Betty Downs Kendall

Betty Downs Kendall, age 95, of Orlando passed away Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Mrs. Kendall was born March 19, 1926 in the home her great grandfather built in Mahomet, Illinois. She was born into a Mennonite community and later became a member of and served in several Nazarene churches. A graduate of Olivet Nazarene University, she taught for two years in Rantoul, Illinois and later for 21 years in Orlando, Florida. 19 of those years were dedicated to Oak Ridge High School where she was the faculty sponsor for Civinettes and for the literary magazine, Intelligentsia. In Rantoul, Illinois; Fort Worth, Texas; and Orlando, Florida she filled many roles in the Nazarene churches she attended: choir member, soloist, pianist, Sunday School teacher, cradle roll director, missions president and church secretary. After she retired from teaching, she and her husband, Paul Kendall, did volunteer missions work around the world. She enjoyed travelling, reading, writing, sewing, and spending time with her family.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-laws; Paul Jeffrey and Rose (Nelson) Kendall of Eustis, Florida; James Stephen and Deb (Thomas) Kendall of Wilmington, North Carolina; daughter; Nancy Elizabeth Kendall of St. Augustine, Florida; seven grandchildren; Sally Anne Sanchez, Lisa Renee Kendall, Heather Marie King, Jennifer Susan Chandler, Drew Thomas Kendall, James Patrick Kendall, and Marcene Elizabeth Bolick; fourteen great grandchildren; Stephen Michael Schmidt, Geena Alexis Blake, Tyler Evan Hines, Zachary Paul Hines, Dylan Parker Hines, Kelsey Rose Cheney, Connor Jacob Cheney, Adriana Grace Kendall, Anamarie Rose Kendall, Calum Thomas Kendall, Hattie Marcene Bolick, Coy Stephen Bolick, James Davidson Kendall, Cole Nicholas Kendall; and two great great grandchildren; Edynn Marie Schmidt and Lliam Heinz Schmidt.

The family has requested that instead of flowers, donations be directed to:

The Paul and Betty Kendall Scholarship

ONU Foundation

One University Avenue

Bourbonnais, IL 60914

A visitation for Betty will be held Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Baldwin Fairchild at Chapel Hill, 2420 Harrell Road, Orlando, Florida 32817 with a Funeral Service at 11:00 AM. A committal service will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery, 2400 Harrell Road, Orlando, Florida 32817.