Betty Sue Fairchild

Betty, affectionately known as ‘Sue’ to her brothers and sister, was born at home in Newton, Alabama on March 17, 1938. She was the fifth of six children to Madison Green Hatcher and Minnie Lee (Scott) Hatcher.

Growing up Betty’s family were sharecroppers. She spent much of her childhood outdoors helping in the field. In a journal she wrote “We never stayed inside the house anyway. It was a place to sleep, eat and come in out of the cold. Mary Lou and I would play inside with our paper dolls, otherwise they would blow away. But to be outside was the only way of life I knew and I loved it.”

Her family moved to Chipley, Florida where Betty graduated high school. On New Year’s Eve in 1956 she met her husband Eugene on a blind date through mutual friends, Lloyd Minder and Mary Dean. It was love at first sight! Three months later Gene and Betty were wed with none other than Lloyd and Mary being their Best Man and Maid of Honor.

Despite the frequent moves that accompanied Gene’s service in the Air Force, they managed to build and raise a family. Gene and Betty started their family in Florida, with their son Steven Eugene. While stationed in Japan, their second child Jeanette Leigh was born. During their stay in Canada, they adopted their third, Beverley Ann. In 1974, Gene and Betty finally settled in Bulverde, Texas, where they built their own home. It was here that Betty’s love of the outdoors as a young child flourished.

Betty spent numerous hours maintaining and improving her yard. Together she and Gene would work together to support each other’s talents and passions. Gene was a talented carpenter, and she had a green thumb and curious spirit.

For many years, her house was filled with beautiful African Violets; one of her mother’s favorite flowers. Gene built special shelves with lighting to help them grow. When she began raising birds Gene built her an aviary for them to live in, which still stands today. Both were members of the South Texas Water Garden Club. Betty and Gene built a 2,000-gallon fishpond, along with many other small ones to house her fish and water lilies. The oasis she built in her back yard served as the backdrop for many memories and family gatherings. Her grandchildren were never bored as they also spent most of their time outdoors, just like their grandmother, either helping or exploring the ever-changing landscape.

Betty is preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Curtis Fairchild, her son Steven Eugene Fairchild and three brothers, Gordan Madison “Jr” Hatcher, William Franklin Hatcher and Daniel Washington Hatcher. She is survived by her two children, Jeanette and Beverley, along with seven grandchildren, Crystal, Samantha, Rachel, Stacy, Stuart, Kyndal and Michelle and seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Rudy, Jazmyne, Damien, Lisa, Liam and Kinsley, all of whom knew her affectionately as “Gigi”; son-in-law Doug and daughter-in-law Carol; her sister Mary Lou Hearn and brother Joseph Henry Hatcher.

A celebration of life will be held on June 28 at 10:30 am at 5436 Fallen Oak Dr, Bulverde, Tx.