Billie Elizbeth Dade

Billie Elizabeth (Beth) Aiken Dade

July 26, 1933 to March 4, 2026 (age 92)

Beth peacefully left her earthly body to be with the Lord, her husband Larry, son Michael and daughter Donna on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 in Artesia, New Mexico.

She was the eighth child born to Cordelia and Charles Aiken in Whitesboro, Texas on July 26, 1933. She had three brothers and four sisters. Beth was a majorette in high school and worked in a café where she met her future husband Larry, who was in the Air Force stationed at Shepherd Air Force Base. They married in November 1950 prior to her graduation from high school. They had their daughter Sandra prior to his discharge from the Air Force and moved to Midland where their second daughter Donna was born. In June 1958, the family moved to Artesia, New Mexico where she remained for the rest of her life. Beth had two more children, Randy and Michael.

Beth was an officer in the Pythian Sisters organization while in Midland, Texas and later became an integral part of and an officer in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Artesia. She loved her sorority sisters and actively participated in the social and charitable activities. She worked for a variety of companies beginning with Joe Solt Well Service, helped open Gibsons in Carlsbad and ended her career at State Farm. She made lifelong friendships with the people she worked with in the office and often commented the best part of her job was greeting people when they came in and getting to know them and their families. She cherished the friendships and relationships she made over the years and it seemed she knew everyone in Artesia. Her friendships were perceived as a blessing to all who came in contact with her because of her generosity and compassion. She was always there to give a helping hand. She retired after 26 years with State Farm in July 1995. Her home was always filled with family and friends stopping by for coffee, to visit and conversation.

Beth was a member of the West Main Baptist Church. She helped with the mailing of the church newsletter for years and rejoiced in and looked forward to the time when she would ascend to heaven and no longer remain earthbound. She enjoyed gardening, going to the mountains to camp and to the cabin, boating, skiing, the casino in Ruidoso and just being around people. She was preceded in death by Larry, her husband of 71 and one-half years, her son Michael and daughter Donna. She is survived by her daughter Sandra McMahan and husband Bill and son Randy and wife Susan. She has enjoyed and cherished 10 grandchildren (Jennifer Emery, Jason Grimes, Heather

McMahan, Courtney McMahan Gomez, Molly McInnis, Lacey Romaka, Mark Dade, Aren Dade, Garet Dade and Katelyn McGrath) and 24 great grandchildren. She will be cherished and missed by all who knew and loved her.

Out of respect for her wishes, there will be no service. Please celebrate Beth’s life and friendship in a way of your choosing.