United Methodists in West Tennessee, Western Kentucky and Africa mourn loss of beloved pastor

By Cathy Farmer

Heartfelt prayers have been offered in church services and by thousands of people across the Memphis Conference and the continent of Africa for Dr. Mickey Carpenter, Superintendent of the Paris District, his wife, Marsha Dorgan, and their two daughters, Megan and Michelle.

Dr. Carpenter, 60, lost his life in an accidental drowning while fishing on Bush Lake in Carroll County, Tennessee on Friday, April 18.

Volunteers from more than six rescue squads as far away as Chattanooga, TN joined in the week-long search that resulted in the discovery of his body on Saturday, April 26. During the search, local churches and the Memphis Conference cabinet provided food and drinks for the search teams.

Marsha, though grieving and greatly missing her husband and the father of her children, has expressed great thankfulness to everyone who has been gracious and showed such love and concern for her and her family.

Bishop Dick Wills, in statements to the media, said that though the death of Dr. Carpenter is a great tragedy, some good may yet come of it through memorials in his name to the Dream Farm Project at Africa University. The Dream Farm, a project originated by Marsha Dorgan, an agriculturalist, will serve as a model of sustainable agriculture for the impoverished small holder farmers of Zimbabwe. At the Farm, they will learn methods they can easily use and replicate.

Before flying back from General Conference at Fort Worth, Texas to be with Marsha and the girls, Bishop Wills reported Dr. Carpenter’s disappearance to his colleagues on the Council of Bishops. The entire Council offered prayers for the Carpenter family. The bishops from Africa shared the sad news about the Carpenters with the United Methodists in their Episcopal areas. Many of Marsha’s friends in Zimbabwe have called her home in Paris, Tenn. to express their grief for her husband’s death and to pray with her.

Dr. Carpenter was a cherished father and husband, beloved pastor and friend, and a caring district superintendent.

Bishop Wills said, “Mickey was first and foremost a loving husband, father and grandfather. He loved the pastors with whom he worked. He was one of the most conscientious superintendents every to occupy that office.

“Mickey was fishing the day he died to catch fish for a fish fry for the cabinet in May,” Wills continued. “I’ll never forget the twinkle in his eye when he would tell us he was going to do ‘lake ministry.’”

Memorials to the Africa University Dream Farm may be sent to: James Finger, Memphis Conference Treasurer, 24 Corporate Blvd., Jackson, TN 38305-2315.