Betty J Taylor

Betty Jean Greenwood was born to Lula Pettigrew and John Greenwood. On Monday morning January 13th, 1930, momentous things happened. Mickey Mouse was introduced to the world; The first ever radio broadcast was made, and the Census worker knocked on the front door of Mr. and Mrs. John Greenwood. On this day, the world was gifted a queen! She was the youngest of 5 children. Betty was educated by Indianapolis Public Schools with a short stint in high school in Chicago. She moved back home because she was homesick for her mother and opted to go to work with her older sisters at Regen's Bakery Betty had a kind, gentle nature that made her a natural family caregiver. She cared for her parents and siblings, often moving them into her home to care for them. Betty was a lifelong Southsider at a young age joined Bethesda Baptist Church and was baptized. She was a great servant of the Lord. She was active in the Foreign Mission, The Usher Board, BTU, Vacation Bible School, and a Sunday School Teacher. Betty and Acy D. Taylor were married on July 12, 1952, with 64 years of continuous marital bliss. The following year they welcomed their eldest daughter Valerie eight years later, completed their family with the youngest daughter Candy. Betty kept love letters from the time that she and Acy were apart during the Korean War. The love letters wrote of how eager he was to get home to her and start his life as her husband. Their love story was Reminiscent of the Song of Solomon. It was an example of what it means to truly submit to a man who first admits to Christ, leaning on that understanding and forging a life in a legacy of love, commitment, and devotion to Christ above all. Betty had been hired as a baker, by the owner, Mr. Issac Regenstreif, he taught her how to decorate cakes. She flourished and loved decorating and saw it as a chance to indulge her God-given artistic flair and talents. In 1944 she continued honing her skills while working for Taylor's Bakery as a cake decorator for more than 25 years. Betty loved her craft and would travel and attend culinary schools like the Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis through the years forever perfecting her skill and learning new techniques. Mr. Regenstreif’s tutelage of a 14-year-old girl sparked a lifetime obsession for the Indianapolis Icon of a woman to find her signature voice and an undeniable creative artistic flair that served to make an indelible mark on her entire community. Betty has blessed everyone who has ever known with her cakes to celebrate their family milestones, rather it would be it their weddings, birthdays, graduations, and homegoing. Everyone that had tasted her beautiful wedding cakes, birthday cakes, or annual Christmas cookies was loved by Betty. Betty’s cakes and her artistry are how she best conveyed her love. The Cake Lady ran her home-based bakery for 30 years. She baked cakes for visiting dignitaries and celebrations like Jesse Jackson, and her cake creations and story were featured in Jet Magazine. Betty would be ready to commemorate the birth of new child with a personalized hand-sew quilt for the child to swaddle. She adored her walls with her original paintings that she often gifted to those who visited her home. Betty and Reverend Acy D Taylor retired from their positions as pastor and first lady of True Tried Missionary Baptist Church in 2001. Mrs. Taylor was the oldest living member before her passing. They later returned to Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church in 2003. Betty Jean Taylor was called home on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 94 years 9 months, and 25 days. Both of her daughters were at her side. She was preceded in death by her parents Lula and John Greenwood, three sister Mary Elizbeth, Virgina Louise, and Flora Bell, brother Charlie husband Rev. Acy D. Taylor, her niece Vera Mae, son in laws Larry, Peter Walls granddaughter LeAnn Walls and great-granddaughter Yazmin Walls. Betty Jean Taylor is survived Daughters Valerie (Steve) Walls-Helm Fuqua, and Leanda “Candy” Kirkland-Walls, grandchildren Larry Lamont Walls, Raquel (Reginald) Walls-Townsel, Peter (Kizzie) Walls, David (Venisha) Walls, Ebonie (Dan) Walls-Peterson, great-grandchildren JerrBryon (Octavia) Graves, David Walls Jr, Dailan Walls, Kipeira Walls, E’uryiah Walls, Casey Robinson, Petekilus Walls, Larry Walls, Shemar Walls, Gavin Walls, great-great-grandchildren, JerrBryon Jr., JaBari, JaCcari, Graves, E’Miko Walls, Yamila Walls, one niece Joan Steppe, great nephews Edward (Kristy), Lamar(Teresa), and Lafawn, and great-great nieces and nephew Atiya(Doug) and Adrianne (Rene), Kourtney, Edward, Noah, Brandon, and Quianna three great-great-great nephews Drezyn, Dealo, and Shannon and one great-great-great-great niece Charlee and a host of loved ones and friends.

Betty J Taylor

January 13, 1930 - September 25, 2024