Ashby Carper

Ashby "Ash" Thurman Carper Jr. passed peacefully at home surrounded by his family in Elizabethtown, North Carolina on Thursday, February 8 at the age of 82.
Ash is survived by his wife, Brenda Inman Carper of Elizabethtown; his children, Michael Todd Carper and spouse, David Carper of Durham NC, Tyler Inman Carper of Youngsville NC, and Trenton Eugene Carper of Elizabethtown NC, Ashby T Carper III, Steven Carper, and Doug Carper; his grandchildren Taylor Makenzie Carper and Griffin Allsbrook Carper, Emily Carper and Megan Byrd. He is preceded in death by his father, Ashby T. Carper, mother, Elizabeth Wilkins Carper, brother, Frank Carper, and his loyal lifelong companion, his dog, C.K.

Ash was born on October 20, 1935 in Gastonia NC. He married Brenda, the love of his life, on Valentine's Day, February 14, 1970. After moving from Raleigh, NC, where he served as President of Natural Gas, Ash relocated with Brenda to Elizabethtown NC to work with his father-in-law, Horace Inman, at Inman Shell Station. Later in life, Ash became a real estate broker for Hilton Auction and Reality and taught real estate classes for several local community colleges.

With love for his country, Ash honorably served in the United States Airforce. An accomplished public servant, Ash shared his wisdom and love for his community while serving on the town council of Elizabethtown for 12 years, December 1987 - December 1999. A dutiful member of the Elizabethtown Baptist Church, and generous with his time, he spent countless hours singing in the choir, playing his trumpet, caring for the grounds, and serving as an usher and deacon of the church. Ash was passionate about the young lives of Elizabethtown and enjoyed leading Boy Scout Troop #650 as Scout Master for many years, and was proud that his sons earned the rank of Eagle Scout under his leadership. Ash was an active Mason of the Bladen Lodge #646 until his passing. In his spare time, Ash loved spending time behind the lens of his Nikon camera and never missed a perfect photo, or dancing Shag with Brenda, and his friends Jim and Patsy McLaney and Benny and Mary Gooden.

The family will receive friends at a visitation in the fellowship hall of the Elizabethtown Baptist Church from 2:00pm-3:00pm, Sunday, February 11. The funeral will be held directly following the visitation in the sanctuary. Rev David Elks will officiate the ceremony. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Ash's life.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 206 Warrior Trail Rd., Whiteville, NC 28472. Condolences can be sent to {URL}. The family would like to thank Ash's wonderful caregiver, Arletha McKoy, for her many years of service and care, and all of the hospice nurses and staff to include Tameca, Penny, and Samantha.