Betty Jane Wright Dodrill, aged 83, passed away on October 27, 2012 in Palmdale, CA after an extended illness.
Betty was born on January 18, 1929 to Bertha Whitt Wright and Nathaniel Samples Wright. Betty was raised in the Appalachian Mountains near Honaker, VA in a house built by her father on family property known as the Sugar Camp. At age 17, she took a job with Western Union and moved to San Francisco, California, and eventually ended up in the Los Angeles area.
Betty married Jack Wesley Dodrill on September 23, 1950. In 1963, Betty began a career with the San Fernando Police Department. She held many positions, including Police Matron and Detective, and was very proud of her participation in the resolution of many high-profile crimes, including the Charles Manson case. Betty ultimately retired as the City of San Fernando Business License Inspector in 1986.
Upon retirement, Betty and Jack moved to their Winlock home and farm in rural Southwest Washington. It was there that they enjoyed getting back to their roots; raising cows, farming and canning their own fruits and vegetables, and participating in regional bluegrass events. Betty was an avid writer and took great pride in being the music reviewer for the Washington State Bluegrass Association's Bluegrass Gazette Newsletter. She also wrote and published T'was the Day before Christmas, a book which chronicled several of the police cases she was involved with. Up until her death, Betty was an active member of the Washington State Bluegrass Association, the Winlock Acoustic Music Association, the Centralia-Chehalis Elks Lodge, the Winlock Lioness Club, and the Hope Grange in Evaline.
There are so many things that can be said about Betty and her brilliant light in this world. Her love and support of music was widespread and a bridge for relationships far and wide. Betty was an advocate for the underdog, friends with everyone, and a leader amongst her friends and family. She commanded strength and wisdom, love and honesty. From California to Tennessee, Virginia to Italy, Betty will be dearly missed.
Betty is survived by children Linda Klassen and husband Ken Klassen, of Paradise CA, Jackie Estrada of Las Vegas, NV, Wesley Dodrill and wife Donna Dodrill of Palmdale, CA, Leah Croker and husband Steve Croker of Grass Valley, CA, nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Louise Fuller of Bluefield, VA and Doris Ann Rasnake, of Abington, VA. Betty also leaves behind a large group of relatives and friends with whom she stayed regularly connected.
Husband, Jack W. Dodrill, sisters Virginia Nickles, and Mildred Cook, and brother James Wright preceded Betty in death.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Betty at her home in Winlock and in Virginia at a future time.
The Winlock Acoustic Music Association (WAMA) has kindly decided to officially name their scholarship fund in honor of Betty. This fund is used to send music students to further their education in acoustic music. Through this fund, numerous students have been able to attend workshops, classes, and lessons and even funded sending one child to Tennessee to attend a week long camp. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, you may use the information below:
Betty was born on January 18, 1929 to Bertha Whitt Wright and Nathaniel Samples Wright. Betty was raised in the Appalachian Mountains near Honaker, VA in a house built by her father on family property known as the Sugar Camp. At age 17, she took a job with Western Union and moved to San Francisco, California, and eventually ended up in the Los Angeles area.
Betty married Jack Wesley Dodrill on September 23, 1950. In 1963, Betty began a career with the San Fernando Police Department. She held many positions, including Police Matron and Detective, and was very proud of her participation in the resolution of many high-profile crimes, including the Charles Manson case. Betty ultimately retired as the City of San Fernando Business License Inspector in 1986.
Upon retirement, Betty and Jack moved to their Winlock home and farm in rural Southwest Washington. It was there that they enjoyed getting back to their roots; raising cows, farming and canning their own fruits and vegetables, and participating in regional bluegrass events. Betty was an avid writer and took great pride in being the music reviewer for the Washington State Bluegrass Association's Bluegrass Gazette Newsletter. She also wrote and published T'was the Day before Christmas, a book which chronicled several of the police cases she was involved with. Up until her death, Betty was an active member of the Washington State Bluegrass Association, the Winlock Acoustic Music Association, the Centralia-Chehalis Elks Lodge, the Winlock Lioness Club, and the Hope Grange in Evaline.
There are so many things that can be said about Betty and her brilliant light in this world. Her love and support of music was widespread and a bridge for relationships far and wide. Betty was an advocate for the underdog, friends with everyone, and a leader amongst her friends and family. She commanded strength and wisdom, love and honesty. From California to Tennessee, Virginia to Italy, Betty will be dearly missed.
Betty is survived by children Linda Klassen and husband Ken Klassen, of Paradise CA, Jackie Estrada of Las Vegas, NV, Wesley Dodrill and wife Donna Dodrill of Palmdale, CA, Leah Croker and husband Steve Croker of Grass Valley, CA, nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Louise Fuller of Bluefield, VA and Doris Ann Rasnake, of Abington, VA. Betty also leaves behind a large group of relatives and friends with whom she stayed regularly connected.
Husband, Jack W. Dodrill, sisters Virginia Nickles, and Mildred Cook, and brother James Wright preceded Betty in death.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Betty at her home in Winlock and in Virginia at a future time.
The Winlock Acoustic Music Association (WAMA) has kindly decided to officially name their scholarship fund in honor of Betty. This fund is used to send music students to further their education in acoustic music. Through this fund, numerous students have been able to attend workshops, classes, and lessons and even funded sending one child to Tennessee to attend a week long camp. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, you may use the information below:
Betty Jane Wright Dodrill, aged 83, passed away on October 27, 2012 in Palmdale, CA after an extended illness.
