Bettye Jean (Bernay) Stephens

Bettye Jeanne (Bernay) Parsons Stephens, 93, peacefully passed into the Lords Paradise on September 24, 2021. Born in El Paso, Texas, May 13, 1928, she was the only child of Erma (Phillips) and Howard Bernay. Bettye graduated from Ysleta High School and continued her education in Elementary Education at Texas Woman's University in Denton, Texas.

Bettye returned to El Paso and married Lynn E. Parsons where they raised their 3 sons Howard, Edward and David. She taught Kindergarten for over 20 years, culminating as the Director of the Western Hills Pre-school. Devoted to her family, students and friends she was a popularly familiar face at school meetings, sporting events, Church and neighborhood gatherings.

From an early age, her father encouraged her to continuously expand her realm of knowledge. She was an avid reader. She read all genres of literature and could expound on nearly any given subject especially history and stories of the Southwest. And card games! She loved them all.

In 1974 Bettye married I. Boyd Stephens. They moved several times throughout Texas, Colorado and New Mexico before settling in Las Placitas, where they built and lived at home until 2018. She loved the majesty of the Sandia Mountains and the vastness of the Rio Grande valley below. During 10 of the years, she and Boyd lived in the Albuquerque area Bettye worked at UNMH in the position of Administrative Assistant for the Cardiovascular Department. For the past 3 years Bettye lived happily at the Fairwinds - Rio Rancho Retirement Community entertaining old friends, making new friends, playing bridge and enjoying all the activities provided.

Bettye was predeceased by both of her husband's & stepson Brantley Stephens. She is survived by her 3 sons Howard (Pattiann), Edward and David Parsons and their families, including 5 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren, her stepdaughter Millie Stephens (Hershell) Terrell and family along with Connie (Brantley) Stephens and family.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 am on Saturday October 23, 2021, at Bernalillo United Methodist Church, 136 W. Calle Don Andres, Bernalillo, New Mexico 87004.