Obituary of Betty R. Todd

Heltonville – Betty R. Todd, 87, of Heltonville, died on Tuesday, June 28, 2016 at the Seymour Crossing nursing facility in Seymour after an extended illness. Born December 22, 1928 in Smithville, Monroe Co., she was the daughter of Noah Everett and Dertha Ann (Todd) Blackwell. She married Cletis Opal Todd on October 25, 1947 and he preceded her in death on November 21, 1990. Betty was a 1947 graduate of Heltonville High School and afterwards the Central Beauty College of Indianapolis. She was a member of the Heltonville Baptist Church and the Seymour chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. She retired from Dana Corp. in Mitchell in 2002. Betty served in many roles during her life: as a beautician, homemaker, farm hand, PTO mom, caregiver, Sunday school and Bible school teacher. She enjoyed cooking, baking and gardening, and was well known for a full freezer and her speciality, pies. As her children grew up the house and yard were often filled with their friends and cousins. All left well fed and often with a haircut. Years later both Betty and Opal took great pleasure on those occassions when all the grandchildren would come to the farm for the weekend. Aunt Jodee and the grandchildren still speak fondly of those weekend gatherings and their many adventures at family events. Survivors include sons Dan Todd and wife Mary of Heltonville, Jim Todd and wife Doris of Bedford; daughters Janet Mowry and husband David of Seymour, and Jodee Todd and partner Jeff Jones of Salem; brother Darrell Blackwell and wife Gleathal of Bedford; sisters-in-law Roberta (Wayne) Blackwell of Judah, Velma (Mack) Todd of Memphis, TN, and Shirly Todd-Bouher of Bloomington; eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Betty was preceeded in death by her parents, husband Opal and daughter Norma Doanne (Jim) Turner; brothers Marion (Mary) Blackwell, Ray (Essie) Blackwell, Wayne (Roberta) Blackwell, and twins David and William at birth; sisters Marie (Everett) Fish, Cleta (Berlin) Murphy, Lena (Everett) Murphy, Reatha (John) Sieverling and Wilma (John) Allen. Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Friday, July 1st at the Day & Carter Mortuary with an Eastern Star memorial service conducted at 7:00 pm. Funeral services will be conducted with visitation from 9:00 am with the service commencing at 11:00 am on Saturday, July 2nd at the Day & Carter Mortuary with the Rev. Chris Meadows officiating. Burial will follow in the Gilgal Cemetery in Heltonville. After the burial a gathering and meal for family and friends will take place at the Heltonville Baptist Church Annex, covered dishes are welcomed. Memorial contributions may be made to the Heltonville Baptist Church or Gilgal Cemetery. Family and friends may also express condolences at www.daycarter.com.