Beulah "Bea" Fay (Baggs) Bender

Our amazing and beautiful mother, Beulah “Bea” Bender, 91, passed away December 28, 2023, at Morning Star Reflections Assisted Living in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

Bea was born April 28, 1932, in Battiest, Oklahoma, during the Depression, to Melvin Van Buren Baggs and Ethel Victoria Baggs. She grew up and attended Brantly grade school in Antlers, Oklahoma, until she was 10 when her parents moved the family to Las Vegas, Nevada. There, they found work to provide the family with a better life. Bea attended the Las Vegas Grammar School and later graduated from Las Vegas High School, where she was very active on the school council, the Pep Club, and volleyball.

Bea married Ruben Alba in 1950 and they had three children: Janet Lynn Alba, John Pelayo Alba, and Ruben Richard “Rick” Alba. That marriage ended and she later married Gerald “Jerry” Allen Bender. They were happily married for 49 years until Jerry’s passing in 2015.

She enjoyed so many things! She was very sociable and enjoyed spending time with friends and family, traveling, off-roading, exploring, camping, sewing, dancing, and reading (just to name a few).

During her professional career, Bea worked for the City of Las Vegas in Business Licensing. She and Jerry acquired a summer home in Pioche, Nevada, and eventually owned and operated the Nevada Club Bar during the 70s and 80s until they both fully retired. Late in her career, she and her husband also began exploring Mexico where they eventually built a winter home in Bahia Kino, Sonora, Mexico. They made many friends, loved the culture, and explored the surrounding areas with friends and family when they visited.

Eventually, she and her husband discovered Mackay, Idaho, where they fell in love with the people, the surrounding mountains, the endless trails, and the rugged history. There was nothing better than waking up and admiring panoramic views and the endless possibilities for exploring in jeeps with friends and family.

Throughout Bea’s life, she demonstrated an innate resilience and perseverance to overcome obstacles and make the best of life, even when circumstances were not to her liking. In the early years, a lack of financial resources never stopped Bea from having and providing for her young family simply by crafting and sewing fashionable clothes as needed. She taught herself how to re-upholster furniture and vehicle seats, which was much appreciated during the years she and Jerry raced jeeps and explored the Southwest as Jeep enthusiasts. Choosing to raise and support her young children, she convinced the City of Las Vegas that she had what it took to overcome a lack of higher education to become a dedicated professional in Business Licensing and finally as a Business License Inspector, interacting within the business community on behalf of the city. With her usual demeanor and grace, she successfully worked there for 26 years.

Bea’s heartfelt love of people, animals, and nature radiated from her core. Growing up in the harsh environment of Las Vegas, Bea rescued countless dogs, turtles, and frogs, many of which ended up at her home. And no matter where she was, Bea couldn't take a walk without finding rock treasures she would slip in her pocket and pick up debris cluttering natural landscapes. For years she would return from her walks with rocks that looked like hearts. She would say it was a message from her late husband. Learning how to speak Spanish was not only useful in Mexico but also in the States as she reached out to Spanish-speaking new US Citizens who felt welcomed because of her.

The transition into assisted living in a memory unit was not easy for headstrong, independent Bea; her tenacious perseverance, coupled with her love of people, empowered her to look beyond herself to see the needs of others. She became a "volunteer" to assist whenever and wherever she could make a difference. Innately, she knew that just being present with another person was helpful. And it was… to them both! As much as Bea loved to "break out of that place" when family and friends were able to take her for an outing. She always expressed gratitude for a good roof over her head and a thoughtful staff to help her.

Bea was a practicing Catholic, living the Sacramental life. Love and joy radiated from her, touching everyone she knew and encountered. She and Jerry attended Mass at home and wherever they were throughout their travels, and she deeply appreciated the Homebound Ministry of the St. John Paul II Catholic Community in Idaho Falls for their faithful regular Eucharistic visits at Morning Star.

She is survived by her daughter, Janet Poteat (Clayton) of Rockwell, NC; her two sons, John Alba (Diana) of Las Vegas NV, and Rick Alba (Robin) of Las Vegas, NV; and stepson, Robert Bender (Kathleen) of Henderson, NV; 5 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin and Ethel Baggs; brother, Donald Baggs; and stepson, Thomas Bender.

She will be laid to rest next to her loving husband, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Services are pending at this time.