Joyce Hubbard Carpenter

Joyce Hubbard Carpenter, 84, of Hendersonville died Sunday, January 20, 2013 in Hendersonville Health and Rehabilitation following an 18 month battle with bulbar ALS. She was a native of Swampscott, MA, and the daughter of the late Walter F. and Rita Coates Hubbard. She was also preceded in death by her husband Donald T. Carpenter and sons, Hadley E. Whittemore and Frederick B. Carpenter.

Joyce was a graduate of Amherst High School, Amherst, MA, the Leland Powers School of Radio & Television in Boston, MA, and she continued her education at Boston University and was the only full-time female student at Schillinger House (Berklee School of Music). She began in radio with her own show on WHEB in Portsmouth, NH where she entertained audiences with her wonderful singing and piano skills. She began her show business career in Boston as a headliner in nightclubs and hotels, working with such greats as Barbara Cook and Frank Fontaine.

In addition to her skills as a performer, Joyce was a composer, writer and producer with many shows to her credit. After coming to Hendersonville in 1965, she continued to entertain local and regional audiences with her gift of music. She taught piano and voice and was a mentor and coach to area students and local bands. She was a member of the founding board of the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra and was a local radio show host on WHVL. She was probably most widely known as the writer, director and producer of 6 Hendersonville Follies sponsored by the Kiwanis, Jaycees and Lionís Clubs from the mid-1960s to 1979 which raised thousands of dollars for their charities and introduced Hendersonville to many up and coming talents and organizations.

Joyce was a member of St. James Episcopal Church where she most recently served as President of the Mary & Martha Chapter of the Daughters of the King. She was an active member of the Abraham Kuykendall Chapter of the DAR. She had a tremendous love for life, people, family, food, camping, travel and especially her Lord Jesus Christ.

Surviving are her sons, Ronald B. Whittemore and wife, Kathie of Fletcher; Donald T. Carpenter, Jr. and wife, Barbara of Dalton, GA and daughter Claire W. Dickey of Port Aransas, TX; grandchildren, R. Scott Whittemore and wife Sarah of Orlando, FL; Courtney W. Gunter and husband Josiah of Atlanta, GA; Hadley E. Whittemore, Jr. and wife Megan of Seattle, WA; Christina W. Wilson and husband Michael of Dayton, OH and Rachel and Jake Carpenter of Dalton, GA, Benjamin and Matthew Dickey of Port Aransas, TX; and five great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Saturday at St. John in the Wilderness in Flat Rock, with special music beginning at 1:30 p.m. The family will receive friends at a reception held in the fellowship hall following the service. A private graveside service will be held for the family.

Memorials can be made to Samaritanís Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or the Daughters of the King – Mary & Martha Chapter at St. James Episcopal Church, 766 North Main Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792.