Mary E. Carpenter
1932 – 2021
Mary E. Whitlow Spiser Carpenter departed this life on May 28, 2021, in sure and certain hope of the resurrection. Mary was born in Nevada, MO June, 26, 1932, the daughter of Consuelo “Penny” and Edward M. Elder. In 1941, her family moved to Tulsa, where she lived until attending the University of Oklahoma.
On April 11, 1953, she married Walter M. Whitlow of Tulsa, who preceded her in death on May 21, 1979.
Mary was preceded in death by her second husband, Dannie E. Spiser and mourned by stepsons Michael and Greg Spiser of Oklahoma City.
On November 19, 2016, Mary married her love, George F. Carpenter. They shared a wonderful life of travel, family and companionship together.
Mary is survived by husband, George F. Carpenter and mourned by his children, Alan and Laura Carpenter, Ardmore, OK; Frank and Beth Carpenter, Columbia, SC, and Bill and Amy Carpenter, Broken Arrow, OK.
Survived by daughter and son-in-law, Madeline and Greg Chaney, Renton, WA; daughter and son-in-law Allison and Ron Knight, Austin, TX; son and daughter-in-law, Walter and Tami Whitlow, Volente, TX; and son and daughter-in-law John and Tammy Whitlow, Whiteville, NC; grandsons, Lindsey “David” Powell and Ethan Whitlow; and great granddaughters, Lindsey Powell and Ryleigh Powell.
Mary was preceded in death by her beloved brother and sister-in-law, John B. and Patti Jo Elder and grandson, Tyler Powell.
Mary served as the public information representative for the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for 21 years, during which time she coordinated 20 Governor’s Water Conferences, prepared news releases and edited the OWRB publication and composed the Oklahoma Water News, the Board’s monthly newsletter. She retired in June, 2000.
Mary possessed the heart of a servant with boundless energy. She was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church for 42 years. She and her dear friend, CJ Lynch, often volunteered together to prepare food for a variety of church events.
Mary volunteered in the 1960’s as a Girl Scout leader in Community Camp in OKC with Vista volunteers,Foots and Mary Bernd. She walked dogs at the Edmond Animal Shelter, volunteered with Edmond Mobile Meals and served as a volunteer at Mercy Hospital all while often working two jobs!
Memorial services will be held Saturday, June 26th at 11:00AM at Touchmark Senior Living (Grand Hall) located at 2801 Shortgrass Rd., Edmond, OK with the Rev. Mark D. Story officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 3100 N. Broadway, Edmond, OK.
The family would like to thank Mary’s Touchmark community of friends; personal caregivers Gabriela Escalante and Frances Odeh and the staff of Lifespring Home Health and Hospice for their loving care and support given our dear mother in her final days