Bessie "Bett" Tindell

Bessie Mae (Bett) Tindell was born October 9, 1930, in Bonifay, FL., to George and Mamie Wilcox. She spent her early years in Bonifay, forming many fond memories of her life and high school, where she played the French horn in the school band. Shortly after high school, while working at the town’s soda fountain, she met the love of her life, Bill Tindell. Bill and Bett married on March 18, 1949, and enjoyed 52 years together before his passing in 2001.

Bett and Bill welcomed their first child, Stephen Craig on December 27, 1949, and were blessed with their second child, Wanda Gayle, on July 24, 1955. Their family was complete and they began to establish deep roots in Pensacola, Florida.

Bill built their home on Stark Ave. in Pensacola with the help of many close family members in 1956, and it remained Bett’s home until 2025. Bett was very involved in her community. She had a deep love of community and church. She was a member of Olive Baptist Church for over 65 years, spending many hours participating in the Lottie Sunday School class and teaching Sunday School.

She was a member of the Tippin Homemakers Club and thoroughly enjoyed the many lifelong friendships she formed in this close-knit group of women.

Bett always wanted to become a cosmetologist and realized that dream later in life when she bravely went back to school and completed her cosmetology certification. She worked for a while in a private salon before joining George Stone Technical College, where she taught cosmetology. She always knew she had a talent for hairdressing and was proud to have achieved that goal.

With a desire to serve her community, Bett joined the West Florida Hospital volunteer program when it was first established and continued serving for 45 years. This accomplishment earned her the record for longest volunteer service at the hospital.

Bett is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bill Tindell; her parents, George and Mamie Wilcox; her older sister, Bernice Ingolia; and her younger brother, Jim Wilcox.

She is survived by her son and his wife, Steve and Susan Tindell, Monument, CO; her daughter and her husband, Wanda and James Parker of Milton, FL.; and her younger brother and his wife, Gerald and Jane Wilcox of Bonifay, FL.

Bett loved her role as a grandmother and is survived by five grandchildren that she thought the world of: Steve’s children, Stephen Tindell (Julie) Ladera Ranch, CA, Stephanie Carson (Tom), Durango, CO. and Sarah Farrell (Patrick), Castle Rock, CO. and Wanda’s children who lovingly called her MeMe; Angela Williams (Jordan) St. Johns, FL. and Amanda Alexander (Brad) Pensacola, FL.

She was blessed to have nine great-grandchildren in her life, Jake, Karly, Ella, Wesley and Matthew, along with Lucas, Abigail, Henry, and Emily.

Bett wanted to recognize her treasured cousin, Kay Brooks; her devoted niece, Cynthia Andrews; and her dedicated nephew, Gordon Brock, all of whom thought the world of her and will miss her dearly, along with many other cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors.

The family would like to express their gratitude to all those who took care of Bett over the last years of her life, notably Jeanette Myers, who was her caretaker and friend for many years.

A special thank you to the Jordan and Berube families, especially the children who took time from their young lives to sit with her and brighten her days.

Bett’s wish was to have a limited number of flowers at her gravesite, given their expense and the heat in Florida. If you wish to do something to honor her memory, hold your family close and cherish a special moment with them.

We will all remember Bett’s beautiful blue twinkling eyes, her bright smile, and her sweet disposition. Bett would want you to have fond memories of the good times and the times you shared smiles and laughter with her.

Bett lived a full life and, nearing 95, with dementia erasing her memories, she was happy to go quickly to be with Jesus, her beloved husband Bill, and those loved ones who have gone before her.

Spread your wings as you go.

When God takes you back

He’ll say, “HALLELUJAH, YOU'RE HOME.”