of Bryant, AR

July 14, 1932 - February 29, 2024

Sammye Elizabeth Hutcheson Carpenter, 91, of Benton passed away Thursday, February 29, 2024. Sammye was born July 14, 1932 in Springtown, Texas. Sammye was the youngest daughter and fifth child of the late Alfred Stanley and Mary Ruth Dillard Hutcheson.
Sammye, a graduate of Springtown High School in Springtown, Texas, attended Weatherford Junior College in Weatherford, Texas, having studied accounting. A longtime resident of Baton Rouge, Sammye worked for area auto dealerships as a bookkeeper and office manager. Sammye and husband Ken relocated to various states throughout their marriage, having resided in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Sammye, a lifelong Methodist in her heart, was a faithful member of Benton First Church of the Nazarene. Sammye's abiding faith and her devotion to the teachings of Christ remained a foremost guide and a primary comfort in her life. Sammye read the Bible daily and served various churches as a children's Sunday School teacher, a choir member and a piano accompanist.

As a youngster, Sammye lovingly assisted her sight-impaired grandmother, writing dictated letters and reading aloud to her. As a lover of people, Sammye offered sincere kindness and heartfelt support to everyone, especially those she encountered with no close family of their own.
Adventuresome and gutsy, Sammye delighted in zipping along south Louisiana's thoroughfares in her Porche, much to the elation of her younger son. Vivacious and warmly sociable, Sammye's greatest joy was doting on her family. Sammye garnered rave reviews for her cooking and baking. Her famous five-flavor pound cake was always a favorite, though she rarely divulged her secret additional flavorings when asked to share her recipe.
Sammye was most notable for loving on her dear relatives and cherished friends, oftentimes engaging her jokester nature, much to everyone's amusement.

Sammye is survived by two sons, Kenneth ''Joe'' Carpenter, Jr. (Judy) of Marietta, Georgia and James Thomas Carpenter (Anne) of Benton, Arkansas; three beloved grandchildren, C. Danielle Leake of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Laura E. Pittman (Hal) of Rogers, Arkansas and Matthew J. Carpenter (Emily) of Little Rock; five great-grandchildren, Tessa Pittman and Madelyn Pittman of Rogers, Arkansas, Sam Leake, Macy Leake and Adeline Leake of Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Preceding Sammye in death were her beloved husband of 57 years Kenneth Joe Carpenter, Sr.; two sisters, Mildred Klein and Frances Shadle and three brothers, Alfred S. Hutcheson, William N. Hutcheson and John D. Hutcheson.
Sammye was widowed on May 19, 2010 after devotedly caring for husband Ken, having become fully dependent during the latter years of his struggles with dementia. Sammye resided for the last 7 years of her life at the Manor Senior Community at Benton, AR, where adoring staff and fellow residents became cherished family members.

A visitation will be held at Roller-Alcoa Funeral Home on March 6 at 10:00 AM followed by a funeral service. Rev. Brady Lane of Benton First Church of the Nazarene and Rev. Walt Garrett of Benton First United Methodist Church will officiate. Interment at Pinecrest Memorial Park will take place March 7 at 1:00PM
The family requests that memorials be offered to the CJCOHN Food Pantry. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 1146 Benton, AR 72018.

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