Miranda Lee Carpenter, better known as Randee, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to many, peacefully passed away on December 9, 2023, at the age of 79 in Frisco, Texas.
She was born on August 19, 1944, in Columbia, Missouri, the second child of her parents, William Raymond Halter and Gladys Irene (Payne) Halter. Randee grew up with her three siblings in Richland, Missouri near the beautiful Lake of the Ozarks.
While growing up Randee always had lots of friends. She was outgoing and always had a smile on her face. She attended First Baptist Church where she was baptized at a young age. She was active in all school and church groups.
Randee was valedictorian of her high school class and continued her education at the University of Missouri in Columbia, where she graduated with honors earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She was offered a scholarship to continue her education, but she declined as she had other plans.
She met a young man, James Howard Carpenter, and during Randee’s junior year they were married in a small family wedding in Columbia on December 12, 1964. By the time Randee graduated they had started what was to be a strong, loving family. With their first child, a daughter, they moved to Jim’s family farm in North Missouri. That didn’t work out, so Jim accepted a position in computer related activities for Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas.
The young family spent most of the ‘60s in Kansas. During this time both Jim and Randee rededicated their lives to Jesus. It was there Randee found her calling as a preschool teacher at the church they attended. This was the perfect vocation for her. Randee also led neighborhood Bible studies and prayer groups everywhere they lived.
In 1969, the young family added a son and moved to Overland Park, Kansas where they spent the next decade. It was there they were joined by their third child, a daughter. Randee continued her teaching and leadership activities, but her primary role was a devoted homemaker and mother. She poured her heart and soul into creating a warm and nurturing environment for her children, instilling in them the values of kindness, compassion, and strong moral character. Randee found immense fulfillment in watching her children grow and flourish into successful adults, achieving their dreams.
As the children became older, she took on the role of social planner for the various church groups of which she was a part. Randee was a good cook, very creative and outgoing. She never knew a stranger and could be the highlight of any party.
Randee continued on this path of love and service when the family moved to Texas after Jim took his computer expertise to the oil business. They spent the ‘80s in Arlington, Texas, the ‘90s in Spring, Texas and moved to Frisco, Texas in 2002, where she decorated and enjoyed her final earthly home.
Randee continued to remain close to the family she grew up with which included her older sister, brother and younger sister who was born on Randee’s 12th birthday. She and her sisters often spent a week together just eating, shopping, and catching up. They all spent Christmas together until she and her family moved to Texas. Randee was as her younger sister described her joy and love and kindness and generosity and faith. She was brilliant and lovely. Randee was insightful and in the moment. She was famous for sending cartoons, clippings and Bible verses in bright colored greeting cards because they made her think of the recipient.
Randee’s love and guidance only grew as she embraced her role as a grandmother with open arms. She delighted in being a MeMa. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she cherished every moment spent with them, showering them with love, wisdom, and laughter. Randee also was blessed to meet and enjoy time with a great grandson.
As a member of Prestonwood Baptist Church, she found a home to strengthen her faith. Randee wholeheartedly participated in various church activities and was an unwavering source of support for her church community.
Sadly, Randee suffered from chronic pain caused mostly by migraine headaches. She strived to not let it keep her down, but she gradually became almost homebound in her later years. Randee was ready to move to her next home with Jesus for many years. The last three years, she was under hospice care and her faithful husband tended to her every need. He searched the country to find doctors or care that would help her.
It’s hard to imagine what heaven is like, but for Randee we hope there is shopping, decorating, good cooking and parties with music and laughter. We know she has been talking nonstop with her family and friends both new and old since she arrived.
Randee will forever be remembered and cherished by her children, grandchildren, and siblings. Her legacy of love, kindness, and devotion will live on through the lives she touched.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Jim Carpenter; daughters, Jill Allison Harker and husband, Dan of Plano, Texas and Jennifer Anne Stull and husband, Brent of Carrollton, Texas; son, James Andrew Carpenter and wife, Carmen of Reading, Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Haylee Harker Douglass and husband Will, Will Harker and wife Breanna, Cole Carpenter, Claire Carpenter and Sabrina Dockens and her great grandson Bennett Douglass; her siblings: sisters, Miriam Halter Kerns and husband, Cameron of Maryland Heights, Missouri and Marta Halter and partner, Vicki of Columbia, Missouri, and brother, Mark Halter and wife, Maureen of Watchung, New Jersey; and numerous other loving family members and cherished friends.
Randee was preceded in death by her parents.
A celebration of life will be held 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 10, 2024 in the Faith Chapel at Prestonwood Baptist Church, 6801 West Park Boulevard, Plano, Texas 75093. Family request wearing bright colors in honor of the celebration of Miranda.
Memorial contributions may be made in Miranda’s memory to Prestonwood Pregnancy Center, 690 West Campbell Road, Suite 150, Richardson, Texas 75080.