Lt. Col. Betty Joe "BJ" Charlton, USAF (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Betty Joe “BJ” Charlton, USAF (Ret.), 86, passed away peacefully, on June 3, 2016, at the William R. Courtney Texas State Veterans Home, Temple, TX, into the loving arms of her Heavenly Father; her work on this earth finished. She was born February 2, 1930 in Williamstown, KY, to Charles D. Hurley and Lala E. Hurley. “BJ” grew up in Morristown, TN., where her family had moved when she was one year old. In 1948 she graduated from Morristown High School and St. Mary’s Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Knoxville, TN, in 1951 with a BSN---St. Mary’s was part of Sisters of Mercy, Cincinnati College. She held “RN“ licenses in Tennessee and Texas. “BJ” joined the U.S. Air Force in 1952, commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and retired in 1975 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with 23 years of service. Upon retirement from the USAF, she became the Nursing Administrator at Twelve Oaks Hospital in Houston, TX and was the first to get the hospital accredited. She also worked at the US Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen. She had USAF assignments in the US, Germany, Turkey and the Philippines. Her husband of 49 years said he will mourn her death but celebrate her fantastic life he describes as a “Travelogue”, in that, she lived in seven different countries and visited about twenty-five others. She loved to travel on the Alaskan cruise ships; and had a special love for her dogs. It goes without saying, she loved the U.S. Air Force. “BJ” completed Flight Nurse School in 1954 at Gunter, AFB, AL, and was on flying status out of Mobile, AL for several years. She left a legacy of love for her God, family and country. She was the most vibrant, compassionate, empathetic, caring person you will have ever known; always involved in social, church and community activities. Only God knows how many lives “BJ” has touched through her love, influence and encouragement. She met her husband at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines where he was a civilian tech. rep. and she was a Major. They were married on Sheppard AFB, Wichita Falls, TX, November 23, 1966. Her awards and decorations include: The Meritorious Service Metal w/2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Presidential Unit Citation w/1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/5 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters; Air Force Expeditionary Medal; Air Force Longevity Service Award w/4 Silver Oak Leaf Cluster; National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Oak Cluster and Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon. She was preceded in death by her father, Charles D. Hurley and mother, Lala E. Hurley of Morristown, TN. She is survived by her loving husband Kenneth R. Charlton of Belton, TX and many caring friends. Funeral services for Lt. Col. Charlton will be held on Tuesday, 10:00 AM, June 7, 2016 at the Scanio-Harper Funeral Home followed by graveside services with full military honors at 2:00PM at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen with Rev. Larry Givens and Rev. Derrel Thompson officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be held 5:00 to 7:00PM Monday, June 6, 2016 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Taylor’s Valley Baptist Church, 2470 W. FM 93, Temple, TX 76502; Society of Air Force Nurses, P.O. Box 681026, San Antonio, TX 78268, and/or Baylor Scott & White Healthcare Foundation, 2401 S. 31st Street, Temple, TX 76508.