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Jane Gail Ramsey Farmer
Jane Gail Ramsey Farmer, 92, of Henderson, returned to the garden at 6:44 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, at Redbanks Nursing Home.
She was born December 4, 1931, to Carlena and Stanley Ramsey in Posey County, Ind. As younger sister to Jeanne, Jane grew up during the Great Depression and recognized purposeful work, frugality, and service to others as key ingredients for her peace of mind. After graduating from high school in 1949, Jane attended Lockyear’s Business College and worked as a bookkeeper for Dewey Martin Construction in Evansville.
Jane married Herbert L. Farmer, Jr. in 1953 at Audubon Baptist Church in Henderson. Soon, the couple would grow into a family of 8 and their combined savvy gave birth to the Herb L. Farmer, Jr. Monument Company.
Jane’s command was recognized and revered in her community, exhibited through her leadership role with the Monument Dealers Association, active membership of the Order of the Eastern Star and strategic management of the family monument company until her retirement in 1996. At this point, she had been re-measuring her recipe to spend more time with her sister, Jeanne, her children and grandchildren, close friends, old classmates, church family, and those in need. Quality time with Jane usually involved breaking bread, and so family suppers became Sunday ritual at Gram’s house following the passing of her husband, Herb, in 1983. When she wasn’t volunteering her time and talents, Jane could be found in the quality company of Gene’s Family Restaurant patrons and employees who named a breakfast platter the “Light Jane” in her honor.
She was an active member of Airline Baptist Church in Henderson and volunteered hours of her time every week at Henderson Community Christian Outreach and St. Anthony’s Hospice for decades post-retirement. Jane’s legacy of logic and service to family and others lives on in her kin, and her remarkable strength will always be reflected whenever we look in the mirror.
Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert L. Farmer, Jr.; two children, Kent Lee Farmer and Scott Farmer; and her sister, Jeanne Ramsey Mortensen.
Survivors include four children, Bruce Farmer and his wife, Beverly, of Henderson, Gene Farmer and his partner, Stacey Thomas, of Indianapolis, Judith Farmer-Mayo and her husband, Allen, of Henderson and Mary Farmer of Washington, D.C.; nine grandchildren, Charles Farmer, Michael Farmer, Magan Farmer, Melissa Barron, Clayton Farmer, Laura Marshall, Anna Mayo, Jack Mayo and Mary Jane Mayo; nine great-grandchildren, Isaac Barron, Bryce Farmer, Madisyn Farmer, Eli Barron, Riley Farmer, Kian Farmer, Zane Farmer, Clarke Marshall and Peyton Marshall; nieces, great-nieces and nephews; one great-granddog, Dude; and her in-laws Ray and Belinda Farmer.
Relatives and friends are invited to Jane’s Life Celebration from 2:30 until 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, 2024, and from 9:00 a.m. until service time on Friday, November 22nd at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home in Henderson, KY. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home with Reverend Nathan Whisnant and Pastor Jeremy Aliff officiating. Burial will follow at Fairmont Cemetery in Henderson, KY.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Henderson Community Christian Outreach, 509 5th St., Henderson, KY, 42420 or St. Anthony’s Hospice, 2410 S. Green St., Henderson, KY, 42420.
The family expresses earnest gratitude to the St. Anthony’s Hospice staff, and the hospice staff at Redbanks Nursing Home for their exceptional care of their mother during her stay. Jane’s family are indebted to Ann Carlisle for her longtime care, companionship, and friendship established through her position as a sitter for Jane.
Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com.
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Mary Lou Smith Bantly
Mary Lou Smith Bantly passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on
November 18, 2024, at Homeplace of Henderson. Mary Lou was born on October 29,
1945, in Henderson, KY, and lived there the entirety of her life. She loved the Lord with
all her heart and enjoyed sharing the love of Jesus with everyone in many ways especially
with her gift of heartfelt hospitality.
A 1964 graduate of Henderson County High school she kept in close touch with her
classmates especially her lifelong best friend Rita Carroll. In 1970, she married Jim
Bantly and started a family while working at The Gleaner in Henderson. They moved
into a house in Balmoral Acres where she lived for 46 years, making life long
friendships with her neighbors. She attended church during those years at Zion United
Church of Christ and served as the pianist, chaired their Christmas bazaar, and served
as the superintendent of the Sunday school, which revived the small church’s
attendance substantially.
In 1978, she began a successful career selling Home Interior and Gifts which
introduced her to hundreds of people all across the tri-state area. She won trips all over
the country each year for her high sales. In 1985, she won a trip to Los Angeles where
she was a contestant on the Price is Right and subsequently won a car.
