Muncie Times, Muncie, Delaware County, 21 November 2002 — Page 33

The Muncie Times, November 21, 2002, page 40

OBITUARIES

Mary Jane Tolbert of Anderson, father John ‘Chuckle’ E. (wife Saundra) Crawford II of Anderson; four sisters Sophenia J. Whigume, Shaiisa A. Tolbert, Kimlee Shaw, and Shawna M. Love all of Anderson; three nephews Terrance D.M. (Tolbert) English, Khanisus J. McCarter, Perez J. Porter and three nieces Terrnisha M. (Tolbert) English, Khadija M. McCarter, Perazha Z. Porter all of Anderson; one step-sister Erika Carter and four step-brothers Dale, Sauntio, Thomas, & Arman Carter all of Indianapolis; four uncles Edward ‘Eddie’ D. Crawford of Indianapolis, Ronnie Jordan of Muncie, James Jordan of Anderson, Jessie Jordan of Jackson, Ml; 13 aunts with special recognition to Phyllis D. Crawford of New Haven, Connecticut, Tara T. Crawford, Mary A. (Crawford) (husband: Gregory, Sr.) Peak, Doris ‘Dorothy Kelly’ Gordon, Marilyn (husband: Eugene) Fuller, Deaconness Nancy Jordan, Evang. Betty Chamberlain, Ora Cade, and Anna Goolsby all of Anderson, Virginia A. ‘Jeni’ Crawford of Indianapolis, Ophelia Kelly, rev. Linda Steans, and Ruth Johnson all of Detroit, Ml; several great uncles & aunts and a mass of cousins, relatives, and friends. Also surviving with special recognition is a cousin, considered more like a brother, Thomas ‘Beau’ Crawford of Anderson. Surviving special friends include Carolyn K. Casey, Dion Talmidge, John Casey, ‘Aunt’ Bonnie Morgan & Linda Jones all of Anderson; Patricia Porter, Timmy Newsom & James Porter Jr. all of New Haven, CT. He was preceded in death by his paternalgrandparents John E. & Ida Mae Crawford; maternal grandparents Rebecca

Jordan Pritchett and Otha Tolbert; two aunts Tangala D. Crawford and Areatha M. ‘Red’ Morrow; and one uncle Leonard ‘Junebug’ Jordan, Jr.

Gertrude Dishmon 1926-2002 Wednesday, August 28,2002 1:00 PM Gholar & Gholar Funeral Service

Reverend Robert White, Officiating Gertrude (Morgan) Dishmon, 75, of Anderson, died Thursday, August 22, 2002 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana after a brief illness.

Betty Jane Lee was born to the union of Clifford and Dora Florence Richardson-Levi who preceded her in death. Betty was born on July 8, 1921 and departed this life to be with the lord on August 26, 2002 after a very short illness at the age of 81. Betty spent her entire life in Muncie, Indiana. She graduated from Muncie Central High School in 1939. She went to work at the Old Biscuit Bar downtown on High Street serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. She continued her working experience at Chrysler Corporation in New Castle, Indiana and Ball State University where

she retired a number of years later. Betty was most known for her mild mannerism, sense of humor, integrity and her genuine concern for others. She was fondly known as “Ms. Betty” as people would walk, ride and stop by her house, as she would proudly sit on her porch giving out advice. Betty professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized at Union Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend H.L. Buckman. She continued serving the Lord at Union Baptist Church until her passing. Betty Lee was very active in her church serving on the Usher Board and singing in the church choir for 70 years. She also served as secretary of the LLW Federated Club. She had a burning desire to sing with Muncie Mass Community Choir each year. She provided a valuable service to her favorite nursing home by singing weekly to those that were ill, which enhanced her legacy for the love of church and the people she loved. Betty was an active bowler at the Liberty Bowling Lanes. You could always find her bowling on any Friday night, along with her teammates, “The Untouchables,” of the Victor League. Another joy of her life was viewing the Indiana Pacers and keeping up with the Muncie Central Bearcats basketball team. Betty Jane Levi was married to Willie Lee of Cleveland, Mississippi, on November 21, 1947. He preceded her in death. Two sons and one daughter were born from this union. Betty Jane Lee leaves to celebrate her transition two sons and one daughter: Pete (Cheryl) Lee of Kentwood, Michigan; Carl Lee of Montgomery, Alabama; and Judy Lee-

Sharpe of Columbus, Ohio; grandchildren: Jason (Amy) Lee of Anderson, Indiana; Shane Lee of Muncie, Indiana; Michele BowlesPatterson and Bree Bowles of Ypsilanti, Michigan; Carl M. Long of Muncie, Indiana; Bayinna a. Warfield of Durham, North Carolina; Kenya N. Lee, Ibrahim K. Lee, Gabriel H. Lee, Elias A. Lee and Carl M. Lee, Jr. all of Montgomery, Alabama; Joy (Aaron) Theis of Findlay, Ohio; Jennifer Bass, Janell Bass and David Sharpe all of Columbus, Ohio. A MOTHERS TRIBUTE As I sit here trying to convey in writing the words that are locked up inside for the love of a mother that has passed from earth to glory, it is really hard. I must tell myself that she is in a much better place than here. Most of the time our natural desire is to keep the mother you have living as long as possible. But now I realize now as she did, it just wasn’t in God’s plan. My mother was a pillar of her community, church and family. She had a divine purpose in life and I believe it was so designed that God would get the Glory from her life so that she could be a blessing to someone else. She often said, “If I could help somebody along life’s way then my living is not in vain.” My mother, Betty Jane Lee has helped countless people in Union Baptist for many, many years, her bowling team, Church Choir and Nursing Home Ministry just to name a few. In all of my travels and achievements through sports in high school, college and even the Olympic Games, I have never witnessed the strength, toughness, and will power that my mother

displayed, before and after surgery. When the doctors told her she had cancer, of course she was disappointed, but I believe even her disappointment turned into relief just to know that down through the years God has been good to her and He has not brought her this far to leave her. I also believe God has brought her full circle in life and in death. If there were a lesson to be learned from all of this, I am sure that it would be that my mother would want her children to ■ love, support, and cherish on another as she did in life. I personally want to thank the doctors, nurses, friends and neighbors for their love and support during this trying time. I would especially want to thank my wife, brother, sister, nieces and Erma Green who worked tirelessly to make Momma comfortable. This small tribute to my mother can not begin to express the deep heartfelt loss that I feel for my mother. I will always love you Mom Your Valentine Gift, Pete Lee

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