Earnestine (Gilley) Carpenter

Earnestine Gilley Carpenter, 75, passed away at home Monday, February 20, 2023. Born in Millry, Alabama, on November 28, 1947, Mrs. Earnestine was one of six children raised by her parents James and Gladys Gilley. She later met and married Donald Carpenter, who she lived with and loved for 52 years, until his passing in 2020. She was a seamstress who worked for 30+ years in various sewing factories around Washington County.

Mrs. Earnestine is described as being rather ‘prissy’, always having her make-up done just so, her toes and fingernails painted. But she also loved to work in her flowerbeds and garden. She and Mr. Donald raised and canned many vegetables, which she later cooked for him and her family. Known for her chicken and dumplings as well as her seafood gumbo, her three children and the many grandchildren never went hungry.

0ne of her favorite activities was fishing, whether in ponds, lakes, or the river. The only limitation there was ‘No worms’! She did not like worms and did not fish with worms. The story was told of Catawba worms in the freezer which thawed out and started crawling. Mrs. Earnestine did not like that very much…in fact she freaked out.

Except for the issue with the worms, Mrs. Earnestine was a quiet, easy-going lady who loved the Lord, loved her family, loved the family fish fry every Sunday afternoon. She loved to watch Jimmy Swaggart and The Bold and The Beautiful. She loved to travel to Gatlinburg and the beach and watch Alabama football. She also loved music and especially the song “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.

On the day Mrs. Earnestine passed, her daughters had a slumber party with her. Lisa and Misty crawled into bed with her and played “What a Wonderful World” over and over. What a fitting, love-filled send-off to a sweet, sweet lady who was ready to go Home.

Mrs. Carpenter is survived by:

Son: Donald Derrick (Jurleen) Carpenter

Daughters: Lisa (Jeff) Pruitt, Misty (Darrell) Napper

Brothers: James Kenneth (Debbie) Gilley, Teddy (Teresa) Gilley

Sisters: Bobbie Jean (David) Carpenter, Betty (Earl) Dees

Eleven grandchildren: Portia, Skye, Chance, Blake, Blane, Michael, Payton, Tanner, Michaela, Mikey, Faith

Seven great-grandchildren

She was preceded in death by:

Husband: Donald H. Carpenter

Parents: James H. "Coot" and Gladys Chafin Gilley

Infant son: Baby Carpenter

Brother: Donnie "Buddy" Gilley

A graveside service with interment following will be held Thursday, February 23, 2023, at 11:00 am at the Providence Cemetery in Millry, Alabama. Bro. Jeff Pruitt and Bro. Mark Guy will officiate. St. Stephens Funeral Home will direct.

Pallbearers will be family members.

Honorary pallbearer will be Tucker Dearmon.

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