Betty Jean Rich

Betty Jean Rich, Lebanon, Indiana, met her Lord and Savior on July 3 at her home, surrounded by loved ones. Betty was a child of God, wife (widow of 42 years), mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, friend, neighbor, and so many more things. She will be missed by all who knew her well.

Betty was one of 13 children (eight boys, five girls) born to Lawrence and Blanche (Howe) Smith. Born August 7, 1935 in Manson, Indiana, she was the last living sibling of the 13 and their spouses. She was a 1953 graduate of Colfax High School, and later that year married her sweetheart, Charles Roger Rich. They had four children, and were married until his death in 1983.

Betty was a “Jill of All Trades” in her professional life; her children often joked that there wasn’t a job in Boone or Clinton Counties that she hadn’t done at some point. She worked in various factories, retail stores, and on a poultry farm; she did housekeeping, caregiving, and various other professions. She wanted to be sure she didn’t miss out on an opportunity to learn or do something new!

Betty had a quiet faith, but Jesus was her Lord and Savior, and she is with Him now enjoying eternity. She attended various churches over the course of her life, but was a member of Woodside Christian Church, Frankfort, for the last three decades.

Like it does for most people, her hobbies and interests evolved and changed over time, but some of her favorite pastimes were watching professional baseball and college and professional basketball (especially IU, Butler, and the Pacers), mowing her pasture and yard when she lived in the country, and reading (clean) romance books, especially ones about cowboys. She loved country music (George Strait, Alan Jackson and Vince Gill, we’re talking about you!), camping, and watching the evening world news. She had several pets over the decades that she loved, but one name Sandy Kay was a special favorite. 

Betty leaves behind four children: Mike (Debb), Doug, and Kelli Rich, and Jodi Houghton (Jim), three grandchildren: Travis Rich (Gwen), Lindsey Shipp (Shawn), and Cody Houghton (Mary), and four great-grandchildren: Hayden Rich, Elara Shipp, and Phoebe and Chloe Houghton. Being one of thirteen children, she has a very large extended family in Boone and Clinton Counties, and was very proud to be a part of the Smith and Rich families.

The family wants to thank the caring staff of Witham Hospital, Paradigm Hospice Services, and Ali Duff who supported Betty and the family during her final weeks.

Family and friends will gather Wednesday, July 9, for visitation from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. in the Strawmyer & Drury Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon Street, Lebanon. A funeral service will be held Thursday, July 10, at 10 a.m. in the funeral home. Betty will be laid to rest at Green Lawn Cemetery in Frankfort. Memorial donations may be made in Betty’s memory to the organization of the donor’s choice.