Bettye Hudson
Nov. 15, 1932-May 10, 2023
Elizabeth Ann "Bettye" Hudson of Crawfordsville passed away peacefully Wednesday morning at home. She was 90.

Born November 15, 1932 in St. Louis, Missouri, Bettye was the daughter of Charles A. Seitz and Florence E. Baldwin Seitz. She graduated from Cleveland High School, studied for 2 years at Central College (now Central Methodist University) and then went on to graduate with a Master's degree in Occupational Therapy from Washington University in St. Louis. She first worked as an OT at Larue Carter Hospital in Indianapolis, dedicating herself to helping countless children and adults with disabilities. It was there that she met Robert "Bob" Hudson and they married on October 13, 1962. He preceded her in death on January 30, 2023.

Bettye and Bob moved to Crawfordsville in 1969 and while raising her family, Bettye was involved in many local organizations, including the Art League, Tri Kappa and P.E.O. She was a faithful 54-year member of the First Christian Church serving on many committees, but her passion was Pastoral support. She dedicated herself to the children and youth and will always be remembered as the person to call on for fund-raiser baked goods, any craft project ideas and supplies, and food for any and all occasions. She was well-known and well-loved by the Preschool students, teachers, and parents. Bettye worked for years at the Spin-A-Yarn and Fabrics store, using her creativity and lifelong love for quilt- making and knitting. Many will always remember her fondness for her hometown in the collaborative quilt made in 1976 as part of the Bicentennial celebration and currently displayed at Crawfordsville Public Library. It beautifully preserves landmarks in fabric and embroidery and includes her work along
with the talent of so many other local women she was proud to call her friends.

After her children's graduations, she was re-certified and "Mrs. Bettye" worked for Ability Services as an OT. After that, she was employed by West Central Cooperative in numerous school systems including Montgomery, Turkey Run, and Western Boone, helping countless special needs students improve learning and life skills. She considered all these students beloved.

Surviving family include her children: Chip Hudson (Patricia) and their children, Hannah and Maggie; Dee Dee Hudson and her children, Lily and Robert Stark; Rob Hudson (Shirley) and their children, Cole Hudson and Alex Ford (Brantley); J.B. Hudson (Mary Kay) and their children, Will and Rachael; two great- grandchildren, Braelyn Raymond and Cayden Raymond.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, and two brothers, Bill and Buster Seitz.

A Celebration of Life will be held on May 27, 2023, at the First Christian Church of Crawfordsville at 11:00 AM – this event will include a second celebration of Bob's life as well. A family graveside service will follow, at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to Burkhart Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bettye Hudson may be made to either: Montgomery County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 334, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 or the Animal Welfare League of Montgomery County, 1104 Big Four Arch Road, Crawfordsville, IN 47933.