Brooks Carpenter's Obituary
Brooks, Momma, Mom, Mudder, Gingham, beloved wife, helpmeet and friend.
Armenia Brooks Carpenter, age 80, of North Ridgeville, passed away September 27th, 2021. She was born October 10th, 1940 to James and Renna Wright in Mt. Ida, AR. Lovingly known as Brooks to most, or Gingham to those closest. Brooks is preceded in death by her father, James Edmund Wright and mother, Renna Cleola Newcomb. Two brothers: Coy Wright of Amity AR. and Andrew Wright of OK. (affectionately known as Drew). Four sisters, Estelle Dilliard of OK. (Stell) , Arlene Todd Nunes of CA. , Evanelle Story of OR. (Nell) , Ruth Stanley of OR. (Tater) and Winifred Egleston of Mt Ida AR (Dumpy).
Survivors include: husband of 63 years, Walter Ray Carpenter. Spread across three states, many miles and countless prayers, God chose Ray and Brooks to raise their three sons, David, James, and Mark. Confusingly so, all three claim to be her favorite son. Brooks knew the only thing better than having kids was having grandchildren, whom she was actively a part of shaping their lives through childhood and into adulthood. Loved so deeply, all believed they were the favorite grandchild, The oldest and first to steal her heart were Matthew and Jared. The second edition of “pk” preacher kids and the coining of the name “Gingham” were Titus and Silas. The wildlings from “down south” Knoble and Garrett and their sister, the favorite granddaughter, Bailey. As Bepaw (Ray) would proudly follow up his “favorite granddaughter” joke, with his ONLY granddaughter. Sadly, Bailey lost her long standing title as favorite, as Bepaw and Gingham later gained two more granddaughters, Emily and Kimberly. The great grandchildren were even luckier to have a sweet relationship with our Gingham: Tristan, Cora and Ivy, Maddie, Mattis and Mavrick and one hairy good boy, Watson (who also thinks he’s the favorite).
Brooks's calling in life was to serve as Pastors wife, which she fulfilled for 60+ years. Many would view to her fondly as the good biscuit baking, Baptist belly filling, piano playing, southerner, behind Ray, founding pastor of Faith Baptist Temple in North Ridgeville. As recalled by Ray, “just like Eve was made for Adam, Brooks was made for me, my helpmeet.” As true love (both of young love and that of the Father) Brooks was the first to be baptized by her new husband Ray. You see Brooks, as with many others, had privately struggled with her salvation for a long time. It wasn't till the sermon and illustration of a baseball game she found salvation.
In the 1924 World Series, the New York Giants and the Washington Senators were tied after six games. In the ninth inning of the seventh game, the score was tied at three runs. Washington came to bat, the first two men made outs as the crowd screamed for a lone run. Then a player by the name of Goose Goslin came to the plate. Two strikes called, then two balls, the crowd watching every pitch. On the fifth pitch, Goslin stepped into the ball and slammed it to left center field. The crowd delirious, what looked like a home run fell a few inches short of clearing a home run fence and bounced back into the playing field. Goslin quickly advancing the bases, the coach waved him in around third, headed to home. Sliding into home plate, a split second ahead of the throw- the dust settled as the umpire cried, “you’re out!” The team and crowd rushed the field, protesting the call. The umpire secured order and announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, the batter is out… not because he didn’t beat the ball at home plate, but because he didn’t touch first base”. Brooks realized she herself had missed first base, salvation and could not make it home to heaven. Having fought so hard to “get lost” for days, she found immediate joy upon calling out to her Heavenly Father that sacred day in 1959 she found her sweet salvation.
Her family far exceeds that of her immediate, as she loved as Jesus did and befriended a myriad along the way. Many knew Brooks as more than friend and Pastor’s wife. Once you were blessed by her contagious smile and overwhelmed with love from her hug- you were in. It’s as simple as that…she “adopted” many sons and daughters along the way, all through Jesus, and cornbread of course.
When you think of Brooks, most recall her love as all encompassing. No matter the person, situation or setting, Brooks had an unconditional love, a steady constant for her daughter in law, Rachy Babe. Rachael is the daughter which Brooks had once prayed for, but didn’t find till some years later when she married Mark. Rachael recalls Brooks's love and true instincts: “The Monday morning my Mom got worse and they were taking her to Hospice - I called Gingham- sobbing... I know she couldn't understand me as I cried, but she said "Rachael, we will be there as soon as we possibly can", and she did. They came to my Grams house, got Silas - he was still nursing at the time - took him with her, so I could go to be with my Mom. Months later I wondered how she did it - didn't ask for instructions, didn't ask for a bag of stuff, didn't question that he was nursing and not taking a bottle - she just did it! She has been my mom for 22years. She's taught me to love unconditionally and to give sacrificially. I loved her sarcasm and quick wit - I love that she was real - no phoniness about her! Steady, a constant in my life. ”
According to David, as you remember who claims to be her favorite, he also claims Momma bequeathed the title of Queen bee, to his wife Becky. The question now left to those closest to the family, is… will David get a knuckle upside the head first from mama when he meets her in heaven, or from Rachael after the service. On a serious note, as Rachael’s long time best friend, Becky has observed and stated “Brooks’ fierce love for her boys over the years”.
