Mary Jo Rankin Botello

Mary Jo (Rankin) Botello, age 87, passed away peacefully in her sleep Monday, April 16, 2018. Mary Jo was an only child, born on August 22, 1930 at home in Ft. Lupton, Colorado, to William Carl Rankin and Martha Marie (Reed) Rankin. She married her true love, Ramon (Ray) Joseph Botello on March 31, 1962. Mary had a challenging childhood, losing her strong father at the age of 6, and her precious mother at the age of 16. At that time she was taken in by her Aunt Delia and Uncle Coe who became her family support. After marrying young, she had two beautiful children, Kathleen and Steven. With her second marriage to Ray Botello, she suddenly had a large family and four more children that now included Michael, Ramona, Kathy, and Steve. A few years later, Mary and Ray welcomed a seventh and final child, David, to the mix. Mary truly cherished her husband and was often seen kissing and hugging him. She was very proud of her husband and family and was a dedicated mother. She often laughingly referred to them as yours, mine, and ours. She was a very stable and loving woman, bringing the talents of common sense and hard work into her family. She received her B of Ed from Denver University and taught elementary school for many years. In later life she worked in Washington DC and for 10 years commuted a great distance, until retirement. Mary read the Bible faithfully, and she and Ray prayed together through challenging issues with their kids. They also prayed over each of their children and grandchildren every night before going to bed. She also strongly encouraged her family towards church attendance and reading the Bible daily. What a legacy she has left for her children. Her prayer covering over them will be greatly missed. Mary often spoke words of wisdom into her children’s and grandchildren’s lives and was known to send letters of advice to her grandkids when she felt they needed some guidance. She also sometimes sent them some of her hard-earned money when she they were in a tight spot. Mary’s life is a beautiful picture of the redeeming work of Christ. She gave Him her imperfect life and He gave her perfect love. While she knew Jesus when she was alive on the earth, she now fully knows Him. While seeing him through a dark glass while on earth, she now sees Him face to face. She is no longer in pain, no longer struggling to breathe. She is breathing in the beauty of Heaven, the beauty of His perfect presence. In the days ahead, her family will be left with a huge void. Those left behind include her husband, Ramon Joseph Botello, son Steven Hansen (Debbie Hansen), son Michael Botello (Cheryl Botello), daughter Ramona Botello White (Bob White), daughter Kathy Taborn, son Steve Botello, and son David Botello (Eileen Botello). Also grandchildren, including Julie Beth Davis, Joseph Hansen, Jenny Ferguson, Eric Hansen, Kelly Rollins, Michael Botello, Brian White, Aaron White, Christopher Taborn, Alex Taborn, Evan Botello, Eric Botello, and Douglas Botello, and multiple great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her daughter, Kathleen Davis. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” - Romans 8:38-39 Services will be held at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA 20110 at 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 21, 2018. Burial will be private at Quantico National Cemetery.

Mary Jo Rankin Botello

August 22, 1930 - April 16, 2018