Betty Love (Kessinger) Easley

Betty Love (Kessinger) Easley

April 29, 1926 ~ January 13, 2023 (age 96)

Obituary

Betty L. Easley passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, January 13, 2023.

Betty was born at her family's farm near Carlinville, Illinois, on Thursday, April 29, 1926, to parents, Fred and Pearl Kessinger. After receiving a two-year degree from Blackburn College, she taught for three years in a local one-room schoolhouse. This began a lifelong pursuit of teaching and caring for children. In 1949 Betty and her best friend quit their jobs and left Carlinville to visit Albuquerque, NM., where she met her future husband, Vernon Easley. They were married on Sunday, October 8, 1950, and recently celebrated their 72nd anniversary. After short job assignments in Deming, NM, and Fort Worth, TX., Betty and Vernon settled permanently in their home on the open mesa of the northeast heights of Albuquerque, where they watched the city grow up around them. There they provided a wonderful home life for their three daughters.

In addition to being a devoted mother, Betty went to night school at UNM and earned a BS in Elementary Education and an MA in Special Education. She then worked eight years with special needs children before taking a job with Albuquerque Public Schools as a reading teacher. She retired from that job after 22 years and became a certified reading diagnostician. During her teaching and retirement years, she became active in ADK, a teacher service organization that she enjoyed for over 25 years. Betty was also a dedicated member of St. John's United Methodist Church, which the family joined in 1958. There she became a permanent volunteer in the children's education area, working in the children's Sunday school until the age of 93. One of her great life joys was being a grandmother. She was always happy to make herself available to spend time with her grandchildren, attend their activities, or babysit. She especially enjoyed sharing her joy of reading with them.

After retirement, Betty and Vernon also turned their attention to caring for elderly family, friends, and neighbors. Their selfless service to others was an inspiration. In 2015 they sold the family home of 52 years and moved into La Via Llena Retirement Center and enjoyed the community there. Betty was a wonderful and loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She devoted her life to taking care of her family and helping others. One of the grandchildren wrote about her in a school essay, "When we spend time together, she shares her love with me and makes me feel like I am important." Betty's unconditional love was the glue that bound her family together, and she encouraged and inspired others to be their best.

She is survived by her husband, Vernon; and her daughters, Nancy Wilson, Barbara Spates (Jim), and Sara Perovich (Bob); as well as five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services will take place Saturday, January 28, at 10:00 a.m. at St. John's United Methodist Church, 2626 Arizona St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to St. John's United Methodist Church. Designate donation for the Children's Ministry in memory of Betty Easley.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

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Services

FUNERAL SERVICE

Saturday

January 28, 2023

10:00 AM

St. John's United Methodist Church

2626 Arizona Street NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110