James "Jim" Clare Carpenter

James “Jim” Clare Carpenter 

September 9, 1933 – August 11, 2025

James Clare Carpenter, 91, of Savannah, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at home on August 11, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Eula and Clare Carpenter, Jim grew up with a love for automobiles, working in his shop and helping others. He married Betty Hooker in 1952, who he met in elementary school in 1941. Together they built a life filled with faith, kindness, and devotion to their children, church and community.

Jim worked for Memphis, Light, Gas & Water for 15 years in the electrical engineering department. He was also an entrepreneur and owned two service stations in Memphis. In 1968, he moved his family to the Nixon Community in Hardin County to continue his entrepreneurial interests with the purchase of Country Village Motel and restaurant. He and his wife, Betty, operated Country Village for 25 years. During this time, Jim also worked in the electrical department of Tennessee River Pulp & Paper Company in Counce, Tennessee for 15 years where he retired. After retirement, he enjoyed part time work at Auto Tech.

Jim was a founding member of the Savannah Camp of the Gideons International (1978) where he held numerous offices. During his life, he served as a deacon for 60 years in several Baptist churches in Shelby and Hardin Counties in Tennessee.

He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Betty; his children, Mike Carpenter (Jill) of Birmingham, AL and Brenda Collins (Allen) of Nashville, TN; his four grandchildren Reed Collins (Haley) of Nashville, TN, Kathleen Guntor (Brandon) of Atlanta, GA, Ross Collins (Marla) of Pewaukee, WI, Michael Carpenter (Kaylon) of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; and twelve great grandchildren and his brother, Jack Carpenter (Vera) of Arlington, TN. He was preceded in death by his parents and his half-brothers, Harold Rutledge and Billy Carpenter.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at Riverview Baptist Church of Savannah on a future date.

The family requests donations be made to the Gideons International and/or Riverview Baptist Church.