Obituary of Louise Thrasher Carpenter

            Louise Thrasher Carpenter, who spent her life teaching music and serving generations of Ocalans, joined a Heavenly choir Tuesday, January 27, 2021, having fulfilled her dream of passing the century mark.  She turned 100 years of age last April 17.

 

          The daughter of Leon (Skeet) and Margarita Dobarganes Thrasher, she was born in Jacksonville, April 17, 1920, and moved with her family to Ocala in 1922. She was a 1936 graduate of Ocala High School, and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from The Florida State College for Women, now Florida State University.

 

          She was predeceased by her parents, her sister, Mrs. Rosemary Thrasher Greene, her husband, Oliver Roy Carpenter Sr, and a step-daughter, Margaret Ann (Peggie) Wilson.

 

Mrs. Carpenter began her career in education teaching in Crescent City, Florida. She returned to Ocala in the early1950s, where she was beloved by students of all ages and abilities, teaching students in elementary, junior high and high schools, directing glee clubs and musicals.

 

She also taught Freshman English and French and had her nephew-in-law, Randall Moring come into her French class at Forest High School in the 1970's, pretending that he was a Frenchman who spoke no English.  (Moring had been to high school in Switzerland, and spoke French fluently.)  The students had to communicate with him in his language.

 

She was confirmed in Grace Episcopal Church of Ocala, where she later served as Choir Director and Organist.  Mrs. Carpenter in 2008 was one of the founding members of Christ The King Anglican Church of Ocala.

 

Although she maintained she should not be considered a founder of The Marion Players, an Ocala community theater group, she joined the Players as soon as she moved back to Ocala, and directed the group’s first musical in 1954.  She served The Marion Players and its successor name, The Ocala Civic theater, in many capacities, including actress, director, musician, musical director and box office staff and probably janitor!

 

She and her sister, Rosemary Thrasher Greene, thrilled Ocala audiences with their portrayal of the Brewster Sisters in “Arsenic and Old Lace” in two different productions.

 

She married Roy Carpenter Sr. June 10, 1961 and his children, Peggie and Roy Jr., became her much-beloved step-children.  She was an avid traveler, both before, during and after her marriage. She enjoyed traveling by ship and made several trips to Europe. She even transited the Panama Canal during one of her voyages.

 

          The Carpenters were enthusiastic campers and made many trips along the Eastern seaboard, driving as far north as Quebec.  They loved the mountains and spent many summers in North Carolina especially Linville Falls and Newland, and her travels continued after Roy’s death in 1993.

 

Louise Thrasher Carpenter was one of the founding members of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority in Ocala, formed to recognize and support the professional efforts of outstanding women educators.  She was also an amateur radio operator (ham radio), member of American Radio Relay League and the Silver Springs Radio Club which made radio and telephone connections between servicemen and women in Southeast Asia and their relatives in the USA, long before there were cell phones!

 

Louise Carpenter held a Life Membership in Ocala Civic Theater, an honorary membership title awarded to only a few members.  She also held a long-time membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.

 

She volunteered for Meals on Wheels for many years, making deliveries of food to shut-ins well into her 80's. Louise is widely remembered as a loved teacher and friend, whose cheerfulness and optimism never left her. 

 

She is survived by her son, Roy Carpenter, Jr., four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and great-nieces and nephew, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be on Tuesday, February 16 at 11 a.m., at Christ the King Anglican Church, 4440 SE 3rd Ave, Ocala, 34480 with The Rev. Donald J. Curran officiating. A private burial will follow at the Micanopy Cemetery. Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home of Ocala is in charge of arrangements.

 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Louise Thrasher Carpenter to Christ The King Anglican Church or Hospice of Marion County.

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