Thomas A. Carpenter

Thomas A. Carpenter died in his home on Sweetwater Road on July 5, 2023, at the age of 90, with the love of his life, Bobbie, by his side.
He was a life-long resident of Graham County, being born on Sweetwater Road in the home of his parents, Herbert and Mamie Carpenter.
He graduated from Robbinsville High School and Western Carolina University, with both a bachelor's and master's degree, and spent his career in service to Graham County as a teacher, assistant superintendent, school administrator, on the board of Farm Bureau and county commissioner. He was a Member of the Masons and a Shriner, and spent many, many hours raising money for the Shriner's Childrens' Hospital.
Tom was devoted to his family and his students, and he also supported numerous projects to improve availability of housing and services in the county.
Tom was a deacon at Sweetwater Baptist Church, which he attended and supported for his entire life. He taught Sunday-school, sang in the choir, and helped enable many improvement projects to the church and the grounds. He dearly loved his church and all of his friends there, and set an example for all of us in his Christian love and fellowship as a church member.
Tom was a friend to many in our mountain home, and he was a storyteller with the ability to draw from memories throughout his entire long life. He loved nothing more than sharing a cup of coffee and a story with his friends. He was also a person who loved to work the land, and loved everything about it. His farming endeavors included raising cattle, tobacco, cain, hay and even Christmas trees. Even in his farm work, he was a teacher and a mentor, showing many young people who worked for him (including his children) the value of hard work and the enjoyment of seeing their work come to fruition.
Tom is survived by his spouse of almost 65 years; Ellen (Bobbie) Carpenter, and his two children Kathy Hefner and Thomas (Jackie) Carpenter, Jr.; grandchildren Alexandra (Trevor) Woodard, Katie Hefner, Dustin (Mandy) Carpenter, Kristin (Jeremy) Worstell, Kevin Carpenter, and Kimberly (Raymond) Rison, and four great-grandchildren with one more on the way.
Funeral services were held at 4 p.m., Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Sweetwater Baptist Church. The Revs. G.D. Phillips and Brian Stevens officiated. Burial followed the service at the Old Mother Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3:15 till 4 p.m. Saturday at the Church prior to the service.
Townson-Smith Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Carpenter family. An online register is available at townson-smithfuneralhome.com.