Betty Jo Carman

Betty Jo Carman, 87, of Farmington, NM passed into eternity at her home on April 18, 2021.  She was born March 1, 1934 at home in Coleman, Texas to Billy and Katherine Jenkins.  Her parents, brother Billy Jenkins, Jr. and Bobby, her husband of 67 years, preceded her in death.
She graduated from Wink, TX High School in 1952 and married her high school sweetheart, Bobby on June 26, 1952.  They moved to El Paso, Texas where she worked for Standard Oil Company while Bobby attended college at Texas Western on a football scholarship.  They moved to Farmington in 1957 when transferred with El Paso Natural Gas Company.  In 1966, they purchased a beautiful historic home that was built in early 1900’s and used by Claude Carroll Drilling Company in 1935 before being moved to “the country” on over an acre of land.  The family has many wonderful memories of being raised in the home, raising chickens & cows, playing volleyball in the pasture and Betty overseeing remodeling projects.  Betty was an excellent seamstress and made matching Easter outfits for her girls and self.  She also made quilts for all her grandchildren. Bobby would always say best meal ever and kiss the cook.  Everyone enjoyed her chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, gravy, pinto beans and cornbread.
She was a member of Emmanuel Baptist Church in Farmington.  She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church for many years and sang alto in the choir, chaired hostess committee for funeral meals, leader of WMU, taught GA’s and sponsored camps at Hesperus Baptist Camp.
She owned Basin Greetings for several years welcoming newcomers to Farmington. For a while she worked for NM Unemployment Office (now known as NM Workforce).  For many families she opened her home for loving care of their children, including her grandchildren that adored her.  Each of her grandchildren have very special memories of their best Grandma ever!
She was known as an excellent bridge player and belonged to several groups and was Past President of Oil Wives Bridge Club in the 1960’s. She belonged to a Bunco group for many years and played Canasta with friends.  She played golf with an EPNG Ladies group at Riverview Golf Course but gave it up to play more cards. In the past couple of years many 3/13 games have been played which she usually won. She also loved playing “42” with grandkids.
She is survived by her four children, Linda Dean (Randy), Beverly Hoppe (Bill), Marian Wimsatt (Randy), Keith Carman (Leslie).  Her pride and joy were her grandchildren, Kevin Donohue (Ashley), Adam Wimsatt (Deanne), Kari LaVigne (Mike), Tammy Jones (Josh), Matthew Hoppe (Jordana), Andrew Hoppe (Lucia), Edie Weststeyn (Justin) Luke Wimsatt (Nicole), Amanda Carman and bonus grandchildren Kris Dean, Josh Dean (Kristina) and Aubrie West (Shawn) and Great Grandchildren, Allie Spellbring (Wyatt) and Owen Jones, Brooklin, Rivers, Owen & Willow Dean, Logan & Avery Donohue, Luke & Ethan Hoppe, Milo & Thatcher West, Bennett Weststeyn and Emily Hoppe.
A private family graveside service at Memory Gardens was held on xxxxxxx with Dr. David Brittain of Emmanuel Baptist Church officiating with a luncheon at her home afterwards.
The family of Betty appreciates all the expressions of sympathy and love for our Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother.  Her beautiful legacy will live on in the family that she loved deeply.  In lieu of flowers, a donation can be sent to Hesperus Camp, 22265 Hwy 140, Hesperus, CO  81326 in the memory of Betty Carman.