Barbara Ann Langley Carpenter

Mrs. Barbara Ann Langley Carpenter, 86, lifelong resident of Mt. Pleasant, Tennessee, passed away at Williamson Medical Center with family at her side on February 6, 2020 following a brief illness.

Born in Maury County on January 11, 1934, she was the only child of Thomas Melvin and Tennie Mildred Gordon Langley. Barbara graduated from Hay Long High School in 1951. In school she was well-loved and involved in many activities including Beta Club, cheerleading, football and May Queen courts. After graduation, Barbara attended Tennessee Tech in Cookeville. Upon completing her studies at Tech, she married Paul Carpenter on August 12, 1955 after he returned from serving in Korea; they celebrated sixty-three happy years before Paul’s passing on October 5, 2018.

Barbara was a loyal employee of Stauffer Chemical Company in Mt. Pleasant for over 36 years until she retired in 1990. She often commented that she loved working there because her co-workers were a special group of friends. Barbara was a life-long and faithful member of the United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, where she helped deliver Meals on Wheels after she retired. In addition, she was a member of the Red Hat Society, Breast Cancer Support Group at Maury Regional Hospital, and the Jane Knox Polk Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Barbara loved and was loved by her family who will miss her always and her friends. She will be most remembered for her smile, kindness, and resolve to face all circumstances with grace and optimism.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son, Thomas Edward Carpenter. She is survived by her son John Paul (Barbara) Carpenter; two grandsons, Joseph Langley and John Taylor Carpenter; cousins: Dora Mae Gordon Whisenant of Fayetteville, JoAnn Mathis Jones of Eagleville, and Sally Powers Matlack of Texas; sister-in-law, Pauline Rankin; nephew, Paul Allen (Mary Ann) Rankin; niece, Linda Craig; great-nephew, Chris Craig.

The family will visit with friends on Wednesday, February 12 from noon until 2:00 P.M. at Williams Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant. A service will be held immediately following visitation. Reverend Tommy Vann will officiate, and interment will follow at Polk Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be Joseph Carpenter, Taylor Carpenter, David Carpenter, Webb Williams and Chris Hughes. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete Bassham, Paul Allen Rankin, fellow Stauffer retirees, and the staff of Morningside Assisted Living of Franklin.

Williams Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made to williamsfh.com.