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In memory of

Bettie Dooley Dickenson

Pasadena, TX, USA

December 3, 1929 - December 30, 2019

Dec 3, 1929 - Dec 30, 2019

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Bettie Jane Dooley Dickenson passed peacefully into the loving arms of her heavenly Father on December 30, 2019, after a prolonged illness. She is survived by her two loving daughters, Jeanette Davidson and Virginia Dickenson, son-in-law Steve Davidson, granddaughter Heather Burdeaux and her husband Joel Burdeaux of Friendswood, Texas , grandsons Timothy Davidson and Nathan Davidson and wife Lynsae Davidson of Yulee, Florida, great grandchildren Arabella Burdeaux, Holden Burdeaux, Darin Burdeaux of Friendswood, Texas and Cody Wise of Yulee, Florida, sister Jean Eades and husband John of Ansted, WVa, sister Judy Welcher and husband Charlie of Churchville, Va, and many nieces and nephews and Penny Devoss, unofficially adopted daughter of Titusville, Florida. Bettie was a dynamic woman, who was ahead of her time in so many ways.
Bettie was born December 3rd, 1929 in the hills of West Virginia. She was one of six surviving siblings and was the second born daughter. She was, quite literally, a coal miner's daughter. From such inauspicious beginnings, she put herself through college at Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, at a time when that was a very challenging undertaking for a woman. She graduated with a Bachelor's in Education.
Upon graduation, Bettie found herself with limited options in West Virginia, and without telling anyone what she was going to do, signed up for the Navy as a WAVE. She didn't want anyone to talk her out of this important and daring decision. She was in the first group of WAVES to train on a destroyer-the USS Daly. She spent a day in the North Atlantic on this ship, and after that, developed a love and fascination with destroyers and battleships. Throughout her life she would tour a battleship every chance she got with her children and grandchildren. She even went on the USS Constitution "Old Ironsides". She was stationed at the Pentagon as a cryptographer with the rank of ensign during the end of the Korean War.
After her adventures with the Navy, Bettie pursued her teaching career, teaching elementary school in Texas and Virginia. She devoted most of her time to her children and she was a very devoted mother. She took her daughters on camping adventures throughout much of their childhood and teen years - including such exotic locations as: Huntsville State Park, Camp Warneke, New Baunsfels, and Garner State Park. From a very young age her children were riding the rapids in Texas rivers and swimming in Texas lakes. These are precious memories that have lasted a lifetime.
Bettie had just celebrated her 90th birthday this month and was able to enjoy celebrating Christmas with her family before her drastic decline. She had a rich and full life, full of challenges and rewards. We were blessed and honored to have her as our mother.

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