Bettylee Stockman

September 12, 1934 – December 4, 2022

Bettylee Stockman (née Thompson), daughter of Campbell & Nancy Margaret (née Greco) Thompson, was born on September 12, 1934, in Chicago, Illinois and called to heaven by her Heavenly Father on December 4, 2022, in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The eldest of three children, Bettylee was preceded in death by her loving parents, both who had remarried later in life: Campbell & Charlotte (née Maxwell) Thompson and Lloyd & Margaret (née Greco) Lackey; her brother, Campbell Jr.; two sons, Michael Woosley and Daniel Stockman; a grandson, Ozell Gibson; a great grandson, DaRonn Brown; and a great-great grandson, Dylan Brown.

Bettylee immersed her life in beautiful music from the very beginning. She often reminisced of a childhood when she would roam through the undeveloped prairielands of Chicago by herself, singing out her favorite operatic songs of the day, especially Gershwin's triumphant, "Summertime" and Lily Pon's version of "The Bell Song" from the opera, Lakme. Her God-given soprano singing voice was recognized early on. Before the age of ten, she began to study voice with a mentor and sing solos at church and local recitals, onlookers entranced by the mature, pristine voice erupting out of the body of a child. In her teen years, she attended Proviso East High School where she and one other student, Carolina Maria Laraia, would compete for the choir solos. Carolina would go on to change her name to Carol Lawrence and become the renowned Broadway singer and actress who famously originated the role of Maria in West Side Story. Bettylee was one step away from superstardom.

Bettylee met Ronald Woosley in high school, immediately smitten by the young man's piercing blue eyes and dark brown hair. A romantic relationship soon followed. In 1952, Bettylee would make a life defining decision. She entered a vocal competition singing "Ave Maria" to a stunned audience where she won the grand prize and was offered a full scholarship to study opera at the San Francisco Conservatory School of Music. Bettylee turned down the scholarship, however, deciding to remain home and become a young bride and mother, and she never looked back.

Bettylee welcomed her first two children, Rhonda Nancy and Michael Edward, with her husband Ronald. And, though the young family was never wealthy, she discovered that her artistic talents extended to home decor as well. She developed a lifelong passion and skill for artisan craftsmanship, refurbishing antique wood cabinetry, upholstering furniture, and designing gorgeous draperies and clothing for her family. For the rest of her life, Bettylee always lived in immaculately designed beauty.

Bettylee and Ronald eventually divorced, though they remained close friends for the rest of their lives. Bettylee later married Marvin Stockman, giving birth to four more beautiful children, Carl David, Kathleen Ann, Daniel Lee, and Stephen Lorne. When her second marriage too ended in divorce, the young mother relocated to Los Angeles, California to rediscover herself.

It was in Los Angeles that Bettylee formed perhaps one of her greatest partnerships, her life affirming relationship with the Bahá'i Community. Bettylee's father introduced her to the global faith religion which began her true spiritual awakening and life's transformation. It was with her Bahá'i Faith and the teachings of its prophet-founder, Bahá'u'lláh, that Bettylee received guidance and developed the inner strength, stability, and wisdom that would define her for the rest of her life.

With newfound faith and confidence, Bettylee would go on to excel in many different careers and community roles in Los Angeles. Her long list of accomplishments and roles includes being the first

person in her family to attend college, studying Education at California State University Dominguez Hills; beloved choir instructor for Lawndale School District; cherished soloist for The Sounds of Hawthorne; treasured School Librarian and Instructor at Betsy Ross and William Green Elementary Schools; Bank Teller for Bank of America; and longtime Senior Accounting Analyst for Xerox Federal Credit Union.

After her enduring career with Xerox, Bettylee retired to Las Vegas, New Mexico, purchasing her own home, for the second time, this one atop a hill overlooking Storrie Lake. It was here that she rediscovered her connection to and admiration and respect for Mother-Earth's nature and beauty. She loved New Mexico's raw and natural landscape and its rich and culturally diverse history. She planted her treasured rose bushes and fruit trees here and created a sanctuary where she and her family would congregate for over 25 years. And it was in this peaceful home, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, that Bettylee slipped away on December 4, 2022, joining her family and ancestors who have transitioned before her.

Bettylee is survived by her brother, James Lackey, her children, Rhonda, David, Kathleen and Stephen and their respective spouses, her three extended-daughters, Martha, Lavonia and Cynthia, and a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews and dearly devoted friends, a list much too long to include here.

We will all miss Bettylee's smiling face, her immense sense of humor and intellect, and her loving talks about history, astrology, science, religion, family, and everything else she could think of our read about. But we shall also rejoice in the gift of life and love she bestowed upon us for 88 years. Today, just as her daddy would say before her, Bettylee would remind us of Bahá'u'lláh's own words, "Be happy! Be happy! If you are not happy in this day, for what day are you waiting? Be happy!"