In the late 80’s, she began taking photography classes at the University of
Southern Indiana and opened up a photography studio in her home in 1990. She
worked as a photographer up until the time of her passing. Mary Lou Bantly
Photography is well known in Henderson and across the nation. She was the official
photographer for the Ladies’ Oriental Shrine of North America for 20 years, traveling to
states each year for their conventions and making close friends in many cities along
the way. In Henderson, she has photographed weddings, seniors, families and most
notably was the photographer for Henderson County High School dances, local youth soccer, archery, baseball and Upward basketball. In addition to taking photos at
Upward basketball she started a program and secured fundraising to insure that each
child could have a complimentary dinner before every game.
In the late 1990’s she joined Zion Baptist Church and was an active member especially
in programs of gospel outreach. She was always eager to share her love of Jesus with
anyone and brought many people to the love of Christ during her lifetime. Not only by
telling them about Jesus but showing love to them in her deeds. If she saw a need she
was quick to devise a plan to help and follow through to make it happen. She loved
hosting dinner parties using her fine china, she never needed a reason and that was
one of the many ways she shared her love of Jesus. She took immense pride and
garnered joy in setting beautiful holiday themed table scapes but most notably
Christmas was her favorite holiday. Mary Lou has been known for her Christmas
decorations at her home on Glengary for many years, putting up numerous trees and
having a vast collection of Santa Clauses. Although her health did not allow her to stay
in her home until the end, she brought the Christmas cheer to Homeplace of
Henderson decorating this year before she fell ill and sharing her love of Christmas with
the staff and residents there.
Mary Lou will be forever by cherished by her two daughters Beth West and her
husband, Kevin of Nashville, TN and Jennie Peak and her husband Jason of Ponte Vedra
Beach, FL. She was known as Nonna by her beloved four grandchildren, Kate, Claire,
Bantly and Lainie. She was preceded in death by her father, Hosea Smith, Sr. and her
mother, Mary Montell Smith. She is survived by her brothers Hosea Smith, Mike Smith
and her sister Pat Vowels all of Henderson, KY. In addition, she leaves behind many
cousins, nieces and nephews. Mary had many close friends who supported her
throughout her life and she held each friendship very dear. Most especially that of her
next door neighbor of 46 years and loving friend, Sandy Judd. They worked side by
side in the photography business. Sandy was also a steadfast caregiver during the last
few years of Mary’s life allowing her to stay at home. Additionally, the family would like
to extend our deepest gratitude to the staff and residents of Homeplace of Henderson
for their compassionate care and support over the past year. Living at Homeplace was
a true blessing in her life.
Relatives and friends are invited to Mary’s Life Celebration from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday,
November 22nd at Zion Baptist Church in Henderson, KY and again on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the service time. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 23rd at the church. Private burial will be held at Fairmont Cemetery in Henderson, KY.
In lieu of flowers please bring a pre-lit small Christmas tree that you will donate to
someone in need for the Christmas season.
Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com.
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Yvonne “Bonnie” Todd
Yvonne “Bonnie” Todd, age 83, of Henderson, KY, formerly of Webster County, KY, passed away on Sunday, November 17, 2024, at her home.
Bonnie was born on April 15, 1941, and was the only child of Olan and Lyda Allen. She married her high school sweetheart Carroll Von Todd on June 1, 1957. Bonnie retired from Methodist Hospital where she worked as a medical records clerk. She was known for her witty Facebook comments and was a huge UK basketball fan. Bonnie loved going out to eat every week with her friends, making banana pudding, and looked forward to going to Cracker Barrel with her monthly breakfast bunch. Bonnie moved to Pleasant Pointe Apartments in 2010, where she gained a second family. She was a longtime member of Shady Grove General Baptist Church.
Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents and her husband in 2008.
She is survived by her children Cynthia Carol Todd (Bruce) of Henderson, KY and Chris Allen Todd (Mary) of Owensboro, KY; 5 grandchildren: Justin Todd (Chelsea), Allison Hebert (Bradley), Seth Todd (Logan), Evan Todd (Matthew), and Noah Todd; 7 great-grandchildren: Judah, Olivia, Siler, Granger, Steeley, Ryan, and Remi.
Relatives and friends are invited to Bonnie’s Life Celebration from 10:00 a.m. until the service time on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with Justin Todd officiating. Entombment will follow at Fairmont Mausoleum in Henderson, KY.
Arrangements entrusted to Benton-Glunt & Tapp Funeral Home, A Life Celebration® Home, online condolences may be made at www.bentongluntandtappfuneralhome.com.
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