VIRGINIA BEACH - Bettye Jo Portafe, 76, of Calash Way in Virginia Beach, passed away Sept. 11, 2010, at home. She was born in Kingsport, Tenn., on Sept. 14, 1933 to Robert and Leona Bullard. Bettye graduated from Cradock High School. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Maury Louis Portafe; her sister, Georgia Gibbs; and a niece, Anita Cutler. She is survived by her sister, Eula Finley; three children, Kim Behm and husband Rick, Bernadette Alcaraz and husband Gary, and son Maury Portafe Jr. She has five grandchildren, Brynn Portafe, Aaron Behm, U.S. Marine Corps, Bryan Behm, Cole Alcaraz and Kelsey Alcaraz. She will greatly miss the company of her faithful dog, Harley. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at noon today in Church of the Holy Family. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery in Norfolk. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road Chapel, is in charge. Online condolences can be made at hdoliver.com.

Published in The Virginian Pilot on September 14, 2010