Pickin’ & Grinnin’ at Johnny Carpenter’s Empitomized Life in Central in May 2005

In May 2005, if you had to pick some folks who best represented the old timers who made Central what it was prior to incorporation, you could find no better choice than Johnny Carpenter and his wife Jean. For many years, their home was the site of Pickin’ and Grinnin’ — a unique monthly event that brought Central together.  Johnny passed away in 2007, and his obituary explained it all.

Obituary: Johnny Carpenter

Lifelong Central resident Johnny Carpenter, 81, passed away Wednesday, at his home on Bon Dickey Drive. A man who symbolized all that is good about Central, Johnny Carpenter was greatly loved by family and friends, which included almost everyone in Central.

For the past 13 years, Johnny and his wife Jean have hosted a community-wide event called Pickin’ & Grinnin’ on the last Friday night of each month.  Everyone in Central, black and white, rich and poor, old and young, and everybody else had an open invitation to Pickin’ & Grinnin’, which was held at the Carpenter home on Bon Dickey.

People were asked to bring a covered dish, but nobody checked if you did or not.

Pickin’ & Grinnin’ included country music played by some of Johnny’s old friends, great homemade food, and lots of fellowship.

If Johnny invited you to come over to his place and do some pick-in’, you might say, “Oh, Johnny, I can’t play an instrument.” In which case, Johnny would reply, “Well, at least you can grin! Come on!” The last Pickin’ & Grinnin’ was held in December 2006. Johnny wasn’t feeling well enough to have it the last Friday night in January.  

Willie Boyd (Johnny) Carpenter was born March 1, 1925. A veteran of World War II, he was a long-time member of Zoar Baptist Church. He worked for many years for Gulf States Utilities before retiring.

Survivors include his wife, Jean Firmin-Carpenter; son and daughter-in-law Roger and Evelyn Carpenter; daughter and son-in-law Gwen and Preston Roland; grand-daughter Laura Borskey; stepson Kevin Porche; sisters Camille Kennard and Ethel Watts, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Johnny’s daughter Gwen, who lives in Georgia, was able to be here for Johnny’s last days.

Mr. Carpenter donated his body to the LSU Medical Center in New Orleans for medical education and research. A memorial service will be held at a later date. 

The future of Pickin’ & Grinnin’ is yet to be determined. From 50 to 80 people usually showed up. Jean and Johnny would prepare the main course with guests supplying the side dishes. “We have good soul food,” he said.

Beside the smell of great Central-style homecooked food, the sound of country music filled the air. Johnny said, “Even the Baptists can’t resist and join the dancing!”

Johnny’s love of music dates back to 1937 when he began to play country music. Before World War II, he was part of the Coon Creek Ramblers. This five-member band, composed of Johnny, James and Milton Carpenter, along with Blacky Rowe and Buddy Browning, reunited after the war and became the best band around, according to Johnny! They had weekly engagements to play at music halls.

Johnny soon learned he would rather write music than play it. Through the years, he wrote more than 200 songs. He never imagined Pickin’ & Grinnin’ would be such a success. “The community seems to enjoy good, clean entertainment,” he said.       — Woody Jenkins 

NOTE: Pickin’ & Grinnin’ returned briefly in January 2008.