Virginia Ruth Carpenter
June 8, 1933 ~ November 23, 2024
Born in:
Granite, OK
Resided in:
Grayson, GA
Virginia Ruth Carpenter, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2024, at the age of 91. Born on June 8, 1933, in Granite, Oklahoma, where she met and married the love of her life, Donnie Rae Carpenter. Virginia lived a life defined by love, faith, and a commitment to serving others.
Virginia attended the University of Oklahoma for one year before embarking on a diverse and fulfilling career. Early in life, while raising a family, she worked at Deluxe Checks, served as a resident manager, and worked as an Avon area manager. Her longest career role was as a pharmacy technician at Kroger, where she loved interacting with her customers for over 20 years, touching countless lives with her kindness and dedication.
In her later years, Virginia remained deeply active in her community. She was a dedicated volunteer at the Snellville Senior Center and a cherished member of The Villas, where she participated in the Mahjong Group, served on the HOA Board, and was a member of the Chickenfooters. A recent accomplishment that she was excited about was her participation in the “Paint Gwinnett Pink” 5k Breast Cancer Awareness walk on October 19 with her friends at Dogwood Forest of Grayson.
Virginia was a woman of strong character, kindness, and generosity. She was empathetic and fearless, a loyal friend, and a wise role model. Her love for the Lord guided her every step, and she was an active member of Northlake Church of Christ, where she found community and joy.
An avid Atlanta Braves fan, Virginia never missed a chance to cheer for her favorite team, especially her favorite player, Ozzie Albies. She loved the color red and brought warmth and vibrancy to every room she entered.
Virginia’s greatest joy in life was her family, who felt loved, safe, and protected in her presence. She never met a stranger and had a unique ability to make everyone feel welcome and valued.
Virginia is preceded in death by her loving husband, Donnie Rae Carpenter; her parents, Jewel and Rachel Mae Lyon; her siblings, Lois Smith, Lucy Lyon, Durward Lyon, and Joyce Klepper; sister-in-law Audean Lyon; brother-in-law Charles Klepper; in-laws Lee and Louise Carpenter; sister-in-law Mary Lou Fowler; brother-in-law George Wayne Fowler; sister-in-law Sue Stovall; brother-in-law Tommy Stovall; niece Brenda Fletcher; and niece Shelley Stovall.
She is survived by her daughter, Donna Snow, and son-in-law Christopher Snow; her son Curtis Carpenter; her son Gary Carpenter and daughter-in-law Cindy Carpenter; her grandchildren Floyd “Beau” Wilson, Camille Wilson, Kimberly Roland, and Bradley Roland; great-granddaughter Vivienne Wilson; her great-grandsons Hayden, Reece, and Beckett Roland, and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Virginia’s life will be held at Northlake Church of Christ, 1625 Cooledge Rd., Tucker, GA 30084, on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Visitation will take place from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, followed by a memorial service at 1:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Virginia’s memory to the American Diabetes Association.
Her family would like to extend a special “Thank you” to Dogwood Forest of Grayson, for providing her with a loving and caring place that she had called her new home.
Virginia Carpenter will be remembered for her unwavering love, her generosity, and the joy she brought to everyone who had the privilege of knowing her. She will be deeply missed but forever cherished.
There’s not a candle bright enough to light that comes close to how much this woman shined. I also don’t have the capacity to put anything else into words right now. I wasn’t ready. No one ever is.
I love you Nin.
Virginia was such a lovely woman. She loved her family dearly, and loved her friends, too. She lived a life of service to God and others, and was such a precious mother. ♥️
We are so blessed and thankful that Virginia got to be a part of our lives! Even if only for a short time. She was dearly loved at Dogwood Forest. We will miss her sweet spirit and tenacity so much! Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Gary, Donna, and my buddy Curt… I have so many reasons why I loved your Mom… she was a great listener when she could hear me and so kind to me and everyone I saw her with. Virginia was Christian thru and thru. I loved the way she talked about the 3 of you and all the grands, especially Floyd. I am really going to miss her. Right after Virginia moved into her new palace, Henri and I came over and enjoyed our visit and a delicious lunch. She was so happy there having the workers check her sugar and dote on her. Virginia was a class act and I know Donny is thrilled to see her again. I loved being her friend in spite of the stuff she had me for her but I knew she was royalty and if I would forget, She would remind me!!! You have had a treasure being Virginia’s kids and you shared her so kindly with all of us friends. She was our rock and shining light. Love, Mary Ellen
Sympathies to her family and friends.
May God bring peace to you all~
I met Virginia in the 1970’s and overtime, we had a lot of fun together. In the 90’s, Virginia went to Braves games with us when we got tickets-she always brought the hotdogs with ketchup for us to eat during the game. We took fall trips to the mountains and got apples and stayed up til 2and 3playing chickenfoot and laughing. We sat on each others couches and shared life. What a blessing Virginia has been to me and my family. I miss her.
Alice
In Memory of Virginia
Virginia was beautiful inside and out,
Always so loving, so wise, and so smart.
She blessed all who knew her with kindness and grace,
She’s now far above earth in her special place.
A place she has earned through a life of devotion,
By living God’s word in thought, deed and motion.
She was a great force with something to say,
Helpful to others with love every day.
She inspired her friends to do better in life
By living with principles to avoid strife.
Though our lives will go on without our dear friend,
We’ll carry her memory until our end.
Written with love and deep appreciation for the life of Virginia Carpenter
I will definitely miss her sweet and spunky self. Virginia lit up every room that she entered and was definitely not afraid to tell you like it was. You never knew what was going to come out of her. Much love and prayers to her family and all that loved her. May we continue to be the light, like Virgina was❤️
I have many memories of my friend, Virginia which we laughed, cried and drove many miles together. She was crowned the Queen because she would shine when we would call her by that name and enjoyed wearing her crown with grace. She would listen and then give you her thoughts even if you did not like what she had to say. One of many things I will miss about her.
Sincerely heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Peace be with you my dear friend.
May God give you strength, peace and bountiful recollections as you mourn your Mom and friend, Donna. My heart shares your pain and loss.
We will truly miss our sweet “Ms. Virginia” here at the Snellville Senior Center. She has been one of our most dedicated volunteers and it’s been a joy to see her smiling face. It just won’t be the same around here now without here. We recently gave her the regular position of “greeter” and she took that job on with delight. I know I speak for all of our members and staff when I say that we all feel very blessed to have known her. She was such a blessing to so many people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family during this difficult time. God bless!
A beautiful woman. I am grateful I had a chance to meet her. Truly a blessing to us. Will be missed.
My life is better for having known Ms. Virginia through the Snellville Senior Center. She brightened my day whenever she came to volunteer and she quickly became a special buddy/person to me. Her love for life and others and being of service even (and especially) in her nineties will forever inspire me to try to emulate. Thank you Curtis and Donna for faithfully bringing her to the center and sharing your spunky, fun, and amazing mom with us.
When I think of Virginia I remember her kindness and sincere care for others. Whenever I saw her she would always ask about my family, and specifically about my son who got married a few years ago. She also asked me regularly how my retirement was going and she wanted to hear what I had to say. I was always amazed that she remembered details about me and my family, and I know she did that for many others as well. I also recall spending time with her and listening to her tell about her life. She sure did love her family. Virginia’s heart for service, her vitality and enthusiasm for being present with people and sharing herself with others will not be forgotten. What a gift to have known her as a friend.