Betty L. Tankersley

of Carmel, Indiana passed away unexpectedly on December 16, 2010. Betty was a graduate of Leavenworth (Kansas) High School and Chapman University (California). At 19, she married her high- school sweetheart, Larry D. Tankersley. Their marriage survived 44 years, until his death in l999. During this time, they helped each other obtain their respective formal educations and raise 3 children to adulthood. Betty was an impeccable �Pastor�s wife� and a pillar of faith. During their lives together, she and Larry served congregations in: Enid, Oklahoma, Richardson, Corpus Christi and Kingwood, Texas; Miami, Florida; and Fullerton, California. After retiring from the pastorate, they continued to serve many, many people through their service with the Christian Church � Disciples of Christ and the National Council of Churches. During her life, Betty had been employed in many ways. She was a director for the adult re-entry program from Chapman University; a successful realtor; and she served in several roles for: the United Church of Christ: The Christian Church � Disciples of Christ; and the National Council of Churches. Following her retirement in l999, Betty continued to serve others in her capacity as a volunteer for St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis and the Carmel Senior Center. She was also very active in her role as an elder of the Carmel Christian Church. Betty loved her family, ardently and unconditionally. She remained vital, purposeful and staunchly independent until her death. Her strength, compassion and gracious generosity remain a gift to all those close to her. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Carmel Christian Church, 463 East Main Street, Carmel. Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m. Betty is survived by her: children, Larry Stephen (Wendy) Tankersley and Angela Marie Smith; grandchildren, Hope, Christian and Thomas; brother, Thomas O. Turpin; sister, Frankie J. Jones; and daughter-in-law, June E. Tankersley. She was preceded in death by her: husband, Rev. Larry D. Tankersley; her son, Mark Charles Tankersley; parents, Thomas O. and Genevieve Turpin; and sisters, Mary Frances Turpin, Dorothy Maxine Hamilton, and Anna Lee Martin. Memorial contributions may be made in Betty�s name to: Week of Compassion, Larry Tankersley Fund, c/o Disciples of Christ � Christian Church Foundation, P. O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1986. Arrangements entrusted to Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel.

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Betty L. Tankersley

July 5, 1935 - December 16, 2010