Betty Bailey

Betty Lee Bailey, 87, of Karval, Colo., passed away on December 4, 2012, after a six month battle with kidney cancer. Born April 18, 1925, on the family farm near Karval, Colo., to Robert and Victoria Bucklen, she was one of sixteen children. Betty graduated as valedictorian from Karval High School in 1942, and was always proud of the fact that she had played basketball in the state girls' tournament. She was able to enjoy her 70th high school reunion this fall and always was an avid supporter of Karval Homecoming activities, serving multiple terms as President of the Alumni Association. Her only time spent away from Karval was when she worked at the Lincoln County clerk’s office for a short time after high school in Hugo. Betty Lee married Loren Bailey on October 22, 1943, in Las Animas, Colo. They raised a family of four in the Karval area: Lorna, Steve, Don and Bill. She loved canning, collecting dishes, reading, baking, going to yard sales and farm auctions, playing the piano, doing embroidery, and making quilts. She was known for making potato salad, rolls, popcorn balls, pickles, baby quilts for everyone in the community, writing Christmas poems, and was awarded grand champion for her hand embroidered Bible quilt at the Colorado State Fair. Her involvement in the community included being a 4H leader, an election judge at the Blue Cliff precinct, and a superintendent of open class at the Lincoln County Fair for over thirty years. She was instrumental in starting the Blue Cliff Candidates Night and Bazaar, was a member of Friendship Circle and the Karval Church of the Nazarene. A person who loved family, she attended many family events and hosted numerous family reunions. Betty Lee Bailey is survived by daughter Lorna Wilson (Gail) of Lakewood, sons Steve Bailey of Karval, Don Bailey (Janet) of Simla, and Bill Bailey (Sunceray) of Pueblo West, numerous grandchildren: Chelli Sexton-McGaughey, Wade Bailey, Craig Bailey, Tim Bailey, Brent Bailey, Richard Bailey, Chris Sexton, Gaylene Wilson-Hernandez, Katie Wilson-Anton, and Dana Wilson, 14 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild, as well as her sisters: Christine Binder of Pueblo, Virginia Reese (Miller) of North Hills, Calf., Louise Von Seggern (Les) of Greeley, and a sister-in-law Velda Bucklen of Kersey. Surviving nephews, nieces, and cousins are too numerous to mention. Preceded in death by husband Loren Bailey of 58 years, grandsons Darryl Sexton and Bradley Sexton, brother Ronald Bucklen (Helen), Carl Bucklen (Dodie), Bernard Bucklen (Manon), Besse Newsom (Russell), Daisy Fansler (Harley), Roy Bucklen (VirGene & Erlene), Thelma Bucklen, Bob Bucklen, Donald Bucklen, Margaret O'Donnell (Jim), Rosalie Bucklen, Vic Bucklen and brother-in-law John Binder.