On June 23, 1930, in Fairmont, North Carolina Mrs. Mary Kate Carpenter was born to Ed Bethea and Annie L. Townsend. At an early age Mary accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Savior. In 1947 she graduated Valedictorian from Robertson County High School of Fairmount, North Carolina.

Mary later left Fairmont, NC and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for a while. She later moved to Winston Salem, NC and worked as a Personal Caregiver. It was here in Winston Salem, NC where she met and later married her husband, Lonnie Junior Carpenter. From this devoted union two male children were born – Lonnie Frank Carpenter and Carlton Ed Carpenter. Together with their new family Mary and her husband Lonnie founded Lonnie's Roofing Company of Winston Salem, North Carolina – a business that to this very day strongly serves the Triad Area 40 years and still counting. For over 50 years Mary was a "faithful" Tither, Member and Supporter of United Metropolitan Church, now known as United Metropolitan Missionary Baptist Church of Winston Salem, NC.

In early December 2019, Mary Carpenter took permanent residence at the Winston Salem, NC home of her oldest son Lonnie. It was on September 21, 2020 that Mrs. Mary Bethea Carpenter gained the reward of her lifelong service to God and went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus. She is preceded in death by her late and loving husband, Lonnie Junior Carpenter, father Ed Bethea, Mother Annie L. Townsend Stevenson, sisters Shirley Evans and Annie May Baldwin. She leaves to cherish her memories two (2) sons Lonnie F. Carpenter and Carlton E. Carpenter, (2) Stepdaughters Mela Carpenter (Winston Salem, NC) and Yvonne Henderson (Hartford, CT), three (3) grandchildren Lonnie F. judge (New Jersey), Crystal S. Carpenter (Charlotte, NC) and Lauren G. Carpenter (Charlotte, NC), one brother Mr. Cleveland Bethea (Winston Salem, NC), one sister Dorothy Campbell (Detroit, MI) and a host of nieces and nephews of which includes her devoted niece Tonya Carpenter and a special friend Lititia Carter who loved her with the love of a daughter till she passed.

Thanks of Gratitude from the Family: The Family sincerely thanks Lititia Carter for being by Mary's side everyday surpassing a year taking care of Mary while ensuring her comfort and medical attentions and physician appointments were all met. Also thank you Amedisys Hospice for the quality medical care and support.

Special Thanks: Thank you Lititia Carter for loving and taking care of my Mother. You gave me strength when I had none. Thank you again and I love you for this. – Lonnie F. Carpenter, Jr.

Funeral services will be conducted 12 Noon Saturday, September 26, 2020 in Hooper Funeral Home with interment following in Evergreen Cemetery.