Betty Teachout

A woman of wisdom and abundant faith, Betty Teachout lived to educate and enrich the lives of others. From a young age, she knew exactly what she wanted to do with her life, and she never faltered in her quest to achieve these goals. Determined and devout, it was Betty’s mission to inspire others through the Word of God, which she herself so deeply believed in.

Betty was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on September 18, 1931, to proud parents, Floyd and Pearl (Webb) Parks. Betty was the oldest of two girls, and she and her sister Elinor were very close. They shared many cherished childhood memories together. Betty was often the instigator to whatever mischief they found themselves in. They had fun roller skating, going on bike rides, and playing ball with the neighborhood kids. It was important to Betty’s mother that her girls be able to attend Sunday School, and she sacrificed much so they would have nice clothes to wear to Wealthy Street Baptist Church, which they started attending when Betty was a young girl. In the fall of 1941, at a special meeting with her Sunday School class, Betty distinctly remembered the Lord speaking to her. She raised her hand and accepted Jesus as her personal Savior. In October of 1948 she dedicated her life to the Lord while attending a Bible class led by her pastor, Dr. David Otis Fuller. She was baptized on Easter Sunday in 1951. This public testimony marked the start of a lifelong journey proclaiming His Word to others.

After graduating from Central High School in 1949, Betty worked for a time as a lawyer's secretary in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Confronted by the beliefs of several Jehovah's Witnesses who came by the office, she was brought to the realization that she needed to be able to defend the faith she so passionately believed in. To that end, Betty enrolled in the Christian Education program at the Grand Rapids Baptist Bible Institute which her pastor had been instrumental in forming (now Cornerstone University). In college, she was a member of the choir and the yearbook staff. Having played First Violin in the High School Orchestra, she continued playing her violin in the orchestra at church, where she was also a Sunday School secretary and treasurer, a Sunday School teacher for the Beginner's Department, a member of the choir, a helper in Junior church, Vacation Bible School, and was was a co-sponsor with Lorna Weaver of the Young People's group (ages 5-8). She was also a secretary for Prison Evangelism and was involved in street meetings, canvassing and Bible Clubs. During her last year at the Institute, Betty went on her first mission trip, spending 2 weeks in Kentucky. After graduating in 1956, Betty was granted full support from her church to continue her missionary work in Kentucky, and she lived there for about 3 years. Then, in 1959, the Lord burdened her heart for Africa. She bade a tearful farewell to the dear freands she had made in Kentucky, and within a year she was on her way to language study in Brussels, Belgium where she studied French in preparation for teaching in the Belgian Congo. In her down time, Betty was also able to journey out and sightsee around Europe. In 1961, Betty was finally given permission to go on to the Belgian Congo (Zaire) and begin her work teaching Biblical studies as well as basic reading and writing skills.

Because of political unrest in the Congo, Betty and her co-workers were evacuated by UN forces back to the US in January of 1964. When the time came for her to return in 1965, the political unrest had not fully abated, so she was temporarily diverted to the Central African Republic - the country directly to the north. It was during this time that Betty met a young missionary named Donald Teachout, who found a number of reasons to make the trip down to the capitol where she was stationed. The two began to truly enjoy each other’s company, often times just singing together while Betty played the pump organ. However, when the door opened for Betty to return to her ministry in the Congo, she did not see how there could be a future between her and Don while she felt such a burden for her ministry in the Congo. Accordingly, she made Don promise that he would not write to her after she left. Don reluctantly promised, but on the day she left, he packed the trunk of her car full of gifts for her to find once she had a full day of travel behind her. When Betty discovered the thoughtful gifts, she was compelled to write a thank you note back to Don. Thus freed from his promise of no contact, Don proceeded to write her a letter every day. After two months without receiving any response to his letters, Don proposed to Betty by letter. Against all odds, Betty accepted Don's proposal and the two were happily married in the Congo in 1966. Until additional unrest closed the door permanently to the continuation of their ministry in Congo, Don worked alongside Betty in the country of her calling.

In 1974, the couple relocated their ministry along with their new family back to the C.A.R. Betty and Don were blessed with three sons: Donald Jr., David and Jonathan, who brought them great pride and joy. Betty was a devoted mother to her boys, nurturing and teaching them along with the locals. Being so far away from their respective families, the couple headed back to the states with their boys about every 4 years, splitting their time between their hometowns in Pennsylvania and Michigan and their supporting churches. Her children were home-schooled for much of their education, including most of their high school years.

After their youngest graduated from high school in 1989, Betty and Don continued on together doing the work they both felt such a strong burden for. Between 1996 and 2002, they were evacuated two more times because of political unrest in the C.A.R. Finally, in 2004, Betty and Don retired from missionary work in Africa and moved back to Pennsylvania. They celebrated their 40th Anniversary in November of 2006. Less than two years later, Betty lost her beloved Don in 2008. The next year, Betty moved back to Grand Rapids, Michigan for health reasons and to be near family. Betty was blessed with 6 grandchildren, and she loved each of them dearly. She was very happy to be able to see her youngest grandchild, born in France, for the first time in July of 2011. In September, all three of her sons and their families were able to help her celebrate her 80th birthday.

Betty was an extraordinary lady with a warm, caring heart, and anyone who spent time with her felt the warmth of her presence. She had a natural social charm that made people open up to her, and her subtle sense of humor was sure to put a smile on their face. Betty knew the value of hard work and knew how to persevere through difficult circumstances. Betty used the words of the song "Trust and Obey" as a guideline for living her life: "...but we never can prove the delights of His love until all on the altar we lay; for the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows, are for them who will trust and obey." She read her Bible every day, and gathered strength and direction from the words she read. She was confident that God knew the ultimate path for her. Betty never let her petite stature limit the scope of what she attempted and accomplished through God's strength. She used her strong character and love to serve the Lord, as she loved her family. How Betty found the time and energy to do what she did is a testament to her commitment to her family and her Lord.

Betty’s deep love for family and others and a complete dependence on her Savior were evident to those who knew her. Her life verse was Deuteronomy 31:8. "And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."

Betty L. [Parks] Teachout, 80, of Grand Rapids, MI was promoted to heaven on Monday, October 24, 2011, from her home in Grand Rapids into the presence of the God she loved and served. She received assurance of her salvation through verses such as Romans 10:9-10 which state "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law: Donald O., Jr. & Ramona Teachout of Grand Rapids, MI, David P. & Becky Teachout of Kingsley, PA, Jonathan B. & Cherith Teachout of Reims, France; 6 grandchildren: Ellie Pearl, Paul, Becca Lou, Adrianna, Caleb and Josiah; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Richard and Nancy Teachout of MI, Arnie and Alice Teachout of NE, Mary Lee Teachout of Grand Rapids, Robert and Joan Teachout of MI, Cliff and Lila Teachout of WI; many nieces and nephews, and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews. Betty was preceded in promotion to glory by her husband, Donald O. Teachout, Sr., and her sister, Elinor M. Parks.

Two services will be held, with a time of visitation/fellowship preceding each: In Grand Rapids, MI: 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, at Wealthy Park Baptist Church, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, (Visitation/Fellowship at 4:00 p.m.). In Springville, PA: 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 5, at Springville Baptist Church, Springville, PA 18844, (Visitation/Fellowship at 11:00 a.m.). Memorial contributions may be made to the ministry of Jonathan and Cherith Teachout, c/o Baptist Mid-Missions, P.O Box 308011, Cleveland, OH, 44130-8011, in memory of Betty L. Teachout. Please visit Betty’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory and sign her online guest book.