Betty (Carol) Lioutza Dotson
Carol was Betty’s middle name until she was married, when she took her maiden name as her middle name.
Betty Lioutza Dotson was born in a little backwater of Appalachia, called Camp Creek in Dickenson County Virginia on June 19th 1936. She was born to an Italian immigrant, James Leonardo Lioutza and to a native Virginian, Matilda (Addington) Lioutza. It was in these very humble even impoverished beginnings in Appalachia that Betty grew up; where the Lord began to form her life, instilling her with values that we, who have come to know her, have seen and have enjoyed, and now remember. Betty was the last of seven children in the Lioutza family, being born about ten years later than her previous sister; she had five sisters and one brother.
Betty’s early education was in a one-room school house, trekking two miles one-way in all kinds of weather until 8th grade and high school, when she could ride the bus to the nearest town, Clintwood Virginia. She graduated from Clintwood High School in 1955 as an honor student as well as being the editor of the school newspaper in her junior and senior years.
It was in Betty’s senior year in the chemistry lab that her lab partner Thurston, a “country boy”, began to stir some extra secret ingredients into the “mix”, that eventually led to his proposal and then their eventual wedding in 1957.
After graduating from high school, Betty attended Mary Washington College in Fredericksburg Virginia for 2 ½ years, studying in the field of medical technology. Meanwhile that “country boy”, Thurston joined the United States Air Force.
On December 20th 1957, Betty and Thurston’s destinies were joined in holy matrimony at the Clintwood Baptist Church in Clintwood Virginia, then honeymooning through the Smoky Mountains of Appalachia. Thurston was required to return to his post in Tampa Florida shortly after their honeymoon, while Betty returned to college in Fredericksburg Virginia. Eventually Betty joined Thurston in Tampa, where she gave birth to her first son Mark Jeffery Dotson in September of 1958. Approximately three months later Thurston was re-assigned to an airbase in northern Italy; Betty then followed behind after working as a waitress for her air tickets over the Atlantic. It was in Vicenza Italy, where Betty gave birth to her second son David Lee Dotson in April of 1960.
While Betty and Thurston were in Italy they took advantage of their location to tour Europe, but most importantly, Betty was able to bring her father James Leonardo Lioutza over to visit his Italian family in southern Italy. During the war the axis powers made a practice of renaming the towns which lead to James’s returned letters and telegrams with no record or knowledge of their wellbeing. It was a miraculous moment when a local Catholic priest recognized the names on a letter that led to the eventual connection for James and Betty to their Italian roots and long lost extended family before the war. Betty was the ramrod that forged the path for this reunion. You might recognize these same organizational skills in Betty for those of you who have known her from the altar guild at St. John’s Lutheran Church.
Betty and Thurston continued with the Air Force in Glasgow Montana after their Italian tour of duty. They settled down after their stint in the military, making The Treasure State their home in 1963. Later Betty packed her family up, moving them multiple times across this Big Sky over her 60 year sojourn in Montana. She worked as a secretary and record keeper while Thurston attended the University of Montana in Missoula, meanwhile herding her two rambunctious boys, as a Cub Scout den mother, then later Boy Scouts; on to Libby, back to Missoula, then to Anaconda, to Bridger and eventually Big Timber.
It was in October of 1977 in Big Timber that her youngest son David went before her, he being the first one to meet her with the Lord, as the result of an automobile accident. During the time after the loss of her son, Betty once again began her serious journey of faith. Eventually joining and being baptized in the Lutheran Church of Big Timber. She later moved to Helena and joined the community of St. John’s Lutheran Church, serving primarily as the head of the altar guild, as well as on other committees and service projects in the church. She was also active as a faithful donor and supporter of Camp Christikon.
It was in Helena at St. John’s Lutheran church that she poured out the biggest portion of her life and service, starting in the early 80’s up until her passing from battles with cancer which she fought valiantly including some serious complications with turns and rebounds in her health that didn’t seem possible from our logical minds. However the Lord used her as light and salt in the midst of these struggles.
Betty was very active in 4H during her high school years, even winning an award for how to iron a man’s shirt, with old fashioned flat irons heated on a stove. She attended the national 4H convention in Chicago in 1954 as a result of all her awards. Later in life Betty and one of her sisters would have serious cook offs, it was tough to decide which of these Italian ladies had an upper edge on their culinary skills, but it was always bliss to enjoy these gastronomic competitions.
Gardening and horticultural were among Betty’s passions, along with her love for cats and then her love for her latest little girl Zena her shih tzu dog, who brought her through her first bout of cancer and who wouldn’t leave her room as the EMT guys carried Betty to the ambulance for her final leg of her earthly journey.
