Betty Jo De Vaney

July 7, 1929 — March 11, 2024

Betty Jo Coffey De Vaney was born in Austin, Texas on July 7, 1929, to Mary Richert Bailey Coffey and Otis Coffey. Her family included her brother, David Otis Coffey.

Betty grew up in Texas. Her father was a high school football coach and teacher and the family moved to different towns and cities within Texas during her elementary and high school years. After graduating from Pampa High School, she attended two years at Texas State College for Women where she majored in Home Economics.

Her family moved to Douglas, Arizona, where her father coached football at Douglas High School. Betty decided to move to Douglas with her family and transferred to the University of Arizona where she majored in Elementary Education. She completed all degree requirements except for student teaching.

While riding the Greyhound Bus from Douglas to attend summer school at the U of A, she met Jesse De Vaney, Jr., who was born and raised in Douglas. He was also attending the U of A. They struck up a conversation and friendship. On December 3, 1948, they were married. They have three children—Jess III, Cindy, and Mary; six grandchildren—Matt, Rebecca, Michael, Carina, Chris and Chrissy; and nine great-grandchildren—Alexander, Ainsley, James, Parker, Truman,
Zippy, Brielle, Zariah and Anastasia.

Betty and Jesse moved to the Gila Valley in 1956 when Jesse accepted a teaching position with Eastern Arizona College. They raised their three children here. While Betty was primarily a homemaker and mother, after moving to Safford, she worked for a short time at the Safford Chamber of Commerce and later did substitute teaching in the Safford Schools.

Betty was a talented artist and masterful children’s story teller. She loved listening to college football and basketball games. Betty was an avid U of A basketball fan and would participate in March Madness basketball brackets with family—of course, she always had the U of A in her Final Four. Betty loved to read and sew, but lost her sight to Macular Degeneration. (Her loss of sight did not discourage her from listening to college sports!)

Betty enjoyed visiting her grandparents in Rosenburg, Texas, swimming in Galveston Bay, family picnics on Mt. Graham, picking apples at Angle’s Orchard, and visiting with her family. Her mother inspired her love of God.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Jesse; son, Jess; daughter Mary; and her parents Mary and Otis Coffey.

She is survived by her brother, David; daughter, Cindy; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Betty was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her presence is missed every day. Betty entered into eternal rest on March 11, 2024.

Visitation is scheduled on March 22, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the McDougal's Caldwell Funeral Chapel, 112 E Main Street, Safford, AZ with a Celebration of Life scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on March 23, 2024, at the First Baptist Church in Safford, 1109 S 7th Ave, Safford.

Donations may be made to Tucson Medical Center Hospice or Jesse U. and Betty Jo De Vaney Scholarship at Eastern Arizona College.

Arrangements are under the direction of McDougal's Caldwell Funeral Chapel & Gila Valley Crematory located at 112 E Main Street, Safford, Arizona. 928-428-1740

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