Marlene Carpenter

Marlene was the late-in-life adored daughter of Charlie and Lottie Collins of Chincoteague, Virginia, the youngest sibling to two brothers and three sisters.

Married for 71 years to her high school sweetheart, James "Jim" Waine Carpenter. Her beloved husband is a retired 20-year Chief Petty Officer with the United States Coast Guard. The couple moved from Chincoteague, Portsmouth, Cape May, Key West, Miami, and Oakdale, Connecticut, before returning the family to their island home in Virginia. Jim took over Carpenter's Seafood, was active in town policies and the local food bank, and later retired again from NASA. They have two children: James Waine Carpenter Jr., currently a musician and novelist in Niantic, Connecticut, and a daughter, Jill Renee Jester, who lives on Chincoteague Island as a retired 38-year government Navy employee on Wallops Island, Va.

A devoted mother, housemaker, and loyal friend, she had also participated in various Coast Guard associations, churches, and civic charities, as well as being employed at multiple part-time jobs while helping raise her grandchildren. Supporting the island's community, she remains a dedicated member of Christ Sanctified Holy Church, where she is still a member in the tradition of her father, uncles, and ancestors.

Marlene blessed countless lives along the East Coast during her long, transient, and illustrious life. As beautiful and tireless as kind and sincere, she will be forever admired as an adored spouse, loving parent, sibling, and friend. Her legacy will attest to that.

In her last years, she enjoyed Facebook, and her daily messages, humor, and inspirational cartoons brightened many people's mornings. It's simply how she affected everyone.

Marlene is predeceased by her parents, Charlie Collins Sr & Lottie Thornton Collins; her father and mother-in-law, Walter and Emma Carpenter; siblings, Charlie-Boy & Julie Collins, Ora & Tom Reed, Carlton 'Corky' & Francis Collins, Oneida & Russell Clark, and Faye & Sonny Rodgers.

She leaves son James Waine Jr. and wife Robin Carpenter, daughter Jill Renee and husband Michael Jester; grand/great-grandchildren: Jake & Michelle Carpenter (Betty Lou, Phoebe June), Ben & Kaitlin Jester (Madeline, Ford, Owen, Bennet), Zach & Lindsay Jester (Erin, Ella, and imminent baby Everett), and Noah Jester.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 6-8 pm at Salyer Funeral Home on Chincoteague. The funeral service will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at Christ Sanctified Holy Church on Chincoteague. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ Sanctified Holy Church, 5072 Main St, Chincoteague, VA 23336

Services entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc., on Chincoteague Island, VA. Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com.

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