Bettye Minton

Bettye Ruth (Merritt) Minton, 77, peacefully passed away surrounded by her loved ones in Rio Rancho, NM on Sunday, November 2, 2014 following an extended illness. Bettye was born September 24, 1937 in Hunt, Texas to Loy K. and Katie Rose Merritt. She was the youngest of 6 children. The family made their home in Corona, NM in 1943. She graduated from Corona High School in 1956. On June 9, 1956 she married Robert W. “Bob” Minton, Jr. She followed her husband to numerous military bases including Fort Polk, LA, Fort Riley, KS and Fort Bliss, TX. While Bob was deployed to Vietnam, Bettye perfected the role of being both mother and father to their three children. Following Bob’s retirement from the U.S Army, they made their home in Fort Sumner, NM. Bettye for the most part was a Professional Mother. Her children were blessed having her kiss them goodbye each morning as they left for school and greeting them with a big hug when they came home. After her children grew up, she worked at the Pecos Valley Care Center and supplemented her retirement by delivering the Clovis News Journal. She is a former member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Fort Sumner Quilting Club. She was an avid fan of the LA Lakers and Oakland Raiders. Survivors include her children: Robert W. “Bobby” Minton, III and wife Diane of Rio Rancho, NM; Loy K. “Bucky” Minton and wife Melissa of Fort Sumner, NM and Brenda Jane Minton and partner Yolanda Rivera of Rio Rancho, NM. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren: Melissa(Joe) Eastman of Albuquerque; Dustin(Crystal) Minton of Edgewood, NM; LK(Judy) Minton of Fort Sumner; NM; Lacy(Hank) Olivares of Los Lunas, NM; Caitlin(Curt) Fletcher of Albuquerque, NM; Chelsea Minton of Canyon, TX; Hannah White of Rio Rancho, NM and Alexis and Victoria Reyes of Fort Sumner, NM. She is also blessed with 10 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her beloved brother Neuman Merritt of Fort Sumner, NM, lifelong friend George Ryberg of Prescott, AZ and her card playing friend Bea Anderson of Fort Sumner, NM. Along with several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Robert in 1978 and longtime companion Budy Foote in 1996. A brother LK Merritt, Jr in 1940, and sisters: Louise Owens in 1997, Lola Vickrey in 1987 and Kathy Dennison in 1988. Nathaniel and Patrick Minton will have the honor of serving as their blessed Motsie’s pallbearers. On Friday the family will gather at the home of Bucky and Melissa Minton. Services will be held at the Chavez Funeral Home Chapel, Saturday November 8, 2014 at 10:00 AM. Sister Anna Grace Teeter Gentile will officiate. Burial will follow at the family plot in Corona, NM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to the charities of one's choice. Local arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Ft. Sumner, NM.