Sr. Phyllis Jean Carpenter S.A.C.

Sr. Phyllis Carpenter, S.A.C., was born on September 23, 1932 to the late William and Vivian F. (Tichenor) Carpenter in Monongha, W.Va. She was the fourth of five children, all who have preceded Sister in death: Marian Louise Swanger, Roger William Carpenter, Russell Lee Carpenter and Dana Sue Larson. She is survived by her nephews, who she deeply cherishes.Sr. Phyllis was devoted to her West Virginia roots and prided herself on being a coal miner’s daughter. The mountains and Sr. Phyllis were inseparable.She entered the Pallottine Missionary Sisters in 1955 attracted by their work and service ethic, their missionary calling, and their joyful spirits. From there she continued her education at Marshall University receiving her M.A. in Special Education and Learning Disabilities. Sister was an excellent teacher and taught at Sacred Heart School and Our Lady of Fatima School in Huntington, W.Va.; Spring Lake, Mich.; Laurel, Md.; and in the public school system in Buckhannon, W.Va. from 1961 until she retired in 1991. In the summers, she did extensive research and worked in the archives of the Pallottine Missionary Sisters. “Archival work paved the way for the second great love of my life: family and local history. ‘To forget one’s ancestors is like a root without a source; a tree without roots’”– Old Chinese Proverb. After her retirement she continued to tutor, volunteering at Morgantown Public Library and WVU Library as a genealogist and local historian; she volunteered with CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate. In her free time, Sister wrote poetry and illustrated with photos.A Holy Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 14, 2026,at St. Mary’s Medical Center Chapel. Interment will follow at Spring Hill Cemetery in Huntington, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pallottine Missionary Sisters Retirement Fund. Reger Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.