Elizabeth Ann Graham of Lakeway, devoted mother of seven grateful children, passed from this life on October 3, 2018 to be with the Lord.
Betsy, as she was known to her family and friends, was born on July 22, 1925 to Katherine and George Haninger, and raised in El Paso, Texas along with her brother and four sisters. Betsy quickly developed a passion and love for serving God and was devoted to the Catholic Church. She attended school in El Paso, first graduating from Loretto Academy and then the University of Texas at El Paso.
On February 12, 1947, Betsy married the love of her life, Charles Edward Graham, Jr., also of El Paso. Charlie passed away on March 22, 2007. In addition to having seven children, Charlie and Betsy had 20 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
Throughout her life, Betsy was involved in volunteer work in several different areas, including mission, outreach and church programs. She had many other interests, sports and hobbies that she enjoyed participating in with her kids, grandkids and great grandkids, including fossil hunting, ping pong, tennis, golf, fishing, crossword and other puzzles, gardening, and just about anything related to geology, especially dinosaurs. Spending time at the family’s beloved Cachara Ranch was one of her great joys. There she loved exploring on foot and on 4-wheel ATVs. She also loved “her” dog, CAZ. Betsy was the center of our family. She is in our hearts forever.
She was preceded in death by parents Katherine and George Haninger of Bisbee, Arizona, and daughter Patricia Jane Ray of Austin. She is survived by one sister Carolyn Haninger; her children - Charles Edward Graham, III, Carolyn Elizabeth McDermott and her husband James, Margaret Ann Graham-Bimler, Gerald Haninger Graham and his wife Kelli, John Frank Graham and his wife Kathy, and Stephen Andrew Graham and his wife Mabel; by her grandchildren - Rory Jaggers and her husband Jim and their children Avery and Preston, Corie Mathews and her husband Nick and their children Rylan, Kenley and Laine, Mike Slover and his children Mason, Carson and Maddie, Chris Slover and his wife Meghan and their children Betsy, Scotty and Benton, Jimmy McDermott, Jr., Joe Bimler, Kate Bimler, Megan Bimler and her children Skylar and Noah, John Paul Bimler and his wife Melanie and their daughter Rylee, Jennifer Bonessi and her husband David and their children Ethan, Stella, Claire, Lillian and Jewel, David Shaw, Carrie Graham, Austin Graham, John Graham, Jr., Brandon Graham and his children Leah, Charlie and Isaiah, Kristen Graham, Rachel Graham, Lucian Pesoli and his wife, Bianca and their children Jake, Angelina and Genevieve, Lillian Albertz and her husband Dusty, and Clement Graham. Numerous special lifelong friends, nieces and nephews will also mourn Betsy's passing.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated by Father Samuel Hose at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Queen of Angels Chapel. The church is located at 20600 Siesta Shores Drive, Spicewood, Texas, 78669. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rancho 3M, a children's orphanage located one hour east of Juarez, Mexico. The orphanage serves abandoned and abused children. Dean Adamek, Director, is Betsy’s nephew. The address of Rancho 3M is Mexico Multiple Missions, P.O. Box 3660, Fabens, TX 79838. Alternatively, Katherine Haninger Chapter, Christ Child Society, El Paso, Texas, which Betsy established in honor of her mother in 1957.
