Betty Jean Dotson

On April 23, 1933, in the town of Princeton, Indiana, Leona Woods (Nolcox), wife of Clyde Lorenzo Woods, gave birth to twin daughters Betty Jean and Barbara Jane. Betty Jean Woods Dotson, passed away at the age of 91, on December 23, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

During their early years in Princeton, Betty, Barbara, and younger sibling Clyde Elroy Woods (1937 - 2007) often visited with their mother’s (Nolcox) grandparents and extended family in the nearby historic settlement of Lyles Station. Prior to the family relocating to Indianapolis, the twin sisters’ educational journey began in a small, segregated school in Princeton. Betty recalled that there were four students in the first grade, and the teacher taught all four grades in the same classroom. Across the hall, another teacher taught grades five, six, seven, and eight in a similar single classroom. Upon arriving in Indianapolis, the Woods family initially settled on Yandes Street in the near northeast side the city. There, the twins attended the largest elementary school in Indianapolis, IPS #26, yet another segregated school.

During the middle of fifth grade, Betty and Barbara transferred to School #87 as the Woods family relocated to the north side of the city. Upon completing their elementary education in June 1947, the twins enrolled at IPS Crispus Attucks High School. Education was critically important to the Woods family and Betty and Barbara made the best of what was offered in an institutionally segregated school system, in an institutionally segregated city, and legalized state segregation through 1949. While attending Attucks, Betty played violin in the Attucks orchestra and was initiated into the National Honor Society. Upon graduation, she was awarded a scholarship to attend Butler University.

While at Butler, Betty was invited to join the S.P.U.R.S. National Honor Society. The name “SPURS” was an acronym for the society's pillars: Service, Patriotism, Unity, Responsibility, and Sacrifice. Betty also was recognized by Butler’s Junior Women’s Honorary C.H.I.M.E.S. Also, during their undergraduate experience at Butler, the twins became members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and Betty became the Basileus of the Kappa Chapter of the sorority. In June 1955, Betty and Barbara graduated from Butler University with degrees in Elementary Education. During summer following graduation, Betty married Robert Blackburn, Jr., an engineering draftsman a Naval Avionics. Shortly thereafter, she began her career in education teaching third grade at IPS School #56.

In November 1959, Betty Blackburn gave birth to Patti Denise Blackburn. While teaching in Indianapolis Public Schools and raising her daughter Patti, Betty returned to Butler University and as a part-time student, earned a Master’s in Elementary Administration and Supervision. With these earned credentials, Betty explored many opportunities in education from elementary to post-secondary education. While advancing her education at the Ball State Teachers College, she was presented with the opportunity to teach at what is now, Norfolk State University. Subsequently, she taught at Central State University and pursued a teaching fellowship at Ohio State University. Ultimately, Betty returned to Indianapolis Public Schools in an administrative role as a consultant before being promoted to overseeing the entire Language Arts program for Indianapolis Public Schools.

On April 5, 1975, Betty married Cloice C. Dotson in a small family wedding ceremony held in her twin sister’s home. The service was co-presided by Rev. George E. Rice of University United Methodist Church, and Rev. Dr. T. Garrott Benjamin Jr. of Second Christian Church where Betty regularly worshiped as a member. Their (Cloice and Betty’s) Christian faith was at the foundation of a successful and amazing five-decade union of a blended family. Without hesitation and with open arms, Betty Dotson welcomed three new children: Anthony Clay Dotson, Olon Frederick Dotson, and Natasha Ruthanne Dotson into her life. Eventually, Betty joined Cloice and became an active member of University United Methodist Church where they continued to worship throughout their years together.

Betty and Cloice loved to travel together, invested in recreational vehicles, and were members of the “4Cs” (Civil Cervice Conservation Club). Their extensive journeys included destinations from the Grand Canyon to Savannah, and internationally from Jamaica, to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to the pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Upon their retirements from Indianapolis Public Schools, Cloice and Betty exercised their well- earned freedom to expand their travel. They lived in a beautiful house designed by Betty’s talented brother, Clyde E. Woods. The open home served as a gathering space for grandchildren, friends and loved ones. As a team, Cloice and Betty Dotson maintained a physical and social space that inspired everyone who entered of the true meaning of love, togetherness, and family.

Betty Jean Dotson is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde L. and Leona Woods, by her brother, Clyde E. Woods and his wife (sister-in-law) Carolyn Woods; by brother-in-law (late husband of twin sister Barbara) Thomas Williamson; by brothers-in-law Robert Dotson and James Dotson; and by mother-in-law Clara Dotson; and father-in-law Olon Dotson; and by grandson Jordan Hall.

Betty Jean Dotson is survived by her husband Cloice C. Dotson, daughter Patti D. Blackburn, and by children Anthony C. Dotson, Olon F. Dotson and his wife Susan Hall Dotson, Natasha R. Dotson; sister, Barbara J. Williamson and her children (Joyce and Thomas, Jr.), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; the children (Denis, Aubaine and Carrie) and grandchildren of her late brother Clyde, sister of late sister-in law Carolyn Woods, Camille; sister-in-law Anne Dotson and her children (Robert Jr., Debra, Sylvia, Lenard, and Kim), grandchildren, great-grandchildren; aunt Davine Nolcox and her children (Cecilia), and grandchildren; cousin Flora Bell Bryant, and grandchildren Chloe Dotson, Christopher Blackburn, Lyle Dotson, Jodi Grider, Jessica Grider, Jaime Grider, Tristen Hall, and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family members.

A visitation for Betty will be held Friday, January 3, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Crown Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery, 700 W. 38th St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46208, followed by a Celebration of Life at 1:00 PM.