Carole Joan Arendas

Carole Joan Komara Arendas, age 81, of Terrell, NC, went to be with the Lord on Monday, September 6, 2021. Carole was born in Homestead, PA and was the daughter of the late Paul Edward Komara and Mary Dorothy Fierer Komara and the wife of her high school sweetheart, Pastor Lawrence (Larry) John Arendas.

Carole grew up in Homestead, PA and graduated from Mount Mercy High School and Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. Her caring and compassionate nature led her to become a registered nurse working at the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plains, MA and for 14 years as a NICU nurse at Princeton Hospital in NJ.

In their early 30’s, Carole and Larry had an encounter with God that changed the trajectory of their lives. They started a church in New Jersey and Carole shifted her focus from caring for people’s physical well-being as a nurse to caring for their spiritual well-being as she moved into ministry. Her smile and warmth and boundless energy drew people to her instantly. She was always kind, generous with her time, resources, encouragement and hugs. Carole was a mentor and ‘spiritual mother’ to many providing guidance, wisdom, support and prayer whenever needed. Over the 50 years of ministering together with Larry, Carole traveled all over the world visiting churches, praying for people, spreading the Gospel and sharing the love of God. She impacted the lives of hundreds and hundreds of people – one life at a time.

As much as Carole loved serving people, she cherished, even more, spending time with her family. Whether celebrating holidays or birthdays, going out to lunch or dinner or hosting sleepovers with the grandchildren, she basked in being surrounded by her family. Carole also loved living at the lake, traveling, collecting teapots and teacups, birdwatching, crocheting, reading and cooking. A favorite activity was sharing a cup of tea with a friend as they sat on the deck, looking out at the lake, watching all the birds come to her feeders. Family and friends also enjoyed many wonderful meals around her dining room table or her special desserts and pastries that she loved to make for Christmas.

Along with her parents, Carole is preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Komara and her son, Daniel Arendas. In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter Laurie Venzon (John) of Davidson, NC, son, David Arendas (Nicole) of Greensboro, NC, daughter, Lisa Morgan (Peter) of Concord, NC, daughter-in-law Christie Arendas of Troutman, NC, sister-in-law Judith Madden of South Hampton, NJ and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on September 25^th at 11:00am at Grace Covenant Church, 17301 Statesville Rd, Cornelius, NC with Pastor Doug Linser officiating. A luncheon in the church’s Clanton Hall will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Spirit and Truth Ministries, 688 Poplar View Road, NW, Concord, NC 28027.

Raymer-Kepner Funeral Home is serving the family and condolences may be sent to the website at http://www.raymerfh.com/