W. E. "Sam" Carpenter, Jr. age 85, of Calvin, Louisiana, passed away, Thursday, December 4, 2008, at Winn Parish Medical Center in Winnfield, LA after a lengthy illness.

Mr. Carpenter was born February 22, 1923 in Calvin, LA. He is the son of the late William Edward Carpenter Sr. and the late Martha Sanora Hodge Carpenter. Mr. Carpenter was a U. S. Army Veteran during World War II for 3 years. He and his brother Bob opened Carpenter Brothers Grocery and Carpenter Brothers Dairy when he returned from service to his country. He attended NSU in Natchitoches where he received his Bachelors and Masters degrees. He began his lengthy career as an educator, guidance Counselor, basketball coach, and principal at the Veterans School in Winnfield in 1951. Later, at Calvin High, he was a valued member of the faculty for 31 years until 1984 when he retired as principal. Mr. Carpenter was principal of Calvin High School for 13 years.

With all the accomplishments in the field of education, the most treasured part of his life, was the privilege to serve his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This he did for many years as a member of Calvin First Baptist Church, by teaching Sunday School to the Youth and Adults alike. He also served Sanders Chapel as a Bible Teacher, for a number of years. He was a full time friend and servant to the citizens of Calvin and Calvin High School.

Mr. Carpenter was also preceded in death by three sisters, Helen Reed, Ruby Carpenter, and Ruth Lowe; five brothers, Frank, Alon, Calop, Leon, and Clifford Carpenter; and one granddaughter, Lauren Brooke Jones.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Maude Alma Wilson Carpenter; two daughters, Peggy Carpenter Chandler and husband Charles, Jr., Debbie Carpenter Procell and husband Mike; one son, William Gregory Carpenter and wife Dee; five granddaughters, Erin Austin and husband Erik, Devon Knotts and husband Karl, Shelly Carpenter, Jamie Barron and Kennedi Carpenter; three grandsons, Brandon Procell, Layton Procell and wife Samantha, and Braxton Procell; three great grandsons, Jace and Christian Carpenter and Alexander Austin; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services for Mr. Carpenter will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December the 7th, 2008 at Calvin First Baptist Church with Reverends Layton Procell and Lamar Carpenter officiating. Internment will follow in the Sanders Chapel cemetery under the direction of Southern Funeral Home of Winnfield. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday at the funeral home from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday at the church from 12:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Pallbearers will be Braxton Procell, Brandon Procell, Erik Austin, Karl Knotts, Link Martin, and Lance Carpenter. Honorary pallbearers will be Captain Blake and Buddy Cannerday.