Robert Collins Carpenter, 40, passed away early Friday morning, April 14, 2023. Born January 3, 1983, in the Home of American Golf, he was the son of Clegg David and Elizabeth Kelley Carpenter of Southern Pines.
Robert had an All-Star childhood, finding success in sports at an early age. A 4-Year letterman, left-handed pitcher for the Pinecrest Patriots, he went on to attend Methodist College in Fayetteville, NC where he graduated with a degree in Accounting. Robert then began his career in Accounting with Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP. The best part of his ten years with Dixon in Raleigh was meeting the love of his life, Shannon. They were wed on May 23, 2015.
Being close to more golf courses, family, and friends led him back to Southern Pines where he worked for Healthcare Management Consultants, Inc. He most recently opened his own accounting firm, Carolina Professional Consulting & Accounting LLC.
Robert’s early passion for baseball turned into a new passion for golf and his new family. He was very fond of Donald Ross designed courses and convinced family and friends to call him Donald on and off the course. He helped to promote “Turtleback Greens” into even more notoriety than before and created a logo and website to honor the signature greens designed by Mr. Ross.
He also enjoyed fishing, at times bringing an extendable rod in his golf bag to try to catch one while waiting for the next shot. He was careful to hit the ponds in play with the bait, not the ball.
The proudest moments of his life though, were the births of his son Payne and daughter Caroline. He was a great and loyal husband, a dedicated father, loving son and brother, and an entertaining Uncle Rob to relatives and Uncle Donald to children of friends. Robert knew no strangers and was able to turn any tough situation into an easy one with his energy and positive attitude.
Robert is survived by his spouse Shannon and children Payne and Caroline; parents David and Beth Carpenter of Southern Pines, NC; brother Will Carpenter (Tiffany) and nephews Hall, Kent, and Stokes of Seven Lakes, NC; mother-in-law Delores Williams (Steve) of Wilmington, NC; father-in-law Marvin Smith of Washington, NC; brother-in-law Shaun Smith (Cortney) and niece Addison of Washington, NC; sister-in-law Suzanne Vinson (Bud) and nephew Rhett and niece Sadie of Greenville, NC; Uncles and Aunts Anne Harwood (Bill) of Badin, NC; Catherine Earp (John) of Southern Pines; Ellen Russell (Shep) of Little Rock, AR; Sandy Johnson (Harry) of Charlotte, NC; Katie Kelley of Wake Forest, NC; Matt Carpenter (Ginny) of High Point, NC; Kyle Lambert (Danny) of Albemarle, NC; Cousins Anne Kelley Russell (Kurtis Price) of Charleston, SC; Beth Saviers (Marshall) of Fayetteville, AR; Shep Russell, MD (Amanda) of Hilton Head Island, SC; Harry Johnson IV (Kreth) of Raleigh, NC; Evelyn Kelley of Raleigh, NC; Courtney Niederer (Eric) of Albemarle, NC; Hollis Baker (Nick) of Denver, NC; Katie Carpenter (Matt) of Albemarle, NC; Daniel Lambert (Cassie) of Panama City, FL.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM at Knollwood Hall at Pine Needles Lodge & Golf Club in Southern Pines on Friday, April 21, 2023. Golf attire is encouraged for gentlemen.
In lieu of flowers, donations to First Tee-Sandhills, 135 W. Vermont Ave., Southern Pines, NC 28387 are encouraged.
Online condolences may be left at: www.bolesfuneralhome.com
Services are entrusted to Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines.
