REFORM - James William ""J.W."" Carpenter, age 75, of Reform, Ala., died December 2, 2017, at DCH Regional Medical Center. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, December 6, 2017, at Skelton Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Mike Hall and Rev. Brannon Pinion officiating. Burial will follow in Graham Memorial Cemetery with Skelton Funeral Home of Reform directing. Visitation will be one hour prior and immediately following the service at the funeral home.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Elridge Carpenter and Nora McDaniel Carpenter and sister, Bernice Murray.
Survivors include his loving wife of 53 years, Patricia Price Carpenter of Reform; daughter, Kimberly Carpenter Bell and husband, Jimmy, of Reform; son, James Keith Carpenter and wife, Dusti, of Gordo; sisters, Kannie Mae Woolbright (Wayman) of Gordo and Peggy Burton (Barry) of Birmingham; brother, Mike Hall (Davene) of Reform; grandsons, Lance Carpenter, Blake Posey, both of Gordo and Logan Bell (Tessa) of Las Vegas, Nev.; and granddaughters, Kayla Fair of Reform, Riley Carpenter of Gordo and Reagan Bell of Tuscaloosa.
Mr. Carpenter was born March 3, 1942 in Pickens County, Alabama. He was a 1960 graduate of Palmetto High School. He earned his Bachelor's degree from The University of Alabama and his Master's degree from Livingston University. For a virtual lifetime, J. W. had a deep appreciation for music. He participated in his church music program by singing solos, singing with the choir and bringing joy to others through music. He sang with the Pickens Singing Men for over forty years.
He was a faithful and active member of New Salem Baptist Church of Reform, AL. Before his retirement, J. W. was a long-time employee with Southern Airways and Liberty National Insurance Company.
Pallbearers will be Eddie Gault, Larry Handley, Roger Jaynes, Allen McDaniel, Dr. Reginald Motley, Jim Crocker, Dennis Pugh and James Latham.
Honorary pallbearers are members of New Salem Baptist Church and First Baptist Church of Reform, the Pickens Singing Men, Dr. Joe Wallace, Dr. Scott Fulgham, the extended family, friends and neighbors, employees and former employees of Liberty National Life.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to New Salem Baptist Church Building Fund, P. O. Box 1378, Reform, AL 35481 or to charity of your choice.