Bettie E. Bott

Bettie E. Bott, 81, of St. Louis passed away on January 25, 2014 at home with family by her side. Bettie was born on March 12, 1932 to William and Minnie (La Voy) Watkins of Elm Hall, MI.  On May 28, 1958 Bettie married Ronald I. Bott at her parent’s home.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church in St. Louis on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at 11:00 AM with Pastor Phil Maxwell officiating.  Cremation has taken place and burial will be at a later date at Elm Hall Cemetery.

Bettie attended school in Alma, Bellingham, WA and Washington DC where she stayed with her sister who was stationed there with the WAVES. She graduated from Spring Arbor Seminary with the class of 1949, then graduated from Montcalm –Ionia- Bi-County Normal in 1953 to become a teacher. While teaching full-time and raising her first four children, Bettie earned her Bachelor’s degree from CMU in 1963.

Bettie taught various grades including K-8 in country schools in Montcalm, Kent, Midland, Mason, and Saginaw Counties. She retired from Merrill Community Schools in 1986 after teaching for 32 years. Bettie especially loved teaching first grade.

Bettie loved to cook and bake, rarely needing a recipe. She loved music and poetry, and for most of her life could recite poems and sing songs she learned as a child. Bettie loved to travel, often timing her trips to coincide with a grandchild’s event. She also enjoyed camping and was a gifted seamstress.

Bettie is survived by her husband, Ronald, of St. Louis, her daughter Carajane Bott of St. Louis, and four sons Steven (Judy) Bott of Phoenix, Jonathan (Lori) Ayling of Marcellus, Ronald “Neil” (Cindy) Bott of Breckenridge and Calvin Bott of Alma, twelve grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. Bettie was preceded in death by her siblings Dean Watkins and Mary (Elaine) Sytsma.

Bettie’s family wishes to thank grandchildren Chase Bott and Laura Bott who were regular companions and caregivers during her  last several months, Great Lakes Caring Hospice “the neighbors” for their excellent care, and Ginny White-Linn, Nurse Practitioner, for her many years of trusted guidance.

Those considering expressions of sympathy may choose to donate to Gratiot County Commission on Aging or Great Lakes Caring Hospice.