Betty LaVail

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great- grandmother, sister, daughter, aunt, friend, and so much more.

Betty Ray LaVail, longtime resident of Albuquerque, NM, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. She was 92 years old.

Growing up a Mississippi Delta farm girl, Betty learned the value of hard work and the importance of family. In addition to her many chores and fieldwork, Betty helped to raise her three younger brothers, Nick, Boyce, and Danny. Aunts Steele and Dell were her best friends and they grew up together as classmates. Betty loved school and books, and developed a life long love of reading.

After graduating high school, Betty was courted by Melvin "Buddy" LaVail and they were married in January, 1951. Buddy entered the Air Force as a pilot shortly thereafter and thus began Betty's career as a military wife and mother. Giving birth to three boys, Mel, Steele, and Forrest, raising them, keeping house and moving often, Betty used her skills learned on the farm in Mississippi during her youth to always provide a well kept and loving home.

After an adventurous military life, which included living in England, touring Europe and being stationed in many US locations, (including NM), Betty and Buddy settled down and retired in beautiful Albuquerque.

Betty's interests besides reading included gardening, entertaining, bridge parties, oil painting, home-making and accompanying Buddy on hunting and fishing trips. She adored having her many grandchildren and great- grandchildren over and they all enjoyed the lovely pool during the summer. Her holiday preparations and meals were legendary and enjoyed by all. Betty's club of women friends, including Connie Young and Donna Ross, gave her great joy and many laughs.

Betty is survived by her three sons, Melvin, Maurice (Steele) and Forrest; her grandchildren, Adam, Amber, Sterling, Marcus, and Lauren; her great- grandchildren, Gabriel, and Banks; her daughter- in- law, Connie Jo; and former daughters- in- law, Marie, Paula, and Rose. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin (Buddy); her parents, Bloomie and "Daddy Mc"; her sister- in- law, Jeannie; her three brothers, Nicky, Boyce, and Danny; her grandchildren (twins) Joelle and Juliette; her great- grandchild, Acanaan; her beloved aunt Steele and Mama Mays; and most of all the family and friends she grew up with.

Betty had the kindest heart for all her family and loved everyone. She was a beautiful, caring person and will be deeply missed.

There will be a Funeral Service for Betty on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 10:00 am at FRENCH Lomas. Interment will follow at the Santa Fe National Cemetery at 1:30 pm.