Bettie Dixon Towler

Bettie Dixon Towler, 90, of Jacksonville, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 15 after an extended illness. Bettie was the youngest of three girls born in Wilmington, NC to Rudolph and Hazel (Crumpler) Dixon. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, James Wilson Towler. They have one son, James Towler, Jr. (Susan) and granddaughter, Emma. Bettie is survived by her sister, Manette Mintz of Wilmington and is preceded in death by her sister, Elizabeth Chenier of Michigan. Many nieces, nephews, cousins and good friends also survive her. After graduation from New Hanover High School, Bettie went to work for Atlantic Coast Line, where she worked for 40+ years as a key punch operator. She volunteered at the USO during WWII and met Jimmy in the late 1940s. When the railroad located to Jacksonville in 1960, Bettie and Jimmy moved with their young son to the Arlingwood neighborhood. Bettie and Jimmy attended Arlington United Methodist Church and she was a volunteer with the Memorial Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. A visitation will be held Thursday, October 20 from 6-8 pm at Naugle Funeral Home, 1203 Hendricks Avenue, with a graveside service at Oaklawn Cemetery on Friday, October 21 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to St. Vincent’s Foundation in support of St. Catherine’s Laboure Manor.