Mary Sinclair Skelton Carpenter, 95, of 201 Smith Street, Hartwell died Saturday, February 13, 2010 at Hart County Hospital.
Born December 28, 1914 in Hartwell, Mrs. Carpenter was a fifth generation member of the Skelton family who settled in this area in the late 1700's and whose lives have been closely bound to Hartwell and Hart County for over 200 years.Her dedication to her community was a lifelong interest, and she valued the role that everyday citizens play in supporting its growth and well being.
She was a Chi Omega at the University of Georgia and was graduated from Limestone College in 1935. In 2004, she received her alma mater's Service to Community Award.The Hartwell Rotary Club named her its 4 Way Test winner in 2001.On March 12, 2010, the John Benson Chapter, NSDAR will recognize her posthumously with its Women in History award. A public school teacher whose career spanned twenty-six years, Mrs. Carpenter was twice named county teacher of the year and was the Hart County High School STAR teacher in 1972.She held leadership positions in the John Benson Chapter, NSDAR, the Hartwell Garden Club, and the Elizabeth Matheson Circle and Live Wire Sunday School Class at the Hartwell First Methodist Church where she was church pianist for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents Caroline Nabors Skelton and Alexander Stephens Skelton and her husband of 57 years, Richard Leon Carpenter.She is survived by two daughters: Carol Ivan Carpenter Milner (John) of Hartwell and Alexa Skelton Carpenter Moscardelli (Fran) of Lebanon, Tennessee.Also surviving are six grandchildren: Richard Vincent Milner (Renee) of Brunswick, Georgia; Mary Sinclair Parker (Clint) of Butler, Georgia; Joseph Lee Milner (Elle) of Monticello, Georgia; Vincent Gray Moscardelli (Virginia) of Storrs, Connecticut; Richard Carpenter Moscardelli (Jenni) and Michael Aamen Moscardelli (Katy) of Lebanon, Tennessee.Twelve great-grandchildren also survive: Peyton Blaine, Ander Steven, and Cal Benjamin Parker; Boris Anthony, Igor Alexander, Sergei Michael, Caroline Frances, Clayton Hancock, Rachel Carpenter, Ellen Sinclair Moscardelli; Joseph Allen and Bobbi Kate Milner, and great-great granddaughter Sara Elizabeth Milner.
Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 2:30 p.m. at the Hartwell First United Methodist Church.Burial will be in the Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The body is at the Strickland Funeral Home ~ Hartwell Chapel where the family will receive friends Saturday from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.The family is at their respective homes. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mary Skelton Carpenter Scholarship Fund in care of John Benson Chapter, NSDAR, Pam Temple, Treasurer, P.O. Box 117, Hartwell, GA30643 or the Youth Programs or Windows of Opportunity at the Hartwell First United Methodist Church, 200 E. Howell Street, Hartwell, GA 30643.