Rita Mae Carpenter

Rita Mae Williams Carpenter, 86, of Abingdon, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 22, 2017. Rita was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was born in Belcamp, MD on September 16, 1931, the daughter of the late Earl Williams and Mary Grover Williams. She was preceded in death by her husband, Elmer V. Carpenter, who died in 1995. A skilled seamstress, Rita retired from Gleneagles, Inc. in Bel Air when the sewing factory was closed in 1992. She also enjoyed sewing, cooking big family meals, and baking for her family. She is survived by her three children, Allen Carpenter and wife, Pam; Diana Dunahugh and husband, Nelson; and Vincent Carpenter and wife, Jan. She is also survived by three siblings, Mary Wilson, Earl Williams, Jr., and Grace McDaniel; grandchildren Tamara Temple (Alan), Craig Carpenter (Christina), Sharon Smith (Joshua), Carrie Tharpe (Jason), Kristina Price-Fleischer (Michael) and eight great-grandchildren. The family would like to extend its sincerest gratitude to the wonderful caregiving staff and nurse Amber at Jacob’s Well Assisted Living in Bel Air for the love and care they provided to our mother, especially during the last weeks of her life as her mental and physical capabilities began to fail. A private family graveside service will be conducted at Harford Memorial Gardens in Aberdeen.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution may send it to Chesapeake Cancer Alliance, c/o The Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation, 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Suite 405, Bel Air, MD 21014.