Bernice Delight Tudor

Bernice Delight (Pearson) Tudor, 98, of Zionsville, formerly of Indianapolis died December 26, 2017.

She was born February 6, 1919 in Blackford County to the late Harry C. and Luria (Baker) Pearson.

She married John W. Tudor on June 8, 1940 in LaFontaine. He preceded her in death February 8, 1999. She has waited patiently many years to be reunited with him, and we rejoice that at last she has.

As a girl during the depression, her family left the farm for work on an orange grove in CA. But, after a year her mother grew homesick and they returned to the Indiana farm, which has remained in the family for over a hundred years.  Being the only girl with 3 brothers, her main chores were assisting her mother inside which rankled for someone who loved being outdoors.  One duty was blowing a conch shell at noon as a dinner bell.

Bernice was president of her graduating class at Roll High School. She was an admissions clerk at Long and University Hospitals for 30 years retiring in 1984. A hard worker all her life, she could pick crates of tomatoes for the cannery as a girl or finish a 12 hour night shift, fix breakfast and go plow a field until lunch as a farmer’s wife.

Bernice was a church member all her life and had an avid interest in Bible prophecy. She was active in the Bethel craft circle, making and donating many items to the bazaars, especially kitchen towels and persimmon pulp. She sang in the choir many years.

She liked to feed people. Taking meals to the sick, sweet potato crunch to funeral dinners, her skillet dinners, wonderful holiday feasts. Trying out new Taste of Home recipes for friends before attending the theater.

She also fed the birds, keeping binoculars by the window hoping for blue birds. Painting and hanging bird houses, listening for wrens. Watching squirrels steal strawberries from the patch.

A talented artist, she enjoyed china and oil painting. She won a blue ribbon the year she exhibited at the Indiana State Fair. She was blessed with a green thumb, growing many varieties of flowers, fruits and vegetables, from which she filled the pantry and freezer with produce. Learning to make ketchup like her mother-in-law to please Dad. Crocks of pickles on the floor.  Waste none as that was the lesson of the depression.

Travel was a passion and included trips to Great Britain, Farm Bureau conventions across the country, including Hawaii. Oh, the fresh pineapple.

She is survived by son Gary (Kay) Tudor of Marengo, IL and daughters Joyce Parker of Stonington, CT and Betty (Riley) Nusbaum of Edinburgh, IN; grandchildren Phil (Carey) Nusbaum, Lisa (Kevin) Goudie, Maggie Michaud, Ian (Krystal) Tudor and Anna (Josh) Carley; great-grandchildren Claire, Nick, Leah, Aiden, Blake, Caleb and Alana, several beloved nieces and nephews, and special friends Jean and John Ellis.

She was preceded in death by daughter Jeannette Tudor and brothers Cecil, Bernal and Howard Pearson.

A graveside service will be held at 11:45 AM on Saturday, January 6 at Grant Memorial Cemetery in Marion. A celebration of life gathering will immediately follow at Oak Chapel United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Bethel United Methodist Church Building Fund, 5252 W. 52^nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46254 or Oak Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1335 S. Jadden Road, Marion, IN 46953.