Elizabeth "Betty" Abbott Carter

ELIZABETH "BETTY" ABBOTT CARTER, 87, of Little Rock went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2016. She was born in Vincent, Ala., to Anna Evelyn Bishop Abbott and Albert Greene Abbott. Betty met Oliver Reuben "Ben" Carter, a young Auburn graduate student, on a blind date. Ben always said he immediately fell in love with her, and that she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. They married on Christmas Eve 1948, in Talladega, Ala., and their 66 year adventure began, raising three children while living and traveling all over the world. She never met a stranger and loved everyone. Although her primary focus was devoted wife and mother, Betty was a woman of many talents and interests. She loved sewing, decorating, and painting, and she could create anything one could ask for. An avid gardener, Betty's yard was featured in Arkansas Gardener magazine. She loved to entertain and share her beautiful yard and home. Betty was a proud descendant of Alabama pioneers and she enjoyed genealogy. Betty was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Beta Sigma Phi, the Garden Club, and The Horticulture Club. She volunteered at the Arkansas Arts Center, The Decorative Arts Museum, and spent countless hours decorating trees for the CARTI Festival of Trees. She was a faithful member of Second Presbyterian Church and loved decorating for church events. She was active in the Presbyterian Women's Group. Betty was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and brother, Albert Greene Abbott, Jr. She is survived by daughters Toni Carter Cullum of Little Rock, Cynthia Carter of Mountain Home, son Mitchel Carter (Laurie) of Oviedo, Fla. She is also survived by five adoring grandchildren Erin Cullum Marcussen (Jeff) of Little Rock, William Dyer of Fayetteville, Daniel Dyer of Memphis, Tenn., Olivia Dyer of Fayetteville, Emmaline Carter of Oviedo, Fla., and great-granddaughter Cora Marcussen of Little Rock, and many beloved nieces and nephews. She is also survived by sisters Mildred White of Jacksonville, Ala., and Carlene Allen (Cleve) of Knoxville, Tenn. There will be a Celebration of Life at Second Presbyterian Church on Tuesday Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. Memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church or to American Parkinson Disease Association, 135 Parkinson Avenue, Staten Island, N.Y. 10305. Arrangements are by Ruebel Funeral Home www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.