Betty Morrison Carlton July 8, 1929 - January 5, 2023 A beloved mother, grandmother and great grandmother, Betty Jo Morrison Carlton, 93, passed away peacefully in her home in Huntsville, Alabama on January 5, 2023, with family at her side. Betty was born in Jasper, Tennessee and moved to Huntsville in 1958 with her young family. Her life was lived as a journey in search of knowledge, understanding, and the sharing of what she discovered and valued along the way. As an avid reader, researcher of literature, lifelong student, prolific writer, and educator she approached every situation and circumstance as an opportunity to learn and potentially disseminate that knowledge. She listened carefully and formed opinions that were well informed. Her approach was always positive, with the perception that learning was fun, worthwhile, and available to all. Betty also served as a role model for many wishing to have professional careers as women. She attended Tennessee Tech as a young mother, earned her Bachelor of Arts in History in 1968 as a member of the first undergraduate class at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. She completed her master's degree in counseling at Alabama A&M University and pursued her doctorate at Vanderbilt University in educational leadership. Betty spent approximately thirty years, what she termed a "generation" teaching and learning from students and faculty at Huntsville High. Many may have their own stories to share about these interactions. Students benefitted from classes on American History and Family Life. She later became the Assistant Principal in charge of faculty training and curriculum development where Faculty engaged in continuing education under Betty's leadership. She kept student and faculty learning as the focus of her career by integrating the most up to date communication, learning, and teaching techniques, always on the cutting edge. In the community she identified the need for parenting education classes which she successfully implemented while at Huntsville High for parents. She was a pathfinder in her career, finding not only obstacles but also offering solutions. Betty's career did not end with retirement from Huntsville High School. Soon afterwards she started teaching "How to Write Your Life Story" and other classes at the Osher Lifetime Learning Institute (OLLI) on the UAH campus as well as at LearningQUEST sponsored by the Huntsville Library. She taught hundreds of Huntsville adults in these courses how to share their own stories as legacies. Betty collated these stories in a bound class volume and distributed to participants in the classes for many years. Betty enjoyed more that education. She traveled extensively, and held high regard for diverse cultures, fine art, museums, and music. Her children, grandchildren and some friends were the recipients of a joyful song, "Good Morning to You," if visiting in her home. Betty led a very full and long life and left many wonderful memories for those fortunate enough to know her. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester J. Morrison and Dollie Camp Morrison, her brother James Lester Morrison and her sister Peggy Morrison Lewis. She is survived by her four children: Willinda 'Wendy' Carlton Glover (Rodney), Joseph Madison Carlton, Jr (Libby), Marsha Ann Carlton Weinstein (Gary), Betty Gwen Carlton (John Watkins). Six grandchildren: Joseph Madison Carlton, III (Jennifer), Benjamin Heath Weinstein (Christina), Leslie Anne Carlton Roberts (Brandon), Laura Ann Weinstein (Marshall Eldred, III), William Scott Carlton and Adam Joseph Weinstein. Nine great-grandchildren: Kathryn Anne and Joseph Madison Carlton, IV; Greyson Thomas, Beckett William and Finnley Matthew Roberts; William Allen Carlton; Hayden and Preston Weinstein; and Marshall Polk Eldred IV. A special acknowledgement to Polly Smythe who was her good friend and outstanding caregiver during her last years. She was buried on January 7 at a family graveside service in Jasper, Tennessee. Donations in her memory can be made to the National Collaborative for Women's History Sites. Donate online at www.ncwhs.org or mail to NCWHS c/o Alice Paul Institute, PO Box 1376, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054.
Published by The Huntsville Times from Jan. 20 to Jan. 29, 2023.