Betty L. Gabbard

Betty L. Gabbard, 88, passed away peacefully, Saturday, August 3, 2013 at Major Hospital in Shelbyville. She was a resident of Morristown Manor. She was born August 3, 1925 to Albert and Ina Watson in Connersville, Indiana Mrs. Gabbard was preceded in death by her husband, James Gabbard; her parents; two sisters, Delores and Alberta; and a brother, Bud. Betty was a talented artist, a self-taught dulcimer and guitar player, avid gardener, seamstress and quilt maker. She loved playing cards, good books and a good laugh. Betty graduated from Connersville High School in 1943. She is survived by daughter, Margaret (husband, Steve) McMichael of Greenfield; son, Robert (wife, Jeannie) Gabbard of Shelbyville; and grandchildren; Matthew McMichael, Ann (husband, Dan) McGrew and Noah Gabbard. She was also a special grandma to Joe (wife, Jennifer) Gillis; Ryan (wife, Kim) Gillis and Nichole Rush. Grandma Gabbard will be missed by her “little ones”; Aiden, Delaney, Harper, Kaiden, Kinsley, Cheyenne, Lakota, Liam, Victoria, Jacob, Josh and Emma. She is also survived by three sisters, Martha, Mary Jo and Linda; and one brother, David. Graveside services will be at 1 pm, Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Arlington East Hill Cemetery. Services have been entrusted to Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville. Memorial contributions may be made to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, P.O. Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515. Many thanks to Morristown Manor and Major Hospital staff for all of the exceptional care given to Betty.