Hazel "Betty" Frierson

Hazel "Betty" Jean Frierson

April 13, 1938 - September 24, 2023

Betty was born in Anawalt, VA in 1938. Her mother Virginia moved to Indianapolis to find work when she was about 4 years old. She married and had five children, three boys and two girls. She became a Nurse's Aide at Methodist Hospital while raising her children. After the children were all in school, she attended IVY Tech and Marion College where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Providing care as a nurse was a life calling for Betty. She knew at a very young age she wanted to follow in her mother's footsteps and become a nurse. After 31 years of nursing, she retired from Methodist Hospital in December of 1993.

Betty gave her life to Christ when she was 18 years old at Christ Missionary Church. After many years of attending Christ Missionary Church, she followed Rev. Raymond Hiser when God called him to start a new church, New Haven Baptist Church. She was dedicated to New Haven for many years, as a choir member, an usher, she worked in the kitchen, she was President of Paster's Aide, taught Sunday school, and anything else that needed to be done.

Luther and Betty joined Greater Northwest Baptist Church over 12 years ago. Luther's passing on Jan 16, 2022, was a difficult day but knowing he is with his Savoir gives her great peace and joy. She loves and truly appreciates her church family's support.

Betty has always been a caregiver by nature. Maintaining a beautiful home for her family was always a priority. Meeting everyone's needs with healthy foods from her plentiful garden, nursing wounds, helping with homework, and providing love, hugs, and laughter was her daily routine. When an elder in the family needed daily care, she was always ready and willing to provide that care until the end.

Betty is also an avid crafter, she has enjoyed painting, gardening, canning, cooking, crocheting, baking, sewing, and quilting. Betty became a quilter in 2011. She traveled from coast to coast attending quilt shows and classes. She began making amazing quilts for family and friends.

Betty was blessed to have her 5 children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren nearby. She also still enjoyed traveling with her children.

Betty is preceded in death by her late husband Luther Frierson, mother, Virginia Rhea Wright, and Sister Barbara Ann Davis

She is survived by her children, Velma Rhea Townsend, Jerry Allan Townsend and wife Elouise Townsend, James Lee Townsend, Robert Edward Townsend, Gloria Jean (Townsend) Bolden and husband Sam Bolden

Services for Betty will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Greater Northwest Baptish Church, 3402 W. 62nd St., Indianapolis, IN 46268. Visitation will be from 10am-12pm with funeral service beginning at 12:00pm. Burial to follow at Washington Park North.