Janet May Morey Carpenter's Obituary
Janet May Morey Carpenter, 77, passed away on February 4, 2023 at her home in Decatur, IL with family by her side. Janet was born to Harold Morey and May Eagleton Morey on February 7, 1945, in Decatur, IL. Janet is survived by brothers Ron and Robert Morey, son David T. Carpenter, grandchildren Ayden & Kira Lani Carpenter, daughter Karma L. Carpenter and Therapy Dog Jackie May Muffet.
Jan retired from US Postal Service, having served Decatur, Boody, Blue Mound and Springfield. As a young woman Jan was a cheerleader and Accounting major who left Millikin University to start a family. Later completing a degree in Early Childhood Education, Jan continued family tradition of home-based business, operating one of Macon County’s first DCFS licensed preschools which she expanded into Blue Mound Methodist Church. To provide childcare training, she partnered with Blue Mound HS, DCFs and Richland Community College. Jan was proud of having been part of the planning of St. Mary’s Intergenerational Day Care.
Jan loved dogs, dancing, writing, travel, hiking, and being with her family. She wrote an editorial column for The Blue Mound Leader newspaper thru the 1970-90s. Jan worked for human rights as a union and EEOC rep. Jan supported WILL-PBS, Science in the Public Interest, ACLU & NAACP, RCC Foundation, and received leadership awards from USPO and Decatur Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations. In 2018 her poem (featured amongst photos) won the Blue Ribbon from IL Council for Arts in Assisted Living.
Jan organized countless dances, community rummage sales, memorial fundraisers, and went out of her way to sit vigil with many a dying friend. In final years Jan found joy in swimming, ping pong, singing and tai chi. She served as research subject in studies thru U of IL and National Institutes of Health. Jan’s heart belongs to Jesus and to Boody, where her Mourning Bench is placed at Zion Chapel cemetery. She grew up at Zion Chapel, raised her family there. In later years Jan attended 4 Square, Unity, Unitarian, Church of Brethren and Central Christian Church. She hoped to be remembered as someone who uplifted the human soul, listening, singing, prayer and laughter.
Memorials to Central Christian Church, William 650 W. William, Decatur, IL 62522 or Zion Chapel, 6478 Nevada Rd, Macon, IL 62544
Condolences and Memories may be shared on www.moranandgoebel.com
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