Ruth Stroud CarpenterAGE: 98 • Lebanon Twp.Ruth Stroud Carpenter, age 98, of Lebanon Twp., NJ passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 at home.She was born on December 6, 1918 in Bernardsville, NJ. She resided in Lebanon Twp., NJ with her son and daughter-in-law for the past 5 years, moving from Satsuma, FL where she lived with her granddaughter for several years.She was the daughter of the late Lester B. and Grace Hallock Stroud.Ruth's husband, John G. Carpenter, passed away in 1995 after 53 years of marriage.She was a 1937 graduate from Clinton High School in Clinton, NJ, graduating as the class Salutatorian. She went on to attend Rider Business College from 1937 to 1938.Ruth's career was extensive in the Hunterdon County Sheriff's office. She started as a secretary and worked her way up to become Sheriff of Hunterdon County where she served 2 terms, making her career span 25 years with the Sheriff's office. Ruth was the first female Sheriff in New Jersey and also the first woman elected Sheriff in the country. In her early career, she worked for Hauck, Felter & Lance Attorney's office.Memberships include the Sidney Progressive Grange, Vice President of the Hunterdon County PTA, President of Glen Gardner PTA, Hunterdon County Soroptimists, Active in Girl Scouts, Chairman of March of Dimes Walk-a-thon, Tallahassee Wildflower Club, Order of the Easter Star Stewart Chapter, Hunterdon County & National Republican Clubs, Vice President of the NJ Sheriff's Office and the National Sheriffs Association.Ruth was very active in her community and her volunteer work. She delivered meals for meals-on-wheels and was very active in several churches. She was a Clerk of the Elders at Bethlehem 1st Presbyterian Church in Pittstown, NJ and she was an active member of Spruce Run Lutheran Church in Lebanon Twp., NJ. She was also Past President of the Women's Group of 1st Presbyterian Palatka Church in Palatka, FL where Ruth also worked in their soup kitchen. Ruth also received numerous awards for her volunteerism, including "Volunteer of the Year' by Putnam County, FL and 'Woman of the Year' by Presbyterian Church of America.Survivors include 2 sons; John W. Carpenter and his wife Linda of Cumberland, KY and Robert S. Carpenter and his wife Judith of Lebanon Twp., NJ with whom she resided. 6 grandchildren; Rhonda Fishburn and her husband Michael of Satsuma, FL, with whom she previously lived, Teresa Philpot and her husband Doyle of London, KY, Robert Carpenter and his wife Nicole of Stewartsville, NJ, Jon Carpenter of Altamonte Springs, FL, Rachel Messerman and her husband Justin of Trenton, OH and Rebecca DiRe and her husband Anthony of Lebanon Twp., NJ. 10 great-grandchildren; Dane Fishburn, Zachary Fishburn, Isaac Messerman, Jacob Messerman, Geneva DiRe, Nadia DiRe, Vienna DiRe, Lena Carpenter, Logan Carpenter and Lucas Carpenter. 2 step-great-grandchildren; Rachel and her husband Michael Payne and Suzanne Philpot. 4 step-great-great-grandchildren; Jatzary Philpot, Orian Philpot, Olivia Philpot and Jasmine Payne.Predeceased in addition to her husband by her daughter; Phyllis Chapman who passed away in 2004. In addition, she is predeceased by 1 brother; Lincoln Stroud and 1 sister; Elizabeth Roadarmal.Calling hours will be Thursday, December 22, 2016 from 7 pm-9 pm and Friday, December 23, 2016 from 10 am - 12 noon, followed by Funeral Service on Friday at 12 noon. All at Scarponi-Bright Funeral Home, 26 Main Street, Lebanon, NJ. Interment at Union Cemetery in Lebanon, NJ.