Elizabeth Marie Lapsley

Graveside services were held Saturday, March 29, 2008 at Twin Oaks Cemetery in Artesia for Elizabeth Marie Lapsley, age 88, of Tucson, AZ, who passed away March 22, 2008, at a health care center. Carolyn Bright of First Baptist Church of Carlsbad officiated.

Elizabeth was born February 18, 1920 in Swisher County, Texas to Edwin Wilson and Elizabeth Mae Ditto. Her parents have preceded her in death as well as four brothers: Elbert, Thomas, E.W., and Charles Ditto; and two sisters: Dorothy Peden and Sadie Bartlett.

Elizabeth married Chester Willard Lapsley in Artesia on June 29, 1940. He also has preceded her in death on May 5, 1998.

She is survived by a daughter: Beverly Waid and her husband Jim; three grandchildren: Cezanne Waid and her husband, Hayri Yildirim, Paul Waid, and Gregory Waid and his wife Carrie; three great granddaughters: Lark and Julide Yildirim and Lily Waid all of Tucson, AZ.; sister-in-law: Tweetsy Ditto of Carlsbad; and brother–in-law: Don Bartlett of Roswell and several much-loved nieces and nephews.

Elizabeth graduated from Artesia High School. Mr. Lapsley's job with the Santa Fe Railroad took them to Carlsbad, Lubbock and Clovis. After retirement they moved to Roswell, where they were members of the Central Christian Church.

Elizabeth was a wonderful mother and homemaker. She and Chester enjoyed playing cards, going on family picnics and trips to the mountains. Elizabeth loved to travel and they spent many happy days on the road in their motor home. Members of Good Sam's RV clubs in Clovis and Roswell, they took trips to Kentucky, Missouri, and Mexico among others. Besides travels in their motor home, they were always ready to visit Beverly and her family in Albuquerque, New York City and Tucson.

Elizabeth moved to Tucson in 2002 to be close to her daughter's family, and while she loved being with them, she always longed to go back home to New Mexico.