Betty was born on October 30, 1923, in El Paso, Texas. She passed away on February 2, 2025, of natural causes. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lee and Beulah Johnson Moor. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, John Thomas MacGuire. Betty is survived by her daughters Mela Macquarrie (Doug Gunton) of Santa Fe and Carol Carnes Johnson (Steve) of El Paso as well as her grandchildren Lee MacGuire Carnes of Austin and Jenny Leavell (Jay Smith) of Denver and her great grandchildren Audrey and Walker Smith and Chloe Grace Carnes.
Betty was adopted by Beulah and Lee when she was seventeen days old. She always considered that the luckiest day of her life. She eloped with the love of her life, John, within ten months of meeting him and had a grand adventure from that point on. Betty was an accomplished pianist, equestrian, avid bridge player, licensed pilot of single and twin engine aircraft as well as the P-51 Mustang, skeet and trap shooter, golfer, tennis player, swimmer, water skier, snow skier, sailor, short wave radio operator and, because she graduated from the Texas School of Mines in El Paso with a degree in Accountancy in 1948, John’s bookkeeper for all of his business endeavors throughout their marriage.
Betty was very involved in her community. She was instrumental in saving the Plaza Theatre from demolition. She was on the Boards of Director of the El Paso YWCA, El Paso Community Foundation, Lee and Beulah Moor Children’s Home, and War Eagles Air Museum, as well as a lifelong member and one time Director of the Pan American Round Table of El Paso and Juarez, a women’s organization that promotes friendship and understanding between women of both cities, as well as a member of the Texas Women’s Cattle Association, Tri Delta Sorority and the Ninety-Nines. She was thrilled when her daughter, Mela was chosen Sun Queen in 1966 and thrived on the activities surrounding the coronation. She and her fellow women pilots founded the lending library at the War Eagles Air Museum and cataloged all the airplane literature that was donated. In 2014, she wrote an autobiography about her and John, with author Susan Novick, called, “Just Plain Lucky”, which was her and John’s favorite saying about their life together.
Betty was a gentle, affectionate, loving friend, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a great listener and never told anyone what to do but was kind and loving with her advice if asked. She was non-confrontational yet stood up for herself when it mattered. She loved El Paso as well as Marfa, after she and John purchased a ranch there in the 1990s. She was a lifelong rancher and West Texas girl who adored the high chaparral and the hot summer winds. Betty was a devoted wife to John throughout their long, happy marriage. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Funeral services will be handled by Martin Funeral Home West, where a Celebration of Betty’s remarkable Life, along with light snacks, will be held at the Martin Funeral Home West facility, on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, from 1pm to 6pm as an Open House format. There will be a private, immediate family only burial service in Marfa. Please send any donations in remembrance of Betty to the Lee and Beulah Moor Children’s Home. Please, do not send flowers or food to the family. Thank you for your consideration.
