Ila Beth Hancock

Ila Beth Hancock, age 84, passed on Tuesday evening, August 13, 2024, in Hospice Care in Amarillo, TX surrounded by her niece and nephew. Beth was born in Tucumcari, New Mexico on July 11, 1940, to Lucille and Henry Hancock and graduated from Tucumcari High School in 1958.

Beth went on to graduate from Eastern New Mexico University with a Masters Degree in Art and English. She taught High School English in Tucumcari for several years before moving to Santa Fe to teach 2 years at the New Mexico School for the Deaf, then taught High School Junior English at Santa Fe High School for over 20 years. She retired from teaching in 1995 and moved back to Tucumcari in 2003.

Beth was known for her artistic expression and ability to make her family and friends laugh. She enjoyed reading, painting, sketching, playing the piano, and she could build just about anything. She spent time making jewelry and all kinds of furniture and loved all of her dogs over the years, especially her last, Duffy. 

Beth is preceded in death by her parents Henry and Lucille Hancock, her brother A.W. Hancock, and great niece Shelby Danielle Clark. Beth is survived by her sister Marilyne Hancock Caton and husband Charles, her nieces and nephews: Karen Owens, Kathy Caton, Robin Clark, Ken Caton, W.A. Hancock and many grand nieces and nephews. 

A burial service will be held in Tucumcari, New Mexico in October 2024.