Eleanor Betty Jeanne Ewing Crowe, 85, of Indianapolis passed away on October 30, 2016, at Robin Run Village, an assisted living care center.
Betty Jeanne, as she was called by many of her friends, was born March 24, 1931 in Indianapolis Indiana to Robert Ewing and Pearl Mitchell Ewing. She attended John Hope Elementary School # 26 and was a very proud member of the Crispus Attucks High School Graduating Class of 1948. Described in the Attucks yearbook as “pleasant and cheerful,” Betty also was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation from Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University) in Muncie, Indiana, she returned to Indianapolis where she began working at the Indiana State Board of Health.
Betty had been raised in the church and her strong Christian faith sustained her throughout her life. She had strong affiliations with two places of worship in Indianapolis; Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
On November 21, 1951, Betty married Ray Province Crowe. Through their union of 39 years, they raised three children; Larry Ray, Linda Jeanne and Lloyd Edward. Betty also developed a close relationship with her step-daughter Katherine Ann Williams Crowe. Not only was Betty a devoted mother to her own children in those early years, she often served as a mother figure to many of the players on “Coach Crowe’s” famous Crispus Attucks Tigers basketball team.
During the time Betty was married to Ray, basketball was a central feature of their life together. But Betty developed her own career and interests. Being an educator became her passion. After working for a few years at the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Department, she enrolled at Butler University, where she first received a Bachelor of Science in Education, then later a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. Betty’s several years in the classroom prepared her for the counseling and leadership roles she filled during the last 20 years of her career in the Indianapolis Public School System. She retired in June of 1995 after 32 years.
Betty touched many lives during her time as an educator, often working with at risk students and adults whose lives she changed. She could be firm and fierce when needed. It was a time when teachers knew their role and students had a place. And Betty Jeanne didn’t have any problem keeping them in it. But she was also known to be kind, compassionate and deeply concerned about the growth of her students and their ability to be successful productive citizens. She was the type of teacher who would mentor before school, after school and whenever necessary. She was even known to bring a troubled student home for the weekend. She truly lived up to and handed down the legacy of the educators whose example she observed at Crispus Attucks.
Betty Jeanne was very active in community affairs. She gave of her time and talent to several organizations in the Indianapolis community. She was involved with Jack & Jill and the Links. She served for nine years on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of Central Indiana including two terms as board President. She spent several years on the Board of Directors of the 500 Festival Association. Betty spent considerable time with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis as a member of the Branch Board of Managers of the Fall Creek YMCA.
In 1983 Betty was chosen by the National Council of Negro Women as one of the “100 Outstanding Negro Women in the State of Indiana.” In 1989 she received the YWCA “Salute to Women” award. Betty also was the first woman to serve on the Indiana State Textbook Commission, having been appointed to a first term by Gov. Edgar Whitcomb and to a second term by Govern Otis Bowen. In October of 2011, Lt. Becky Skillman presented Betty with the Golden Hoosier award honoring “an individual whose personal live exemplifies outstanding service to the community and the State of Indiana.”
In 1991 Betty met a wonderful man, Charles F. Semmes, who was originally from Kokomo, Indiana. She felt they were truly “soul mates.” She had the most glorious, happy six years with him before he passed away in March of 1997. They traveled around the world and had the happiest times together. He liked to dance almost as much as she did. They attended plays, social events and wined and dined around Indianapolis. He became a member of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church as well. They were both very active members.
Betty spent her later years with her Attucks classmates and the new friends she made at Robin Run Village. She became quite a fixture around the place. And the folks at Robin Run took good care of her. She could be seen moving around the halls, chatting with anyone she encountered, still exhibiting the “pleasant and cheerful” personality that had been a signature of her teenage years. When neighbors would see her with her cat, Sasha, seated in her little buggy, they would say, “Here comes the ole’ Crowe and the cat.” Eleanor Betty Jeanne Ewing Crowe lived a good life!
In the Class of 48’s fiftieth reunion yearbook, Betty wrote, “All in all, life has been good to me. I feel I have been blessed greatly in many ways. I am truly happy that I graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. The longer I stayed in education, the happier and more appreciative I became of the education I received at dear old CAHS. I am grateful for the many classmates I have and the association that many of us have at our monthly meeting. I am thankful for my wonderful children and grandchildren and the many friends I have. I shall continue to try and be of help to my fellow man in any way I can and do unto others as I would have them do unto me.
