Burlin J. Carpenter, age 86, son of Clay and Mary Farley Carpenter, passed away Monday, June 21, 2021 at his residence.
He was born Nov. 8, 1934 in Robbinsville, N.C., where he grew up.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Ivan Heyser and Fletcher Carpenter; his beloved wife, Cleo Cochran Carpenter; his three sons, Randy, Michael and Terry Carpenter; and one daughter, Donna Carpenter.
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Brenda and James Cornwell; his grandchildren, Andy and Ashley Williams, Bobby and Lucretia Williams, Cory and Tiffany Williams, John and Abigail Williams, Janis and Nick Gunter, and Christopher Carpenter; his great-grandchildren, Cameron and Dalton Sellers, Seth, Emma, AC, Dixianna, Noah Ware, Kadence, Willow, Camilla, Tyler, Cole, and Mahayla Williams, Ella Dockery, Nathan Cook, Jacob Morrison, Alexis Carpenter, and Zoey Gunter; special nieces and nephews, Lori and Russell Jenkins, and Kim Carpenter; special great-nieces and nephews, Erin and Will Jenkins, and Alec and Maddie Lay; nieces, Yvonne McKeldrey, Francine Jenkins, Violet Hicks, Dianna McCray, Ramona Solsebee, Pam Ivens, and Lisa Russell; and special friends, Jan and Austin Pyles.
He is formerly of Graham County, but has resided in Swain County for 40-plus years. Burlin did a numerous number of jobs. He ran a sawmill, logged, surveyed, construction, was a deputy in Graham and Swain counties, a first responder, volunteer fire fighter, chief, safety officer, prison guard, owner of a greenhouse/nursery and teacher.
But most of all, he was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend. Burlin will be and is greatly missed by all who love him.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 25, 2021 at the Crisp Funeral Home Chapel in Bryson City, N.C. The Rev. Andy Williams officiated, with burial at Swain Memorial Park.
The family received friends from 1-2 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.