Bettye Bratcher

Bettye Jo Bratcher passed from this world on December 26, 2019 at Las Cruces, NM. She was 90 years old.

She was born Bettye Jo Stevenson on December 25, 1929 in Artesia, to Paul and Mattie Belle Stevenson on Pinon, NM. She grew up on the family ranch near Pinon and graduated from high school at Artesia High School in 1948.

She married Homer Bratcher in 1948 and was married to him until his death in 2009. They farmed until 1973, first at Lake Arthur and then at Tucumcari, NM. They lived in Albuquerque for several years then moved to Artesia where Homer sold farm equipment and Bettye owned a shoe store. In 1991 they moved to Las Cruces where they retired.

Bettye was preceded in death by her parents, husband Homer and a brother Clifford Stevenson of Artesia.

She is survived by her four children Marlane Bates of Las Cruces, Kenneth Bratcher and his wife LuLyn of Tularosa, NM, Dennis Bratcher of Alto, NM, and Randy Bratcher and his wife Theresa of Tuttle Oklahoma; four grandsons, seven great-grandchildren and numerous step-great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Hermosa Church of Christ in Artesia. Interment will follow at Twin Oaks Memorial Park in Artesia. Pallbearers will be Jay Bratcher, Logan Bratcher, Jared Bates, Ian Bates, Randall Bates, and Justin Bratcher. Honorary pallbearers will be Kelly Stevenson, Kyle Stevenson, Ronnie Bratcher, Richard Payne, Tim Bratcher and Dale Bratcher.