Betty Pritchett Dawson of Watkinsville died peacefully June 24, 2026. She lived and loved for almost a decade after her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Betty Jean Pritchett Dawson was born July 18, 1940, in Oconee County. She was the daughter of William L. “Bill” Pritchett and Gladys Bradshaw Pritchett, who predeceased her. She was a 1958 graduate of Oconee County High School and married Wendell T. Dawson on October 8, 1966.

She was also predeceased by her brother, Ray C. Pritchett, Sr. and nephew, Ray C. Pritchett, Jr. of North Kingstown, RI along with numerous dear friends and extended family whom she cherished.

Betty is survived by her husband Wendell T. Dawson and daughter Jennifer M. Dawson. She is also survived by special cousins, friends, and her family by marriage as mother/grandmother/great-grandmother figure to many descendants of Rayford & Lois Dawson.

Betty grew up in the Antioch Christian Church area of Oconee County and cherished her friends from that area throughout her lifetime. She was employed for several years by Athens Tire and Supply (Firestone) and later by Heyward Allen Motor Company. After her marriage (at Antioch), she lived in Marietta where she worked for Pugmire Lincoln-Mercury while Wendell was an insurance adjuster by day and finishing law school by night. After he passed the bar exam, the couple returned to Oconee County in July of 1970 for Wendell to open his “country law practice” just months before Jennifer’s birth.

During her time spent as homemaker and mother, Betty embraced countless civic, church and volunteer efforts, both formal and informal, in the community. From the inaugural Oconee County Fall Festivals to the fundraising and building of the Oconee County Library to Meals on Wheels to visiting those shut in or experiencing tough times, she was there. She was Senior Girl Scout Troop 119 Cookie Mom for years and the parent volunteer coordinator for the OCHS marching band.

She was an avid UGA Football Fan and went to games for decades and then continued watching the games with their beloved Tailgate Couple Friends. Countless friends of Jennifer along with many nephews and nieces went “Between the Hedges” for the first time with Wendell and Betty.

After Jennifer went to college, Betty joined the Oconee County School System as a 5th grade paraprofessional. Betty had great relationships with the students, teachers, fellow paras, and parents. She retired in 2006. Betty spent time helping part-time in Wendell’s practice both before and after her paraprofessionalcareer. After retirement she would help Jennifer set up her classroom before many school years. And she would annually help Jennifer host a “European Café” for her students each December. This was a true highlight for both mother and daughter (along with numerous former students who remember her and still treasure their tea cups as adults).

She and Wendell were charter members of Briarwood Baptist Church. In later years, they attended Watkinsville First United Methodist Church. She coordinated VBS at Watkinsville First Christian Church in the late seventies and then coordinated many of the first VBS weeks at Briarwood.

Betty deeply loved her many relatives and friends and spent many enjoyable occasions with them. She was famous in the community for “showing up” for people – most often with Pigs-in-a-Blanket or a Blueberry Crunch in hand. She cared deeply for others and played a pivotal role in the care of Becky & Connie Barnette for decades.

Betty was always up for travels that came her way. As often as possible over the years she visited Rhode Island to see her brother’s family. There were countless adventures with special girlfriends – even winding up on the Today Show. Along with Wendell and Jennifer, Betty traveled to all 50 states. Her 50 th state was California in 2016. She collected many shirts and countless magnets during their travels. In 2011, Betty & Wendell also went to England and France with a small student tour led by Jennifer.

The family sincerely thanks memory care unit staff members (past and present) of the former Legacy Village of Athens who loved her well for two and half years along with the memory care unit staff members at The Highlands of Jefferson for loving her so much during the final two months of her life. We are grateful for Mary Williams’ care and love of “Betty Jean” and “Mr. Wendell” before staying at home was not an option.

The family will receive friends Monday, June 29, 2026 from 11:00 AM until 1:00 PM, at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home West. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM at the chapel of Lord & Stephens West. Interment will follow at Oconee Memorial Cemetery on Hog Mountain Road, Watkinsville.

Following the cemetery, there will be a meal at Union Christian Church hosted by Union Christian and Watkinsville First United Methodist Churches. Others wishing to help provide food may drop it off at Union after 3:00 on Monday.

Donations are preferred. Please note that you would like Betty’s family notified of your donation in her memory.

Oconee County Library Friends: 1925 Electric Avenue, Watkinsville, GA 30677

Oconee Rotary “Ramp Builders”: P.O. Box 76, Watkinsville, GA 30677

WFUMC Youth: 1331 New High Shoals Road, Watkinsville, GA 30677

Antioch Christian Church Cemetery Fund: 1100 Antioch Church Rd., Watkinsville, GA 30677.

Special Notation: the original draft and backbone of this obituary was written by her husband in 2016 and updated by her daughter upon her death.

Pallbearers: Randolph Burton, Jey Sharpton, Paul Yarborough, and Aunt Betty’s “Dawson nephews”

Junior Pallbearers: Hinton Garrett, JT Baker, Wyat Baker, Ben Garrett

Honorary Pallbearers: OCHS Class of 1958 & her OCES “Lunch Bunch Para” Group

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, WEST, is in charge of arrangements.