James D. "Jim"  Carpenter, age 86, of the Mount Vernon Community, died Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills.

A native of Rutherford County, Jim was the son of the late John and Mildred Carpenter.  He was a lifelong member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church. He owned and operated Carpenter Motor Company where he did auto body work. Jim taught auto body classes at Isothermal Community College for a number of years. He was a member of the Hudlow Volunteer Fire Department and was the fire chief for 13 years. Jim enjoyed and loved cattle farming.

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Joyce Carpenter, two sons, Jerry Carpenter (Tracey) of Huntersville, NC, and Tom Carpenter (Tammy) of Forest City, NC, three grandchildren, Hayley Hedrick (Matt), Sully Carpenter, and Sydney Carpenter Grove (Mason).

The family will receive friends from 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM, Thursday, May 16, 2024, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The funeral service will be at Mount Vernon Baptist Church at 2:00 PM, Thursday, May 16, 2024, with Reverend Dr. David Jendrey, Reverend Dr. Scott Courtney, and Reverend, and close friend, Donald Morrison officiating. Interment will be at Mount Vernon Baptist Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mount Vernon Church Scholarship Fund; 2676 Hudlow Road, Forest City, NC 28043, or Hospice of the Carolina Foothills; PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.  McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.