Betty Cinderella Heller

Mrs. Betty C. Heller, 89, of Indianapolis, IN, entered into her eternal rest at Traditions at Solana on August 13, 2024. She was born on September 19, 1934 in Blountstown, FL. She was one of three girls born to the late Mr. & Mrs. George Elmore. She grew up on a dairy farm in Bainbridge, GA where she loved riding horses.

She was saved at the age of 13 after a cousin invited the family to church. She competed in Bible Drill competitions as a teenager. She was an avid reader and loved reading about missionaries. She committed herself to full time Christian ministry.

After high school graduation, she attended Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC where she met her husband, Wendell Heller. They were married December 28, 1951. After they pastored a couple of churches in Georgia for 5 years, they moved to Indianapolis, IN. In 1957, they found Colonial Hills Baptist Church, originally called Northeast Baptist Church. Betty was very involved in every ministry of the church.

The 60’s were very focused on children’s ministries, working in the nursery, teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, King’s Daughters and even working with the Youth Group.

As she moved through the 70’s and 80’s she broadened into helping create the drama series of “Bible Women Come Alive.” She desired to see the ladies grow in Christ. She was involved with women’s ministries like the Ladies Missionary Fellowship and Ladies Retreats.

One of her passions was beginning the Deaf Ministry. One of her neighbors had a deaf child so she desired to reach this family with the love of Christ. She went to the Deaf School to learn sign language. As the ministry grew she (along with Linda King) signed the messages that Wendell preached.

She was an active person who loved playing tennis and riding horses. She loved enjoying her time in Florida. She was known for loving to sing.

At the end of her life while living at Traditions of Solana she loved meeting new people and sharing Christ with them. Her most enjoyable moments at Tradition involved singing and starting impromptu sing-a-longs.

She had a full life of loving her Savior, her husband and family and others. Her favorite verse was Isaiah 26:3,4 — “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength.”

She was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell T. Heller, and her parents, George & Myrtle Elmore. She is survived by her sisters, Helen (Toby) D’Ambola, Faye (Billy) Nalls; children: Stephen Heller, Wendy (Roger) Smith, Pam Weidlich; 9 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 1 (soon-to-be) great, great grandchild.

A visitation for Betty will be held Saturday, August 17, 2024 from 9:30am to 11:00am at Colonial Hills Baptist Church, 8140 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240, followed by her funeral service at 11:00am.

Betty will be laid to rest in Union Chapel Cemetery, 8301 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis, IN 46240.