Ritta Elizabeth (Betty) Stafford Brinkman was born October 13, 1919, in Indianapolis, Indiana to Benjamin Harison Stafford and Clara Mable Stafford. She married Marvin Roy Brinkman July 15, 1942. She graduated from George Washington High School in 1938 and attended Central Business College in Indianapolis.
She is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Brinkman Stewart of Brighton, CO; son, Alan Roy Brinkman and wife Cathy of Indianapolis; by daughter-in law Gwen Brinkman of Marion, Illinois; her sister, Isabelle Joyce Jeffries of Indianapolis; by nine grandchildren, 2I great grandchildren, and 11 great great grandchildren, a niece, two nephews, four great nieces, 2 great nephews, I great great niece, and 3 great great nephews, and by her beloved furry canine friend, Indy. She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Brinkman, in 1996; her son-in-law, Larry Stewart in 1997; her son, David Roderick Brinkman in 2005, her parents, and her brother, Roderick Harrison (Roddy) Stafford in 1942.
She was employed in Indianapolis as office administrator of Crooked Creek Baptist Church for 13 years and Secretary/Treasurer of the Language Cent...[more]
until she retired. She also worked with youth in many capacities including camp counselor, girls' guild leader, and foster parent of teenage boys. She loved music and sang in the church choir all her life. In 2004 she moved to Sikeston, Missouri to be near her daughter and in 2013 moved to Brighton, CO with her daughters to live close to grandchildren.
She was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Brighton. She lived a life of joy, following Jesus' commandment of the Golden Rule: "Do Unto Others as You Would Have Others Do Unto You." (Matthew 7:12)
Tabor-Rice Funeral Home handled arrangements.