Callahan-Edfast Mortuary
Betty Mae Raney was born in Delta, CO February 16, 1929, to Ralph and Grace Sidebottom. She rejoined her departed family and friends April 27, 2022. Mom passed away in the home she and Rex purchased 70 years ago. Betty received exceptional 24/7 care from her daughter Chery and son-in-law Willie Gordon for the last 18 months.
Betty grew up in Delta, spending most of her life in the community, with brief stints in Chico, CA and Grand Junction, CO. She graduated from Delta High School in 1947 and began college at Western State College that same summer. At the urgent request of her former principal, she reluctantly put her college endeavor on hold and came back to DHS that fall to assume duty as school secretary. Unbeknownst to her, a new business teacher joined the faculty that same year. Apparently, they hit it off well as Betty and Rex were married July 3, 1949. They enjoyed almost sixty-nine loving years together until Rex passed in 2018.
Mom was proud of both her kids. Chery arrived on the scene in 1950 and Larry showed up as a bit of a surprise in 1963. She doted on them constantly and bragged about them often.
Betty served in several volunteer jobs as a Sunday School Teacher, teacher assistant for the developmentally disabled at the Sunshine School, tireless Democratic party worker, First Baptist Church secretary and various committee roles, Delta County Historical Museum, and bookkeeper for Sidebottom Texaco Service.
After her father passed in 1983, Betty and Rex provided in-home care for her mother for 7 years.
Retirement for Betty and Rex centered around family, many travels and cruises, and especially their cabin on Grand Mesa. They lived at the cabin several summer and fall seasons.
She is survived by daughter, Chery (Willie) Gordon; son, Larry (Vernann) Raney; sisters-in-law Edith Ellis & Louise Raney; cousins Virginia Shea, Cade Miller, & Don Sidebottom; niece, Elaine (Mike) Woods; nephew, Wayne Leighton; grandchildren, Michelle (Gary) Jensen, William Sheffield, Becky (Dr. Tim) Winegard, and Mariah (Chad) McCune; great-grandchildren, Gary II, Alex, Jaxson, and Stone; and great-great grandchildren, Gary III, Amaro, and Zayden
Preceded in death by spouse, W. Rex Raney; parents, Ralph and Grace Sidebottom; sister and brother-in-law, Helen and Oliver Leighton, and grandson Larry Sheffield.
A family remembrance of Betty's life and internment will be held Thursday, June 9 at 3p.m. Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Parkway, GJ.
In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Hope West Hospice, a team that provided outstanding care and support during her time of need.
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