Betty Testerman

Betty Sue Testerman was born on March 28, 1943 and passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2009 in Alamogordo, NM. She is survived by her children; Jeannie Berry and her husband Mark and her son Garreth Kyle; daughter Angel Shaw and her husband Justin and their son Clayton and daughter September Swanner and her husband Jason, and September's children, Zachary and Kristina; son Michael Testerman and his wife Amy and their children, Zannie, Jericho and Tuuri Lee; and daughter, December Beltran and her husband Clarence. She is also survived by her ex-husband and friend William Testerman. Last but not least her faithful and loved four legged companion China.

Betty was born in Ashe County, North Carolina to Pauline Shoemaker and Howard Castevens who both have preceded her in death. More recently her mother Pauline left this world on May 20, 2009. She was raised and lived mainly in New Mexico and North Carolina and her love of both places was evident.

Betty worked at Lincoln County Medical Center as a discharge planner before retiring after 15 years and decided to earn her Bachelor's in Social Work in 1999 at the age of 54. When she moved back to Ruidoso in 2007 she had begun working at HEAL and before she had to retire there she set up their elder abuse program.

She was a talented still life photographer and would always have her camera ready. She made beautiful jewelry which she had begun selling in arts and crafts fairs over the last two years. She loved Native American legends and lore and was respectful of their culture.

She was loving, talented, a friend, a mentor, a mother, grandmother and a great grandmother and she will be greatly missed and loved by all who were lucky enough to have her in their lives.

An account has been set up at First Federal Bank where donatons can be made in lieu of flowers to help the family defray costs and donations will then be made to HEAL and the Lincoln County Humane Society in her name.

A Celebration of Life will be Friday, Aug. 7, at 10:00 AM in the Ruidoso Convention Center.

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