Betty Jean Chappell Toler

Betty Jean Chappell Toler, 94, of Owensboro, passed away Friday, January 16, 2026, at the Heartford House while under the care of Hospice of Western Kentucky. She was born November 28, 1931, in Daviess County, to the late Roscoe W. and Eloise S. Nuckols Chappell. She was married to Walter DeHaven Toler for 72 blessed years before he passed. Betty was a bus driver for the Daviess County Public Schools for 17 years. She was a lifetime member of the Baptist Church, serving at Lewisport Baptist in her early years, and Yellow Creek Baptist and First Baptist later in life. She served on the Wednesday night cooking team, drove the church bus for VBS, made snacks for the youth group when her children were teens, worked faithfully in the nursery, and visited prospective members, always taking either homemade bread or fresh-baked cookies. Betty spent her life quietly assisting those around her who were in need, whether it be family, a neighbor, friend, or stranger. Many family members, friends, physicians, and strangers were recipients of Betty’s “see a need…fill a need” philosophy. She showed her love to others by helping however she could…that was her life’s ministry.

When not helping others, Betty enjoyed walking her laps in Spring Bank, sewing, cooking, supporting family, and traveling. Every day, she would make her rounds in her pink ball cap, greeting those she knew along the way. There was a visible corner in Spring Bank where she would often stop along her route to pull the weeds that had popped up. That was who she was. Betty sewed clothing for both of her daughters for years, making countless doll clothes, Barbie clothes, and even prom dresses. Her sewing and culinary skills, including her sour dough cinnamon rolls, were unmatched. When her grandchildren were young, Betty would be seen at every event, arriving early to have a front row seat. Additionally, she and her husband Walter loved traveling the US and even made the journey to Europe twice to experience different cultures in the world.

Along with her parents and her husband, Betty was preceded in death by her brothers R.W. Chappell, and Oscar Chappell.

Betty is survived by a son, Steve Toler (Becky) of Lebanon, TN; twin daughters, Susan Warren (Hank) of Owensboro, and Sharon Ringham of Fayetteville, GA: grandchildren, Ashley Warren Howard (Aaron) of Louisville, Andrew Warren (Rebecca) of Brentwood TN, Katy Hoyos (Santiago) of Peachtree City, GA, Keeley Bass (Matthew) of Cumming, GA, Whitney Shehane (Michael) of Knoxville, TN, Shannon Toler of Bloomington, IL, Shawnell Toler of White Plains; nine great grandchildren; Henry and Hallie Howard, George Warren, Ryan and Ian Hoyos, Stevie and Colt Shehane, Emma Miller and David Hughes.

There will be no visitation and private graveside services will be held at Owensboro Memorial Gardens for family and close friends.

Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to the Heartford House, Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. 3400 Wathens Crossing, Owensboro, KY 42301.

Memories and condolences for the family of Betty may be left at www.glenncares.com