Virgie Mae Clemons Tipton Carpenter, age 88 of Malvern passed away Sunday, August 13, 2023, at her home. She was born October 3, 1934, in Pine Bluff, Arkansas the daughter of Clyde and Pearl Murdock Clemons.  Virgie was a graduate of Poyen Highschool and went on to study at Henderson State University. During college she worked as a waitress to be able to attend Texas Women's University, where she achieved her master's degree in library science. Following graduation, she went on to teach second grade at Social Hill Elementary School for two years before moving on to Malvern Junior High, and opened the library after the school was built. She was also a Student Council sponsor there for many years.

Virgie was a part of the Sunday School Class that established the Stella Jones Library at Second Baptist Church where she played an active role throughout the years, in the library until her health declined. She and her husband, Tom, were benefactors for the youth program at Second Baptist and believed the youth are the future of our church. She loved to host a formal tea party for the younger girls at the church each year.

Virgie loved flowers and loved her yard. She found joy there every day. She loved watching things grow and change in her courtyard. She loved watching people slow down as they would drive or walk down her street and stop to tell her how beautiful her yard was. She traveled often, taking trips to many US cities and European locations. Shopping became her biggest hobby (they called it her retail therapy). She loved to buy dresses for her canine companion Suzie, in her final years. Her family was always welcomed by her, and in her earlier years she hosted nieces and nephews at her lake house during summer break, where skiing, swimming, and tubing were enjoyed.

Virgie was a regular attendee at the Malvern Senior Adult Center and served on committees and volunteered where needed, as long as her health allowed. She was also a Master Gardner who helped beautify the garden at the HSC Medical Center courtyard while serving as a "Pink Lady" at the hospital.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands, Bruce Tipton and Tom Carpenter, grandparents, Willie and JB Murdock, brothers, Jim (Doris) Gray, Warren Clemons, sister, Mada Newton (Jerry), Nephew, Darrell Gray.

She was survived by her stepdaughter, Virginia Reece of Tyler, Texas, nieces and nephews, Wanda (Arnold) Branum, Donnie (Cindy) Gray, Jerry (Ouida) Newton, Vickie (Larry) Shuff, Roger Clemons, and Danny Roy Clemons, Great nieces and Nephews, Shanna (Robin) Jordan, Stephanie (Jeff) Ramming, Neal (Danielle) Gray, Heather (Mark) Kindy, Bryan (Hannah) Branum, Jeremy (Sarah) Shuff, Mandy Newton, and Brad Newton.

Service will be held Wednesday, August 16, at 10 am, at Regency Funeral Home, with Bro. Joey McDermott, Bro. John Chandler, and Bro. Terry Whitley officiating. Visitation is from 9am until the time of service. Burial will be at Lindsey-Poyen Cemetery directly following service.

Honorary pallbearers are Donnie Gray, Jerry Newton, Larry Shuff, Roger Clemons, Robin Jordan, Tommy Hall, and Nicholas Hall.

Special Thanks to the wonderful team of caregivers, friends, and family for providing daily care during her illness: Betty Walton, Cindy Williams, Joann Walton, Lilian Brown, Michelle Atchsul, Dana Bailey, Donna Meadows, Shanna Jordan, Cindy Gray, Vickie Shuff, and Louise Fenter her longtime friend. These ladies went above and beyond, and our family will always be grateful. Bro. Terry Whitley, Bro. John Chandler, Dr. Purifoy, Dr. Kakadia, and Arkansas Hospice, thank you for your care, prayers, and guidance on this journey.

Arrangements by Regency Funeral Home. Guestbook, regencyfuneralhome.com