Nell A. Bedford

May 26, 1920 - May 16, 2015

Nell A. Bedford, 94, of Indianapolis, went home to be with the Lord on the evening of Saturday, May 16, 2015 at Franciscan St. Francis Health in Indianapolis. She was born May 26, 1920 in Giles County, Tennessee, a daughter of the late James W. and Lennie Bell (Boatwright) White. Nell was a star basketball player on her Bodenham High School team helping them win the Tennessee State Girls Basketball Championship. After graduating from business college, Nell worked as a secretary for many years and as a store manager for Goodwill. She retired at the age of 83 after working for more than 30 years as head custodian of Roncalli High School in Indianapolis. She also volunteered many hours at Nazarene Christian School, tutoring, cooking and assisting with secretarial responsibilities. Nell was a quiet person but quick witted. She loved God and serving others. She was a member of Independent Nazarene Church in Beech Grove and served as secretary of the church board for 40 years. Nell was an avid gardener and loved sharing her produce with others. She loved flowers and planted many both at her home and church. Nell enjoyed making quilts, crocheting blankets, and making and redressing dolls. She kept her mind sharp with crossword puzzles and exercised daily until well into her nineties. She is survived by six children, Betty Jo (husband: Eugene) Smith of Indianapolis, Billy Ray (wife: Barbara) Bedford of Peoria, IL, Nancy Ann (husband: Arn) Vallejo of Indianapolis, Robert Neil (wife: Linda) Bedford of Seminole, FL, Linda Nell (husband: Tom) Davis of Greenwood and Patricia Mae (husband: Charles) Smith of Nebraska City, Nebraska; 15 grandchildren, Brent (wife: Wendy) Smith, Jayme (husband: Kevin) Harvey, Marcia (husband: Steve) Mattern, Amber (husband: Josh) Ray, Roxanne (husband: Chris) Wilmington, Sandra (husband: Timothy) Herrington, Teri (husband: Jeff) Messner, Shonna Bedford, Michelle Adam, Maricki (husband: Brett) DuFoe, Cory (wife: Melissa) Rotert, Bradley Smith, Charla (husband: Chris) Hysom, and Patrick Smith; 36 great-grandchildren and one great-great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Claude Elmer White and James A. “Ben” White and a sister, Anne Marie “Pete” Adams and a grandson, Shane Robert Smith. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Independent Nazarene Church, 5152 Hornet Ave. Beech Grove, IN, 46017, with Pastor Richard Gremillion and Pastor Edwin Tomes officiating. Entombment will follow in Washington Park East Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4 – 8 pm. Friday at the church and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the church. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Sproles Family Funeral Home in New Castle. Memorial Contributions may be made to Independent Nazarene Church. You may send the family a personal condolence at www.sprolesfamilycares.com. The Sproles family and staff are honored to serve the family of Nell Bedford.