Obituary of Betty L Dobbins

Betty Loraine Dobbins (nee Buck) was born on September 20, 1934, the only daughter of the late Joseph Theodore Buck and Irene C. Smith (nee Cromwell) in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Betty passed away peacefully at home on Sunday February 20, 2022. Betty spent most of her life in Mount Holly. Her early beginnings were on the “Hill.” The “Hill” was a tight community of families and friends where everybody knew everybody. Betty was an honorary member of the Still family because she spent so much time visiting their household. She went to elementary school in the neighborhood attending Samuel Aaron School on Chestnut Street. The building is now the home of Mount Nebo Holiness Church. She attended the old Brainerd School for middle school and Mount Holly High School where she was a member of the class of 1952. In high school, Betty was a member of the Travel Club, the Science Club, Twirling Club, and the Bible Club. It was noted in her yearbooks that she was a good friend to have, and everyone knew her smile and giggle. In 1951 she met a young soldier William (Bill) Dobbins from Paulsboro, New Jersey who was stationed on Fort Dix. By January of 1952, William and Betty married and from that union six children were born. Betty and Bill settled in Mount Holly. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in January of 2002. Her most cherished roles in life was as a wife, Mom to her children, and Memom to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren In the early 1960s, Betty worked at a variety of jobs. In 1965 she began working at Burlington County Memorial Hospital subsequently renamed Virtua Memorial Hospital as a ward clerk. She completed a Nurses Aide Training Program at the hospital in September,1966. By1970, she moved to the hospital laboratory working in pathology as a secretary. Then, in the mid-seventies, she transferred to the Blood Bank and later worked in the Microbiology Department until her retirement in 1996. Because the “Hill” was such a close-knit neighborhood Betty attended the various churches in the neighborhood. On a given Sunday she could be found at Mount Moriah AME Church, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church and Second Baptist Church. But in 1960, Betty accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, and she officially became a member of Mount Nebo Holy Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Amy B. Stevens and the late Pastor William Caldwell. She continued her membership at Mount Nebo until 1978 where she joined Christian Faith Assembly under the leadership of Pastor William Roane, Sr., and the late Pastor Russell Byrd. Betty was an active member of Christian Faith Assembly serving as a Deaconess, a member of the missionary board, Prayer Warriors, the Prayer Chain, Sunday School, Voices of Victory, Sanctuary Choir, Vacation Bible School and Children’s Church teacher. Under the leadership of the late Apostle Maurice Randolph, Betty completed numerous courses through the Evangelical Training Association. She served faithfully in every ministry she was part of until her illness confined her from attending church. Betty was a true woman of God. No matter where she was or who she was with she had a quiet and understated personality. She walked in beauty, patience, and integrity. She was a trusted confidant. You knew you could say something to her, and she would provide prayer, a good word, and confidentiality. She was not going to share, and she was non-judgmental. She had a heart for married women. She always tried to provide Godly counsel to young wives. Betty was compassionate and caring. She touched many lives in Christian Faith Assembly and at Virtua Hospital as well. Betty was an excellent baker with her applesauce cake being one of her specialties. She was a talented crafter as well, especially with crocheting and needlepoint. Betty was known for her baby blankets, afghans, and sweater vests which she made for family and friends. Betty was preceded in death by her husband William Dobbins, Sr., her father, Joseph T. Buck, mother, Irene C. Smith, brothers Joseph and Jerry Buck, her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jean and Frank Smith. Saddened by our loss but confident Mom (Memom) is reunited in Heaven with Daddy (Pop-Pop). Betty leaves to cherish her memories six children; William Dobbins, Jr., JoAnn Gales (Marcus), Dwayne Dobbins, Sr. (Shelly), Jeanne Burrell (Henry), Terry Linn Bailey (Scott), and Rodney Dobbins (Camille), a nephew she viewed as a son, Rev. Curtis. W. Smith (Rev. Ana Smith); sixteen grandchildren, Sharna Dobbins, Chanelle Maitland (Ben), Charmaine Dobbins (Ryan Steckhoff), Cherice Dobbins, Marcus Gales, Jr, Maurice Gales (Nicole), Marissa Gales, Tonja Dobbins (Troy Livingston), Dwayne Dobbins, Jr., (Arlene), Clifford Wingo, Danni Wingo (Raphael), Erika Vignale (Vincent), Derek Bailey, Jordan, Erik, and Cameron Dobbins; ten great-grandchildren, Aubrey, Lightnin’, Troy, Maya, Kellan, Bronson, Donovan, Brooklyn, Birdie, and Juliana, two sisters in laws, Beatrice Buck and Marilyn Buck, a special daughter, Wendy Romano, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and other relatives. “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30 KJV