After graduating from Mercer University in 1950 he served as pastor at Ellaville Baptist Church, First Baptist Church, Hogansville, GA, First Baptist Church, Sylvania, GA, and Oakland Baptist Church, Oakland, KY. After graduating from seminary, he and Betty were appointed to serve as missionaries in Liberia, West Africa for seventy-six cumulative years serving together. Beginning their journey in Sinoe County, Liberia, he began as church planter and director of pastor training. While they were on medical leave from Africa, he served as pastor of LaBelle Heights Baptist Church in Marietta, GA. After five years away, they were re-appointed to Liberia where he developed the Theological Education Extension program in conjunction with the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary in Monrovia, Liberia. He served as church planter for the greater Monrovia area, President of the Liberia Baptist Theological Seminary and established twenty-five new churches. Since retirement from the Southern Baptist International Mission Board, he served as interim pastor/pastor at Sardis Rayle, GA, First Baptist Washington, GA, and Hoschton First Baptist Church and continued to be involved with his home church First Baptist Church in Gainesville, GA. He was predeceased by his parents, Oscar Carpenter and Lina Burgess Carpenter; and four siblings. He leaves behind his wife of 72 years, Betty Sue (Hawkins) Carpenter; five children, Mark and his wife, Marti Carpenter, Nancy and her husband, Tommy Hulsey, Kim and her husband, Steve Abrams, Barbara and her husband, Jeff Clement, and Chris and his wife, Janice Carpenter; sixteen grandchildren and their nine spouses, twenty-two great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson; and sister in-law Joanne Hawkins of Gainesville.