Jacob Luther Carpenter, 18, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on November 25, 2022.

The funeral service will be held on Saturday at 2 PM in the Winterville Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. David Langley officiating.

Jacob was a very special and unique child. He was born in Pitt County; entering this world at 24 weeks. He was a tough fighter with an extraordinary will to live.

For the past 14 years he and his family lived in Salem, VA where he attended Rivermont High School Autism Program. He loved pigs, going to school, and riding the bus. He loved music (his favorite was “Wheels on the Bus”), and enjoyed his TV, DVD’s and I- Pad. He could program the remote and TV when his parents couldn’t. Jacob enjoyed his favorite show “The Backyardigans” and watching YouTube on his I-Pad - sometimes in other languages, which fascinated him. He loved taking rides in “his” van. Always sweet, loving and funny, he got a real kick out of picking on his baby sister when he could.

Jacob was preceded in death by his Grandfathers James Lee “Bud” Carpenter, and B. L. Harris. Jacob is survived by his parents Eric and Bonnie Carpenter; his sister Sarah Carpenter; all of Salem, VA; Grandmother Peggie Willis and husband Bernard of Greenville NC; and Grandmother Martha Carpenter of Christiansburg, VA; as well as several uncles, aunts, and cousins.

The family will receive friends on Friday evening at the Wilkerson Funeral Home from 6-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in his memory to the Autism Society of North Carolina, 2045 Eastgate Drive, Suite C, Greenville, NC 27858; or the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern North Carolina, 529 Moye Blvd., Greenville, NC 27834.