Mildred (Gray) Carpenter

Dateline: Pinebluff

Mildred Gray Carpenter – 86, ‟Mrs. Pinebluff” Passed away peacefully at her home in Pinebluff Wednesday with her family by her side.

She was preceded in death by her late husband of almost 66 years Virgil Lee Carpenter.

Mrs. Carpenter and her husband ran a Red & White grocery store from 1952 – 1969 in Pinebluff. She also helped open and manage the Lob Steer Inn Restaurant in Southern Pines for a short time. She obtained her Real Estate License in 1967 and found her passion of selling properties. She, along with a partner established Pinebluff Realty in 1967 which is now run by two of her sons. She was an agent & broker from 1967 to 2013 when she retired at the age of 81 to take care of her ailing husband. She was also heavily involved in politics throughout her life and was known as ‟Madame Democrat” in her political circles.

She is survived by her 5 children, Jimmy Carpenter, Rachel C. Byrd (Randy), Janet L. Carpenter (Bob), Curtiss Carpenter (Amanda) & Peter Carpenter (Sharon); 6 grandchildren, Shelly Davis (Matt), Kelly ‟Casey” Collins (Brandon), Jessica Mashburn, Ashley Carpenter, Adam Carpenter, Jeff Byrd and 4 great grandchildren, Jordan Vann & Cameron Collins, Georgia & Katherine Davis; 2 sisters Dibble Porter and Hattie Carter and extended family; Flo Hollister, Mills Family, Charles, Maxine & Chaz Howe, Ricky & Karen Hooker.

The family will receive friends between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 PM, Monday, June 4, 2018 at Pinebluff United Methodist Church, 275 E. Philadelphia Ave. Pinebluff, NC 28373.

Funeral Services will follow at 3:00 PM with Reverend Bettie Garrick Francis, Pastor officiating.

A private burial will follow in Pinebluff Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Memorials can be made in her name to Firsthealth Hospice, PO Box 5889
Pinehurst, NC 28374, the Carolina Beach Music Awards Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 70 Pinebluff, NC 28373 or Pinebluff United Methodist Church, 275 E. Philadelphia Ave. Pinebluff, NC 28373.

Arrangements for the family are entrusted to LaFayette Funeral Home, 6651 Raeford Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28304. On-line condolences may be made at www.lafayettefh.com.