Betty Montalvo

With great sadness and love, the family of Betty Jo Montalvo announces her passing on June 8, 2025, at the age of 76. Born on March 21, 1949, in Fort Sumner, New Mexico, she was one of 15 children born to Maximiliano and Gregorita Lopez. A proud graduate of Fort Sumner High School, she was a Ft. Sumner Fox and was voted “Most Witty” by her classmates—an early sign of the humor and charm that would stay with her for life.

At the age of 18, she moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico, where she made her home for over 50 years. She worked at Blake’s Lotaburger and Burger Time before building a long and dedicated career at Kmart, where she retired after 25 years of service. Never one to sit still for long, she later returned to the workforce at the NMSU Bookstore, where she befriended many of the student employees and brought warmth and laughter to their daily lives.

She loved the flavors of Las Cruces-style Mexican food, a good game at the casinos, and her daily dose of telenovelas. Above all, she cherished time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. In her final years, she moved to Odessa, Texas, where she lived with her daughter and continued to bring joy and light to all who were around her.

To know Betty was to know unconditional love, unwavering support, and sincere friendship. Her heart was her greatest gift—generous, kind, and always open. She never lost touch with those she worked with, keeping in close contact with former coworkers and even past bosses, each of them becoming lifelong friends.

Betty lived a life of deep connection. Her treasure was always her family. No matter the miles, her heart was never far from those she loved. She made everyone feel special because each person truly was special to her. Stories of her humor, kindness, and one-of-a-kind spirit will live on in the memories we share, the laughter she brought us, and the love she gave so freely.

She will be deeply missed, but her legacy lives on in the stories, coffee conversations, and hearts of all who knew her.

Betty was the proud mother of three children: Elsa Montalvo and her partner Benjamin Booker, Melissa McWhorter, and Ruben Montalvo Jr. and his wife Aileen.

Her love extended to her grandchildren: Ashley Davina Henry, Christian Charles Henry, Donald Henry, Jordan McWhorter, Stormie McWhorter, Ruben Montalvo III, Caleb Montalvo, Amelia Lake Montalvo, Neo Bryce Manalo, Miles Charm Manalo, and little Avea Noell Bertino. Her legacy continues through her great-grandchildren: Ethan James Robert Henry, Leila Rose Henry, Adelai Genevieve Henry, Mateo Lynn Montalvo, Zhane Angel Rose Montalvo and Aviana Teresa Montalvo. She is survived by her siblings: Bobby Lopez and his wife Sharon, Francis and her husband Tommy, Yolanda and her husband Mark, Ester, Velen, Rita, Trudy, and Max.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Maximiliano and Gregorita Lopez, her brothers Isaac, Justo, Richard and her sister Lala.

She will be remembered for her resilience, her wit, her generous spirit, and the deep love she gave her family and friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Elks Lodge 3000 Elks Drive, Las Cruces, NM 88005 on August 19, 2025, from 2:00 – 5:00 pm.

Funeral services will take place at 10:00 am Thursday, August 21, 2025 at The Church on The Hill, 25203 US-84, Fort Sumner, New Mexico with Pastor Richard Terrell officiating. Interment will follow in the Lopez Family Plot, Fort Sumner Cemetery.