Dr. Deborah Black-Carpenter passed peacefully at home on May 6, 2025, surrounded by her family after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

Deborah was born on May 21, 1960, in Memphis, Tenn. As a child, her family moved to Matthews, N.C., where she was raised and attended East Mecklenburg High School then the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After receiving her doctorate degree in optometry from the Southern College of Optometry, she practiced her profession in Charlotte and Matthews, N.C., for nearly 40 years.

Her favorite hobbies included golfing with her family, paddleboarding on Lake Norman, and lounging on the beautiful beaches of South Carolina. More than anything, Debbie’s life centered around her family and love for them.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Black.

She is survived by her father, Dr. James Black; children, Nicole and Brennan Carpenter; and brother, Jon Black.

She touched everyone in her life with kindness and her gentle nature, and she will be dearly missed by her patients, friends, and family.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, May 9, at Cavin-Cook Funeral Home located at 494 E Plaza Drive, Mooresville, NC 28115. Visitation will be held prior to the service from 12 to 1 p.m.

Memorials may be sent to Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Black-Carpenter family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.