Betty Jeanne Crowe – President, CAHS Class of 48’s fifty Year Reunion
Betty Jeanne, as she was called by many of her friends, was born March 24, 1931 in Indianapolis Indiana to Robert Ewing and Pearl Mitchell Ewing. She attended John Hope Elementary School # 26 and was a very proud member of the Crispus Attucks High School Graduating Class of 1948. Described in the Attucks yearbook as “pleasant and cheerful,” Betty also was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation from Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University) in Muncie, Indiana, she returned to Indianapolis where she began working at the Indiana State Board of Health.
Betty had been raised in the church and her strong Christian faith sustained her throughout her life. She had strong affiliations with two places of worship in Indianapolis; Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
On November 21, 1951, Betty married Ray Province Crowe. Through their union of 39 years, they raised three children; Larry Ray, Linda Jeanne and Lloyd Edward. Betty also developed a close relationship with her step-daughter Katherine Ann Williams Crowe. Not only was Betty a devoted mother to her own children in those early years, she often served as a mother figure to many of the players on “Coach Crowe’s” famous Crispus Attucks Tigers basketball team.
During the time Betty was married to Ray, basketball was a central feature of their life together. But Betty developed her own career and interests. Being an educator became her passion. After working for a few years at the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Department, she enrolled at Butler University, where she first received a Bachelor of Science in Education, then later a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. Betty’s several years in the classroom prepared her for the counseling and leadership roles she filled during the last 20 years of her career in the Indianapolis Public School System. She retired in June of 1995 after 32 years.
Betty touched many lives during her time as an educator, often working with at risk students and adults whose lives she changed. She could be firm and fierce when needed. It was a time when teachers knew their role and students had a place. And Betty Jeanne didn’t have any problem keeping them in it. But she was also known to be kind, compassionate and deeply concerned about the growth of her students and their ability to be successful productive citizens. She was the type of teacher who would mentor before school, after school and whenever necessary. She was even known to bring a troubled student home for the weekend. She truly lived up to and handed down the legacy of the educators whose example she observed at Crispus Attucks.
Betty Jeanne was very active in community affairs. She gave of her time and talent to several organizations in the Indianapolis community. She was involved with Jack & Jill and the Links. She served for nine years on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of Central Indiana including two terms as board President. She spent several years on the Board of Directors of the 500 Festival Association. Betty spent considerable time with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis as a member of the Branch Board of Managers of the Fall Creek YMCA.
In 1983 Betty was chosen by the National Council of Negro Women as one of the “100 Outstanding Negro Women in the State of Indiana.” In 1989 she received the YWCA “Salute to Women” award. Betty also was the first woman to serve on the Indiana State Textbook Commission, having been appointed to a first term by Gov. Edgar Whitcomb and to a second term by Govern Otis Bowen. In October of 2011, Lt. Becky Skillman presented Betty with the Golden Hoosier award honoring “an individual whose personal live exemplifies outstanding service to the community and the State of Indiana.”
In 1991 Betty met a wonderful man, Charles F. Semmes, who was originally from Kokomo, Indiana. She felt they were truly “soul mates.” She had the most glorious, happy six years with him before he passed away in March of 1997. They traveled around the world and had the happiest times together. He liked to dance almost as much as she did. They attended plays, social events and wined and dined around Indianapolis. He became a member of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church as well. They were both very active members.
Betty spent her later years with her Attucks classmates and the new friends she made at Robin Run Village. She became quite a fixture around the place. And the folks at Robin Run took good care of her. She could be seen moving around the halls, chatting with anyone she encountered, still exhibiting the “pleasant and cheerful” personality that had been a signature of her teenage years. When neighbors would see her with her cat, Sasha, seated in her little buggy, they would say, “Here comes the ole’ Crowe and the cat.” Eleanor Betty Jeanne Ewing Crowe lived a good life!
In the Class of 48’s fiftieth reunion yearbook, Betty wrote, “All in all, life has been good to me. I feel I have been blessed greatly in many ways. I am truly happy that I graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. The longer I stayed in education, the happier and more appreciative I became of the education I received at dear old CAHS. I am grateful for the many classmates I have and the association that many of us have at our monthly meeting. I am thankful for my wonderful children and grandchildren and the many friends I have. I shall continue to try and be of help to my fellow man in any way I can and do unto others as I would have them do unto me.
Betty Jeanne Crowe – President, CAHS Class of 48’s fifty Year Reunion
Eleanor Betty Jeanne Ewing Crowe, 85, of Indianapolis passed away on October 30, 2016, at Robin Run Village, an assisted living care center.
