Betty (Burnett) Carson

Celebration of Life is 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at First United Methodist Church in Decatur, Family will receive friends 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the church.

Pallbearers include Jimmy Brummell, Charles Burton, Mark Cocanougher, Roy Eaton, Juan Flores, Dan Hughes, Darrell Ley, Andrew Rottner, Brock Smith, and Carey Williams. Honorary Pallbearers include Decatur Public Library Board, and WARM.

Betty Burnett Carson was born on March 6, 1932 to Madge Elizabeth and Opal H. Burnett in Decatur, Texas. She was united in marriage July 9, 1954 to J.E. Carson in Decatur, Texas. Betty was a retired teacher, having taught a total of 45 years, 43 in Decatur, where she taught home economics, HECE, and home bound students.

Betty was a graduate of Decatur High, and received her B.S. and M.Ed. from North Texas State University. Upon graduation, she taught home economics at Era, Texas. After Betty and J.E. married, they moved to Kaufman, where she taught home economics at Scurry-Rosser. The following year, the Carson’s moved to Decatur, where she taught home economics at Decatur High School. Betty spent a total of 55 years in DISD, 12 as a student and 43 as a teacher, setting a record doing so.

Betty was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Decatur, and a loyal member of the Character Builder’s Class, which she taught for many years and was the class treasurer. She was very active at FUMC, serving as a Lay Leader, and on the Board of Trustees, Administrative Board, Endowment Committee, Stained Glass Committee, and Care Corp. Many of the worship banners were made by her. Betty was one of the group of women who stitched the kneelers in the sanctuary, which were designed for and given to FUMC in honor of J.E. and Betty by their daughter, Carol Ann.

Betty was very involved in a number of civic activities throughout her life. She was a member of the Decatur Public Library Board for many years, serving as president of the board at her death. She was also on the board of directors of the Wise Area Relief Mission and the Decatur Main Street Promotions Committee. From 2010-2013, Betty was vice-president of the Wise County Retired Teachers.

In 2002, the DISD School Board recognized Betty and J.E. by naming Carson Elementary School in their honor. They were founding donors of the Decatur Education Foundation, and in 2018, the DEF awarded Betty and J.E. the “Friends of the Foundation” award for their contributions. Together, Betty and J.E. had a combined total of 78 years of service to the Decatur ISD.

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, J.E., and her brother-in-law, Alton Kite.

She is survived by her daughter, Carol Ann Carson of Decatur; her sister, Wanda Kite of Gainesville; her chosen family, Nancy Brummell Boyd, Derrick Boyd and wife Cheri and their children, Emily, Ainsley, and Finley, Crystal Boyd Klose and husband Will and their children, Kyndal and Trey, Katherine Obregon and husband Alain and their children, Linnea, Margot, Vivienne, and Celine, all of Decatur.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Decatur Education Foundation, Decatur Public Library, or WARM.