Bettie Caraway, aided church and shop
Bettie Wilkerson Caraway of Ridgefield, who was active in church and charitable work, died on Wednesday, Nov. 21, at Norwalk Hospital. She was 72 years old and the widow of Morgan R. Caraway.
Mrs. Caraway was born in Polo, Mo., May 17, 1929, a daughter of the late Floyd M. and Sarah Pauline Couch Wilkerson. She attended schools in Missouri and graduated from the North Kansas City High School.
The Caraways came to Ridgefield in 1966 from Hauppauge, Long Island. Mrs. Caraway was an office manager for Lawrence Lefkowitz, M.D. of Norwalk, from 1976 until 1996.
Mrs. Caraway was a member of the First Congregational Church of Ridgefield and served on its Board of Deacons as well as a member of the Chancel Guild. She was also a volunteer at the Ridgefield Thrift Shop for some 20 years and served as a member of its Board of Directors as well as a past president.
She enjoyed helping people, said her son, Ray. “She never met a stranger.”
For relaxation, Mrs. Caraway played bridge, traveled — most recently with the AARP groups in town — and collected antiques.
She is survived by two sons: Scott C. Caraway and his wife, Laurie, of Guilford and M. Ray Caraway and his wife, Debra of Cartersville, Ga; a brother, Floyd M. Wilkerson and his wife, Daralene of Colorado Springs, Colo.; and four grandchildren, Kathryn M., Kristie M., Matthew S. and M. Kent.
Her husband, an airline pilot, died in 1975.
Memorial services took place Monday in the First Congregational Church. Burial was private.
Contributions in Mrs. Caraway’s memory may be made to the Ridgefield Thrift Shop, 15 Catoonah Street, or to the Norwalk Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 5050, Norwalk, CT 06856-5050.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.