Merle Carpenter

Maxine Ruth Merle Minshew Carpenter, 92 of Dripping Springs, Texas passed away Saturday, December 5, 2015 at the Hill Country Care Nursing Home. She was born February 17, 1923 in Bishop, Texas to Robert Maxwell and Gertrude Lee Minshew. She was the tenth of twelve children. She served in the United States Navy during WWII and was a Dietician in the medical industry. Merle was a member of the Sweeny Pink Ladies, AARP, O.A.'s, Brazos Cares, Actions, and the Grace Bible Baptist Church of West Columbia before moving to Dripping Springs, Texas to be cared for by her daughters.

Funeral services will be held 2:00pm, Thursday, December 10, 2015 at Baker Funeral Home in West Columbia with Steve Meadows officiating. Burial will follow with military honors at Columbia Cemetery. Visitation will be Thursday, December 10, 2015 beginning at 12:00pm until service time at Baker Funeral Home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jeremy Callaway, Gabe Callaway, Zane Watson, Daniel Pogue, Paul Thomas, and Adam Carpenter.

Merle is survived by her children, Lark Leann Pogue of Montgomery; Drew Linsey Carpenter of Spring Branch; Lesley Merle Gresham of Dripping Springs; Cheryl Louise McNatt of Corpus Christie; grandchildren, Jeremy, Gabe, David, Zane, Adam, Delaney, Darla and Selena along with 10 great-grandchildren and 2 on the way.

She is preceded in death by her parents, beloved children, Darla Dawn Carpenter, Dale Allen Carpenter and Lewis Shawn Carpenter, grandson, David Leon Callaway, Jr.,seven brothers, Joe, Homer, Stoney (Glen), Ross, Howard, Skeet (Robert) and Tot Minshew; four sisters, Edna Hamm, Robbye Grimes, Ferne Finley and Jane Mayer.

A special thanks and love go to Bobbie Virgel, who always cared for our mother and looked out for her interests.

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