On October 13, 2020, Bettye J. “Carpenter” Freeman peacefully passed away at the age of 89 at Tampico Terrace Nursing facility in Walnut Creek.

 

Bettye was born as “Bettye Jane Pickens” in Yell County Arkansas on May 3, 1931 Her parents Lonnie D. and Hattie Carter Pickens, raised 6 sons (R.C. Pickens, Bill Pickens, Jake Pickens, Joe Pickens, Jerry Pickens and Jim Pickens) and 3 daughters (Louise, Bettye and Retha Ann).

 

Bettye was a longtime resident of the Contra Costa having moved to the area in1951 area living in Richmond, San Pablo and eventually Martinez.

Bettye is best remembered as a very loving woman with children she cared for.

 

Bettye raised 3 sons, Larry G. Carpenter, George D. Carpenter (deceased), and John William Carpenter Jr and 3 grandchildren Michele L. Carpenter, Debra Lynn Guzman, George D. “Scoot” Carpenter Jr. (deceased). Bettye is also survived by numerous grandchildren, cousin, nieces and nephews.

 

Before moving to Martinez, Bettye was a member of the Hillcrest Baptist Church in El Sobrante where she was a choir member and volunteered in the church nursery.

 

Bettye enjoyed tending to her roses in her front garden and picking/canning fruits and vegetables that she shared with friends and family.

 

Bettye was previously employed at General Electric in Oakland and retired after 13 years at Dennison Eastman in Richmond where she was a machine operator.

 

Bettye “Mom” will be missed by her family and those that knew her……she now rests at peace with the Lord.