Mary Katherine Carpenter

Mary Katherine Cartwright Jones Carpenter - June 12, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Mary Katherine Cartwright Jones Carpenter, who left us on June 12, 2025, in Bloomington, Indiana. Born in Franklin, Kentucky, Mary Katherine spent most of her adult life in Portland, Tennessee, and Franklin, Kentucky, where she built a life rooted in family, faith, and love. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend whose kindness and warmth touched all who knew her.

Mary Katherine was a member of Cedar Grove Baptist Church, where she found strength and community in her faith. Music was her constant companion, filling her home with melodies that reflected her joy and spirit. She had a deep passion for the outdoors and spent countless hours gardening, boating, fishing, hunting, and camping, cherishing the beauty and adventure nature offered. A talented gardener, she had a special gift for raising flowers, leaving behind a legacy of beauty wherever she went.

Mary Katherine lived a life full of love, kindness, and unwavering devotion to her family. She was fiercely independent, with a strong mind and an unshakable will. She pursued life’s adventures with passion, never afraid to carve her own path or stand firmly in her beliefs. She will be dearly missed but never forgotten, as her spirit will continue to shine through the lives of those who loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ruben and Estelle (Coleman) Cartwright, her devoted husband, Mike Carpenter, and her cherished niece, Sherrie Buckley. Though they have gone before her, their memories remain forever in the hearts of those she loved.

Mary Katherine is survived by her two sons, Robert (Stephen) and Larry (Bonnie), both of whom she adored and cherished. She was a proud grandmother to Brandon Jones, Zachary Jones (Alexandra), Austin Jones (Sabrina), and Lauren Jones (Scarlett), each carrying forward her legacy of love and strength.

Her sister, Linda Wilkerson (Ray), stood by her through life’s journey, sharing unbreakable familial bonds. She also leaves behind nieces Donna Rohrman (Philip) and Teresa Wilkerson (Joe), as well as nephew William Hale, who all held a special place in her heart, along with many other relatives and friends.

A celebration of her life will be held on Tuesday, June 17th at 1:00 PM CST at Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory in Franklin, Kentucky. She will be laid to rest at Restlawn Memory Gardens, also in Franklin, Kentucky. A visitation will be held before the celebration on Tuesday, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM CST.

**In honor of Mary Katherine, the family kindly requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to an animal charity of your choice in her name. Your generosity in supporting a cause close to her heart is deeply appreciated**

Arrangements have been entrusted to Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory. The website is www.gilbertfhonline.com. The Facebook page is Gilbert Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. The obituary phone line is 270-586-8844.