Betty Jean Crayton Carter, our beloved Wife, Sister, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great-Great Grandmother, and friend to so many passed away on December 9, 2023.
Born on May 24, 1937, in Amarillo, Texas to Golden and Carrie Crayton, Betty Jean Carter was simply put, a force to be reckoned with.
A devout member of St. Luke Baptist Church, Betty married the “love of her life”, Joseph L. Carter in 1955 in Amarillo, Texas. Betty and Joseph later moved to Ohio where they started their married life together. Betty worked as a Cafeteria Aid at St. Ladislaus Catholic School where her children attended elementary school. It was always a giggle and a sense of pride when her children passed her in the “lunch line”!
Betty was a champion bowler, enhanced by her “lefty” left-handed slant! She bowled on a team alongside her husband and friends from the church. Many did not know that Betty was also an avid reader. Her favorite genres were horror/suspense and romance novels. She read voraciously, a book a week; such a feat considering she had five children! Her favorite authors were Danielle Steele and Stephen King. You could often catch Betty working on a crossword puzzle and she could beat any and everyone on “Wheel of Fortune”!
If you had the pleasure to know and love our Betty Jean, you knew that she was going to give you her unconditional love, support, provide instruction and discipline but also tons of wisdom. If you spoke with her long enough, I bet you’d hear an “oh shut up” during a hearty laugh or sly smile. All these things and so much more, will truly be missed and held deeply in our hearts! Who will fill up the candy dish now??
Betty is predeceased by her parents; her soulmate who was waiting for her with open arms, Joseph Carter; infant daughter; granddaughter, Kenyatta Rakes; geat-grandson, Antonie (Fatman) Moss Jr.; son-in-law, Richard Rakes Sr.; siblings – brothers, Gerald, Frederick, Philip; sisters, Barbara and Mary Ann.
Betty’s legacy will carry on through her five children, Cheryl Rakes, Gregory Carter, Susan Carter, Joseph Carter Jr., and Joni L Carter; 14 grandchildren, 42 great grandchildren, 7 great-great grandchildren, and sisters-in-law, Dorothy Crayton and Nancy Hord. We honor and thank her caretakers during the last three years of her life, grandchildren, Shawn and his wife, Carrie Moss.
Public Viewing for Betty J. carter will be Sunday, December 17, 2023 from 6-8pm at the Marlan J. Gary Funeral Home, The Chapel of Peace East., 5456 East Livingston Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43232. The Graveside Service will be held on Monday, December 18, 2023 at Greenlawn Cemetery at 10:00am.
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I will greatly miss my Aunt Betty. Her laughter and that Crayton smile is something that I will always remember. She was the toughest aunt that I know and would always tell you like it is even if you did not want to hear it. The last of the Crayton siblings to be called home we truly miss you all, but will carry on your legacy.
My condolences I have nothing but fond memories of “Auntie Betty” & Joe “Turkey” Carter.