Anne Carpenter

Mrs. Wilma Anne Carpenter, 74, of Marietta, Georgia, formerly of South Charleston, WV and Des Plaines, IL, passed away peacefully in her home on Monday, June 30, 2014 after living a full and adventurous life with a close circle of friends and family. She is survived by Step-Parents, Jeanette and Bill Gerrish of McHenry, IL; Daughter, Carolyn Anne Nash and her husband Bill of Kingsport, TN; Son, Stephen Lee Carpenter and his wife Sarah of Atlanta, GA; a very special Granddaughter, Siena Raven Carpenter; Brothers, William Von Hoffen of Corpus Christi, TX and Robert Von Hoffen of McHenry, IL; Sisters, Christine Claus of Las Tablas, Panama and Ruth Minarcik of Island Lake, IL and Cathy Holms of Gurnee, IL; along with several nieces and nephews. Proceding her in death were Parents, William August Robert Von Hoffen, Jr. and Wilma Margaret Esser Von Hoffen; Sister, Laura Von Hoffen; and Son, David Matthew Carpenter. She graduated with a Master of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University, class of 1987, and taught at Marshall University for many years. Her Registered Nursing Diploma was awarded by Evanston Hospital School of Nursing affiliated with Northwestern University, class of 1960. She worked in Quality Control for various WV hospitals and raised her family in Camden, Peterstown, Charleston, Belle, Holden, Mt. Hope and South Charleston, WV. She was a woman of deep faith, high intelligence, and great determination. She was a civil rights activist. She suffered the loss of a young child, but rallied to launch two others. She did mission work at an orphanage in Russia and taught English in Poland. She loved to travel and lived frugally in order to visit several countries on four continents. She was loved and will be greatly missed. There will be a Memorial Service in honor of her life held at 2 pm Sunday, July 6, 2014 at First United Methodist Church of Marietta located at 56 Whitlock Ave NW, Marietta, GA, 30064. Reverend Brian Smith will officiate. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The American Cancer Society; (online or by phone call 1-800-227-2345) to honor her memory and her love of the son she lost to Leukemia in 1970. Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.