News Progress

Bettye Dawson

Bettye Katherine Dawson, 100, of Ankeny, IA, formerly of Lovington, Decatur and Tuscola, passed away Thursday, April 10, 2025, Rock Creek Senior Living, Ankeny, IA.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the McMullin-Young Funeral Home, Lovington. Graveside services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, in Keller Cemetery, Lovington. Memorials may be made to the First Christian Church, Lovington.

Bettye was born on March 6, 1925, in Decatur; the daughter of Durward and Frances (Massengill) Dillow. She spent a lot of time with her only living grandparents. She married Kent E. Dawson in 1949; he preceded her in death on September 1, 2017, they raised 3 sons. Bettye graduated from Millikin University and went on to receive her Masters in Education from Eastern Illinois University. She was a teacher at Atwood-Hammond School for 27 years. Bettye enjoyed dancing, traveling around the world and teaching children. She was a member of the Lovington First Christian Church and National Education Association.

She is survived by her sons, Michael Dawson of Carmel, IN, and Mitchell (Teresa) Dawson of Ankeny, IA. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 son, Mark, 2 sisters and 1 brother.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mcmullinyoung.com