LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Betty Mildred Briggs Francisco, 86, of Las Cruces, formerly of Parsons, died on Monday, June 20, 2011.

She was born Aug. 8, 1924, in Granite, Okla., to Roy and Ola (Wicker) Briggs. She graduated from Mangum High School in 1941. She later earned a bachelof of science in education from New Mexico State Universitht4h

While attending Oklahoma State University, she met and married James Richard Francisco on March 17, 1944.


Survivors include her husband, James, of the home; her three daughters, Carol Ann of Kansas City, Mo., Barbara Hammond of Las Cruces, N.M., and Jeanne Hernandez of Las Vegas, Nev.; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Ola Briggs; and her brother, Clay Briggs.

Arrangements by La Paz Graham’s Perches Funeral home, 555 W. Amador Ave., Las Cruces, N.M.

A celebration service will be at 10:30 a.m. today in the chapel of Calvary Baptist Church, Las Cruces.

The family suggests memorials to Las Cruces Alzheimer’s Association.