Alma Cranke Carpenter, a former Sulphur resident, now of Lakeland, Florida, passed away on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 at the age of 87 years.

The daughter of the late Raphael Lewis Cranke and Pearl I. Williams Cranke McConnel, Alma was born August 9, 1926 in Harrison, Arkansas.

She came to Cushing as a small child and was raised and educated in Cushing, graduating from Cushing High School. After attending business school, Alma worked at the telephone office in Cushing and Holdenville. She also worked as an office manager for a finance company in Holdenville, and in 1965 was instrumental in starting and managing a branch office in Sulphur.

She was united in marriage to Paul Wesley Carpenter on March 20, 1944 and to this union two children, Gary and Karen were born. Paul preceded her in death on December 13, 2013.

While living in Sulphur, the Carpenter's owned and operated Paul's Produce and Carpenter Egg Company, serving the southern part of Oklahoma, and had been recognized by both the Rotary and Kiwanis Club's of Oklahoma for their contributions to the community.

Alma was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur; she loved her church and was very active in the church. She had a special fondness for the Women's Circle and the B.P.W.

She enjoyed traveling and spending time with her family and friends, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include one son, Gary Carpenter and his wife Melinda of Sulphur; one daughter, Karen Carpenter of Lakeland, Florida; her siblings, James Cranke of Tulsa; Ena Mae {Mike} Gafford of Montgomery, Alabama; Patti Howard and her husband Don of Ponca City, Oklahoma; and Dennis McConnel of Choctaw, Oklahoma; five grandchildren and other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a brother, Ralph Cranke, Jr. and a sister, Ruth Porter.

Funeral services will be Thursday, February 13, 2014 at 10:30 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Sulphur, Oklahoma, with Reverend P. J. Stewart, pastor, officiating.

Burial will be at 3:00 p.m. on February 13, 2014 in the Flynn Cemetery in Cushing, Oklahoma.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 2022 West 14th Street, Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086 or to your favorite charity, in her memory.