Carol Dunville Carpenter, 77, Deep Love of and Service to Family, Friends and Her Community – WYDaily
NEWPORT NEWS — Carol Dunville Carpenter, 77, of Newport News, VA passed away on September 2, 2021. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert M. and Glenyce K. Dunville, and step-mother, Dorothy N. Dunville.
Carol lived a life full of cherished traditions with a deep love of and service to family, friends and her community. Born in Richmond, VA, she graduated from John Marshall High School in 1962 and continued her education at Furman University and Westhampton College, graduating in 1966. While at Westhampton, Carol met her future husband, Bill Carpenter, captain of the University of Richmond tennis team, so beginning a lifelong love of tennis and later golf.
After marrying in 1967 in Richmond, Carol and Bill soon moved to Newport News where she taught English and speech at Denbigh High School. Carol’s love of travel with friends and family led her to a career at Gulliver’s Travels where she worked for over 20 years before retiring as an owner and manager in 2002. Carol served as Vice President and a Director of the Junior League of Hampton Roads, President of the “YPTA” Your Peninsula Travel Agent organization and Vice President of the James River Country Club Women’s Golf Association. Never one to compromise family for her busy career, she especially enjoyed that her kitchen was simultaneously a favorite gathering place for her kids as well as their friends, much as it was in her own mother’s kitchen. In retirement, Carol volunteered at the Christopher Newport University LifeLong Learning Society where her unmatched organizational talent and love of helping others were highly valued. After living in Newport News for nearly 40 years, Carol and Bill built their dream retirement home and moved to Dataw Island in the low country of South Carolina.
Carol was always a reliable and loyal friend for those in need. In her welcoming and compassionate way, she managed to support and care for all those around her. Bringing together those closest to her was a constant in her life, whether for a vacation sailing in the Caribbean, dinner parties and social gatherings, or the many wonderful golf trips with her girlfriends whom she deeply cherished and whose companionship brought her great joy. And who could forget her world-famous Clam Dip that graced all those who attended the many wonderful dinner parties and annual holiday gatherings with close friends and family in Newport News and Richmond.
Carol is survived by her loving husband of 53 years, William R. Carpenter III; her son, William R. IV, his wife, Carolyn C. and granddaughters, Erin E. “Ellie” and Natalie R. Carpenter of Virginia Beach, VA; her son, Bradford S., his wife, Cynthia R. and granddaughter, Lilian R. Carpenter of Washington, DC.; her three brothers, whom she loved dearly, Robert M. Dunville Jr. of Hatteras, NC, David A. and John E. Dunville of Richmond, VA; sister-in-law, Gay C. Huffman (Charles A.) of Newport News, brother-in-law, Donald W. Carpenter of Greensboro, NC; her youngest brother- and sister-in-law, David C. Carpenter of Falls Church, VA and Kelly K. Carpenter of Norfolk, VA, whom Carol, as a young mother, welcomed into her home and who continue to hold special connections across the generations; and her twelve nieces and nephews.
The family appreciates all the support and prayers given to us from our friends and loved ones and would like to express its profound gratitude to Carol’s caregivers at The Hidenwood and Bay Lake Assisted Living Communities and especially Lillian Joe.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that contributions honoring Carol’s life be made to the Christopher Newport University LifeLong Learning Society (CNU.edu/LifeLongLearning) or the Lewy Body Dementia Association (LBDA.org).
A Celebration of Carol’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 25, 2021 at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church by Rev. Katherine T. Gray. Being mindful of COVID and respectful of precautions, close friends and family are welcome.
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