Betty Jane Tufts
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Betty Jane (Zumwalt) Tufts, 92, of Anderson passed away on February 28, 2024 at Community Hospital in Anderson following a brief illness.
She was born on February 4, 1932 in Cynthiana, Kentucky to the late James and Addie (Kearns) Zumwalt. She graduated from Anderson College with a bachelor’s degree in education. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college. She was a kindergarten teacher at Congress Elementary School in Sturgis, Michigan for 25 years. Following retirement, she and her husband returned to Anderson where they enjoyed being close to a lot of their close-knit Anderson College friends.
She was a member of East Side Church of God. She was a devout Christian her entire life. As the matriarch of the family, her faith guided her loved ones to our own relationships with Christ. She loved Christian music and was an accomplished vocalist. She enjoyed traveling, reading, spending time with her family, and cooking her delicious Southern comfort food dishes.
She is survived by her children, Tamara “Tammy” (Don) Boyer of Anderson and Todd Edward Tufts of Miromar Lakes, Florida; five grandchildren, Lauren (Daniel) Smith of Batavia, IL, Kyle (Rachel) Boyer of Fishers, Isaiah Tufts of Indianapolis, Joshua Tufts and Elena Tufts both of Pendleton; one great-grandchild, Haven Smith; several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank Edward “Ed” Tufts who passed away in 1999; and a sister, Louella Stephenson.
Anderson University is on a mission to educate students for lives of faith and service, offering more than 60 undergraduate majors, 30 three-year degrees, 20 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports, alongside adult and graduate programs. The private, liberal arts institution is fully accredited and recognized among top colleges for its business, computer science, cybersecurity, dance, engineering, nursing, and teacher education programs. Anderson University was established in 1917 in Anderson, Indiana, by the Church of God.