Early Sunday morning December 19th, 2022, surrounded by family Nancy Eugenia Lutz Carpenter of Shelby NC, known as Gennie to most, died peacefully at the age of 78. Gennie was born on March 2nd , 1944, to John Franklin Lutz and Nancy Gray Coble Lutz in Shelby. Gennie's life may have been cut short earlier than expected but what a wonderfully full life she lived.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all those whose lives she touched. She was a proud military spouse and mother and often enjoyed telling stories about raising a family all around the world and the US. Although not able to attend much in recent years Gennie and her late husband David were longtime members of Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Shelby. They were also active members of the Newheart organization after David received a heart transplant in 1994, serving many roles. Anyone wishing to honor Gennie's life could do so by making careful consideration of their own donation of organs and eyes and discussing those wishes with their family. Above all things, in her life, Gennie's pride and joy was her family. She was always there to support them and care for them, often without question. Taking care of her family and animals was her life's passion and she did it well. It didn't take much to make her happy, having her family around or sitting on a beach with a book were her favorite past times.

Gennie is survived by her brother, John Lutz and wife Kathy, a daughter, Jennifer Drum and husband, David, a son, John Carpenter III and wife, Candice, her wonderful grandchildren, Nick Carpenter, Nanci Ledbetter and husband, Jason, Sarah Carpenter, Jacob Smith, Morgan Morrow, and Mekenzie Drum, and great-grandson, Owen Ledbetter, as well as her many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, and her dog Allen, all of whom she loved dearly.

Gennie is preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, John Carpenter II, her parents, two sisters, Ann Gray Lutz Harry, and Susan Lutz Allred, and her many pets. A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & Crematory at 5 pm on Monday, December 26th, and will have an informal gathering of friends and family before the service from 4 pm-5 pm. Gennie's ashes will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery with her husband.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Hope Animal Hospital at 1042 Sam Lattimore Road, Shelby, NC 28152

Online condolences may be offered to cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home & crematory is serving the family.