Ruth Miller Carpenter

Ruth Miller Carpenter, 95, formerly of Millersburg, PA, and Virginia Beach, VA, died Friday, March 16, at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center, Asheville. She was a resident of Arbor Terrace Assisted Living, Asheville. A native of Norfolk, VA, she was a daughter of the late Peter and Annie Miller. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Harold S. Carpenter, USN; her daughter and son-in-law LCDR James N. and Eleanor C. Holland; her grandson James A. Holland; her sister Eula Groome; and her niece Annette Shaffer. She is survived by her granddaughter Ruth H. Ballard and her husband Richard G. Ballard, both of Asheville, and three great nephews. Mrs. Carpenter was a graduate of Maury High School, Norfolk, and Norfolk Business College where she won awards in typing and stenography. She was first employed with the Norfolk Chamber of Commerce, and was later an instructor at the Norfolk Business College extension in Elizabeth City, NC. During World War II, she served as the executive secretary for Admiral R.Z. Johnson at the Norfolk Naval Base, where she also became the first female supervisor of the secretarial staff at the Base. She concluded her public employment as the secretary-treasurer of the L.J. Hoy Construction Company, Norfolk. Over the years, Mrs. Carpenter enjoyed cooking, music, dancing, needlework, Garden Club activities, fishing, reading and various charitable endeavors. She loved keeping abreast of news and current events. She was a kind, generous, and loving person, and a devoted mother and grandmother. She was a member of St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church, Arden, NC. A service of Sacred Scripture and Prayer with the Divine Mercy Chaplet will be held at Arbor Terrace Assisted Living Residence, 3199 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC, on Tuesday, March 20, at 3:00 p.m., with the Rev. Deacon Art Kingsley presiding. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. Lawrence Roman Catholic Chapel, 110 State Street, Harrisburg, PA, on Saturday, March 24, at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Fr. Paul R. Fisher as celebrant. The graveside Rite of Committal will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery, 8100 Granby St., Norfolk, VA, on Saturday, March 31, at 11:00 a.m., with the Rev. Fr. Ernest L. Bulinda presiding. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given for the work of the Respect Life Committee at St. Barnabas Roman Catholic Church, PO Box 38, Arden, NC, 28704. “Rest eternal grant her, O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her.”