Carol "Betsy" Elizabeth Ross Paulding

Carol Elizabeth (“Betsy”) Ross Paulding went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on March 27, 2026, surrounded by family. Betsy was born in Detroit, Michigan on February 10, 1942, to William K. Ross and Gladys R. Ross who predeceased her. She graduated from Wakefield High School in 1959, and New England Baptist School of Nursing in 1962. She then attended Columbia Bible College in 1962–63. Betsy married Stephen Bradley Paulding, her husband of nearly 60 years, in June 11, 1966, and raised three children with him. She obtained master’s degrees in biblical counseling and Family & Marriage Counseling (1988 & 1990, respectively) and served many with the skills she attained and developed. She loved hosting family and friends at her home in Portland, Maine; serving and leading women’s ministries at First Baptist Church of Portland, speaking at ladies conferences, and spending one-on-one time with her precious friends.

Betsy is survived by her husband Stephen B. Paulding, M.D., her son Timothy R. Paulding and his wife Hope, her daughter Rebecca P. Senita and her husband Michael, and her son Jonathan J. Paulding and his wife Heather. She is also survived by nine grandchildren—David Paulding, Matthew Paulding, Sarah Paulding White, Jeremiah Senita, Abigail Paulding, Greta Paulding, Anna Paulding, Stephen Senita, and Nathan Paulding—and six great-grandchildren (Naomi, Isaac, Salem, Ezra, Arthur, and William).

Celebration of life services will be held at First Baptist Church of Portland at 1 PM on Tuesday March 31st followed by an informal reception. A private graveside service will be held at a later time.