Ritta Elizabeth (Betty) Stafford Brinkman was born on October 13, 1919, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Benjamin Harrison Stafford and Clara Mable Stafford. She married Marvin Roy Brinkman on July 15, 1942. Betty graduated from George Washington High School in 1938 and attended Central Business College In Indianapolis.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Brinkman Stewart of Brighton, CO; son, Alan Roy Brinkman and wife Cathy of Indianapolis; daughter-in-law, Gwen Brinkman of Marion, Illinois; sister, Isabelle Joyce Jeffries of Indianapolis; nine grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, 11 great-great-great grandchildren, a niece, two nephews, four great nieces, 2 great nephews, 1 great-great niece, and 3 great-great nephews, and her beloved furry canine friend, Indy. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Brinkman, in 1996; her son-in-law, Larry Stewart in 1997; her son, David Roderick Brinkman in 2005, her parents, and brother, Roderick Harrison (Roddy) Stafford in 1942.
She was employed in Indianapolis as office administrator of Crooked Creek Baptist Church for 13 years and Secretary/Treasurer of the Language Center until she retired. Betty also worked with youth in many capacities including camp counselor, girls guild leader, and foster parent of teenage boys. She loved music and sang in the church choir all her life. In 2004, she moved to Sikeston, Missouri to be near her daughter and in 2013 moved to Brighton, CO, with her daughter to live closer to her grandchildren.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Brighton, Betty lived a life of joy, following Jesus commandment of the Golden Rule: "Do Unto Others as You Would Have Others Do Unto You." (Matthew 7:12)
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