Betty Jean Carpenter

Betty Jean Carpenter, 89 years old, of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on May 8th, 2024 at Virginia Beach General Hospital after battling an illness. Born April 27, 1935, in Oceana (Virginia Beach, Virginia), Betty was born to the late Lillian Gladys Rumley and Robert William Rumley. Raised primarily in Virginia Beach, she attended Oceana High School. Thereafter, she started her family and supported them by beginning her career as a bank teller at First and Merchants Bank. Betty stayed with the company as it transitioned for more than 30 years allowing her to acquire a friendship with many of the community customers. Betty was a staple in the bank and many people looked forward to seeing her at the teller window. Betty met her late husband William E Carpenter (Bill) behind the meat counter at Farm Fresh in the early 1980s and were married for 37 years. Betty and Bill loved to travel around the northern United States whilst visiting Bill’s family. In their younger years, trips to the Moose Lodge for dancing and drinks were never out of the question. Besides her parents & husband, Betty was predeceased by her brother Robert William Rumley Jr and one grandson Sean Lee Sands. She is survived by her children Judith A Sands, Donna M Brown and husband Robert, Jeffrey A Midgett, and wife Reba, Deborah J Reibel and husband Timothy, and David B Midgett & daughter in law, Renee Midgett. Betty was the epitome of an amazing mother and grandmother. Betty also left 9 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Betty is also survived by her sisters Jane Etheridge and husband Bennie & Jeannette Collins. In the last 5 years of her life, Betty was supported around the clock by her daughter Deborah J Reibel, and husband Tim as well as their children Drew and Cole. In addition, professional caretakers Tashay Selby and Nia L also played a pivotal role in the last years of Betty's life. Betty quickly became acquainted with Nia and Shay and developed a loving bond with them. Both Nia and Shay looked at Betty like a mother and a friend, and their assistance will never be forgotten. In addition to both incredible caretakers and family, Betty was supported by her cat Sassy, who will miss her dearly. A funeral Service for Betty will be held Thursday May 16th, 2024 at 10:00 AM with visitation 1 hour prior at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 N Witchduck Rd, Virginia Beach Virginia 23462.