Bettye Jo Brown

Bettye Jo Crawford, the daughter of Paul D. Crawford and Anna Elizabeth Holt Crawford, was born Aug 24, 1928, on the family farm in Rockwall County, Texas. She grew up in the town of Rockwall, where her family moved when she was 5 years old. Bettye graduated college from North Texas State University (BS, Business/Education,1948; now University of North Texas) and was preparing to pursue a teaching position in Europe but life had other plans-in the person of her childhood friend George Brown, who asked her out on a Christmas holiday date in her senior year. That date led to a marriage of 65 years, and a life-long love. Within the next few years, Bettye and George moved their young family from Texas to Kansas for George's new career with US Department of Agriculture. Bettye pursued her talents as a children's teacher and pianist, teaching private piano lessons for over 30 years to scores of youngsters, as well as contributing her musicianship and teaching in varied contexts, such as Cub Scout Den mother, Church Sunday and vacation Bible school, English-Second Language instruction, and music programs for elders. Following George's final work posting in Denver, Bettye and George remained in Centennial, CO, where they enjoyed an extended retirement filled with family, camping and fishing, international travel, enjoyment of the arts and reading, and the simple pleasures of life. Bettye relocated to Albuquerque, near her daughter Marilyn and family, following George's death in 2014. Bettye's proudest achievement was the happiness and success of her children. She was a person of great intellectual courage and caring for others who repeatedly embraced new challenges to make life better for her family and those around her. She was guided by her core values and her Christian faith throughout her life.

Bettye died following a fall and broken hip sustained in her apartment on January 19. She is survived by her son Dale (Kelly Ambler) of Denver, her daughter Marilyn (Keenan Kloeppel), grandchildren Marshall Dixon (Brooke), of Albuquerque, and Marianna Dixon Geter (Matthew) of Durango, CO; and great-grandchildren Wyatt and Cole Dixon (Albuquerque), and Henry and London Geter (Durango). She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Paul D. Crawford II, and her husband.

An informal celebration of life will be held Friday March 8, 3:30 PM, Coronado Villa, 6900 San Vicente Ave N.E., Albuquerque NM 87109. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to Music Ministry, St Johns Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona N.E., Albuquerque NM 87110) (www.stjohns-abq.org), or to American Association of University Women-Albuquerque Chapter, PO Box 92643, Albuquerque 87199 (https://albuquerque-nm.aauw.net).