Betty Jean Charnell, better known to her family as Grammers, passed away peacefully at home in Palmetto., Florida on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. Betty was born in Swayzee, Indiana on June 16th 1930. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edith and Arl McLain; her brothers Don (Audry) McLain, Max (Margaret) McLain, and Robert McLain; her beloved grandson Tristan Evans, and beloved son-in0law Dr. Steven Greenfield.
She is survived by her sister Arlene McMahon of Marion, Indiana; her six children: Jim (Cindy) Charnell, Kenny (Faye) Charnell, Shirley Greenfield, Linda Evans (Mark Bethel), Edie Edwards, Ray (Teresa) Charnell, 12 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.
Betty was born in Swayzee, Indiana on June16, 1930. She was a graduate of Marion High School and attended Ball State University before marrying and having her children. She relocated to Palmetto, Florida in 1968. Eventually, she moved into a home on Snead Island, where she lived for 40 years.
Betty had a bachelor’s in social work from the University of South Florida. She has a long career with the Florida Department of Children and Families Services, retiring after 17 years in 1996. Betty taught tax preparation and handled filings for over 35 years with H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt. Her last job was teaching middle school mat at Manatee School for the Arts in Palmetto, Florida.
Betty was known for her slightly burnt Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. She loved her nightly walks out to Emerson Point with her Jack Russell Terriers, Harley and Molly. Betty loved to cook big meals for her entire family. Grammers could often be found at high school football games, school plays, dance recitals, fashion shows, soccer games, awards ceremonies, county fairs, graduations, softball games, or anywhere else her grandchildren asked her to go.
Please join us in celebrating Betty’s life on Saturday, April 6 at Groover Funeral Home in Ellenton, Florida. A memorial will be held at 1:00 PM with a service to immediately follow at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in her name to the Women’s Resource Center in Manatee County, https://www.mywrc.org/.
