Gene Carpenter

The Reverend M. Eugene Carpenter passed away at his home in Goldsboro, NC on May 25, 2025. Born on November 29, 1948 in Frisco City, AL, Gene was fortunate to grow up surrounded by his close-knit family, including his parents - Sallie Lou Eddins Carpenter and Morton Free Carpenter - and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Although many of them spread across the country over the years, he remained in close contact with them. His community of love and support from his family contributed to his desire to spend his life serving others, which he was fortunate to be able to do. Gene graduated from Auburn University with a bachelors in Pharmacy (1972) and pursued a career in pharmacology in Monroeville, AL. In addition, he served as a pharmacist in the Army National Guard and even became a licensed private pilot, impressing his wife Judy Wade Carpenter, to whom he was married for nearly 50 years, with flights early in their relationship.
Gene's desire to serve God and his community led him to answer a call to enter the ministry. He, his wife, and his young daughter Jennifer moved to Sewanee, TN where Gene earned a Master of Divinity from the University of the South. On July 12, 1986, he was ordained in the Episcopal Church. Gene was fortunate to work with several diverse churches and their communities at Trinity Episcopal Church in Mobile, AL; the Episcopal Church of the Holy Cross in North East, PA; St, Luke's Episcopal Church in Marianna, FL; and his final full-time ministry as the Rector of Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church in Goldsboro, NC, retiring in 2013. In each of these towns, Gene focused on the pastoral care of his congregants and their families, while helping build communities that helped support one another. He touched many lives engaging in the love, peace, and acceptance he brought to them. An avid reader, beautiful writer, lover of classical music, a good British TV series, and Auburn football, Gene openly shared his affections, often around the dinner table with his friends and family.
Upon the birth of his grandson Nathaniel Koshak, Gene decided to retire from full-time ministry so that he could spend precious time, especially the holidays, with Nate and his family. He enjoyed traveling across the country with Judy to visit their daughter Jennifer and her husband Richard Koshak in CO; but he truly loved his time in the recliner reading to his grandson who would eagerly curl up in his lap and enter a new world of adventures with his Granddad.
Remaining an integral part of the community in Goldsboro, NC where he retired, Gene continued to serve as a supply priest for congregations around the Diocese of Eastern North Carolina. He participated regularly in his Men's Bible and Prayer Group, maintaining a close-knit group of friends who indulged in weekly breakfasts, lively discussions, community service, and fellowship around one another's dinner tables. Because of the gifts God bestowed upon him, Gene was able to build a community of chosen family that largely resembled the loving relationships he experienced within his own family growing up in rural AL.
Father Gene is survived by the love of his life, Judy Carpenter, his daughter Jennifer Carpenter, her husband Richard Koshak and his beloved grandson Nathaniel Koshak.
Funeral services will be held on June 14, 2025, 1:00 pm at Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, 200 N. James Street, Goldsboro, NC. Interment will follow the service in the St. Stephen's Columbarium. A reception will be held in the St. Stephen's Parish Hall.
All are welcome to attend.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, 200 N. James Street, Goldsboro, NC 27530 or to the charity of your choice.