Margaret L. Carpenter

Margaret L. Carpenter, 78, of Arma, Kan., died at 2:58 p.m., Wednesday, May 16, 2007, at Mt. Carmel Regional Medical Center, Pittsburg, Kan. She was born March 23, 1929, Deerfield, Mo., the daughter of Arthur and Almeda Burris Bowles.

Mrs. Carpenter was a homemaker who lived in the Arcadia-Arma area most of her life. She was reared in Deerfield, Mo., and attended Deerfield schools. She married Donald Carpenter on Jan. 29, 1947, in Fort Scott, Kan. Mr. Carpenter survives of the home. Margaret was a member of the First Baptist Church, Arcadia.

Survivors include three sons, Michael Carpenter and his wife, Linda of Garland, Kan., Stephen Carpenter of the home who provided her care, and James Carpenter and his wife, Roxann of Arma; one daughter, Debra Carpenter of Arma; one brother, Lawrence Bowles of Fort Scott; five grandchildren, Brian Carpenter, Brad Carpenter, Jerime Carpenter, Courtney Carpenter and Jennifer Carpenter; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Wilma Rogers, Helen Carneal and Arta Mae Cox; and one brother, Harry Bowles.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m., Saturday, May 19, at the Shiloh Cemetery near Oskaloosa, Mo., with Dr. Dale Cummins of Cherry Grove Baptist Church officiating. Friends may call from 11 a.m., to 5 p.m., Friday at the Bedene Funeral Home, Arma. The family will meet at the Arcadia Christian Church Bungalow following the service.

Memorials are suggested to the Franklin Community Center in care of the funeral home.