Alberta "Bertie" Louise Carter

Our mother, Alberta “Bertie” Louise Tarver was born on April 27th, 1928 in the oil “boom town” of Borger, a dusty, oil worker camp on the prairie of the Texas Panhandle. Her father moved there in 1924 to work for the Phillips 66 refinery as a Well Checker. It was a rough place in those days, and Bertie grew up in hard times. The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl were part of her early childhood experiences. Her parents were stoic but passed along their values. She grew up tough in a time when children were free to roam.

When her sister Patsy was born, and later her brother Don, Bertie was the older sister who was expected to watch over them and keep them safe when they were out. She suffered from severe allergies, asthma, and migraines as a child. Later in life she wrote that most of her life was spent “just surviving.”

Bertie was always interested in science growing up. She liked to know how things worked. She loved the water and was a self-described “Tom-Boy.” She would sit in the grass and watch the bugs or climb a tree and read Nancy Drew. She played drums in the Borger High School Marching Band. She always loved ice cream. She met our father, Karl Lawson while they both attended college at Texas Tech. They married in August, 1949 and moved to Pueblo, CO. She worked as a substitute teacher until sons Jay and Jeff were born. Karl’s job with Public Service Company required a move to Fort Collins, Colorado where daughter Janne was born. His decision to start his own business necessitated another move to Lakewood, Colorado near Denver.

Here she was able to continue her own education, earning a master’s degree from Denver University. Bertie put her degree and skills to work during a long career as librarian for the Jefferson County School District. First, at Carmody Junior High School beginning in 1965, and later for Columbine High School in Littleton, CO when it was newly opened. Her responsibilities expanded to a dual role when it became designated as a public library for the community. It was during those days that she was remarried to Lynn Carter, a circuit judge and attorney.

Bertie’s work was as a librarian, but she loved her garden. Mother’s Day in our family was always spent in the yard planting, pruning, pulling weeds, transplanting, turning soil, fertilizing, watering. Oh! the dreaded year in our teens when we had to shovel loads of gravel into the wheelbarrow and rake them into their places in the yard. Well, she was happy, and it was only one of the many pieces that formed the work ethic we learned at home. We hated it as kids, but see it differently now.

In retirement, Bertie pursued her love for antiques, partnering in small antique shop near her home in Green Mountain. The shop lasted only a couple of years, but she continued her collaboration and involvement in shows and sales with others who shared her interest. She enjoyed her friends and family, that now also included grandchildren April, Travis, Tyler, Trevor and Renee. She kept focus on those around her, and was always nearby for anyone in need. She followed her heart.

Our mother Bertie was unique in all of her roles, but she was most proud as mother, and gave us her best. Thank you, mom for sharing your values, principles and lessons. Like you, we’ve taken them with us in our lives. We’ll miss you and your humor. But not those rocks. We love you mom. Peaceful journey.

With love from your children: Jay Lawson, Jeff Lawson, Janne (Lawson) Nielson

“Life is fragile…Live each day.”

“Go to sleep knowing you have done your best.”

“Life is a journey, not a destination”