Beatrice (Betty) Harvey, age 92, passed away on February 21, 2016, at York Place where she had resided for the past 7 years. Betty was born August 10, 1923, in Liberty Township to parents, Russel and Mildred (Newton) Haisley. She graduated from Fairmount High School and Marion College.
Betty had two successful careers. She taught elementary school for 26 years, starting her teaching career at Fairmount North Ward Elementary. She also taught in the Richmond and Muncie Community Schools and finished her career at Park Elementary in Fairmount. She loved to teach children to read and was an advocate for the importance of reading. If Betty Harvey taught you to read, please pull some children onto your lap and read them a story in Betty’s honor.
Betty’s second career was as minister’s wife supporting the ministry of her husband of 46 years, Xen W. Harvey. She was Xen’s behind-the-scenes support person. She hosted guests, made the bulletin, taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, assisted with weddings and funerals, and even played the organ or delivered the sermon in an emergency. She kept Xen Harvey fed, clothed, and headed in the right direction, which was no easy task. She even found the courage to ride behind him on his motorcycle.
She is survived by her children, Judy (Raleigh) Harvey of Greensboro, NC, and John (Michele) Harvey of Summitville; grandchildren, Jerin (Chris) Burch, Zachary Harvey (fiancé, Kelsey Wessing), Sokhana (Ralph) Eubanks, Monida Chhay, Kristie Bailey, Angela (Scott Renk) Bailey, and Adia (Trevor Roberts) Harvey-Bailey; 11 great grandchildren and 5 great, great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her sister-in-law, Mary Harvey; her brother, Keith Haisley; and her grandson, Nathan Harvey-Bailey.
We are grateful to her friends at York Place and to all the staff who took such good care of her. She was very grateful to her son, John, who was her primary support person in her final years, and Judy, who continued their relationship through visits every 3 months and weekly telephone calls. She was very proud of Judy’s big, multicultural family. Bingo games and visits with Jerin’s children, her great grandchildren, Islyn and Maverick, were highlights of her week. Her kind and gentle spirit continued to shine through as she showed interest in her caretakers and her family in her final years.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Fairmount Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main Street, Fairmount, Indiana where the funeral service honoring Betty’s life will be on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 3:00 PM. Friends may visit the family from 1-3 PM prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund at Fairmount Friends Church where she was a member in care of the funeral home.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.armeshunt funeralhome.com