August 31, 1946 – October 8, 2026

Betty Jane Carlton, 80, of Ormond Beach, Florida, passed away in Lincoln, Nebraska on Thursday, October 8, 2026. She was born on August 31, 1946, in Fresno, California, to Thomas and Dorothy Grimes.

Betty was a woman of deep faith and remarkable strength. Through hardships over the course of her life, she learned to face challenges with resilience and perseverance. She was known for her honesty, straightforward nature, and her fierce self-reliance. Above all, Betty was a devoted mother who would fight to put her children first. Her family admired her ability to overcome adversity, her fighting spirit, and the strength she drew from her faith.

Betty had a deep love for the ocean and found peace and happiness at the beach. One of her proudest accomplishments was fulfilling her dream of retiring to an oceanside condo in Ormond Beach, Florida. She enjoyed the little things in life, such as swinging on her porch swing, spending time with her grandchildren, walking along the beach, listening to the waves, and dancing to her favorite music.

Betty worked most of her adult life for the State of Nebraska and also the State of Florida. In her free time, she volunteered for many organizations but always looked out for the people she could have a personal impact on. She volunteered for the March of Dimes, the Salvation Army, various hurricane relief organizations, and supported those experiencing homelessness and substance abuse. She also contributed to organizations close to her heart, including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Smile Train, and numerous Christian ministries.

While Betty possessed many wonderful qualities, her greatest legacy will always be the example she set of a strong work ethic, self-reliance, personal spiritual growth, and love for and loyalty to family. With 41 years of sobriety, she became a source of strength to her children and others, offering support when they needed it most. Those who knew her will remember a woman who stood firm in her beliefs and who never gave up. She was truly a unique person.

Betty is survived by her five daughters, Marlene (Tom) Montgomery (Benjamin and Adam), Kim (Phil) Raymond (Mackenzie, Ainsleigh and Hadley), Carla (Terry) Rousseau (Sarah, Alex, Austin, Audrey, Ayden and Anna), Staci Carlton-Jones (Jordan, Ethan, Isaiah, Micah and Xavier), Jodie (Shaun) Krzycki (Kendelle, Ariah, David, Gabi and Anders), and seven great-grandchildren; and her sister, Beverley (Harold) Young.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Herb Smith, and Thomas Grimes; her brother, Michael Grimes; and her beloved son, Shawn Carlton.

Betty’s life was a testament to the love of a mother, faith, sobriety, overcoming adversity, and independence. Though she will be deeply missed, her family will always be grateful for the example she set.

A memorial service will be held at a later date, with details to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Betty’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Smile Train (an organization dedicated to providing cleft palate-focused care to children around the world).