Edith Fay (Tilley) Carpenter

Funeral services will be held Saturday, August 12, 2023, at 11:00 am in the First Baptist Church, Broussard, Louisiana for Edith Fay Carpenter, nee Tilley, who passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on August 7, 2023, at The Carpenter House - St Joseph Hospice in Lafayette. Visitation will be at Delhomme Funeral Home, Bertrand Drive, Friday, August 11, 2023 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Saturday, August 12, 2023, visitation will be in the Broussard First Baptist Church from 9:00 am until the service at 11:00 am. Senior Pastor Weldon Moak will conduct the services and Interment will be at Lafayette Memorial Park Cemetery. Left to cherish her memory are her six children: Billie Carpenter Burley and her husband, Francis Marion; Beverly Carpenter Breaux and her husband, Timothy David; Robert Lewis Carpenter and his wife Saralyn; Sylvia Carpenter McLain and her husband Bryan Douglas; Rhonda Carpenter Hebert and her husband Joel Anthony; Todd Alan Carpenter and his wife Lisa. Edith is also survived by her two brothers and their wives: Charles Edward Tilley and his wife Nellie; David Wesley (DW) Tilley and his wife Leatrice. Edith enjoyed her fourteen grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren as well as treasured nieces, nephews and others who looked to her as their matriarch. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Lewis Edward Carpenter; her beloved parents, David Benjamin Tilley and Jeanette Vanada “Nettie” Tilley, nee Lester; her sisters and forever friends; Barbara Cornet, Marjorie Cloud and Johnnie Nevils. Edith was born January 2, 1929, in Alexandria, Louisiana. She was the third of six children. Growing up during the Great Depression, her childhood was spent on a family farm where she enjoyed carefree, happy days with her siblings. It is while helping her parents with the provision of food and clothing, homegrown and homemade, that she acquired valuable life lessons. She developed a foundation of faith, optimism and determination that she would retain for the rest of her life. Her Bolton High School weekends in Alexandria were spent at the USO Center. Along with a couple of girlfriends, she spent many hours dancing with soldiers who were destined to begin their tour of duty in WWII. There were marriage proposals but Edith made no promises. After the War, Edith did make a promise to returning soldier, Lewis Edward Carpenter. February 24, 1947 she became a devoted wife. They would go on to have six children and they were seldom separated during their 44 years of marriage. Edith spent thirty-one years as Lewis’ secretary and business partner. Together they owned and operated their own oil field service and production companies. Their weekends were usually spent fishing at their Toledo Bend Lakehouse with family and friends. Lewis died in 1991 and Edith deeply grieved her loss. But she was a woman of faith and with the support of family, her church congregation and friends, she regained her determination and optimism. Her Sunday School class was very close to her heart and she loved the Lord. For the next 32 years, Edith enjoyed quilting, gardening, traveling, reading, and swimming. She especially enjoyed family reunions and having her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren always near. With perseverance and great courage, she maintained her independence into her final days, enjoying her home and staying connected using her iPad and iPhone. Pallbearers will be her grandsons Jonathan Breaux, Cody Musgrove, Jim Van Breemen, Brian Carpenter, Lewis Carpenter II, Benjamin Hebert. Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Tilley, DW Tilley, Robert Carpenter, Todd Carpenter, Marion Burley, Timothy Breaux, Bryan McLain, Joel Hebert. The Carpenter family extends their heartfelt appreciation for the amazing care given to Mom during her last days at The Carpenter House-St Joseph Hospice and to her very special in-home caretakers; Jackie Guidry, Sharon Kenny and Madeline Snead. To her great-niece, Donna Carraway, the dedication and love you have given Mom over the years was such a comfort to her and all family members. Thank you. With grace and compassion, they provided for her every need and were there when we needed them most. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church, Broussard, LA. Copyright Delhomme Funeral Homes, Inc. August 2023

Edith Fay (Tilley) Carpenter

January 2, 1929 - August 7, 2023