Elizabeth “Bette” (Townsend) Stone

August 8, 1927 ~ January 6, 2026 

Elizabeth (Bette) Stone the daughter of the late George B. and Martha (Doris) Townsend was born on August 8, 1927, in South Bend, Indiana.  At the age of 98 she peacefully departed this earthly life on Tuesday, January 06, 2026, at Memorial Hospital.

On August 17, 1957, Elizabeth was united in holy matrimony to Wilton Stone who preceded her in death on September 24, 1988.  Elizabeth was the sixth child of 15 siblings.  She attended Washington High School after which she was employed by Welsheimer’s Funeral Home.

Elizabeth was baptized at an early age in their family church, Lake Chapel, today known as Lake Chapel Primitive Baptist Church. This church was built by her father and his three brothers.  She later joined Greater St. John Missionary Baptist Church where she has served for over 40 years.  She has served as circle leader of Missionary Circle #1 and later became a member of Missionary Circle #2.  She was a faithful member of Sunday School Adult Class #8 where she served as Assistant Teacher.  She also frequently attended weekly Prayer meeting and Bible Study class.  She was a Co-Captain of March Rally Group #9 (which is a fundraising group) where she was crowned queen two years in a row. She was the leader of the October Fall Festival Homecoming Dinner for over 20 years, and she also worked with the kitchen culinary staff.

Elizabeth was a seeker and learner of God’s Word.  She was a student and graduate of the Faith Baptist Bible Institute.  And she was a member of the Morning Glory Prayer group which met at 6 am daily.

Her hobbies included walking for many charities: the March of Dimes, and St. Jude, the Blind, among others.  She loved to play board and word games (Sudoku).  She was a very skilled seamstress, and she loved to bake.  She was known for her apple slices, banana pudding, cookies, and zucchini bread.  She loved gardening and fishing, and she was a sports fan of football, basketball, and tennis.  

She was a unique person with a special type of personality. She was sassy, direct, and had a dry sense of humor. Elizabeth will be remembered for her genuine love for family and friends.  Her life was a life of caring for others and giving.

Elizabeth leaves to cherish her memory:  one sister, Georgia Bradshaw, of Gary, IN, and one brother- in- law Bemis Blake of South Bend, IN; one daughter-in-law, Jean Dairyko, grandchildren Eugene Dairyko, and April (Robert) English of Sumter, SC, and Tracee Stewart of Orlando, FL; great grandchildren, Eugene Dairyko Jr.,(known as "Tyko") of Kwait, Miracle Watson, Mia Dairyko, Tamara, Tiffanee, Travis Stewart and Tiera Geer; a special nephew, Nathaniel Stricklen of Atlanta, GA; special nieces Brenda Blake and Debra Carothers of South Bend, IN; three adopted daughters Kathy Brown, Beverly Johnson, and Vickie Harris of South Bend, IN.

Preceding her in death were her loving parents: George B. and Martha (Doris) Townsend, five brothers: Benjamin, Ernest, Calvin, Arthur, and Allen Townsend, and eight sisters: Mella Townsend, Ella Pope, Maude Hall, Elva Williams, Norsis Stricklen, Bernice Flint, Geraldine Blake, and Gloria Burton; one son Samuel Dairyko, two step daughters Sandra Stone, and Renee Cannon, adopted son Michell Davis, along with a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins friends, and special friends Berleane Hill, Mary Griffin, Darlene Macon Clifton, Sue Tschida and her sister Sandy. 

01/13/2026 djb

https://www.alfordsmortuaryinc.com/obituary/ElizabethBette-Stone