Betty Jean Nichols Stoddard

On October 2, 2011, Betty joined her beloved husband, Dick, for their forever “date” in their heavenly home. She was born July 29, 1925, to Harvey L. and Lotta V. (Batson) Nichols in Jackson, Michigan. Her parents as well as brother, Allen B. Nichols, and sister, Grace M. Chaffin, preceded her in death.

Betty married Richard C. Stoddard on June 1, 1946. They were married 58 years before he preceded her in death in March 2005. They have five daughters—Linda Stoddard of Battle Creek, Ricki (Jim) Conner of Jackson, Michele (Ed) Cooper of Clark Lake, Robyn (Edwin) Spears of Brunswick, OH, and Marilyn Stoddard of Battle Creek, twelve grandchildren and ten great grandchildren with the eleventh due in January. Betty cherished sisters-in-law Sharlene Shipley and Tommye Hileman, nieces, nephews, and her rummikub friends, and was blessed by the loving care of Clotese Hobbs, Paulette Merritt, and Barb Keith. All will miss her positive outlook on life and death, her great cooking, and her giving heart. Betty worked for many years for Gregory Optical in Jackson. She worked for the National Bank of Jackson where she became the first female branch manager, opening the door for other women to become bank officers. When her husband became an ordained minister, Betty was his helpmate in the churches he served: Somerset Center United Methodist, Addison United Congregational, and Frankfort Congregational and Thompsonville Congregational churches both in Benzie County. Betty was a charter member of Brookside United Methodist, which she rejoined in 2004.Betty, loved being part of the Benzie Community Chorus, the PEO chapter in Frankfort, and was a member of the Martha Rebekah Lodge in Jackson. Betty “had so much fun” loving people, cooking, and her Big Band music. Her daily devotional time was special to her. She loved a good joke and funny stories and would share them with anyone.

If you knew Betty, she was always in the kitchen and loved hostessing. So, in lieu of visitation, family and friends are invited to an open house at Betty’s home on Saturday, October 15 from1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Please join us as we celebrate and remember Betty. A final Celebration of Life will be held at Brookside United Methodist Church, 4000 Francis Street, Jackson, MI, on Sunday, October 16th at 3:00p.m. Pastor Chad Parmalee and Rev. Linda Stoddard will co-officiate.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Rev. Richard C. Stoddard Scholarship fund at Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY (envelopes available), or to the charity of your choice. Chas. J. Burden & Son funeral home 1806 E. Michigan Ave. Jackson, MI. (517) 784-3104.