Martha E. Betts

Elderly woman with glasses and a scarf.
Martha Betts

Martha Ellen (Collier) Betts, 94, of Cadiz, passed away April 17, 2026, at the Harrison County Home. She was born August 5, 1931, in Cadiz, Ohio, to parents Frank and Martha (Ramsay) Collier.

Martha was the former owner of the Yarn Tree craft shop in Cadiz. She also held several positions in the community, including former president of the Harrison County Democratic Women’s Club, past president of the Cadiz Coal Mining Festival, and former co-director of the Harrison County Bloodmobile. Martha was also a preacher’s wife for 38 years, being married to Rev. Samuel Betts until his passing on June 5, 2025. She truly enjoyed serving and donating her time and talents to the First Church of God in Anderson, Indiana.

She is survived by her daughters, Kathie (Dean) Yocum and Vickie Mellott; her stepchildren, Cheryl (Roger) Royer, Daniel (Sulinda) Betts, and David (Heather) Betts; as well as her loving grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Martha loved being a grandmother, but some might say her biggest joys were shopping and doll collecting.

Martha was preceded in death by her father, Frank Collier; her mother, Martha Collier Sledden; her stepfather, Frank Sledden; her first husband, James Simpson Jr.; her second husband, Samuel Betts; her sons, James M. Simpson and Jamie R. Simpson; her brother, Paul Collier, Sr.; and her grandsons, James Mellott and Michael Yocum.

Friends and family were received Friday, April 24, 2026, from 11 a.m. to noon with a funeral service officiated by Pastor Daniel Betts at noon at the Borkoski Funeral Home in Cadiz, Ohio. Interment followed at Holly Memorial Gardens.

Condolences and fond memories may be shared at www.borkoskifuneral.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Martha’s memory to Southern Care Hospice or the Harrison County Home.