Sylvia Carpenter

Sylvia S. Carpenter, 81, of Black Mountain, passed away on April 21, 2025. A native of Black Mountain, she was born to the late Majorie Stepp on June 3, 1943, and attended Stephens - Lee High school. Sylvia married the late James Thomas Carpenter, and their union lasted 30 plus years. She worked for Buncombe County Child Development for over 30 years, was a Guardian Ad Litem for 10 plus years, and a board member for the Swannanoa Valley Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Scholarship Corporation for over 15 years. She was a faithful member of Mills Chapel Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday School Teacher, an Usher, on the hospitality committee, and Director of the Christian Education Board. After retirement, she continued to work in the field of childhood development. 

Other than her mother and husband, Sylvia was also preceded in death by her son Thomas Carpenter, grandmother Lizzie Stepp, brother Robert Stepp, sister Joanna Burris, and son-in-law Sidney Butler. 

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters Catherine “Pinky” Butler and Martha Carpenter, sons Patrick Carpenter and Jasmon Carpenter, sisters Christine Stepp, Anne Stamey, Addie Hall (Ronnie), and Mary Burris, grandchildren Ijuana Butler, Tashayla Carpenter, Aubrey Carpenter, Jayce Carpenter and Abigal Carpenter. 5 great-grandchildren, and a host of special nieces and nephews. 

Special Thanks to nurse Taos Berry at Mission Hospital, who was a helping Angel for our loved one, as well as the J4 unit ICU staff.

A Funeral Service to honor the life of Sylvia will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Mills Chapel Baptist Church (328 Cragmont Rd, Black Mountain, NC), at 1pm. She will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will immediately follow the funeral at Oak Grove Cemetery. Viewing will be held at Avery's Memorial Chapel on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 1pm-7pm.The service will be live streamed on Avery's Memorial Chapel's Facebook page.

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