Former Coshoctonian passes away
COSHOCTON – Coshocton County lost one of its loving community members and former Coshoctonians on Wednesday, Oct. 7 with the passing of Frances Carpenter.
“She taught us how to be servants and how to do it with a humble and giving heart,” said Kayleen Blackstone, one of her seven grandchildren.
Frances, along with her husband Grover who preceded her in death in 1996, received the Coshoctonian award in 1996. They were the first couple to ever receive the award. They were also the recipients of the 1994 Coshocton Sertuma Club Service to Mankind Award.
These awards were definitely well-deserved as Frances was very involved in the community. She was truly a woman of God and believed whole-heartedly in helping her neighbors. She was Social Service Director of the Salvation Army for more than 40 years and held the title of Young People’s Sergeant Major for several of those years. She also led Sunday School, and helped hundreds of local residents both financially and emotionally in their times of distress. Frances was so important to the Coshocton community that Blackstone has been receiving phone calls each day since Frances’ death telling her how much her grandmother changed their lives.
“I had this one woman call me and she told me, you’re not going to understand this, but your grandmother was my friend,” said Blackstone. “She said she used to talk to her every day.”
Whenever Frances helped someone down on their luck in the community, she did so with a servant’s heart and was more than happy to help. She was very non-judgmental toward those who would seek her out for help.
In addition to having a passion for helping others, Frances also had a passion for music.
“Whenever she needed some solace, she would look for the piano,” said Blackstone. “She could even play the spoons and mouth harp. She could do it all by ear.”
Frances fell ill on what would have been her 75th wedding anniversary, Oct. 2 and passed away only five days later at the age of 92.
“We want to thank the community for their love and support of Frances Carpenter,” said Blackstone. “We were very blessed to have that role model in our lives. She helped shape who we are and who we still strive to become.”
To read Frances’ obituary, please visit us online at www.coshoctonbeacontoday.com.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places
