Monte Beth Travis (Betsy)

 

Mere words could not begin to sum up the life of this work horse and phenomenal human. Born in Witchita Falls, Texas on February 17, 1944, she was an army brat. Settling into Virginia with her family in 1960, she graduated from Fluvanna County High School in 1962 after becoming the Homecoming Queen. She married her high school sweetheart and raised 2 children devoting her life to family. 

 

Her early life as a wife and mother included stops in Richmond, VA and Springfield, VA before she settled back in Fluvanna in 1972 in an old country house that included no bath room and no running water and somehow made a household run efficiently while expanding her talents and providing for her family as a chef, a secretary to her husbands business. Her organizational skills earned her the sobriquet of “Sgt. Mom”. She was the emotional center and anchor of her family.

 

When the family moved to it’s own farm in 1977, a mere 4 miles away, they moved by truck and moved their farm animals by herding them on horseback overland. There at Sundown Farm, the family thrived under her love and care and her skills at planning allowed countless family get togethers to be hosted and nurtured over the years. The farm was a constant gathering place for family and friends who came to help work the farm and her meals there are still commended today by friends of the family. 




After a divorce, Betsy promptly went to work and started a career and a new life without missing a beat as a mother or friend. She retired from the Library of Virginia and remarried and loved her life as a gardener and grandmother. Through every step, she kept her friends such as the Three Amigos, her sisters and her sisters in law, very close. Her best friend, her daughter Lisa, became her travel companion and they explored new many adventures together such as the Grand Canyon, mountains, beaches and even taking her first helicopter ride.

 

She begged her son not to let his children stand and walk saying that once they do they will be gone so soon. Grandma McDoo, made each of them better people by nurturing their own interests in life whether in cooking, art, sewing, gardening or celebrating countless achievements both scholastic and athletic or life events like graduations either in person or later via FaceTime such as the wedding of her granddaughter in May.

 

Betsy was preceded in death by her parents, J C Barrett and Cladyne Cottrell Barrett, her sister Bobbette Richardson and her husband Harley L. (Ted) Travis.




She is survived by a sister, Kay B. McLeod, brothers, Barry Dalton Barrett, Clay Anthony (Tony) Barrett and Steven Howard Barrett. Her children Kenneth Shawn Haney, Lisa Carol Haney. Her daughter in law, Kathy Haney and her grandchildren Katie Haney, Virginia Gordon (J C), Charlotte Haney and Wade Haney. And her loving constant companion, Petey, the amazing Bichon.

 

Her final words were the words she said frequently as a reply to the many I love you’s said to her. Love you more!

 

The family would love to see family and friends so a celebration of the life of Betsy Travis will be held Sunday October 20th at her home in Gum Spring, VA at 2:00 PM. The address is 3256 Countryside West Drive, Gum Spring, VA 23065. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you buy an orchid or plant a flower or tree in your yard in memory of Betsy. Love you more!