Elizabeth "Betty" May Brown

Elizabeth "Betty" May Brown, age 99, of Jacksonville, Florida, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, under the care of Community Hospice at Baptist Medical Center South. She was born to Elizabeth (nee Schmelzer) and Fred L. Carpenter on October 3, 1924, in Madison, Wisconsin. Prior to retiring to Sarasota with her husband of 63 years, Kenton John Brown, they resided in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Loves Park, Illinois, Rockford, Illinois, Suffern, New York, and Mobile, Alabama. Betty was a lifelong Catholic and recently a member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Jacksonville.
Betty grew up in a very musical family of seven children, the Carpenters of Regent Street in Madison, Wisconsin. Her four brothers (Joe, Fritz, Bucky, and Harold) formed a barbershop quartet and her sister Agnes was a professional organist and piano teacher. Betty had a beautiful singing voice and delighted many by breaking into song. She sang in church choirs, sometimes as soloist, from the age of fourteen to aged eighty-three, and also sang in several operas. She was a very talented pianist and played complex compositions often by ear. She and husband Kenton first met in the University of Wisconsin choir and later made delightful recordings of their playing and singing together.
The Carpenter family network was and still is extensive; among the seven Carpenter children, 36 offspring (first cousins) were produced. Elizabeth Schmelzer Carpenter (Betty’s mother) was one of nine siblings and her mother’s sister, Julianna Rodenschmit, had eight children. The Rodenschmit farm in Cross Plains, Wisconsin was a center for the many families to gather especially on the 4th of July. Communications and periodic reunions were carried on among the cousins, aunts and uncles for many years with lots of laughing and singing, and many relationships endure today.
Betty will be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, aunt, and friend that enjoyed bowling, golf, gardening, and traveling. Over the years, she and Kenton traveled to many European and Caribbean countries. She volunteered for many years as a Candy Striper for hospitals in Suffern, NY, and Mobile, AL. She was very beautiful and stylish and modeled for Avon magazine.
All who encountered Betty noted that her lively spirit was contagious, and she spread joy wherever she went. From her family roots, she developed a wonderful sense of humor that she cultivated in her children, and which helped her tremendously to deal with their antics. Many of her humorous sayings have been documented and still make her children laugh. At the independent living facility in Jacksonville where she resided for 12 years, she delighted the other residents by singing and dancing at musical events. For her husband and children, she was a constant source of support and love in good and difficult times. She will be very deeply missed.
The family wishes to extend our love and thanks to all the caregivers who managed Betty’s care over the last decade. You are all dedicated, compassionate, and generous souls. Your love and devoted caregiving over the years are deeply appreciated by all Betty’s family.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Kenton Brown; and siblings Joe Carpenter, Agnes Grady, Fritz Carpenter, Dorothy Turner, Roman (Bucky) Carpenter, and Harold Carpenter. She is survived by her children, Sheila Brown-Reed of Parkdale, Oregon, Thomas Brown (Kim) of Atlanta, Georgia, Laurie Brown Denliker (George) of Charlotte, North Carolina, James Brown of Jacksonville, and Julie Brown (Curtis Marquis) of Mountain View, California; grandson, Thomas Jordan Brown of Atlanta, Georgia; and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date.
Cremation arrangements entrusted to the dedicated care of BLACKBURN-CURRY FUNERAL & CREMATION, 380 N. Lowder Street, Macclenny, Florida 32063. (904) 259-2806. Please share your condolences with the Brown family online at www.blackburncurryfh.com.

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