Anita Darlene (Dunbar) Carpenter

The Honorable Anita Darlene Carpenter of Russell County passed from this life Sunday, February 12, 2023, at her home, having attained the age of 86 years, 5 months, and 4 days.

Anita was born September 8, 1936, in Russell County, daughter of the late Harley Ray and Thelma Loy Dunbar.  She professed her faith in Christ Jesus in 1948, and was a long-time member of Welfare Baptist Church.  Ms. Carpenter was proud to be a member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels since 1979.  She was an excellent ambassador for the State of Kentucky while working as a hostess for many years at Lake Cumberland State Park. 

Ms. Carpenter was an avid reader, which was evidenced in her wealth of knowledge on many topics. She loved her church and could always be found in conversation with family and friends. She was also a big UK fan and an even bigger Russell County Laker fan. She was proud to have been in the first graduating class of Russell County High School that chose the school colors, Laker name and school motto.  She loved her friends and family deeply and always took time to send cards for birthdays and special occasions.  No doubt many reading this have received one of her cards, sent with love. 

Ms. Carpenter is survived by her son, Michael (and Dana) Carpenter, of Russell Springs; her daughters, Cynthia (and Willie) Hurd, of Columbia, Tennessee, and Valerie (and Charles) Land, of Georgetown; her brother, Randolph (and Bernia Jean) Dunbar, of Louisville; her sisters, Judith (and Ronnie) Zimmerman, of Glasgow, and Lenora Jane (and Charles) Grider, of Warren, Ohio; her sister-in-law, Adelene Dunbar, of Cincinnati, Ohio; her grandchildren, Kris Burton, Kiela Perry, Liesha Burton, Jodie Hurd, Alisa Hurd, Jordan Land, Nathan Land, Chase Carpenter, Camden Carpenter and Carigann Carpenter; and her many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Eugene Dunbar; and her sister and brother-in-law, Zada and David Riddle.

Funeral services are 2:00 p.m., CST Thursday, February 16, 2023, at Bernard Funeral Home, with Bro. Roger Garner officiating.  Interment will follow in Ridge Crest Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Kristopher Burton, Jordan Land, Nathan Land, Joshua Ragsdale, Blake Lovell, Jacob Burton, Chase Carpenter, Camden Carpenter and Alexzander Sterling.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, February 15, 2023, at Bernard Funeral Home, from 5:00 p.m. CST until 8:00 p.m. CST; and after 8:00 a.m. CST, Thursday, until time for services.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ridge Crest Cemetery or to the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels, 943 South First Street, Louisville, KY 40203 or at www.kycolonels.org.

Arrangements for the Honorable Anita Darlene Carpenter are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home.  An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com.

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