Bette Azar

Bette was born on October 25, 1926 in La Grange, Georgia, the youngest of six children to Ellis Solomon and Kamily Maloof Solomon. She graduated salutatorian from La Grange High School where she was Student Body President. After graduating, she attended La Grange Female College for several years while also working for her father at Solomon’s Clothing Department Store. Some of her favorite memories were driving her dad on buying trips from Columbus to Atlanta and as bookkeeper for the store.

Bette met the love of her life, Phillip Azar, Sr. during World War II while he was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. After the war, they married and this southern gal moved sight unseen to El Paso. Once arriving, she realized she had left behind her favorite galoshes and raincoat but soon learned she didn’t need them in the desert. Bette soon made her presence known with her southern charm and hospitality. She fully embraced her new life in El Paso. She knew no stranger and made new friends wherever she went.

While supporting her husband in growing Azar Nut Company, she raised three children and was an avid civic and community volunteer. She served as chairman, president or board member of numerous organizations, including St. Patrick’s Auxiliary, El Paso Museum of Art, El Paso Symphony, Kermazaar, El Paso County Historical Society, Pan American Round Table, El Paso Sun Bowl, The Garden Club, El Paso Tennis Club and Girl Scouts. Bette and Phil enjoyed summer vacations with their young children in La Jolla, California and then later with their grandchildren and the tradition continues to this day. After Phil retired, they spent a lot of their time in La Jolla making many friends, playing lots of tennis and bridge at the LJBTC.

Bette was an avid reader, tennis player, crossword puzzle and Jumble aficionado, and bridge player. Her best talent of all was raising her children with love, encouragement, support and being a Grandy to her grandchildren, who adored her. Mom was truly the backbone of the family. She spent many hours driving her children all around the Southwest and beyond to tennis tournaments, while also selling Girl Scout cookies until every box was sold. One of her proudest moments was winning the Mother-Son Southwest Sectional tennis tournament with Phil Jr. Before playing the final match she warned Phil not to miss one shot and he didn’t. Growing up a “tom boy” playing softball with the neighborhood boys, she loved watching sports on tv. As an adult, mom could be found jumping up and down and fist pumping while watching her favorite teams and tennis players and she would be very upset if her team or player lost.

Bette was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Phil in 2017 and her son in law Dr. Chris Powers in 2012. She is survived by her three children, Pam Azar Hunsaker (Scott), Phil Azar, Jr. and Peggy Azar Powers. She is also survived by her 6 grandchildren: Aubrey Ballard, Lindsey Simoson, Christopher Powers, Jr. (Mikal), Sarah Beth Shapleigh (Ben), Vince Knipp (Brandy) and Jeremy Hicks, as well as 10 great grandchildren Johanna and Patrick Ballard, Palmer, Connor, and Christopher Powers III, Cate, Claire, and Benjamin Shapleigh, Sienna and Ashton Knipp. Bette is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank mom’s caregivers who cared for her with so much love and respect: Hilda, Karina, Natalia, Alex and Imelda. Also, thank you to Envision Hospice and Dr. Muneer Assi.

Mom you were one of the last of a treasured generation who embodied strength, courage, perseverance, grace and an all around lovely woman.

The family will gather for a small private interment at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Chris Powers Scholarship Fund at the EPCF or a charity of your choice.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; Believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:1-3

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians, 1:21