forget her ever-present smile and bubbly personality. Sympathy and love

Betty Reyner Moss

April 11, 2019

Although I haven't seen Tena since our graduation in 1957, I will miss her. She was a bright Star in our class and always kind and sincere to everyone. My heart goes out to her Family and friends.

Leonard Todd

April 11, 2019

Tena was a dear friend to everyone in our Greenville High Class of 1957. She loved us all and we loved her. We're going to miss her greatly.

Beryl Wickliffe

April 11, 2019

Tena was a very special lady! She and I were classmates for many years, the last at Greenville Senior High School. Her smile brought joy to everyone who knew her. How thankful I am to know we worship a living Lord who gives us the promise of eternal life. The family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

April 11, 2019

I knew Tena from Myers Park Baptist Church and the Cornwell Center. She was always a happy soul, spreading joy and a big smile. May she rest in peace.
Barbara Mishoe

Anne Wenger

April 11, 2019

It is with sympathy that I remember Tena as a beautiful, kind, and talented classmate of mine for the years of High School. She was popular but never let it make her unkind or dismissive of anyone. I also enjoyed a trip to VA for the Scholastic Association when her mother was one of the two who drove our group to the meetings at Washington and Lee University. We visited a few colleges on that trip as well. I pray for the comfort of her loved ones left behind and was pleased to learn a bit of her many contributions to lives since I had the privilege of seeing her.

Mary wyche Lesesne

April 11, 2019

Dear Katherine and Jack, Art and I knew and loved your mom and dad since double dating in HS. What a wonder she was! We have so many memories and stories to ease sadness. We send heartfelt prayers and love. Mary Wyche Lesesne

Charlie Carpenter

April 11, 2019

From my childhood I always idolized Tena and have never met anyone that compares. She was very special.

Mary Riley Digh

April 10, 2019

Dear Kathryn
I am so sorry to hear about your mom, and my old friend taking flight from us. She was such a comet' in this life spreading fireworks of love & laughter to everyone that knew her.
I hope only the fondest memories flood your heart and peace comforts you during this sad time.

Yvette McRae Garcia

April 10, 2019

Mrs Tena, I'm Yvette and worked with Rosa . I still have the rapping Christmas tree from twenty years now. I will never forget you kindness and energy. Now you are the brightest star in heaven. You will truly be missed.

Rick Stack

April 10, 2019

Jack,

My condolences on the passing of your mother. She had a knack to make this world a better place for everyone around her. Her energy would electrify any person and the environment she was in. She was a very giving and loving individual and one that I was honored to be called a friend and as a coach of her son. Heaven will truly welcome this angel from earth.

April 10, 2019

My condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. May the God of comfort strengthen the family at this difficult time. (1 Thessalonians 4:14)

I M

April 10, 2019

My sincere condolences to the family for the loss of your loved one. May you find comfort in knowing the promises of our loving and caring God and his son Jesus Christ. Jn.5:28-29.

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