Mary Louise Carpenter

Mary Louise Shaw Carpenter lived her life defined by love and service to others. She considered her greatest blessing to being born into a strong and loving family. It was in this family that she was taught the lessons that would help her become the person she became. She sincerely believed that to those whom much has been given, much will be required. She was preceded in death by her father, Roy Fleming Shaw, her mother, Bobbie Babington Shaw and her son-in-law David Sellers. She is survived by her dear sister, Bobbie Shaw Crawford of Greensboro, NC. She was also truly blessed with two loving children and their families; her daughter Michaelle Sellers Moore and her husband Kelly Moore; her son Roland Scott Carpenter and his wife Susan. She is also survived by longtime family friend, Dr. Helen Hartshorn. Some of the greatest joys in her life were her grandchildren, Kristin Sellers Beggs, her husband Aaron and their children, Brody and Addy, Justin Paul Sellers and Currie Scott Carpenter. God's providential hand led her to Asheville in 1968, where she was privileged to serve students as a Counselor and Academic Advisor at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. She considered it an honor to have served with such a host of talented, dedicated and caring faculty and staff for thirty years. Mary Louise lived her life with love, compassion, humor and determination to serve her Lord, her family, her friends and her community. As an example, she volunteered with Meals On Wheels, ABCCM and had served as a board member and past-president of Caring For Children. In 1987, she was named The Woman of Distinction by the Women's Service Clubs of Asheville. She loved her wonderful, loving and caring church families at both Oak Forest Presbyterian Church and New Horizon Presbyterian Church, where she served as a deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher, choir member and circle chairman. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 11, 2015 in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with the Reverends Bill Solomon and Jane G. Smith officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either Caring For Children, PO Box 19113, Asheville NC 28815 or to ABCCM, 30 Cumberland Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.