Obituary for Betty June Stephens (Hampton)
Long time, well-known Alamosa resident Betty June (Hampton) Stephens, 93, passed away February 3, 2024 with her loving family by her side at Evergreen Nursing home in Alamosa.
Betty’s story began on June 7, 1930 in Cortez, Colorado the daughter of Marjorie and Herman Hampton. She graduated Cortez High School, and then attended Adam State College where she got her B.A. in Education. Betty met the love of her life, Gary Edward Stephens, while attending college in 1948. The two were married on June 1, 1952 in Cheyenne, Wyoming and were married for 64 years. They had two children Nancy Jo and Donald Churchill.
While Gary was in the Air Force, Betty took her first teaching job in Branson, Colorado. After Gary was injured in Korea he returned home and the family settled in Creede, Colorado until moving to Alamosa in 1960, where they resided until both of their deaths. Betty became a guidance counselor, and retired from the Alamosa School District after 32 years. She began her career at the Alamosa High School and then moved to Ortega Middle School until her retirement in 1993. During those years Betty was the MESA Advisor, Knowledge Bowl Advisor, member of Colorado Counselors, and served on numerous school committees. Betty was active on the Blue Peaks Board as the human rights chair for decades and volunteered for La Puente in many capacities. In her later years she was a proud member of Territorial Daughters of Colorado, and served as state president of that organization.
Outside of her family, music was her second love and passion. She sang and performed with Sweet Adelines for years, was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for 70 years, where she sang in the choir and was the pianist and organist for 40 years. She taught piano lessons, accompanied countless solo ensemble competitors, and played for numerous community events.
Betty is survived by her daughter Nancy (Paul) Minow, her grandchildren Bonnie (Tommy) Ortega, Robbie (Nichole) Hopper, Sherrie (Paul) Price of Harlan, OH, and Jennifer (Shawn) Thedell of Whitehouse, TN, eight great-grandchidren, Tyler Ortega, Raelle Ortega, Riley (Tristan) Harrelson, Kira Farrenkopf and Denis Reichling of Germany, Tinlee Hopper, Braiden Hopper, and Jessa Thedell, her brother Newell (Jeanette) Hampton of Montrose, CO, daughter-in-law Sandra Stephens, many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, husband Gary, son Donald, one infant granddaughter, and one infant great granddaughter.
A visitation has been planned for February 9, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa. A memorial service has been planned for February 24, 2024 at 10:30 at the First United Methodist Church with a lunch to follow. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alamosa Food Bank or Blue Peaks Developmental Day Services.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes, and words of comfort for Betty’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com
Betty’s story began on June 7, 1930 in Cortez, Colorado the daughter of Marjorie and Herman Hampton. She graduated Cortez High School, and then attended Adam State College where she got her B.A. in Education. Betty met the love of her life, Gary Edward Stephens, while attending college in 1948. The two were married on June 1, 1952 in Cheyenne, Wyoming and were married for 64 years. They had two children Nancy Jo and Donald Churchill.
While Gary was in the Air Force, Betty took her first teaching job in Branson, Colorado. After Gary was injured in Korea he returned home and the family settled in Creede, Colorado until moving to Alamosa in 1960, where they resided until both of their deaths. Betty became a guidance counselor, and retired from the Alamosa School District after 32 years. She began her career at the Alamosa High School and then moved to Ortega Middle School until her retirement in 1993. During those years Betty was the MESA Advisor, Knowledge Bowl Advisor, member of Colorado Counselors, and served on numerous school committees. Betty was active on the Blue Peaks Board as the human rights chair for decades and volunteered for La Puente in many capacities. In her later years she was a proud member of Territorial Daughters of Colorado, and served as state president of that organization.
Outside of her family, music was her second love and passion. She sang and performed with Sweet Adelines for years, was an active member of the First United Methodist Church for 70 years, where she sang in the choir and was the pianist and organist for 40 years. She taught piano lessons, accompanied countless solo ensemble competitors, and played for numerous community events.
Betty is survived by her daughter Nancy (Paul) Minow, her grandchildren Bonnie (Tommy) Ortega, Robbie (Nichole) Hopper, Sherrie (Paul) Price of Harlan, OH, and Jennifer (Shawn) Thedell of Whitehouse, TN, eight great-grandchidren, Tyler Ortega, Raelle Ortega, Riley (Tristan) Harrelson, Kira Farrenkopf and Denis Reichling of Germany, Tinlee Hopper, Braiden Hopper, and Jessa Thedell, her brother Newell (Jeanette) Hampton of Montrose, CO, daughter-in-law Sandra Stephens, many nieces, nephews, friends and extended family.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, husband Gary, son Donald, one infant granddaughter, and one infant great granddaughter.
A visitation has been planned for February 9, 2024 from 4:00-6:00 at Rogers Family Mortuary in Alamosa. A memorial service has been planned for February 24, 2024 at 10:30 at the First United Methodist Church with a lunch to follow. The family suggests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Alamosa Food Bank or Blue Peaks Developmental Day Services.
Rogers Family Mortuary is in care of the arrangements. To leave online condolences, tributes, and words of comfort for Betty’s family, please visit www.RogersFunerals.com