Betty Norieta Blythe

Betty Norieta Blythe of Indianapolis, 86, passed away on May 10, 2024. She was born August 10, 1937 in Indianapolis to Charles Swafford and Eula (Vandergriff) Swafford. She was married for 41 years to Dee Blythe. She retired in 1996 from many years of retail service. Betty loved reading and doing crossword puzzles. She found great joy in handwriting letters and encouraging others with greeting cards. She was an avid Scrabble player and played a game every chance she got. Betty’s door was always open, and she loved the company of her family, friends and neighbors; she loved laughing, reminiscing and playing games with them. She loved feeding the birds and squirrels that made frequent visits to her yard; many squirrels would even take peanuts directly from her hands.

Betty was a devout member of Thompson Road Baptist Church where she served for nearly 60 years. She taught many years of Sunday School and Training Union and helped at Summer Bible Camp and Vacation Bible school. She was affectionately known as “Ms. Betty Bookstore”. She thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of keeping the church bookstore fully stocked and well organized. The candy bowl was always full for visitors of the bookstore, especially the children. Betty was a Christian example to all, loving, gentle and kind. She always put others before herself.

Betty’s children, Ronnie, Russ, and Glory, as she called them, consider their mother the greatest woman they will ever know. She taught them faith, hope and love. Her light will forever shine bright in them.

Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Dee Blythe, her brothers Charles, Robert and Raymond Swafford, her sister Thursa Lowery, and her aunt Burnice “Budge” Ashby. Surviving to cherish her memory are her children Ronald (Shelley) Blythe, Russell (Pam) Blythe and Gloria (Rick) Robertson; grandchildren Heather (Tom) Guthrie, Kelsay “Rose” (Matt) Allen, Hailie (Nathan) Wright, Doug (Brandy) Campbell; great-grandchildren Ella, Leeland “Bud,” Lennox, Nolan, Cole, Rowan, Brooke, Bradley, Zachary, Samantha, Madison, Gabby and Cameron; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursday, May 16, 2024 at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 925 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. Betty’s friends and family may also visit from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM on Friday, May 17, 2024 at Newcomer. The funeral service will take place at 11:00 AM with Pastors Anthony Slutz, Joel Stevens and Jeremy Woodruff officiating. Burial will follow at Anderson Cemetery, 6501 East 10th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46219.

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