Carpenter, Wilma J., 81, September 2, 2014. Arrangements by Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.
ROCKLAND – Wilma June Elliott Carpenter, 81, beloved wife of Rev. Harold W. Carpenter, died Tuesday, September 2, 2014, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, after a brief illness.
Born at the Elliott family homestead in Littleton, June 27, 1933, she was proud to be the only one of five children of Ernest M. and Pauline D. Campbell Elliott, to be born there.
Wilma was an honors graduate of Ricker Classical Institute in Houlton and then attended Ricker College for two years. While at Ricker College, she met and fell in love with Harold. They celebrated 62 years of marriage on June 24. Wilma’s parents and her sister, Donna, shared that same anniversary.
Out of their union came three children, Valerie J. Messana and her husband, Rev. Richard Messana of Livermore, Elliott R. Carpenter and his wife, Judy of New Orleans, LA and Chris D. Carpenter and his wife, Mitzi of Suffolk, VA. Wilma and Harold were blessed with four grandchildren, David Messana and his wife, Michelle of South Portland, Jonathan Messana and his wife, Sarah of Portland, Kristin Messana Ciampa and her husband, David of Gorham and Zachary Carpenter of Suffolk, VA; and five great-grandchildren. Wilma is also survived by her sister, Donna Harriman of Fairhaven, MA; her brothers, Ralph Elliott of Houlton and John Elliott of St. John, ME, and their spouses as well as several nieces and nephews. Wilma was pre-deceased by a brother, Garth Elliott.
Wilma was very active in the Lord’s work. After marrying her husband, who was later called to full-time ministry, she became a wonderful and supportive minister’s wife. Harold used to say that she didn’t marry a minister but when she stepped into that role she became active in the churches he pastored. A gifted soloist, she sang in several choirs. She started the first Pioneer Girls group at Military Street Baptist Church in Houlton, and also led the Pioneer Girls group at the Caribou United Baptist Church.
Friends and relatives were invited to visit from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, September 4, 2014, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland, where a funeral service was held at 1 p.m., Friday. Rev. Paul Munro and Rev. Richard Messana officiated. A reception followed at the funeral home’s 104 Limerock reception center. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Owl’s Head Baptist Church, P.O. Box 81, Owl’s Head, ME 04854. To share a memory or condolence with Wilma’s family, or to view a webcast of her service, please visit her book of memories at www.bchfh.com.
