Flay Carpenter

SHELBY - Mr. Flay Gordon Carpenter, age 71 of Shelby, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2014. He was born February 17, 1943 in Shelby. Flay was the son of the late John Wayne and Flora Ivester Carpenter of Shelby.

Flay is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Faithel Pendleton Carpenter; three daughters, Stephanie Carpenter Litton and husband, Col. Leonard Litton of Fairfax, Va., Kellie Carpenter Thomas and husband, Jeff Thomas of Mount Pleasant, SC and Holly Dawn Carpenter of Mount Pleasant, SC and fiance, Joe Morgan of Edgefield, SC. Flay was lovingly known as "Pa" to his grandchildren, Matthew Litton and wife Kaitlyn Litton of Goose Creek, SC, Wesley Litton of Fairfax, VA, Jeffrey Thomas, Lizzie Thomas, Andrew Thomas, John Thomas and Charlie Thomas of Mount Pleasant, SC. Survivors also include his sister, Abagail Carpenter Hester and husband ,Tim Hester of Shelby.

Flay was a devoted son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. He was proud of his family and each of their accomplishments.
Flay operated Carpenter Tire Service and worked in the auto related industry for most of his career. Flay was respected by his customers and coworkers. He spent 15 years working for Lift-All Company Inc. before retiring in 2009. Flay was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Shelby. For over 40 years Flay served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon and held various
committee positions. He was a faithful and loyal servant to his Lord and his church. Flay was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed playing golf and loved being with his friends on and off the course. He was an active member of the Cleveland County Senior Golf Association and River Bend YMCA Golf Course. All were proud to call Flay a friend. His keen sense of humor and unfailing faith will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. We have all been blessed by his life and that he chose to share it with us.

Flay's memorial service will be held 5:00 p.m. Friday at Poplar Springs Baptist Church, Shelby, NC with the Reverend Andy Oliver officiating.

His family will receive friends immediately following the service in the family life center at the church.

The Carpenter family wishes to thank Dr. Forest Thompson, his oncology team, and Hospice of Cleveland County for their manner of professionalism, which gave Flay the best care possible. Thank you all for the love and support throughout this difficult journey.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights, Shelby, NC 28150 or the Leukemia Lymphoma Society, North Carolina Chapter, 401 Harrison Oaks Boulevard, Suite 200, Cary, NC 27513. Thank you for including information for acknowledgment.

Cleveland Funeral Services and Crematory of Shelby will be assisting the family.
To offer condolences, please visit www.clevelandfuneralservices.com