Betty Jean Faverino Waggoner

Betty Jean Lawson was born to Arthur and Emma Lawson at Cedar Hill, New Mexico on May 15, 1933. She lived her whole life in Aztec, New Mexico and passed away on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at San Juan Regional Hospital in Farmington.

She graduated from Aztec High School at the top of her class and worked various jobs, including working at the soda fountain with her best friend Mary Ann Eubanks, as a telephone operator, and as a legal secretary, amongst other things. She was a lifelong member of the Aztec United Methodist church.

She married William Faverino in 1959 with whom she had two children, Billie Jean and John and she dedicated her life to raising them. Bill passed away in 1973, after which time she took on a brand new role as a bar owner and faced this new challenge with vigor. She then married Cyrus Waggoner in 1982, embracing his family and especially his daughter Pamela, who had become another daughter to her.

She learned she had multiple sclerosis in early 1980, but it barely slowed her down. She had been in a wheelchair since 1987 yet remained in her home as independent and spunky as she could be. She had many friends who visited, helped her in so many ways and who she loved with all her heart.

Her greatest joy was her six grandsons, who she loved more than life itself and they loved her. Then to top her life off, her first great grandchild was born in November, while she was in the hospital. And she told everyone about that new baby!

One of her favorite past times was playing cards (31) with friends and even taught her grandsons to play. She lived a full life, was a friend to so many and we are grateful for every day we had with her.

She was proceeded in death by her husbands, William John Faverino and Cyrus Arnold Waggoner, her parents Arthur and Emma Lawson and her five siblings, Albert, Louisa, Rosalie, Arthur and Robert.

She is survived by her children Billie Jean Walker (Glade), John Faverino and Pamela Waggoner Churchill (Ian) and her grandsons Jared Walker (Sarah), Macade Walker, Braden Walker, John Michael Faverino (Jenna), Christopher Faverino (Kenna), and Dominic Faverino (Brianna) and her great-granddaughter, Iris Aurora Faverino, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held at the Aztec United Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, at 10:30 am, officiated by Pastor Jay Armstrong and Pastor Jeff Symonds.

Please note: A celebration of Betty’s life will be held this summer in conjunction with the annual picnic at the family farm in Aztec. Please plan to join us! (Date and time to be announced)

Memorials or donations can be made to Childhaven or to the Arbor Day Foundation.

It’s impossible to truly summarize such a full, beautiful life in this space. Please share with others your stories of Betty. Visit her memorial Facebook page at Betty Faverino Waggoner.