If you knew Brooks, you knew she loved babies almost as much as they loved her. Her evident love noticed by her then adolescent grandchildren. Silas recalls, “I remember Gingham taking me and Titus to the local park when we stayed with her for a few days. And when we were there I remember thinking that it seemed like she knew everyone. She was always just talking to people and I remember I couldn't figure out how she knew so many people. Thinking back on it, I realized that she was probably just meeting new people and being a witness. ”
Similarly Jared remembers, “Once when I was about 11 or 12, I was with Gingham at McDonalds by church and it was very busy. We had ordered and would be waiting a while for our food, and were standing in that general area. There was a woman holding a baby, having an incredibly hard time wrangling her two other children, who were being complete nightmares. She was trying to order, couldn't think and looked just helpless as her kids terrorized the restaurant.Gingham walked up to the woman with her beautiful smile, put both hands out and in a gentle but firm voice said, "Ma'am, would you like me to hold your baby?” The woman looked mortified at first, and then no-doubt felt Gingham's calming presence, and handed the baby right over. She was able to grab her other children, order, get them seated at a table and then retrieved her baby from Gingham who had it smiling and giggling the whole time.”
Bailey accounts, “ I always thought I had a special relationship with my Gingham, she made me feel as such. The more people share of her, I’ve learned she made many feel this way, which in turn makes her that much more special to me. My Gingham lost her momma at just 14. When I lost my mom at 12, she was the first face I saw that morning I learned of her accident. And she’s just always been that for me, an exemplary strong woman. As a child, I used to write letters back and forth with my Grandma, still got a few as an adult. It wasn't until the last 5 years of my now adult life I began to see how we were intertwined. We started communicating with knowing glances, things neither of us needed to say, but we understood, the empathy I guess, honestly it was more just a way to share jokes around the men. The rise or fall of the brow communicated tone, a knowing smirk or smile. She was a master of expressions. The funny thing about getting older, (hopefully) wiser and reflection, those little communications were a blessing in the last week, as it was all we had left to communicate. I love her, and will miss her dearly, but I’m overjoyed she is without pain now, finally at peace. I told her, you go on now, and tell my mama I said hi.”
Brooks was steadfast with her traditions. Her famous “American beauty cake” we simply called red velvet, made with love and a fervent prayer the icing set. Homemade vanilla ice cream only served in the finest china of red solo cups and diced bananas. Always a call away for a quick chocolate gravy recipe, “oh I suppose about a pinch of this…”with an intentional and familiar wave of the hand, and a shared prayer over any attempt at cake.
Sundays are for God and family, and then football. ( But Ohio State and Razorback football on Saturdays were the preferred game, with competitive texting among friends throughout the games... ) Back to the Lord's day, most Sundays of past were spent with convenient store chicken and JoJos or a Sunday roast. Christmas Eve was saved for the reading of THE Christmas story from the large family Bible and followed up by the second most important story as told by Ralphie, A Christmas Story.
Four wheeling, tractor drivin, gun toting redneck razorback at heart, this lady knew how to have a good time. Fish cleaning, corn shucking, bean soaking, bread baking… there isn’t a meal Brooks couldn’t make, but maybe some she wouldn’t have if it wasn't for her love for her husband. Liver and Onions served for one, could be smelt and heard with a familiar sigh in the kitchen and an “oh Ray!”…. with a mischievous chuckle in the background aka recliner. The Christmas cards written with love and quick wit year after year, a much anticipated arrival for many. Much like her never ending purse of mints, many were lucky enough to get whacked upside the head with during a service. Alter call, prayer and a quick walk back to find your favorite reliable smile, hand shake, usually a hug, as you couldn’t leave without knowing she loved you sooo much, as did Jesus.
A great reunion was had at around 5:30 this Monday morning, September 27th as Brooks entered Heaven. We imagine soon after all of her 7 siblings, both brothers and sisters, prepared to repeat a long-time family tradition, as they wait for Brooks to slide up to the piano, then they all start singing praises out of the old red back church hymnal. The reunions which she is going to enjoy are many, and they will be exciting. I'm sure that her parents will be proudly watching over the singing, as they are all together again. But recalling Brooks’ life as dedicated and supportive pastor's wife, with years of visitation behind her, sharing God's loving witness with oh so many, I kinda suspect the best reunions will begin with many telling her: "Thank you for telling me about Jesus!"
Visitation will be held Wednesday September 29th from 4-7 at Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Rd., North Ridgeville. Funeral will be held Thursday September 30th at 11am, at Faith Baptist Temple, 34361 Lorain Rd, North Ridgeville Ohio.
Mark Carpenter and Ray Carpenter will be officiating. Her earthly body will be interned at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery on Friday at 10 am. Pallbearers are Matthew, Jared, Titus, Knoble, Silas and Garrett Carpenter- her favorite Grandsons are honored to lay her earthly body to rest until the Lord returns for His Saints.
What’s your fondest memory of Brooks?
What’s a lesson you learned from Brooks?
Share a story where Brooks' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Brooks you’ll never forget.
How did Brooks make you smile?