Betty Ruth Russell FreemanMUNCIE - Betty Ruth Russell Freeman, a lifetime Delaware County resident, died Saturday, January 14, 2017.Betty was born on November 30, 1920 to Orville and Maud (Wallar) Russell and took her place as the feisty little red-haired sister to four mischievous big brothers on the family farm. She attended school for twelve years at Eaton and graduated from high school in 1938. Betty assisted her mother in all types of housework at the farm and also worked at Kresge Five and Dime store as a teenager.Betty married Vernon Oran Freeman on May 3, 1940, becoming a farmer's wife. They had two daughters, Janelle Penrod (Jerry) and Janette Cochran (Adam). She worked at Ball State Teachers College as a clerk and a secretary and later graduated from Ball State Teachers College in November 1964. She taught English at Royerton High School from 1965-1967. Betty was a hard worker throughout her life and also worked as a court reporter for Depositions, Inc. from 1981-1983. Most importantly, Betty became a partner with her husband Vernon in developing Farmington Subdivision, Farmington Meadows Patio Homes and Farmington Estates. They were true partners in the venture and the projects were a source of great pride and community betterment; as partners they had a continuing commitment and devotion to Delaware County, the history of Delaware County and the development of housing that enhanced the community. Their work to develop Farmington spanned several decades and stands as a reminder of their creativity, industry and vision, and deep love of Delaware County.Through the years, Betty was active in Eden Christian Church, Friends Memorial Church, St. Andrew Presbyterian Church and then regularly attended Vesper services at Westminster Village after she moved there in 2010. Betty was also a talented musician, and after Vernon purchased her a piano for a first anniversary gift, played the piano or organ daily throughout her life encouraging family members and friends to sing along. After Vernon passed, Betty sang "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" to him in heaven, nightly, before retiring to bed and kept a picture of her one and only sweetheart framed at her bedside. Betty was also active in women's groups and service organizations and spent many years in Altrusa committed to charitable works and giving. Betty loved intellectual challenge, participated in book clubs and would play any game--throughout the years enjoying a variety of friend groups for bridge, euchre, and pinochle.Preceding her in death were her beloved husband, Vernon and daughter, Janelle; her parents, her four brothers, Earl, Albert, Dalton and Charles Russell, and a niece and nephew.Surviving are her daughter, Janette Cochran; six granddaughters, Kim Patterson, Kathy Patterson Vrabeck, Cindi Aaron (Anthony), Terri White (Douglas), Jennifer Berger (John), and Heather Gardner (Scott), and twelve great-grandchildren, Miles Robinson, Zoe Loving, Alexandra and Griffin Vrabeck, Rachel Morgan, Natalie Aaron, Emma and Eleanor White, Madeleine and Grace Berger, Jackson and Alison Gardner and ten nieces and nephews.Betty Ruth Russell Freeman was a beloved mother and "Grammy" and we know she would want us to "keep the love light glowing" in her memory.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider making a donation to Ball State University Archives or the Minnetrista Center; both places where memorabilia and historical documents are housed from the Russell Farm, the Freeman Farm, and Farmington.Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel. Burial will follow in Beech Grove Cemetery.Friends may call from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the mortuary.Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com