Earl Lee Carpenter

Earl Lee Carpenter, 93, of Ragley, Louisiana, passed away on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Rosemont Assisted Living in West Monroe, Louisiana surrounded by his loving family.

Born to Silas Ladrick Carpenter and Octavia McGee Carpenter and reared in Oberlin, Louisiana.  Mr. Carpenter proudly served his country in the United States Army in Korea.  He was a truckdriver for The Kroger Company for over 25 years, retiring in 1992.

Our father was a faithful and loving husband, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend to many.  He was also an accomplished musician and shared a deep love of Western Swing music and history with his family and friends.  He loved recalling a lifetime of stories.  He entertained many people with his love of music, history and life experiences, that prompted much laughter.  He was baptized in November of 2022 by Chaplain Ruth Brown of Elara Caring Hospice Group of Monroe.

Those left to cherish his memory are two sons, Johnny Lee Carpenter and wife Teresa of Ragley, Louisiana and Billy Ray Carpenter and wife Jill of Pensacola, Florida; one daughter, Mona Carpenter Orloski and husband Bill of Monroe, Louisiana; two granddaughters, Maddi Lora Carpenter and Sydney Lynn Carpenter and her three children, Saylor, Ellie, and Kingston; step granddaughter, Lacey Freeman Smithson. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; his beloved wife of 45 years, Lora Fontenot Carpenter; siblings, Ollie Carpenter, Evana C. Reed, Opal C. Reed, Cecil M. Carpenter, Leona C. Manuel and Alton Carpenter; and numerous nieces and nephews who were very dear to him.

The family would like to express their grateful appreciation for the compassionate loving care and dedication given to their father, most especially to Dr. Ben Fontenot; to Rosemont Assisted Living associates - Lacey, Amanda, Christine, Sherry, Brandi, Christy, Dee, Michael, Vanessa, Alicia, Twila, Jennifer and Lauretta; and Elara Caring Hospice associates, most especially his nurse Katie. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, stjude.org/donate.