Obit of Carter, Betty Rachel - Washington County, Oklahoma Submitted by: Terri 16 Oct 2005 Return to Washington County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/washington/washington.html ========================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ========================================================================== Surnames: CARTER, VAN WINKLE, MCCARVER, UPCHURCH, RAY, DOMINIQUE, DENBOW, HILL, MILLER from 1-3-2003 Examiner Enterprise Betty R. Carter In Memory of Betty Rachel Carter - May 7, 1931 - December 20, 2002 "Do you believe in love at first sight?" That is what Betty's future husband asked her on their first (blind) date. She just had that affect on people; you were drawn to her sweet smile and lively personality. Betty Rachel Carter nee Van Winkle, age 71, celebrated her homecoming in heaven on December 20, 2002. She was a beloved wife and sister, mother of 3, grandmother "Nana" of 8, and great-grandmother of 2. She fought a courageous life-long battle with Bipolar Disorder and in later years learned to live with diabetes, finally succumbing to complications from a recently discovered congenital heart defect. She was born on May 7, 1931 in a log cabin on a mountaintop near Climax, Colorado. The youngest of three children, Betty was the "baby" a precious jewel to her family. She moved to Bartlesville, OK when she was a small child and attended Bartlesville schools graduating from College High School in 1949. Betty married John Edward "Ted" Carter on March 25, 1950 in Bartlesville, OK where they made their home together for 36 years until death parted them in April 1986. She was a homemaker and helped her husband in the family construction business as a secretary. She was a faithful member of Adams Boulevard Church of Christ and enjoyed attending "Ladies Bible Class" as often as she was able. Betty was an accomplished seamstress, loved to cook, read, sing, and always wanted to learn to play the piano, so she made sure her daughters learned to play! Betty was a published author and poet and delighted her friends and family with her poetry and stories. She loved camping and had many fond memories of trips to the Colorado Mountains with her husband. She had many friends growing up and was a friend to all who knew her. Despite her mental illness she raised three children to love the Lord and taught them how to pray, as she was one of God's great prayer warriors. She was totally devoted to her family, even when her mental illness would take her away from us at times; she always had us first in her heart. Her parents Charles and Etta (McCarver) Van Winkle, and her husband, Ted, preceded her in death. She is survived by her sister Mrs. George (Lucille) Upchurch of Henderson, TN, brother Rev. Paul Van Winkle and his wife Sylvia of Port Arthur, TX, her children: Mrs. Steve (Sherry) Ray of Katy, TX, Ted Carter and his wife Vicki of Terra Haute, IN, and her "baby" Mrs. Bob (Julie) Dominique of Jefferson City, MO. She will be missed by her grandchildren: Mrs. Chris (Jennifer) Denbow, Doug Hill, Lauren Ray, Aaron and Cody Carter, Blake, Nick and Cole Miller, 2 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews. Mother, we miss you but are overjoyed that you finally have the peace that was not afforded you in this life. You were our "love at first sight," and we will always love you even though you are so far away. Her last poem: Breathing a Prayer, "I breathed a simple prayer, they go on wings-somewhere. I prayed for children in their beds so good. I prayed that they should love the Lord and do what is said in His word, then when its time to go their ways, come back again some holiday. I'm now alone but each day I pray for them so far away." Betty Carter, copyright July 23, 2002. A memorial service is being planned in May to celebrate her life and heavenly homecoming. Those wishing to remember Betty may make a memorial gift in her name to Hope Harbor, P.O. Box 1047, Claremore, OK, 74018, website www.hopeharborinc.org/memorials.html. Hope Harbor provides homes and education for at risk children and youth. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Washington County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/washington/washington.html