About This Memory Space
This page was created for Betty Lou Burney's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor Betty Lou Burney's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew Betty Lou Burney. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
Betty Lou Burney crafted a century of enduring grace, from her Indiana farm roots to a marriage that spanned nearly seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on family, faith, and community.
Born in Morristown, Indiana, to Glenn and Nell James, Betty grew up on a farm near Spiceland, where she thrived academically and graduated from Spiceland High School in 1943. Awarded a full scholarship to Purdue University for home economics, she instead followed her heart to Indianapolis. There, she met John D. Burney, and the couple wed on August 29, 1948, embarking on a joyful partnership that lasted 67 years until his death in 2015. Betty cherished her role as the eldest living member of Christ Presbyterian Church in McCordsville, forging deep connections among fellow congregants.
Betty opted out of a promising academic path in home economics to prioritize family life and personal pursuits, channeling her talents into nurturing her home and community with unwavering dedication.
Family & Loved Ones
Betty's world revolved around the unbreakable ties she nurtured with her loved ones, from her devoted husband John to the generations that followed. Her son J. Douglas and his wife Susie stood by her side, alongside grandchildren Shannon Christie with Nate, and J.D. Burney with Emilie. The joy amplified with great-grandchildren Reagan, Riley, and Quinn Christie, plus Everleigh, Ainsleigh, and Palmer Burney—each a testament to her gentle guidance and infectious warmth. She was preceded in death by her sister Ruth Larabee and brother Albert James, yet her steadfast presence remained a comforting constant for all.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from her circle capture Betty's essence as a pillar of quiet strength and kindness, with many recalling her infectious spirit and the profound comfort she offered through faith and fellowship.
For those looking for service information