Sara Elizabeth Carpenter

Sara Elizabeth Webb Carpenter died peacefully Monday evening, January 3, 2011, after a ten year battle with Alzheimer’s. She fought the good fight. She won the victory.

Sara was born on November 8, 1926 in Wagoner, Oklahoma to Roy L and Greta Burgess Webb. She was raised in San Angelo, Texas and Tulsa Oklahoma. Sara graduated from Central High School in Tulsa in 1943. She then attended night classes at Oklahoma Military Academy. Sara was married to Frank R. Carpenter on November 10, 1945 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Together they lived for three years in Mr. Gilead, Ohio before moving back to Tulsa. Sara and Frank moved to Claremore, Oklahoma in January of 1955. There they lived until March of 2004 when they moved to McAlester, Oklahoma. In May of 2007, the coupe moved to ManorCare Health Services in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sara worked as the Claremore Methodist Church secretary, she was the manager of the Wright Building in Tulsa and then worked as the secretary for the Gateway Luggage Company in Claremore. Sara was an active member of First United Methodist Church in Claremore, and held several offices, including Lay Delegate to Annual Conference and Administrative Council Secretary. She taught Sunday school for the sixth grade and senior adults. She also served as the youth minister for a time. She was a member of the United Methodist Women and Hill Toppers. She attended “The Holy Spirit” classes at Oral Roberts University, under the tutelage of Oral Roberts. Sara was an active member of the Verdigris Valley D.A.R., the Claremore Chapter of the Order of Eastern Stars, and associate member of the Adair Chapter of the Order of Eastern Stars, Past Matrons Club of the Order of the Eastern Stars, Claremore High School Band Boosters, sponsor for the Claremore Rainbow Chapter, Busy Bee Quilters, Friends of the Library and the Rogers County Home Extension and a Laubach Reading tutor. Sara had a long list of hobbies and special interest which included: writing poems, cake decorating, baking, canning, sewing, acrylic painting, knitting, crocheting, quilting, attending the opera and ballet and reading. Sara’s favorite food pastime was to cook and eat fried chicken.

Sara was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Frank R Carpenter, her parents Roy L and Greta Burgess Webb and sister Ginger Webb Nichols.

Sara is survived by her sister Margie Webb Megill of Houston, Texas, Sister-in-law Eunice Carpenter Klinefelter of Cardington, Ohio, and Brother-in-law Jim and Cyndy Nichols of Shreveport, Louisiana. Her children are Mike Carpenter and wife Barbara of Midwest City, Oklahoma, Sally and husband Sam White of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Peggy of McAlester, Oklahoma and Bonnie and husband Dan Pulver of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her grandchildren are Cathy Carpenter Matsayko, John Carpenter and wife Carrie, Benjamin White and wife Michelle, Steven White, Timothy White, Frances White, Abigail White, Joseph White, Stefanie Richards and husband Russell Childress, Jennie Pulver and husband Kyle Kiner and Josh Pulver. Her Great-Grandchildren are Jason and Alex Matsayko, JJ Carpenter, Elizabeth White, Sadie Childress and AnnaBeth Kiner. Sara was also survived by her aunts Norene Burgess of Norman, Oklahoma, Jane and Jack Cochran of Wagoner, Oklahoma and Sara’s uncle Dr. Ed and Pat Webb of Tishomingo, Oklahoma. Along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be held with the family at the Musgrove Merriott Smith Funeral Service & Crematory in Claremore, Oklahoma, on Thursday, January 6, 2011, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. The funeral service will be held on Friday, January 7, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Claremore, Oklahoma, at 1:00 pm.