Carl Ray Trentham

Carl Ray Trentham was born in Harriman, Tennessee to John Elbert Trentham and Daisy Golda Copeland on April 30, 1940.  At 11:47 pm on September 19, 2021, he went to sleep here on earth to wake up in the presence of his Lord.  He had lived a full and loving 81 years. 

Carl spent his childhood in Tennessee with his sister Betty Jane and his brother John Curtis.  He joined the military in 1960 and served in the United States Airforce till 1964.  After his military service, he found himself in Washington DC where he met his wife Joan McNamara Trentham.  They were married on January 22, 1966, and on their one-year anniversary they began their family with the birth of their twins Jennifer and Jeffrey.   

Carl spent most of his life in Waldorf, Maryland raising his family and working for Western Union and The Smithsonian Institution.  After retiring, Carl and his wife Joan moved to Smithfield, Virginia where they have lived for the past thirteen years.  Carl was an avid hunter and gun collector who loved to read and always had entertaining – sometimes a little “corny” - sayings to pass along.   

He is survived by his wife of 55 years Joan, his daughter Jennifer (Doug) Gray, his son Jeffrey (Torie) Trentham.  Three grandchildren Nicholas (Marissa) Boniface, Lindsey Trentham and Matthew Boniface.  One brother Curtis (Charlotte) Trentham and best friends Malvin and Francine Adams along with numerous step grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a plethora of extended family and friends.   

He was preceded in death by his parents Elbert Trentham and Daisy Copeland and sister Betty Tidler. 

Celebration of Life service will be held at Church of the Good Shepard in Smithfield, Virginia on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 11:00am. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Isle of Wight Volunteer Rescue Squad @ https://www.iwvrs.com/content/Donate/ 

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com.