Elizabeth B. "Betty" Carter

Elizabeth “Betty” Blease Baker Carter, 98, widow of the late Sydney E. Carter, M.D., died on Wednesday, Sept. 17, at White Oak Manor in Newberry. Born on March 22, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Colie Blease Baker and Richard Leon Baker. She was also the mother of the late Sydney Earl Carter Jr.

She graduated in 1944 from Newberry High School and in 1948 from Converse College, where she was active in music and dance. Later she took graduate courses at the University of South Carolina and at the Citadel.For 28 years Betty taught in the public schools of South Carolina, as well as at Ashley Hall in Charleston and at Newberry Academy. When she taught music at Newberry High School, she directed the Glee Club to state prominence with three consecutive first-place titles. After her retirement from the school system, Betty was employed part-time for over 25 years by McSwain-Evans Funeral Home.

She was active in many community and state associations and organizations. She was a charter member of the Newberry Historical Society and a former member of the Woman’s Club, the Newberry Garden Club, and the Music Club.

She was a member of the Newberry and the South Carolina Medical Associations Auxillary, and she was elected recording secretary at the state level. She also served on the Board of Visitors at the Medical University of South Carolina.

Betty was an active Cub Scout leader for the Boy Scouts and a senior Girl Scout leader.

A fourth-generation member of Central United Methodist Church, Betty served the church faithfully in many positions over her lifetime: as a member of the Board of Trustees and the Administrative Board, as Baptismal Font attendant for over 40 years, and as a leader in Methodist Youth Fellowship activities.

While her work in the church was fulfilling, Betty was an accomplished organist and talented musician. Nothing filled her heart with more joy than singing in the choir or playing the organ as a substitute.

Betty was known for elegance and graciousness, for her bountiful kindness as she “went about doing good.” She visited the sick and elderly in nursing homes, she maintained a phone ministry for caregivers and the grieving, she supported family and friends with her presence and with generous words of encouragement.

For all who were fortunate enough to know her, the warmth of her smile will shine on in memory.

She is survived by a devoted son and daughter-in-law, Richard Baker Carter and Polly Long Carter, loving granddaughter Elizabeth Carter (Connor) Hollis, all of Newberry, as well as a number of cousins.

She was pre-deceased by her parents, her husband, and son Sydney Earl Carter, Jr.

Funeral services will be conducted by the Rev. Keith Stewart at Central United Methodist Church on Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 2 p.m.

The family will receive friends immediately after the service in Henry Hall.

Interment will follow at Rosemont Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: James Parkes Coggins, Harry Emanuel Cromer, Jr., John Malone Cromer, Robert Duncan, Eugene Cannon Griffith, Eugene Cannon Griffith, Jr., Glenn Kibler Kunkle , Trent Keitt Purcell, Robert Michael Underwood, John Paul Whitaker.

Honorary pallbearers will be the staff of McSwain-Evans Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to: Central United Methodist Church, 1005 College St., Newberry, SC 29108, or Newberry Health, 2669 Kinard St., Newberry, SC 29108.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Glenn Kunkle, Lynn and Mike Underwood and Donna Davenport.  Your visits, sweet treats, and constant friendship brought B.B. so much joy.  She cherished every moment with you, and we will always be grateful for the love and support you gave her and us.  The family also is deeply grateful to Dr. Mark Davis, Dr. Michael Bernardo, the Bernardo Hospice team and the White Oak family for their exceptional care.