Ernie Carpenter, also known as “Paw Ernie,” was born April 25, 1944 in a small house in Big Springs Mountain, Ashe County, NC. He was one of 9 children born to the late Ottie and Norman Carpenter, and while only finishing 8th grade, he went on to be an accomplished businessman, establishing Ernie Carpenter Construction. Though successful in business, having overcome many obstacles along the way, his greatest successes were in how he touched the lives of so many people around him.

Ernie was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He loved God above everything else and shared that love through his generosity and service to others. He found immense joy in spending time with children from Camp New Hope, Ebenezer Children’s Home, members of Adult Developmental Programs, along with many other individuals and groups. He felt that they were such a blessing to his life, even more than he was to theirs.

Ernie was a well-known pillar in the community who never met a stranger, and even if it was someone’s first time meeting him, it was like reconnecting with an old friend. Among his many endearing qualities, including his ability to work through and solve problems, a sense of humor that often led to him pranking his brothers, being one of the best equipment operators that ever lived, having a special connection with horses (even driving a surrey through Central Park, NY), was the belief that you should use whatever means you have to help those in need. Whether it was serving on the “Chain Gang” throughout his son’s and grandsons’ football games, hosting corn shucking’s at his barn with Granny Barb, or driving his world famous “Carolina Creeper” train with his Engineer, Jed, up and down the highway with a caboose full of smiling faces, he enjoyed helping people and brought out the best in others by creating a sense of neighborly love.

Ernie touched the lives of his family, friends, and his community in many positive ways and leaves behind many wonderful memories and a legacy of service to God and to others. He believed in doing right by others and living life the best he could.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at 10:00am at Boone Family Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Jim Greer, Rev, Julian Owen and Rev. Lloyd Day officiating. Burial will follow in the Fairview-Carpenter Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00pm on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Boone Family Funeral Home chapel.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Norman Lida Carpenter and Ottie Lou Patrick Carpenter; and sisters, Betty Sue Carpenter, Wanda Mae Carpenter, and Shelby Hartzog.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara Sullivan Carpenter; son, Randy Carpenter and wife, Kelly, of West Jefferson; and daughter, Melissa Goss Murray and husband, Dave, of Lansing; a sister, Wilma May of Jefferson; four brothers; Denver Carpenter (Ann) of Lansing; Charlie Carpenter (Karen) of Warrensville; Dolan Carpenter of Elk Park; and Jerry Carpenter (Martha) of Lansing.

Paw Ernie is also survived by a total of 9 grandchildren and great grandchildren, though he didn’t distinguish between the two as he considered them all to be his grandchildren, and all of them great! Surviving grandchildren include Sid Carpenter (Kaitlin) of West Jefferson; Luke Goss (Caroline) of Warrensville; Jesse Carpenter of West Jefferson; Kole Goss (Mckenzie) of Jefferson; and Jed Goss of Lansing; Four great-grandchildren; Hayes, Landrey, and Smith Carpenter; and Hudson Goss; and several nieces and nephews also survive.

While Paw Ernie will be deeply missed and loved by all, we know we’ll see him when the roses bloom again.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Camp New Hope, PO Box 154, Glendale Springs, NC 28629, St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Medi Home Hospice, PO Box 421, Jefferson, NC 28640.