Columbus, OH - Betty Lee McDonald Edmond, 89, passed away, surrounded by her loved ones, Thursday, August 22, 2019. She was born March 5, 1930 to the late LeRoy and Ethel McDonald during the depression era in East Tennessee. It was also there where Betty met the love of her life, Paul Edmond Sr. She was employed as a telephone operator where she would “accidentally” unplug the wire when a female called him. They were married for 66 years until his transition to Heaven in 2016.

Betty kept her family clothed these past 89 years with her gift of sewing and crocheting. She passed on the lessons she learned in her own thrifty upbringing to her children and grandchildren so that they would always know how to save a penny. Cut coupons, shop the sales and always head to clearance first! One of her favorite pastimes was to sit in her chair and fondly tell stories of her childhood and growing up during her “time”. Her gift of gab, sewing creations, and her love for her family will not be forgotten. We will all miss hearing her stories of the trailer fire, rocking cars on the mountain, or her two favorite neighbors.

She was famously opinionated about the world today. She hated chocolate chip cookies, wearing white after Labor Day, and girls showing “too much skin”. She was a big believer in always doing the right thing, putting family first and always keeping a small sewing kit with you (because you never know ...) Some of her family’s fondest memories include her leaping over the fence to save the goat (she held his neck together!), giving her family a pepper or a tomato for the road, watching sewing with Nancy, snapping beans in the summer, night swimming, and how she always welcomed everyone into her home.

Up until the end, even though she wasn’t awake, we knew she was still with us. Her heartbeat rose every time us girls would start to gossip. We will miss her keeping us in line, her love for red heels, a good lipstick and Steve Harvey. We will miss watching her eyes light up during her “shows” and hearing stories about life in Tennessee and Maryland. We know she’s dancing upstairs with her love and hugging on her family. She is finally at peace.

Tremendous heartfelt thanks go to the staff at Mount Carmel East Hospital in Columbus, Ohio for taking such great care of Betty. We saw nurses brush hair, bring blankets, rub feet, offer words of wisdom, and keep our family as stress free as possible during this difficult time. It is because of your staff that made this transition for Betty a peaceful one.

Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Paul Edmond, Sr.; parents, Leroy and Ethel McDonald; sisters: Lauretta Bright, Margie McDonald and Mary Jane McDonald; and her eldest son, Paul Edmond, Jr. She is survived by her daughter, Felicia J. Edmond Ferragamo and her husband, Roger, of Columbus, OH; sons: David L. Edmond and John C. Edmond, of Indianapolis and James A. Edmond of Florida; brother, Bob McDonald and his wife, Patsy of Tennessee 6 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and many other loving family members and devoted friends. Betty will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure to know her and her stories will be passed around living room chairs for many generations to come.

Betty’s family will receive friends Wednesday, August 28, 2019, from 11 am - 1 pm at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, 925 East Hanna Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46227. A celebration of her life will follow at 1 pm at the funeral home. A committal service will follow at Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.

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