James Melvin “Jim” Carpenter of Union Point, Georgia, passed away May 5, 2026.
Jim was born January 4, 1946, in Cornelia, Georgia, the only child of the late William Paul Carpenter, Sr., and Minnie Lee “Millie” (Batson). He was preceded in death by brothers Glover Lee Carpenter (Elouise Loudermilk), John Clifford Carpenter (Marjorie Chapman), William Paul “Bill” Carpenter, Jr. (Della, Virginia), and Phillip Carpenter, and by sisters Dorothy Jean Bramlett (Nelson), Mary Louise Sanders, and Marie Carpenter.
He is survived by his loving wife, Dorothy Joan (Bostwick) Carpenter; his daughter, Leanne Woods (Derrick) of Greensboro, Georgia; his granddaughter, Sarah Jewell Porter of Athens, Georgia; his sister‑in‑law, Jane Chambers Bostwick; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Jim attended Cornelia Elementary in Habersham County before his family moved to Miami, where he attended Miami Edison Junior High. He later moved to Morgan County, Georgia, and graduated from Morgan County High School in 1963. He and Joan began dating two months before graduation. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia, and a pharmacy degree from the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy in 1969.
Jim and Joan were married on June 6, 1967, at Bostwick Methodist Church in Bostwick, Georgia. After a brief time in Athens, they settled in Union Point. Jim worked with pharmacist John L. Kimbrough and purchased Union Pharmacy in 1971, faithfully serving his community for more than 50 years until his retirement in 2022, when he sold the business and building to Liddy (Cronan) Smith and partners.
Jim enjoyed watching scary movies, British comedies, sitcoms, history programs, and especially sports—cheering the Dawgs and supporting his favorite boxer, often alongside his son‑in‑law, Derrick. He enjoyed trading jokes with his granddaughter’s father, Zachary Porter. In his younger years, he liked bottle hunting and collecting—interests well known to visitors of Union Pharmacy. He also loved playing guitar at home and at the Methodist Church in Union Point. His happiest days were the births of his daughter and granddaughter.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Callaway Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Timothy M. Taylor, Sr. officiating. Visitation for family and friends will take place from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family requests memorials be made to Global Samaritans, 6561 Union Point Hwy, Union Point, GA 30669. Callaway Funeral Home, 208 N. Rhodes Street, Union Point, GA, (706) 486‑4138, is handling arrangements. The online guest register is available at www.mccommonsfuneralhome.com.