Earlie Carpenter

Mrs. Earlie Mae Carpenter departed this life to be with her heavenly father on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2014 at Covenant Healthcare-Cooper, with her family at her side. Age 63 years. She was born December 17, 1951 in Memphis, Tennessee to Ernest and Mahalie Meeks.
Earlie Mae attended school in Itta Bena, Mississippi. She was a "people person, and was not a stranger to anyone. To know her was to love her. She was employed as a home health aide until her health failed. She was a faithful member of Zion Valley Baptist Church where she served as pastors nurse and usher, and as treasurer of the Usher Board. Earlie enjoyed singing and praising the Lord. She would help anyone out. She was a member of the Purple Diamond Club and Cordelia Chapter #48 Order of Eastern Stars, and the U&I Sportsmans Club.
To know Earlie was to know she had excellent cooking and baking skills! After losing her mobility, her husband became her chef as he had shadowed her as she cooked. Her grandson, Jay, spent many days being her bellboy, whatever she asked, he did! Her granddaughter, Niya, "Mook" as she called her, acted as her other nurse and took great care of her. All of Earlie's grandchildren loved and adored her. Her grandson, PJ, thought she was a comedian! She will be truly missed by all who knew and loved her!
She leaves to cherish her precious memory, her devoted husband, John T. Carpenter, who took wonderful care of her; two loving daughters, Marcia Meeks and Tanya Thomas; one awesome son, Eric Thomas; one godson, Vernshay Jr Harrison all of Saginaw, Michigan; one goddaughter, Lucretia Jones of Flint, Michigan; seven beautiful grandchildren, Jerome Jr., Jasmin and Jeilon Banks, Paul II, Khloe and Kyhra Norwood and Demetria Simmons; one great-granddaughter, Sy'Riah Banks; one sister, Godfrey J. (Toney) Powell of Clarksville, Tennessee; a cousin who was more like a mother, Rosie Diggs of Saginaw, Michigan; three sisters-in-law, Dorothy Tate of Saginaw, Michigan and special sisters-in-law, Early Adams of Saginaw, Michigan and Alma Ector of Memphis, Tennessee; two brothers-in-law, Robert (Darlean) Carpenter of Saginaw, Michigan and James (Carolyn) Carpenter of Sterling Heights, Michigan; special aunt, Lillie Frazier, special cousins, Vivian Spiller and Bernice Bell all of Saginaw, Michigan; best friends, Mae Redeemar, Karen Cope, Danny Voltz, big brother, Melvin Nathan, Pastor Johnny Rincher and all of her Zion Valley church family; many uncles, cousins and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Mahalie Meeks, and her best friend, Carliss Jackson.
The family would like to extend special thanks to two very special caregivers, Pamalin Moore and Shamara Walton, who took excellent care of her (we love them for it).
Visitation: Friday, January 2, 2015 - 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan
(989)754-4826
Funeral Service: Saturday, January 3, 2015 - 11:00 a.m.
Paradise Funeral Chapel
3100 South Washington Avenue
Saginaw, Michigan
(989)754-4826
Officiating: Pastor John Rincher - Zion Valley Baptist Church
Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery