Source: http://www.southernfuneralhome.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=1420305&fh_id=10175

Rev. Lester T. Carpenter
(June 5, 1919 - March 10, 2012)

Reverend Lester T. Carpenter, 92 of Dodson, was called home to rest by his Lord Jesus Christ, after a lengthy illness on March 10, 2012 at Winn Parish Medical Center. He was a member of the Union Baptist Church in Joyce, Louisiana.

Born, June 5, 1919 in the Hudson Community, Louisiana, he was raised by his grandparents, the late Peter ``Pete'' Carpenter and Josephine Rudd Carpenter. He was the son of the late Rilius Carpenter and Martha (Johnson) Carpenter Ashworth. He was also preceded in death by two brothers Alton Carpenter and James Carpenter.

He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Gandy DE 767 in the North Atlantic Fleet. Reverend Carpenter was in enemy waters filled with German Submarines while sailing to Scotland, Ireland and England. He was given an early honorable discharge one year later after being injured.

Reverend Carpenter was licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Contractors for the building of both commercial and residential buildings and employed a sizeable crew. He had built a reputation of being an honest man; therefore work was always plentiful.

He loved big game hunting and carried his family on many of these hunts in New Mexico and Colorado. He always enjoyed his cattle farm and had a large herd. He took pleasure in planting, cutting and bailing hay for his cattle. He always planted a beautiful vegetable garden and over-planted so that he could give to those who needed vegetables.

Reverend Carpenter made his Profession of Faith at the Welcome Home Baptist Church of Dodson in 1937, which became his home church where Rev. Harrison Cockerham was Pastor. He also served as Moderator of his association for a period of time and later was ordained as a deacon of the same church in 1952. He was the teacher of the Men's Class for many years until he was licensed and ordained in the ministry in 1962.

His preaching ministry led him to pastor 10 churches in Ouachita, LaSalle, Caldwell, Grant and Winn Parishes; however his greatest love other than his pastorates was his mission work, which he began in January of 1968. Carrying teams of up to 17 men and women, he preached in the Lesser Antilles, the Leeward and Caribbean Islands. This included the various islands St. Croix, St. Thomas, St. John, Haiti, Anguilla and Dominica.

Reverend Carpenter worked for 35 years among the poorest of the poor in Jamaica, amassing many heart wrenching stories both told and untold.

Some of his experiences over the years were cataloged and written in his biography in early 2008 entitled ``Throw It In The Creek''. He also served in mission work for 27 years in the Cherokee Nation in Stillwell, Oklahoma.

Survivors include his wife of seventy two years Zelma Jones Carpenter, four daughters Zelma Odell Cowher and Sheral Maxey and husband Donnie of Winnfield, Carolyn Addington, and Sue Ellyn Barton and husband Russell of Dodson; six grandchildren Terri Wilkerson, Stacey Wilkerson Smotherman and husband Rick, Kristie Maxey Rolen, Susan Barton Vann and husband Roger, Rusty Travis Barton and wife Angela, Janna Addington Harrel; seven great-grandchildren Sarah Mauterer Truell, Shelby Smotherman, Ashley Rolen O'Bannon, Derek Rolen, Caroline Harrel, Allison Harrel, and Landon Travis Barton; three great great-grandchildren Jaelyn Rolen O'Bannon, Kennedee Rolen O'Bannon and Presley Truell, three step great-grandchildren, nine step great great-grandchildren; two sisters Ruth Carpenter Lafollette of Dodson and Irene Spangler of Winnfield.

He is also survived by nieces, nephews, friends, church members, pastors, music directors and fellow mission workers. Since Reverend Carpenter lived to be almost 93 years old most of his closest acquaintances in his age group preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 at East Winnfield Baptist Church of Joyce, La. with Rev. Rayford Higgs and Rev. Bruce Cardin officiating. A number of eulogies will be presented by members of various churches where Rev. Carpenter served as pastor from 1965 - 2007.

Interment will follow in the Old Union Cemetery in Joyce under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield.

Friends may visit with the family at the funeral home on Monday from 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Tuesday at the funeral home from 10:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.