Mela Demetris Carpenter, 69, was unexpectedly welcomed home on July 27, 2021, due to multiple medical concerns with family by her side.  Mela was born September 12, 1951 in Winston-Salem, NC to Burnell Smith-Clayburn (deceased) and Theodore Willie Carpenter Jr. (deceased).

Mela graduated from Carver High School in 1967, and worked in multiple fields throughout her life.  However, her primary employment was as a Nursing Assistant for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and Charter Behavioral Health.

Her passion included her beloved family: son, JeVon (Jayra) Carpenter and daughter, Tonya (Talmadge) Carpenter II, Chrishaunna Burnes, Malik Carpenter, Jaelin Carpenter, Jayshaen Carpenter, Chancellor Carpenter, Marcos Carpenter, Karrington Carpenter, and Andre Douglass; great grandchildren, Jurney Carpenter, Kennedy Burnes and Cana Carpenter; sisters, Nadine Carpenter (deceased), Fleather Carpenter, Debbie Carpenter,Rosetta Carpenter and Gloria Carpenter; brothers, Lonnie Carpenter Jr., Carlton Carpenter, Theodore Willie Carpenter III and Marvin Carpenter (deceased).

Mela's interest included gardening, being an avid reader, watching foreign movies and playing casino games.  She was always caring, jovial and receptive to those she encountered, and she never met a stranger, however, she possessed a knack for the use of colorful words to those she felt were wasting her time.

To have been loved so deeply by our mother is an honor and a privilege and although she isn't physically here, we know that love will continue to protect us.  The memories and teachings that are closest to our hearts we have carried from childhood through adulthood and passed along to our children.  She was and will always be our cornerstone, and for that we thank God for allowing us that precious tie to experience the power of her unconditional love.   As she once said, "We are Carpenters and what do Carpenters do, they build."

We know you have again placed a cornerstone and begun to build awaiting our arrival, one day we will see your progress . Our hearts were not ready momma, but your wings were and for that our hearts are heavy, but we know it's God's will and due to that we understand, because we know you are in a blessed place.

A service of memory will be held 1pm Saturday, Aug. 7, 2021 in Hooper Funeral Home chapel.