Betty Pankey

Betty Lee Pankey, 81, of Roswell, NM passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, August 7, 2021.

It was Christmas in July! Back on July 14, 1940 in Pauls Valley, OK when Betty Lee and Alan Ray were presented to Rollen and Margie Litchfield and older brother Dale. Later came brother Joe and sister Opal Jane, which completed the Litchfield family.

Betty was smart, studied hard, and excelled in school. She went to work in a bank and her banking career continued for over 40 years. While working, she attended the Anderson's School of Banking at the University of New Mexico and finished in the top of her class.

On March 16, 1965 in Albuquerque, NM, she married Alex Pankey and they had two daughters, Laurie and Carrie. Laurie born in Albuquerque, NM and Carrie in Ardmore, OK.

Betty was an avid bowler, loved to read, watch the Oklahoma Sooners, Dallas Cowboys,

Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and listen to Elvis Presley who was her all-time favorite singer. After her retirement she thoroughly enjoyed her Thursday lunch dates with her former banking and bowling league friends.

Preceding Betty in death are her daughter Laurie Pankey; brothers Alan and Dale Litchfield; sister Opal Jane Blevins; father and mother Rollen and Margie Litchfield; father-in-law and mother-in-law Barney and Evelyn Pankey; brother-in-law Charles Pankey; nephews David, Dale Jr. and Alan Ray Jr. Litchfield; son-in-law Kirk Weems and her favorite aunts and uncles by marriage Elmo and Leona Stockard and Walter and Dorothy Fisher.

Betty is survived by her husband, Alex Pankey; daughter, Carrie Weems; grandchildren, Alli Lane,

Drew Lucero, Quinton Weems; her brother, Joe Litchfield and wife Dorothy; brother-in-law, Larry Blevins; nieces, Janice Babiak and husband Brian, Sherry Cole and husband Curtis, Angela Blevins and husband Evan Marshall, Diana Litchfield, Shauna Pankey, Wendi Carnell and husband Robert; nephews Randall Litchfield and wife Lisa, and Stacy Blevins.

A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, August 28, 2021 at Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Church, 2808 N. Kentucky, Roswell, NM 88201 with Fr. Jaroslaw Nowacki officiating.

The family would like to thank Tina Lambing, Elvira Simon, Annette Cardenas, and Dr. Audrey Vega, MD for their passionate love and care during Betty's illness.

Lunch will be served for family and friends immediately following the memorial mass.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in Betty's honor.