July 5, 1935 – December 16, 2010

Global Ministries is saddened to share that Betty Tankersley, former missionary and member of the Global Ministries home-based staff passed away unexpectedly on December 16, 2010. 

Betty was a graduate of Leavenworth (Kansas) High School and Chapman University (California).  At 19, she married her high-school sweetheart, Larry D. Tankersley.   Their marriage survived 44 years, until his death in 1999.  During this time, they helped each other obtain their respective formal educations and raise three children to adulthood.  During their life together, she and Larry served congregations in: Enid, Oklahoma; Richardson, Corpus Christi and Kingwood, Texas; Miami, Florida; and Fullerton, California.   Betty and Larry served as missionaries through the Division of Overseas Ministries/Global Ministries in Indonesia from 1968 to 1972 in the field of education.  Betty also served the Global Ministries offices of Southern Asia and Missionary Relationships on the home-based staff.

During her life, Betty worked in many different fields.  Besides working in several roles with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the United Church of Christ, and the National Council of Churches, she also was a director for the adult re-entry program for Chapman University, and was a successful realtor.  Following her retirement in 1999, Betty continued to serve others in her capacity as a volunteer for St. Vincent Hospital, Indianapolis, and the Carmel Senior Center.   She was also very active as an Elder of the Carmel Christian Church.       

Betty loved her family, ardently and unconditionally.  She remained vital, purposeful and staunchly independent until her death.  Her strength, compassion and gracious generosity remain a gift to all those who were close to her, and there were many. 

A memorial service will be held Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Carmel Christian Church, 463 East Main Street, Carmel Indiana 46032.  Visitation will begin at 12:00 p.m.

Betty is survived by her: children, Larry Stephen (Wendy) Tankersley and Angela Marie Smith; grandchildren, Hope, Christian and Thomas; brother, Thomas O. Turpin; sister, Frankie J. Jones; and daughter-in-law, June E. Tankersley.  She was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Larry D. Tankersley; son, Mark C. Tankersley; parents, Thomas O. and Genevieve Turpin; and sisters, Mary Frances Turpin, Dorothy Maxine Hamilton, and Anna Lee Martin.

Condolences may be sent to Angela Smith, 6732 E. Stonegate Drive, Zionsville, Indiana 46077.  Memorial contributions may be made in Betty's name to: Week of Compassion Larry Tankersley Fund, Christian Church Foundation, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-1986.