Jo-Ann (Caputo) Carpenter

Josephine “Jo-Ann” Caputo Carpenter, our beloved mom and nonna, passed away unexpectedly but peacefully at her home in Kannapolis on Sunday, December 31, 2023. She was 73-years-old.

Born February 9, 1950, in Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada, Jo-Ann was the youngest daughter of Italian-immigrant parents, the late Eugenio and Erminia Caputo. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gary Carpenter, of twenty-five years. Alongside her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by brothers Fred (Mary), Marty (Ruby), Hank (Antoinette), Val (Helen) and sisters Joyce Johnson (Charles) and Rose-Marie Welsh (Paul).

Jo-Ann migrated to the United States at a young age and grew up in Schenectady, NY. She lived in a variety of states––New York, California, Oregon, Illinois, and North Carolina––with her husband and kids by her side. She also lived in Germany where Gary was stationed in the Army for a short period of time. Over the years, Jo-Ann was passionate about working with children in multiple capacities, namely serving as the director of an afterschool program through Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Above all else, Jo-Ann firmly believed that family––and spending time with family––was the single most important thing in life. To her children and grandchildren, she left behind the greatest gift of all: profound, unconditional love.

She is survived by her son Aaron Carpenter (Rachel) of Colorado Springs, CO, daughters Kelly Dodds (Tommy) of Concord, NC, and Amber Carpenter (Audrey) of Campbell, CA, as well as cherished grandchildren Lucia Garramone, Taylor Dodds, Carson Dodds, Sophia Dodds, and Ruby Dodds. She will be held close in the hearts of many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.