Betty Jeanne, as she was called by many of her friends, was born March 24, 1931 in Indianapolis Indiana to Robert Ewing and Pearl Mitchell Ewing. She attended John Hope Elementary School # 26 and was a very proud member of the Crispus Attucks High School Graduating Class of 1948. Described in the Attucks yearbook as “pleasant and cheerful,” Betty also was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation from Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University) in Muncie, Indiana, she returned to Indianapolis where she began working at the Indiana State Board of Health.
Betty had been raised in the church and her strong Christian faith sustained her throughout her life. She had strong affiliations with two places of worship in Indianapolis; Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
On November 21, 1951, Betty married Ray Province Crowe. Through their union of 39 years, they raised three children; Larry Ray, Linda Jeanne and Lloyd Edward. Betty also developed a close relationship with her step-daughter Katherine Ann Williams Crowe. Not only was Betty a devoted mother to her own children in those early years, she often served as a mother figure to many of the players on “Coach Crowe’s” famous Crispus Attucks Tigers basketball team.
During the time Betty was married to Ray, basketball was a central feature of their life together. But Betty developed her own career and interests. Being an educator became her passion. After working for a few years at the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Department, she enrolled at Butler University, where she first received a Bachelor of Science in Education, then later a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. Betty’s several years in the classroom prepared her for the counseling and leadership roles she filled during the last 20 years of her career in the Indianapolis Public School System. She retired in June of 1995 after 32 years.
Betty touched many lives during her time as an educator, often working with at risk students and adults whose lives she changed. She could be firm and fierce when needed. It was a time when teachers knew their role and students had a place. And Betty Jeanne didn’t have any problem keeping them in it. But she was also known to be kind, compassionate and deeply concerned about the growth of her students and their ability to be successful productive citizens. She was the type of teacher who would mentor before school, after school and whenever necessary. She was even known to bring a troubled student home for the weekend. She truly lived up to and handed down the legacy of the educators whose example she observed at Crispus Attucks.
Betty Jeanne was very active in community affairs. She gave of her time and talent to several organizations in the Indianapolis community. She was involved with Jack & Jill and the Links. She served for nine years on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of Central Indiana including two terms as board President. She spent several years on the Board of Directors of the 500 Festival Association. Betty spent considerable time with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis as a member of the Branch Board of Managers of the Fall Creek YMCA.
In 1983 Betty was chosen by the National Council of Negro Women as one of the “100 Outstanding Negro Women in the State of Indiana.” In 1989 she received the YWCA “Salute to Women” award. Betty also was the first woman to serve on the Indiana State Textbook Commission, having been appointed to a first term by Gov. Edgar Whitcomb and to a second term by Govern Otis Bowen. In October of 2011, Lt. Becky Skillman presented Betty with the Golden Hoosier award honoring “an individual whose personal live exemplifies outstanding service to the community and the State of Indiana.”
In 1991 Betty met a wonderful man, Charles F. Semmes, who was originally from Kokomo, Indiana. She felt they were truly “soul mates.” She had the most glorious, happy six years with him before he passed away in March of 1997. They traveled around the world and had the happiest times together. He liked to dance almost as much as she did. They attended plays, social events and wined and dined around Indianapolis. He became a member of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church as well. They were both very active members.
Betty spent her later years with her Attucks classmates and the new friends she made at Robin Run Village. She became quite a fixture around the place. And the folks at Robin Run took good care of her. She could be seen moving around the halls, chatting with anyone she encountered, still exhibiting the “pleasant and cheerful” personality that had been a signature of her teenage years. When neighbors would see her with her cat, Sasha, seated in her little buggy, they would say, “Here comes the ole’ Crowe and the cat.” Eleanor Betty Jeanne Ewing Crowe lived a good life!
In the Class of 48’s fiftieth reunion yearbook, Betty wrote, “All in all, life has been good to me. I feel I have been blessed greatly in many ways. I am truly happy that I graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. The longer I stayed in education, the happier and more appreciative I became of the education I received at dear old CAHS. I am grateful for the many classmates I have and the association that many of us have at our monthly meeting. I am thankful for my wonderful children and grandchildren and the many friends I have. I shall continue to try and be of help to my fellow man in any way I can and do unto others as I would have them do unto me.
