Shirley Jean Carpenter, age 77, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, May 29, 2018, at SSM Health Good Samaritan in Mt. Vernon.

Shirley was born December 25, 1940, in Xenia, the daughter of Clinton Hamilton Stipp and Erma Opal (Cobb) Stipp. She married Gene Carpenter on June 5, 1959, who survives, along with their three children: Sonny Dale Carpenter, Donna Jo Carpenter, and Debra Jean (Carpenter) Phillips (husband Mark) all of Clay City. She is also survived by four grandchildren: Crystal (Ryan) Hosselton, Michael (Naomi) Phillips, Misty (Jarrod) Parish, and Carl Carpenter; ten great-grandchildren: Destiny (Tyler), Eva, Tyler, Mason, Maveric, Andrew, Britton, Madison, Bradlee and Alex; two great-great-grandchildren: Cooper Jay and Levi; two sisters: Arlene Hurford of Mansfield, OH, and Dortha (Dale) Yates of Flora; and special people she treated like her own children: Tom and Gina Brooks and their family. She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers; two sisters; nieces and nephews; and beloved grandson: Jesse Dale Carpenter.

Shirley was a caring, kind, Christian woman who was always looking for an opportunity to help others. She was a member of Flora Assembly of God Church where she served as church secretary for many years. Her church family was very dear to her heart. Shirley enjoyed singing and playing music, attending family get-togethers, gardening and tending to her rock garden, and looked forward to visiting The Country Closet. All of her grandchildren were special to her from oldest to youngest.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Sunday, June 3, 2018, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home, Flora, with burial following in Oskaloosa Cemetery. A visitation will be Saturday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Flora Assembly of God and will be accepted at the funeral home.