Doris Carpenter

Doris Mae Carpenter, 100, of Middle Grove, passed away, Thursday, May 29, 2025.  She was born August 28, 1924, in Moberly, to the union of Jim and Vella (Yeager) Thornburg.

She was a graduate of Moberly High School, then she went to Chillicothe Business College, from there she went to Kansas City to work; and after getting married she moved to the Carpenter family farm.  Doris married Wilbur Carpenter May 24, 1945.

Doris was the oldest living member of Central Christian Church and the daughter of charter members there.

She was involved in Middle Grove School PTA, was a 4-H leader, election volunteer and a Cancer Society fundraising volunteer.

Doris and Wilbur loved to travel.  They visited Australia, Alaska, New Zealand, Hawaii and Venezuela; and went on various cruises.  They visited nearly every state in the continental USA.  They took their family on two vacation trips to Florida.

They loved to dance on the cruises they took and at the Moose Club on Saturday nights to the music of Al Pierson.

Doris was a great cook and made the best fried chicken ever!  She loved to entertain family, friends and strangers.  She was a friend to everyone.  People loved her for her fiesty and playfully ornery personality.  She enjoyed playing Scrabble and other games.  She loved to have her grandchilderen come for long stays on the farm to play.

Doris is survived by her 4 children, Mary Newland (Jim), of Monson, MA, David Carpenter (Marj), of Clark, MO, Jim Carpenter (Debra), of Webster Groves, MO and Carol Carlos (Greg), of Moberly, MO, 9 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.  Grandchildren are Rachel Hrdina (Greg), Jamie Newland (Eliza), David Newland (Denise), Andrea Newland, Sarah Mirth (Dan), Amanda Simms (Korey), Katie Carpenter (Kevin), Matt Carpenter and Angie Dent (Adam).  Great grandchildren are Alex Smith (Dallas), Jake and Aaron Hrdina, Desmond and Owen Newland and Addie Dent.

Contributions to Central Christian Church are welcomed in lieu of flowers.

Words of comfort and support were shared with the family at a visitation held at the Cater Funeral Home. Funeral services honoring and celebrating Doris’s life were held in the Cater Funeral Home Chapel.  Committal prayer and burial took place at the Oakland Cemetery.