Rilla Monteen Carpenter

Rilla Monteen Carpenter of Fort White, Florida passed away peacefully at her home on April 11, 2021, at the age of 89. Monteen was preceded in death by her loving husband John "Johnny” West Carpenter, father Van Buren Dollar Sr., mother Virginia Louise Donaldson Dollar, daughter Mary Sue Cobb, grandson Michael Lance Swann, Brothers Van Buren Dollar Jr., Marvin Elsworth Dollar, Frank Mack Richardson Jr., Wesley Jackson "W.J.” Dollar, Wilbur Ray Dollar, and Charles Louis "Charles Louie” Dollar, Wilson Dollar and sister Lois Evelyn Quattlebaum.

Monteen was born in Cairo, Georgia on March 31, 1932. She graduated from Columbus High School, Columbus, Georgia. She and her husband Johnny enjoyed 71 years of marriage. They were married in Phenix City, Alabama on November 12, 1949.

Monteen is lovingly remembered by her children, Wayne Carpenter (Laura), Theresa Clark (Charles), Joy Carpenter Smith (Joel), Mark Carpenter (Nadine), grandchildren, Kay Swann-Martin (Aaron), Richard Clark (Ashley Tate), Adrienne Carpenter Paxton (George "Gabby”), Candace Clark Scrivner (Daryl), Wesley Carpenter, Elena Carpenter, Amanda Carpenter and 15 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Monteen lived a full life that included welcoming many of her family and friends into her home. Throughout her life, she was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a loving caregiver to many of her family members. Her nieces, nephews, and children from the neighborhood would always be cared for as one of her own. Monteen loved to cook and could be found in her kitchen canning vegetables from her husband’s garden, or frying up the best fried chicken or a mess of fish they had caught in the river. Many nights she would have a pot of her vegetable soup simmering on the stovetop, to be offered to any entering her home. She also loved to sew, making many of her clothes and dolls for her family to enjoy. Monteen loved to reminisce about the old days. Telling stories of how she loved to sing and how she almost made it to Nashville to sing in the Opry before her voice became injured. She was a true Southern Belle yet could turn around and cut up with the best of them. Her love for her family will always be remembered and her presence will be missed by all that knew and loved her.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2021 at 2:00 PM in the Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery with Chaplin Tom Tyer officiating. The cemetery is located behind the Gateway – Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3596 US-441, Lake City, FL 32025
 

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