Obituary of Betty-Barnetta Carter

CARTER, Betty Barnetta A talented, gifted, and radiant personality has been silenced. Age 53. She died in Rochester, N.Y. on March 4, 2010. She is survived by her parents, James and Betty Carter of Nashville, TN; sister, Marietta (Terry) Backus, Nashville, TN; brothers, Clayton (Karlene) Carter, Kingsport, TN; Myron (Robin) Carter, Knoxville, TN; nephews Andrew, Kelton, and Luke Carter, nieces, Katie and Leah Carter, uncle, numerous aunts, cousins, and a host of loyal friends. A special recognition is reserved for a loved one, David Munnell of Genesee, N.Y. While living in Nashville, Barnetta was an active member of Inglewood Baptist Church. She graduated from McGavock High School in 1974. Barnetta graduated magna cum laude in three years with a degree in fine arts from Florida State University. She taught school for two years in TN before going to New York City in 1979 to pursue her dream of an acting career. While in NYC, Barnetta performed in off Broadway productions and also performed several times in "All My Children". During her summers she performed summer stock theatre in Naples, N.Y. and spent six months performing in Vienna, Austria. After returning to the states in 1988, Barnetta was offered the position of Artistic Director for the Bristol Valley Playhouse, later known as Bristol Valley Theatre, in Naples, N.Y. She held this position for seven years completing an association of thirteen years with the theatre. Barnetta, an innovative and master teacher, next accepted a federal grant to incorporate the teaching of drama techniques and strategies into the curriculum of the Rochester School System. It was during this time, Barnetta was offered and accepted the position of director for the renowned H.B. Studio in New York City. She was the first to hold this position after the original owners, Hubert Bergdorf and Uta Hagen. This studio was where not only she but also many well-known actors and actresses studied. It wasn't long though before her failing health necessitated a return to her home in Rochester. Barnetta spent the last years of her life in declining health with medical problems associated with diabetes and vascular dementia. She had to gradually disassociate herself during this time from a profession she dearly loved. Visitation with the family will be Friday, March 12, 2010 from 3 - 7 p.m. at the Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 2 p.m. at the Woodmont Baptist Church, at the corner of Hillsboro Rd. and Woodmont Blvd. Private family burial later. Rev. Clarence Stewart and Dr. Jon Roebuck, Pastor of Woodmont Baptist Church, officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 105 West Park Drive, Suite 415, Brentwood, TN, 37027. WOODLAWN-ROESCH-PATTON FUNERAL HOME, (615)383-4754.