TOPPING, Betty Joan 1934 - 2017

TOPPING, KELLER, ROGERS, VU, PHAM, MCCLARD, RYAN, BAILEY, BAZARD

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 5/25/2021 at 20:22:52

"The Fairfield Ledger"
Wednesday, December 13, 2017
Page 4

Betty Joan TOPPING

Edmond, OK

Betty Joan TOPPING died on December 7, 2017 in Edmond, OK at the age of 83. She was born to Delbert and M. Elizabeth KELLER in Bonaparte, Iowa on July 1, 1934. She grew up in Fairfield, Iowa taking care of the household and her younger sister after her father left the family. Her freckles and red hair attracted the attentions of John William (Billy) TOPPING Jr of Birmingham, IA and they were married in Fairfield on December 28, 1953. Bill's career took them to many corners of the USA (9 states!) where Betty always set up a familiar and comfortable home for her family. She gathered the women of the neighborhood for coffee, volunteered at her church as wedding hostess and Deacon, opened her home to friends of her children for snacks and meals and was always there when her kids got home from school to hear about their day.

She was one of the first 6 certified Dental Assistants in the nation, a program that was funded by the federal government to develop four handed dentistry.

Mom was a woman of deep faith and her life was guided by God. In her final days she couldn't wait to go to heaven and live eternally (FOREVER) with God. Her favorite Blble verse was Psalm 27 "the Lord is my light and my salvation... the Lord is the stronghold of my life... one thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life."

Her favorite thought/prayer: "Give (commit) as much as you understand of yourself to as much as you understand of Christ."

She was proud to be a documented Daughter of the Mayflower as a descendant of Thomas ROGERS.

When she had time for herself she enjoyed painting and pottery and, for a time, had her own kiln. We all treasure the paintings she had gifted us over the years.

Betty and Bill welcomed into their home and hearts 2 young men originally from Vietnam who have become permanent members of our family: King VU and Tuyen VU (Hiem PHAM, children, Alexander and Benjamin) of Bellevue, WA.

Betty dedicated her life to her family, and showered her children and grandchildren with unconditional love. She regularly shopped at the thrift stores and found quality items for every one of us. Every Christmas and Easter a box of homemade goodies would arrive at our homes. We all especially looked for the frosted cut-out sugar cookie in the shape of our initial. When her first grandchild visited for the first time, he left a small handprint on her bathroom mirror that remained for months. Betty was the happiest surrounded by her family.

Betty was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Forrest (Sam) KELLER and sister, Wanda McCLARD. She is survived by one sister, Shirley RYAN of Marble Hill, MO, husband, Bill, of Edmond, OK, daughter Traci TOPPING (Mark Nissen) of Moscow, ID, daughter Kelli BAILEY (David) of Edmond, OK, daughter Melani BAZARD (Alan) of Katy, TX and son John William (Chip) TOPPING, III (Sidonie Winfield) of McMinnville, OR and Yakima, WA. Betty leaves behind 7 treasured grandchildren: Austin BAZARD (Megan), Jennifer BAZARD, Aubrey BAILEY, Shea BAILEY, Tanner BAILEY (Kim), Carlisle TOPPING and John Wyatt TOPPING.

I memory (sic) of Mom's life she requests that you donate books to your local library and or to your church's Deacon fund.

At her request, there will be no service. Betty's remains will be spread in Van Buren County, Iowa at a later date.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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