Betty Jeanne Crowe – President, CAHS Class of 48’s fifty Year Reunion
Betty Jeanne, as she was called by many of her friends, was born March 24, 1931 in Indianapolis Indiana to Robert Ewing and Pearl Mitchell Ewing. She attended John Hope Elementary School # 26 and was a very proud member of the Crispus Attucks High School Graduating Class of 1948. Described in the Attucks yearbook as “pleasant and cheerful,” Betty also was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation from Ball State Teachers College (now Ball State University) in Muncie, Indiana, she returned to Indianapolis where she began working at the Indiana State Board of Health.
Betty had been raised in the church and her strong Christian faith sustained her throughout her life. She had strong affiliations with two places of worship in Indianapolis; Witherspoon Presbyterian Church and Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
On November 21, 1951, Betty married Ray Province Crowe. Through their union of 39 years, they raised three children; Larry Ray, Linda Jeanne and Lloyd Edward. Betty also developed a close relationship with her step-daughter Katherine Ann Williams Crowe. Not only was Betty a devoted mother to her own children in those early years, she often served as a mother figure to many of the players on “Coach Crowe’s” famous Crispus Attucks Tigers basketball team.
During the time Betty was married to Ray, basketball was a central feature of their life together. But Betty developed her own career and interests. Being an educator became her passion. After working for a few years at the Veterans Administration and the Social Security Department, she enrolled at Butler University, where she first received a Bachelor of Science in Education, then later a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Guidance. Betty’s several years in the classroom prepared her for the counseling and leadership roles she filled during the last 20 years of her career in the Indianapolis Public School System. She retired in June of 1995 after 32 years.
Betty touched many lives during her time as an educator, often working with at risk students and adults whose lives she changed. She could be firm and fierce when needed. It was a time when teachers knew their role and students had a place. And Betty Jeanne didn’t have any problem keeping them in it. But she was also known to be kind, compassionate and deeply concerned about the growth of her students and their ability to be successful productive citizens. She was the type of teacher who would mentor before school, after school and whenever necessary. She was even known to bring a troubled student home for the weekend. She truly lived up to and handed down the legacy of the educators whose example she observed at Crispus Attucks.
Betty Jeanne was very active in community affairs. She gave of her time and talent to several organizations in the Indianapolis community. She was involved with Jack & Jill and the Links. She served for nine years on the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of Central Indiana including two terms as board President. She spent several years on the Board of Directors of the 500 Festival Association. Betty spent considerable time with the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis as a member of the Branch Board of Managers of the Fall Creek YMCA.
In 1983 Betty was chosen by the National Council of Negro Women as one of the “100 Outstanding Negro Women in the State of Indiana.” In 1989 she received the YWCA “Salute to Women” award. Betty also was the first woman to serve on the Indiana State Textbook Commission, having been appointed to a first term by Gov. Edgar Whitcomb and to a second term by Govern Otis Bowen. In October of 2011, Lt. Becky Skillman presented Betty with the Golden Hoosier award honoring “an individual whose personal live exemplifies outstanding service to the community and the State of Indiana.”
In 1991 Betty met a wonderful man, Charles F. Semmes, who was originally from Kokomo, Indiana. She felt they were truly “soul mates.” She had the most glorious, happy six years with him before he passed away in March of 1997. They traveled around the world and had the happiest times together. He liked to dance almost as much as she did. They attended plays, social events and wined and dined around Indianapolis. He became a member of Witherspoon Presbyterian Church as well. They were both very active members.
Betty spent her later years with her Attucks classmates and the new friends she made at Robin Run Village. She became quite a fixture around the place. And the folks at Robin Run took good care of her. She could be seen moving around the halls, chatting with anyone she encountered, still exhibiting the “pleasant and cheerful” personality that had been a signature of her teenage years. When neighbors would see her with her cat, Sasha, seated in her little buggy, they would say, “Here comes the ole’ Crowe and the cat.” Eleanor Betty Jeanne Ewing Crowe lived a good life!
In the Class of 48’s fiftieth reunion yearbook, Betty wrote, “All in all, life has been good to me. I feel I have been blessed greatly in many ways. I am truly happy that I graduated from Crispus Attucks High School. The longer I stayed in education, the happier and more appreciative I became of the education I received at dear old CAHS. I am grateful for the many classmates I have and the association that many of us have at our monthly meeting. I am thankful for my wonderful children and grandchildren and the many friends I have. I shall continue to try and be of help to my fellow man in any way I can and do unto others as I would have them do unto me.
Betty Jeanne Crowe – President, CAHS Class of 48’s fifty Year Reunion
Gravesite Details
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