Betty was also an accomplished silversmith, creating designs in jewelry for the lapidary work that Thurston would do, as well as a being a top-notch-rock-hound when exploring for treasures in the field.
Betty went to be with the Lord on July 11th 2022 approximately 11:15pm in the emergency room of St. Peter’s hospital in Helena Montana, as a result of a long struggle with cancer, she was 86 years old. Betty was surrounded by her loving husband and son at the time of her passing.
Betty was preceded in death by, David Lee Dotson, her youngest son. James Leonardo Lioutza, her father. Matilda Lioutza, her mother. Betty is also preceded in death by her five sisters and one brother as well.
Betty is survived by her husband, Thurston Dotson, and her first son Mark (Marem) Dotson. Betty is also survived by several cousins and many nephews and nieces all of whom are spread out over the country.
Memorials and flowers can be sent to St. John’s Lutheran Church. Any graveside flowers will be carried to Bridger Montana for the interment. If you feel moved to make a monetary donation, Betty’s wishes are for you to make those donations to Christikon Lutheran Bible Camp, or St. John’s Lutheran Church, or to any charitable organization of your choice in her memory.
The family of Betty would like to extend special thanks to the following people for the many things that they have done and the roles that they have fulfilled in supporting Betty and her family during her final days. Thank You to the following:
To The Sletten Cancer Institute in Great Falls, Montana; especially Dr. Martin and his assistant Sue.
To Dr. Drake at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana.
To the Doctors and nurses at the Pioneer Medical Center in Big Timber, Montana.
To all of Betty’s friends and neighbors, who are too numerous to mention.
A Public visitation will take place on Sunday, July 17th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N Montana Ave, with the funeral service taking place the following day, Monday, July 18 at 11:00 AM at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 1000 Helena Ave, followed by a Luncheon in the Social Hall. On Tuesday, July 19, Betty will be laid to rest at the Bridger Cemetery tentatively 2-2:30 PM.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Sunday July 17, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT
Funeral Service
11:00 AM to Noon
Monday July 18, 2022
St. John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Montana, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Sunday July 17, 2022
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N Montana Ave
Helena, MT
Funeral Service
11:00 AM to Noon
Monday July 18, 2022
St. John's Lutheran Church
1000 Helena Ave
Montana, MT
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Paul Evanson says
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Thurston and family. Thurston was one of the first members of St. John’s to introduce himself to me when I first attended St. John’s Lutheran Church in 2017. One of my fondest memories was being able to serve at the celebration of Thurston and Betty’s 60th anniversary in 2017 in the Guild room of St. John’s. I especially remember learning from Betty some of the workings of the Alter Guild. She was one of the most knowledgeable members of the church in fulfilling this service at St. John’s. She has faithfully served at her church and she will always be remembered.
SUSAN D. DEBREE says
Betty will be greatly missed by all the members of St. John;s Lutheran Church. She was always so friendly and helped organize many church functions. She was an amazingly nice lady that I will miss greatly and am honored to have known. Susan D. DeBree
Amy Smiedala says
Deepest sympathy to you Thurston and Mark. Betty worked tirelessly at St John’s and I was so glad to have known and spent time with her. I appreciate all that she gave of herself and the love and joy that she shared with her St John’s family making all feel welcome.
Dori Lynn Wetherelt says
Betty was such a kind and sweet person. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and Thurston over the many years we attended St John’s together.
My thoughts and prayers are with you, Thurston and with your family.
Richard and Priscilla Veld says
We met Thurston and Betty in Glasgow, Montana when Thurston was stationed there. They became great friends to us and we so enjoyed their company and their two boys. Betty gave me a lot of advice on taking care of our new baby boy. She was the sister I didn’t have there with me who knew just what to do having been through it all herself. We lost touch when my husband was transferred to another base but caught up again and sent Christmas cards every year with letters giving an update on our families. We had always hoped to make a trip across country to visit and bring back all the wonderful memories we shared. Age and health seemed to intervene with our plans and we are so sorry now that we never got back to Montana and had that visit. We are so sorry for Thurston and Mark to suffer this loss but hope you both are doing as well as can be expected.
Sorry for the delayed memories, but when we didn’t hear anything last Christmas we decided to check on the internet and found this obituary. Will try to contact Thurston at the last address we have.
Byran L. Childress says
Thurston. I just happened on Betty’s obit. We grew up together on Camp Creek and went to grade school and high school together. I am 87 and still creeping around with lots of health issues. I had not seen Betty or talked to her during all these years but she got me on the phone several months ago and we had a great conversation about what had gone on in our lives since Camp Creek. You may not remember me but I remember you well but did not know you were a military retiree. I know she is a great loss for you and your son but she had a great life of service-so seldom seen in today’s world.