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WHITEMAN -- ELIZABETH ANNE W. (BETTY) age 93, longtime resident of Santa Fe and Albuquerque, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2012. Born October 8, 1918, in Normal, Illinois, to school teachers E.H. and Ivah Smith Winegarner. Her mother was a pioneer in early childhood education and Betty followed in her mother's footsteps. After attending Southern Illinois University for two years, Betty was offered her first job in an Illinois country one-room school house teaching kindergarten through 7th grade. During WWII she taught record-keeping skills to military clerks in Denver, Colo. She then taught kindergarten in Raton, New Mexico. Soon after, she worked for the War Department in Washington D.C. During this time she became interested in singing in church choirs. Upon completion of her Bachelor's degree from Southern Illinois University in 1948 she taught 2nd grade in Long Beach, California. It was during this time she applied and accepted a job in Stuttgart, Germany, teaching American servicemen's children in American Dependent Schools. While in Europe she traveled extensively. Upon returning to the states, she taught 3rd grade in Santa Fe at Wood-Garmley Elementary. It was in Santa Fe she met and married James L. Whiteman on July 2, 1957, and raised two children. While in Santa Fe Betty was an active member of the Santa Fe Camera Club winning recognition for her color slides. She had an eye for beauty in nature and for the finer things of life. In 1967 the family moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where James was stationed in the Navy. As a Navy wife she participated in the Officers' Wives' Club and volunteered at the Navy Hospital. Upon James' assignment to serve in Vietnam she returned with her children to Albuquerque, where Betty became active singing in the New Mexico Symphony Chorus. She dearly loved New Mexico and its people and shared New Mexico's charm with tourists by becoming an official Sun Tours tour guide. For many years she volunteered at the Albuquerque International Airport Information Booth greeting visitors and assisting with their stay in the Land of Enchantment. Betty joined the New Mexico Bead Society, becoming interested in the anthropology of beads and their beauty. Betty had a zest and zeal for life, a warm loving gentle spirit, an engaging smile and a generous heart. She will be dearly missed. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, James; son Daniel Whiteman and his wife Mary of Fort Worth, Texas, and daughter Nancy Davenport and her husband Carlton of Albuquerque. Six grandchildren: Matthew Whiteman of Denver, Colo.; Tess Whiteman of College Station, Texas; Rebecca Whiteman of Fort Worth, Texas; Grace Davenport of Albuquerque; Julia Davenport of Albuquerque; and Lauren Davenport of Albuquerque. Sister, Mary Lynn Winegarner, of Overland Park, Kansas; Nieces Ann Varney, Mary Winegarner, Helen Winegarner, Lois Winegarner and Nola Von Eye; Nephews Phillip, Peter, John and Jim Winegarner and many wonderful and loyal friends. Interment will take place at Santa Fe National Cemetery on Friday, June 22, 2012, at 9 a.m.; followed by a 2 p.m. Memorial Service at Sandia Presbyterian Church, 10704 Paseo Del Norte NE, in Albuquerque. Special thanks to Bill Wahl and Ambercare Hospice. Memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International at www.heifer.org to help end world hunger.
        Published on: Sun June 17, 2012