Doris Elaine (Carpenter) Thornton

Born January 3, 1926 in Jackson, Michigan daughter of the late Harold C. and Gladys A. (Losey) Ripley passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2011 at age 85.  Doris was a graduate of Lansing Everett High School and Lansing Business University.  She worked for Governor G. Mennen Williams, had owned and operated with her husband E.L. Carpenter Hardware in Hastings until his passing.  Doris later moved back to Lansing and worked in the Ingham County Clerks Office until her retirement.  Doris was a longtime member of First United Methodist Church in Lansing.  The family would like to thank the staffs at Delta Retirement Center and Rosewood, A.F.C. for their wonderful care.

Survivors include: daughters; Christine (Kevin) West of Lansing, Lorene (Rick) Merrill of Grand Ledge, and Kathleen Olma of Las Vegas, NV: grandchildren; Kyle (Teresa) West, Marisa (Christopher) Williams, Allison (Zach) Blaksmith, Caitlyn Carpenter, Stephanie Carpenter, Melanie Olma, Daniel Olma, Michael (Jessica) Olma and Nicole Olma: 9 great grandchildren and Doris was eagerly awaiting the arrival of a 10th as well as many nieces, nephews and other extended family members.  Doris was preceded in death by her first husband, Ernest Carpenter, II; her second husband, Hazen Thornton; daughter, Joene Marie Carpenter in 1956; son, Ernest Carpenter, III in 1991; sister, Phyllis Reeser and brother, Charles Ripley.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at First United Methodist Church, 3827 Delta River Drive, Lansing with Rev. Melanie Baker officiating.  Burial will take place at Gunnisonville Cemetery on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m.  The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel on Saturday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions, in memory of Doris, to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047

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3 Messages to “Doris Elaine (Carpenter) Thornton

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Susan Thornton
November 25, 2011 at 7:52 pm

My husband’s mother, Lillie Thornton, loved Doris. She had so much fun with her before her stroke in 1999. Aunt Doris was such a lady. I will always remember her trip to our house in September 2011 to see Mom who was here for Oliver’s wedding. She never left Florida after that. I will always have fond memories of Aunt Doris.

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Marisa Williams
November 26, 2011 at 8:28 am

What I will remember most about my Grandma is how gentle and kind she was. She always believed the best in us and was never one to judge. She would go out of her way to do helpful things for others and never forgot a “thank you” card when someone did a kindness for her.
When I had my first baby, she was retired and would have us over for lunch on fridays. She would make a special lunch with her good plates and napkins and hold the baby and talk to me while I ate.
We really enjoyed that time together. That was the time we got to know eachother best.
And until recently, she would tell the best stories from her childhood that were almost always funny and always entertaining!
We miss you Grandma..but know you are beyond happy now.

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Dorina Thornton
November 27, 2011 at 11:03 am

My condolences. It is always hard to lose someone you love but especially hard during the holidays. May God be with you all.

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