Merle Carpenter

Alice Merle Dellinger Carpenter, age 85, passed away Friday, February 17, 2017 at Peak Resources. Merle was born May 8, 1931 in Gaston County to the late Marcus Wesley and Annie Mae Henry Dellinger. She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church and where she formerly served as secretary there as well as at Shady Grove Baptist Church. Merle retired from Harris Teeter and was formerly employed at Sweetree. She was a wonderful cook and loved canning.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Lee Carpenter, Sr.; brother, Hugh Dellinger; and sisters, Lois McSwain, Lillian Whitesides, Helen Ross and Alma Beam.

Survivors include her children, Bob Carpenter and wife, Cheri, and Sharon Smiley and husband, Phil; grandchildren, Mickey Carpenter, Lisa Carpenter, and Wesley Brown and wife, Dorothy; great-grandchildren, Jenny and Marcus Brown and Chloe and Sophie Carpenter; brothers, Joe Frank Dellinger, Charles Dellinger and wife, Betty, and Bob Dellinger; and numerous other relatives.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 20, 2017 at 6:00 PM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Wayne Key and Rev. Jerry Lail officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the fellowship hall and at other times at the home of Sharon and Phil Smiley, 320 Harrilson Rd. Burial will be held on Tuesday at 10:00 AM at Mt. Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Baptist Church Building Fund, 112 Mount Zion Church Road, Cherryville NC 28021.