Betty Walters

Betty was born in Kentucky but grew up in Indiana.  In 1967 she and her husband, Hank Walters, moved to Naples, Florida (Dad loved fishing off that pier).
In 1989 Betty and Hank moved to Silver Springs, Florida. There they developed close ties with their neighbors and Betty was loved by her church and YMCA families.

Although Hank passed away in 2018, for several years Betty continued to feel secure living alone in their home due to the love and care that enveloped her from her culde sac neighbors and her loving minister and church family at Ocala Central Baptist Church.
Despite these close ties, once she turned 91 she began to feel that God wanted her to be with her daughter in Georgia. This new adventure began in May 2023. Though leaving her friends in Florida was difficult, she was now living with a daughter who was a registered nurse and with whom she shared an especially tender, protective, special bond.

Though Betty missed the life she left behind, she felt peace knowing the responsibilities of her Florida life had been lifted. More time could now be spent with her daughter and daily conversations with her grandson and great granddaughter. Betty also enjoyed the frequent visits from other family and the participation in the day to day goings on of a crazy, bustling family household. She was laughing and at peace and loving the positive aspects of this huge transition.

As often is the case, this beautiful time was cut too short when Betty, still learning the in and outs of her new home, took a misstep and fell. The surgical repair of a broken hip went beautifully, but complications developed while in recovery. After 24 hours of fighting, she grew tired and chose to accept the loving embrace of God and go home.

Betty will be remembered and missed by a large family, including her younger sister, Patty Tarter, in Indiana. The pair were in frequent contact and supported each other as only sisters can. Betty also leaves three remaining daughters out of six, nine grandchildren, six great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.  We all loved her so very much.

Our family would like to extend special thank yous to Betty’s cul-de-sac and church families, without whom she surely would not have been able to live independently for as long as she did.
Dr. Sidney E. Clevinger, her primary care physician, was nothing short of a beloved friend and confidant. Tammy, her hair dresser of 30 years, was considered a sister. Her minister, Dr. Bloom, was her spiritual pillar of strength. Her YMCA family brightened her life and made themselves selflessly available whenever Betty needed.

We are sharing a poem that Betty was fond of and always carried with her:

When I come to the end of the road 
And the sun has set for me 
I want no rites in a gloom filled room 
Why cry for a soul set free? 
Miss me a little, but not for long 
And not with your head bowed low 
Remember the love that once we shared 
Miss me, but let me go. 
For this is a journey we all must take 
And each must go alone. 
It's all part of the master plan 
A step on the road to home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ocala Central Baptist Church in Ocala Flordia.