Mary Irene 'Meme' Carpenter

Mary Irene “Meme” Carpenter was born July 3, 1927.  She was the eleventh child born to John and Ethel Rider.  She entered Heaven’s Pearly Gates on March 18, 2023, at 6:20am in the presence of her two granddaughters, Bambi Spann and Brittani Welch.

She married Orville J. Carpenter on June 2, 1944, in Purcell, Oklahoma. They had three children: Nancy, Ronnie and Ivan Carpenter.

Meme was a lifelong member of the Free Will Baptist Church.  Her husband, Orville Carpenter, served as minister in that organization for many years. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, John and Ethel Rider; husband, Orville Carpenter; daughter, Nancy Carpenter; son, Ron Carpenter, DDS; seven brothers; and four sisters.

She is survived by her son, Ivan L. Carpenter of Moore, Oklahoma; ten grandchildren: Bambi Spann and husband Lew Homme of Yukon, OK, Sherry Gleim of Moore, OK, Debbie Webb and husband Dwayne of Norman, OK, Bobby Spann and wife LuzAmor of Moore, OK, Shannon Hallet of Norman, OK, Shawn Evans of Moore, OK, Kendra Evans of Norman, OK, Lindsey Carpenter of Coppell, TX, Sarah Carpenter of Henderson, NV, Kylee Bodin of Biloxi, MS; twenty-three great grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews, who all love her very much.

Meme had a servant’s heart, always thinking of others before herself.  She embraced many traits passed down by her mother, Ethel, never wanting any person to leave her house hungry.  And, often thinking the best in others.  She had a love for dogs and raised them as people, sharing half of each meal with the little rascals.

She was modest and respected the human body and expected each of her kinfolk to do the same.  She was “Meme” to everyone – kinfolk or not, and she showered each person with genuine kindness.  She gave with a loving heart and expected nothing in return, but was grateful for each gift or kind word she received.  She was loved so deeply that the missing will never fully go away, but for those who were blessed to have known her, they will carry forward a piece of her life into each new day.