Betty Ruth (Byers) Carpenter, 81, passed away peacefully at home in Niceville, FL, on November 21, 2025, surrounded by her family and friends. What a glorious homecoming. Betty was so special that she was able to spend her birthday with both her children, here on earth and in heaven.

After five boys, Betty Ruth was born on November 21, 1944, in Osage, Oklahoma, the only daughter of Floyd Que and Opal (Young) Byers. She grew up on her family’s farm in Osage, where she learned the values of hard work, faith, and caring for others alongside her older brothers: Kenneth, Jim, Gene, Fred, and Jack. Betty graduated from Cleveland High School in 1962. She cherished her upbringing and often spoke of the memories made on the farm, and the challenge of living with five older brothers.

Betty eloped with the love of her life, Gary Carpenter, on May 28, 1965, in Tulsa, Oklahoma and together they built a beautiful life over their 60 years of marriage. The couple had two children, Michael Damon (1969-1993) and Michele Dawn (1973), and shared countless adventures, quiet moments, and a deep, enduring love. The couple traveled extensively while Gary served in the Army for 22 years including Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Alabama, Panama, Arkansas and finally settling in Florida for the last 30 years. And Betty had some wonderful jobs in these locations. She worked for the Dept of Defense, Corps of Engineers, retired from Boeing but the family favorite was when she ran the concession stand at Shimmey Beach on Fort Sherman, Panama. Betty was a hard worker and was well loved by all her coworkers. After all, at Boeing and probably the ones prior, she was known as THE Betty Carpenter.

Betty Ruth had a whirlwind 2025 when the family made it their bucket list year with the first visit to Hawaii in 50 years, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, family pictures taken, they traveled to Oklahoma for the Osage Indian dances and so many other amazing memories that will forever be cherished.

Betty is survived by her husband, Gary Carpenter; her daughter, Michele Willingham; her brother Jack (Pat) Byers; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and lifelong friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Floyd Que and Opal Pebble, her brothers Kenneth (Carol), Fred, Jim (Shirley) and Gene (Dorothy), and her son, Michael Carpenter.

Betty will be remembered for her kindness, strength, and humor, her love of reading and social media: she loved being able to see pictures and celebrate the moments of her family and friends both near & far, and the way she made everyone around her feel. Her legacy of love and resilience will remain in the hearts of those who knew her.

CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR BETTY RUTH (BYERS) CARPENTER

To honor the life of Betty Ruth (Byers) Carpenter, the family will be hosting two Celebration of Life gatherings—one in Hominy, Oklahoma and one in Niceville, Florida —so that friends and family in both places she loved may come together to visit, reminisce, and share stories as they remember her.

Betty loved the family reunions on Memorial Day weekend so these will be informal, open-house style gatherings with photos and light snacks. Guests are welcome to come and go during the scheduled time.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Salvation Army or simply take a moment to do something kind in her honor.

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HOMINY, OKLAHOMA

Saturday, May 23, 2026

2:00-4:00 PM

923 N Eastern Ave, Ste. D

Hominy, OK 74035

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NICEVILLE, FLORIDA

Saturday, May 30, 2026

2:00-4:00 PM

Boathouse Landing Restaurant

Valparaiso, FL 32580