Loving mother and grandmother, people person

Betty Carson, a former Claremont resident, died Saturday, March 30, 2013. She was 93.

Ms. Carson was the first-born child of Jeannette McMullen and Clyde Jackson.

Born on May 1, 1919, at the end of WWI, she grew up in San Bernardino with her younger brother Paul and learned about hard work and faithful perseverance from her parents. Her father worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, and her mother worked in their home, sewing clothes for the family and gardening to help put food on the table.

When Ms. Carson was very young, her maternal grandmother moved into the Jackson home, where the 2 shared a room. That experience was not an easy one for her, but it caused her to develop acceptance for whatever life would bring her way.

In 1936, Ms. Carson graduated from San Bernardino High School and then married Bill Carson in 1938. Two children were soon a part of the Carson family: Bob, born in 1940, and Paula Jean, born in 1944. In January of 1945, Ms. Carsons’ husband was drafted into the Navy leaving her the task of raising their 2 young ones alone.

During WWII, Mr. Carson was stationed on a troop transport ship headquartered in the Philippines and took part in returning freed prisoners to the states. His love for Ms. Carson and his children is evidenced by the over 70 letters he wrote home during his time serving in the Navy. In February of 1946 he was honorably discharged.

Upon his return home, Mr. Carson was employed by Blue Seal Laundry and the Carsons soon settled into their first home on Towne Avenue in Pomona.

In the years that followed, Ms. Carson was an involved mother, attending Little League games, serving as president of the PTA and serving on the Pomona Unified School District Board of Education for 17 years. 

Sundays were always special because they started with services at Pomona First Baptist Church, where the Carsons were active members, and then highlighted at dinner time by Ms. Carson’s  “home-cooked meals,” as her husband always called them.  

Ms. Carson lived over 40 years in Pomona and, in 1995, moved to Claremont where she lived until 2010. Once her children were grown, she delighted in being a grandparent and when her grandsons had their own children they called her GG, short for “great-grandmother.”

Ms. Carson stayed active by playing bridge 3 times a week and always enjoyed the challenge of a good crossword puzzle. She served as president to the Mariner’s Sunday school class for several years in her late 80’s. She had worked through the years at Hiatt’s Dress Shop, The Dog Pound, The Post Office, the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds and a number of banks.

Three years ago, Ms. Carson moved to Tustin where she spent her final years receiving care in a residential-living facility. A few weeks before she died, in a direct style she was known for, she looked at her daughter, Paula and said, “I quit!”

“And indeed she did. She quit this life, having lived it well, and went directly to the arms of Jesus her Lord and her new life with Him,” her daughter said.

Family noted that Ms. Carson was known by all for her great sense of humor, her enjoyment of everyone around her, her light-hearted indulgence in tacos and Crispy Creme donuts and her delight in being called “Boomer” by her son, Bob.

Ms. Carson is survivied by her 2 children and their spouses, Bob Carson (and Wendy, who died in 2008) of Claremont; and Paula (and George) Munzing of Orange.

She is also survived by 2 grandsons and their families: Ross, Nicole, Ty and Bree Carson of Aliso Viejo; Scott, Jen, Jack and Ryan Carson of Chandler, Arizona. Her niece, Paulette Cappiello of Bothell, Washington. And her “adopted” son: Deepak Ubahaykar and his wife Asha.

A graveside celebration for Ms. Carson will be held tomorrow, Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m. at the Mt. View Cemetery in San Bernardino, followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Forest Home Conference Center, 40000 Valley of the Falls Drive, Forest Falls, Ca