Betty Nell Chapuis

Betty Nell Rakich Chapuis, age 90, of Green Valley, AZ, beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother passed from this life into the arms of Jesus for eternity Monday, August 3, 2026, with her family by her side.

Nell was born July 31, 1936, in Carthage, Mississippi, the daughter of the late Juanita and Mike Rakich.

Nell cherished her family above all else. She was the devoted wife of the late Ivan Lee Chapuis, her high school sweetheart. Married in 1954, they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary prior to Lee’s death in April 2020. Not only was she a dedicated wife and mother, Nell was an outstanding hostess, a true Southern Lady, who could cook for, entertain, and coordinate groups of people with ease and grace. Nell’s love and devotion to Jesus, her Savior, was a source of light to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed by many friends and family.

After her children were raised, Nell completed an undergraduate degree and two master’s degrees in business administration and education. As a classroom business teacher and the Supervisor of all the Co-op Vocational Programs she made an outstanding impact on vocational business education in the El Paso and Ysleta, Texas school districts where many students’ lives were dramatically changed, making it possible for them to succeed and secure better futures.

Upon her retirement from education, Nell, along with her husband, Lee, started a quilting business. Because she was a seamstress extraordinaire, Nell was able to create quilts and other items that were true works of art. 

Nell is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Lee Chapuis; parents, Juanita and Mike Rakich; sister, Mildred Anderson; and son, Randall Clay Chapuis. Nell is survived by two children and their spouses, Becky and Bill Lee, of Hot Springs, Arkansas and Ron and Bonnie Chapuis, of Tucson, Arizona; five grandchildren, Erin and Roger Ault of Donaldson, AR; Beth and Samuel Baroi of Benton, AR; Byron and Mandy Chapuis of Thornton, CO; Nathan Chapuis of Pflugerville, TX; and Clayton and Meredith Chapuis of Bentonville, AR; six great grandchildren, Hope Ault of Donaldson, AR; Caleb and Anna-Claire Baroi of Benton, AR; Carter Chapuis of Thornton, CO; Graham and Peter Chapuis of Bentonville, AR; a sister, Sarah Grissom, of Monticello, Florida; a brother and wife, Robert and Marilyn Rakich of Pinetop, AZ; a sister-in-law and her spouse, Delyte and Clark Butts of Killeen, TX; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Because of Nell’s Christ-centered legacy, her family does not grieve without hope because we know our loving mother, grandmother, sister, and friend is in heaven, and we will be reunited with her someday. (based on I Thessalonians 4:13-18)

A celebration of life service will be held in Hot Springs, Arkansas on September 5 at 10:00 a.m. at Hot Springs Baptist Church, located at 144 Weston Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to Bristol Hospice of Tucson, AZ or Gideons International.