Betty Russell

Betty Lou Seaton Russell stepped into glory on October 11, 2023, at her home in Aztec, New Mexico. She was born 95 years earlier in Des Moines, New Mexico at the home of her parents, Alfred Edmund Seaton, and Leona Faye Fields Seaton.

She met Theodore Eugene Russell (Ted) in Raton, New Mexico in 1947(?) They were married June 19, 1948, in Des Moines. They set up housekeeping in Amarillo, Texas and began their family of boys. All four of them were born in Texas, Rodger Seaton (1949), Jesse Eugene (1951), Mark Willis (1955), and Alfred Dean (1957).

Betty made a home for her family while Ted worked for Pioneer Natural Gas Company in Texas before moving to Farmington to sell the new homes in Beckland Hills. In 1959 they moved to Aztec where they continued to live together until October 11, 2023. She kept books for several family businesses and ran the BAB credit union (now High Desert Federal Credit Union) for several years.

Betty accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior when she was 12 years old. She served her Lord and her church until health issues forced her to stop. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church of Aztec for 64 years. She played the piano, the organ, taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, served as church clerk, sang in the choir, and other sundry volunteer positions including serving as the pianist for the Spanish Language Mission.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Alfred and Leona, her brothers Donald Edmund Seaton, William Douglas Seaton, and her sister Bertalea Seaton.

She is survived by her husband of 75 years, Ted, one sister Emma Louise Germany of Lake Havasu, Arizona, son Rodger (Jennifer Gibbs) of Mancos, Colorado, Jesse (Suzanne Crane) of Aztec, Mark (Trish Everitt) of Aztec, and Al (Cheri Hall) of Farmington. She is survived by 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Aztec First Baptist Church, 700 Navajo Ave. October 19, 2023, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to First Baptist Church designated for the New Mexico Children's Home in Portales, NM.