Betty was born on January 18, 1929 to Bertha Whitt Wright and Nathaniel Samples Wright. Betty was raised in the Appalachian Mountains near Honaker, VA in a house built by her father on family property known as the Sugar Camp. At age 17, she took a job with Western Union and moved to San Francisco, California, and eventually ended up in the Los Angeles area.
Betty married Jack Wesley Dodrill on September 23, 1950. In 1963, Betty began a career with the San Fernando Police Department. She held many positions, including Police Matron and Detective, and was very proud of her participation in the resolution of many high-profile crimes, including the Charles Manson case. Betty ultimately retired as the City of San Fernando Business License Inspector in 1986.
Upon retirement, Betty and Jack moved to their Winlock home and farm in rural Southwest Washington. It was there that they enjoyed getting back to their roots; raising cows, farming and canning their own fruits and vegetables, and participating in regional bluegrass events. Betty was an avid writer and took great pride in being the music reviewer for the Washington State Bluegrass Association's Bluegrass Gazette Newsletter. She also wrote and published T'was the Day before Christmas, a book which chronicled several of the police cases she was involved with. Up until her death, Betty was an active member of the Washington State Bluegrass Association, the Winlock Acoustic Music Association, the Centralia-Chehalis Elks Lodge, the Winlock Lioness Club, and the Hope Grange in Evaline.
There are so many things that can be said about Betty and her brilliant light in this world. Her love and support of music was widespread and a bridge for relationships far and wide. Betty was an advocate for the underdog, friends with everyone, and a leader amongst her friends and family. She commanded strength and wisdom, love and honesty. From California to Tennessee, Virginia to Italy, Betty will be dearly missed.
Betty is survived by children Linda Klassen and husband Ken Klassen, of Paradise CA, Jackie Estrada of Las Vegas, NV, Wesley Dodrill and wife Donna Dodrill of Palmdale, CA, Leah Croker and husband Steve Croker of Grass Valley, CA, nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Louise Fuller of Bluefield, VA and Doris Ann Rasnake, of Abington, VA. Betty also leaves behind a large group of relatives and friends with whom she stayed regularly connected.
Husband, Jack W. Dodrill, sisters Virginia Nickles, and Mildred Cook, and brother James Wright preceded Betty in death.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Betty at her home in Winlock and in Virginia at a future time.
The Winlock Acoustic Music Association (WAMA) has kindly decided to officially name their scholarship fund in honor of Betty. This fund is used to send music students to further their education in acoustic music. Through this fund, numerous students have been able to attend workshops, classes, and lessons and even funded sending one child to Tennessee to attend a week long camp. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, you may use the information below:
Betty was born on January 18, 1929 to Bertha Whitt Wright and Nathaniel Samples Wright. Betty was raised in the Appalachian Mountains near Honaker, VA in a house built by her father on family property known as the Sugar Camp. At age 17, she took a job with Western Union and moved to San Francisco, California, and eventually ended up in the Los Angeles area.
Betty married Jack Wesley Dodrill on September 23, 1950. In 1963, Betty began a career with the San Fernando Police Department. She held many positions, including Police Matron and Detective, and was very proud of her participation in the resolution of many high-profile crimes, including the Charles Manson case. Betty ultimately retired as the City of San Fernando Business License Inspector in 1986.
Upon retirement, Betty and Jack moved to their Winlock home and farm in rural Southwest Washington. It was there that they enjoyed getting back to their roots; raising cows, farming and canning their own fruits and vegetables, and participating in regional bluegrass events. Betty was an avid writer and took great pride in being the music reviewer for the Washington State Bluegrass Association's Bluegrass Gazette Newsletter. She also wrote and published T'was the Day before Christmas, a book which chronicled several of the police cases she was involved with. Up until her death, Betty was an active member of the Washington State Bluegrass Association, the Winlock Acoustic Music Association, the Centralia-Chehalis Elks Lodge, the Winlock Lioness Club, and the Hope Grange in Evaline.
There are so many things that can be said about Betty and her brilliant light in this world. Her love and support of music was widespread and a bridge for relationships far and wide. Betty was an advocate for the underdog, friends with everyone, and a leader amongst her friends and family. She commanded strength and wisdom, love and honesty. From California to Tennessee, Virginia to Italy, Betty will be dearly missed.
Betty is survived by children Linda Klassen and husband Ken Klassen, of Paradise CA, Jackie Estrada of Las Vegas, NV, Wesley Dodrill and wife Donna Dodrill of Palmdale, CA, Leah Croker and husband Steve Croker of Grass Valley, CA, nine grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Louise Fuller of Bluefield, VA and Doris Ann Rasnake, of Abington, VA. Betty also leaves behind a large group of relatives and friends with whom she stayed regularly connected.
Husband, Jack W. Dodrill, sisters Virginia Nickles, and Mildred Cook, and brother James Wright preceded Betty in death.
A Celebration of Life will be held for Betty at her home in Winlock and in Virginia at a future time.
The Winlock Acoustic Music Association (WAMA) has kindly decided to officially name their scholarship fund in honor of Betty. This fund is used to send music students to further their education in acoustic music. Through this fund, numerous students have been able to attend workshops, classes, and lessons and even funded sending one child to Tennessee to attend a week long camp. If you would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, you may use the information below:
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