Betty Jane Greenawalt Age - 89 - White Rock Cox

BETTY JANE GREENAWALT COX, passed into God’s loving hands four months after being struck by heart valve failure. Comforted during this time by her husband, family and friends she came to peace on February 3, 2012. Betty had a life well lived best described in her own words on the occasion of being honored by the White Rock Presbyterian Church as Member of the Month, January 2009.\r\n“I was born on July 31, 1922, in Hill Top, Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, a little town nestled in the beautiful Allegheny Mountains. I am one of 11 children born to my dear parents, William and Ada Mellott Greenawalt. I grew up in a patriotic and civic-minded family. I was baptized at the age of 12 and at the same time became a member of the Lakemont Methodist Church. Priorities of my life are Faith, Family and Country.\r\n My early adult years were over-shadowed by World War II with family members fighting in the war. Following the War, I moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to continue my work in welfare and foster placement. There, I attended and was active in Prospect Park Methodist Church, where I also met my husband, John, at a youth fellowship meeting.\r\n John and I are celebrating our 61st wedding anniversary. We are parents of four children: Christopher, Bonny (U.S. Navy Captain), Amy and Seth. We have six wonderful grandchildren: Graham, Angela, Sallie, Callie, Harrison and Cody.\r\n Through the years John worked with the Boy Scouts (Christopher is an Eagle Scout and has The Order of the Arrow). I worked with Girl Scouts, Brownies and Camp Fire Girls. During these years I served as Sunday school teacher. We lived in Oak Ridge, Livermore and then Menlo Park where John received his PhD from Stanford. Our four children were baptized at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church where we became members. In the 1960’s we moved to Colorado where I was active at Bear Creek Presbyterian Church and was selected to be the first woman to serve on the Session. I was responsible for the Church to start using The Gospel Light Sunday School curriculum.\r\n John and I moved to Missouri City, Texas, in 1975. The following 20 years there were very productive for me. From 1986 through 1995 I served on the Missouri City Parks Board, was a member of the Ft. Bend County Republican Women and also served on the Missouri City Library Board as Chairperson to bring a library to Missouri City. I was co-editor of the first history book of Missouri City (a copy is in the Library of Congress.) I was also Chairperson to design and piece together a Heritage Quilt based on the history book. This quilt is hanging in the Ft. Bend County Museum where I also served on the Board.\r\n I represented Missouri City in Tribute to the Troops and was co-chair of the Centennial Committee where I received an award from the mayor.\r\n I attended and was an active member of Southminster Presbyterian Church. When it was learned I was moving to New Mexico a farewell event was held where I received a tribute from then-President Bush, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Congressman Tom Delay noting my work in making Texas a two-party state. Also, the Texas State Senate passed a resolution recognizing my contributions to Missouri City and Ft. Bend County. There I also chaired events for then-Governor George Bush.\r\n We moved to Los Alamos in 1995. I was invited to come to White Rock Presbyterian Church by Vernon and Bettie Kerr. In 1999 I was asked to be Moderator of WRPC Presbyterian Women. I was elected to be vice-moderator for Presbyterian Women of Santa Fe Presbytery.\r\n I have been very active in the Republican Party of New Mexico and have served on the State Republican Executive Committee and Los Alamos and State Central Committees. I was also President of Los Alamos Republican Women.\r\n I have received many blessings over the years, and am so pleased to be a member of White Rock Presbyterian Church. I look forward to continuing my service here. God Bless you all.”\r\n Later in 2009 a wonderful great granddaughter, Ady, was added to John’s and Betty’s family.\r\n From the time Betty came to live in Los Alamos in 1995 she was captivated by the idea and reality of the community and took an active interest in the election of County Counselors. She campaigned actively for many of them. She was especially proud that in 2010 her suggested name for the Pajarito Cliffs Center was selected by the Council. Included In their letter of thanks to Betty is the statement that her suggested name was not only creative and stylish but also captures a distinctive theme that resonates throughout the community. The Council expressed their appreciation for Betty’s service to the community in finding a suitable name and that she should take pride in knowing that for many years to come the Pajarito Cliffs facilities will bear the name she suggested. Betty has truly found a home in Los Alamos and New Mexico.\r\n She is survived by her loving and devoted husband, John; her four children; six grandchildren; one great grandchild; a brother, Roger Greenawalt and two sisters: Maribel Caskey and Connie Robertson. She was deeply loved and will be missed by all.\r\n Public Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in the Sangre de Cristo Chapel at DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory. Burial will take place on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 9:45 a.m. at Santa Fe National Cemetery. A Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. atThe White Rock Presbyterian Church. Donations in remembrance of Betty should be sent to White Rock Presbyterian Church, 310 Rover Boulevard, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87544 marked for the Hunger Luncheon Fund. The family of Betty Jane Greenawalt Cox has entrusted the care of their loved one to DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Española Valley. 505-747-7477

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