Bettie Fitzgerald, age 95, of Muleshoe, Texas, died January 22, 2022 in Muleshoe. She was born November 24, 1926 in Lynn County, Texas to Victor and Jesse Paralee (Simmons) Starnes. She married Melvin Fitzgerald in Plains on April 25, 1943. She later married Clark Strickland in Clovis, New Mexico on March 1, 2014.

Bettie was a creative artist. She loved to travel and attending art workshops. Bettie is preceded in death by her first husband, Melvin; her second husband, Clark; her parents; two sisters, Alice Roberts and Virginia “Dutch” McElroy.

Bettie is survived by her son, Vic Fitzgerald and his wife, Katherine of Zellwood, Florida; her daughter, Sherri Shipman and her husband, Garry of Muleshoe, Texas; her four bonus sons, Joe Strickland, Steve Strickland, Chris Strickland and Gordon Strickland; her sister, Mickey Pinkston of Brownfield, Texas; her nine grandchildren; Carol Register, Steve Fitzgerald and his wife, Amy, Sarah Cancel and her husband, Aby, David Fitzgerald, Kent Reynolds and his wife, Hollye, Sean Shipman and his wife, Kim, Tim Shipman and his wife Rebecca, Mandy Coers and her husband, Lance and Todd Shipman and his wife, Brenna; her twenty-two great-grandchildren; and her eleven great-great-grandchildren.

The family suggests memorials be sent to Kingswood United Methodist Church, 2600 North Main Street, Clovis, New Mexico, 88101.