Betty Jean Stewart

Betty Stewart passed away peacefully on June 3 surrounded by her family at St. Vincent Hospital in Carmel. She was born in Knoxville, TN on June 14, 1930 to James and Thelma (McPherson) Price, the first of seven children. Betty married William H. Stewart in 1950 and moved to Niagara Falls after Bill finished his military service and education at the University of Tennessee.

In 1951 Betty had her first child, William Howard, followed by her second child, Tracy Edward in 1953. On New Years Eve in 1960, Betty’s life changed forever when she and her husband were in a severe car accident that landed them both in the hospital. Bill recovered quickly, but Betty remained in a coma/unconscious state for several weeks, and in the hospital for more than nine months. Betty remained severely disabled for the rest of her life, but remarkably lived for 61 more years. Betty’s life was not defined by her car accident or physical disabilities - what defined her was how she lived after the accident. Betty never gave up and she lived each day in faith and with great gratitude to God.

Betty’s young family moved to Marietta, Ohio in 1961 where, against all medical advice, she gave birth to another son, Gregory Dean, in 1965. Betty spent most of her life in Marietta where she raised her family. She moved to Indiana in the early 2000’s to be closer to her youngest son, Greg.

Betty was a very beautiful, humble, thankful and funny person who was just glad to be alive. She was wonderfully independent and shunned sympathy. While stoic about her disability, she was prone to giggle fits that put everyone around her in stitches. Betty dedicated her entire life to her family, and she loved her kids and grandkids with all her heart. Betty’s hobbies were doing yard work and gardening and volunteering at Ewing School where she helped small children deal with their own disabilities. Betty said the kids made her feel normal, and countless disabled children were enriched by her love and devotion for several years.

Betty was a beacon of strength and courage to those around her, and her example will not soon be forgotten. She is preceded in death by her ex-husband, Bill Stewart; and is survived by her sons, Billy (Tina), Tracy (Kathy), and Greg; 12 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren.

Donations in Betty’s memory can be made to the Special Olympics or Ewing School , 1701 Colgate Drive, Marietta, Ohio 45750.

The memories thick with sorrow, joy with pain.

It is pain to see desire slip through the arms, a vision lost forever.

It is grief to embrace loss, and joy to remember love.

May your loss be short and may your love be forever.

God bless the family and memory of Betty Jean Stewart. Funeral services will be on Monday, June 13th, 2022 at ARN Mortuary, 11411 North Michigan Road, Zionsville, IN. Visitation 2-3 and services 3-4.