Betty Jean Dorian's Obituary
Racine - Betty Jean Dorian, age 85, passed away on June 24, 2025, at Aurora Medical Center, surrounded by the love and presence of her family.
Born on September 10, 1939, in Columbus, Mississippi, to Jim Wesley and Susan Will (nee Blanch) Bonner, Betty lived a life defined by strength, faith, and deep devotion to her family.
Betty was an active and cherished member of Starlight Outreach Ministry, where her spirit and kindness touched all who knew her. But it was her unforgettable sense of humor that made her shine in every room she entered. Quick-witted, playful, and never afraid to speak her mind, Betty had a way of making people laugh even in the
hardest moments.
Aside from her talent to crack a joke, Betty was also a gifted cook. Her passion for food was more than just a talent, it was a way of bringing people together. Her favorite dishes—oxtail soup, chitterlings, dressing, and greens—became family staples, and her love of cooking lives on in her children and grandchildren. She was honored in her lifetime with a restaurant lovingly named after her: Mrs. Betty’s Kitchen.
Betty also had a deep love for music, especially the songs of R. Kelly. She was known to turn up the volume and dance with her grandchildren, creating memories filled with rhythm, laughter, and love.
Betty will be lovingly remembered by: daughters, Karen Kelley and Deborah Defatte; grandchildren, Kimyron, Asewanetta, Johrie (Rachel), Dionte (Dejanaye), Sarah and Latasha; great-grandchildren, Kimyron Jr., Ramiya, MJ, Johrie Jr., DaSani, Maleyah, Dionte Jr., Kylen, and Kristian; sisters, marie Thomas of Akron, Ohio and Susie W. Person of St Louis, Missouri. She is also survived by her special cousins, Tresvan (Mylas) Sparks and Margaret Louise Bolton Butler; her dear friend, Shirley Weaver; and many more family members and close friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her loving parents, Susie Will and Jim Bonner; her husband of over 40 years, Wyllie Dorian; her beloved sons, Roderick Bonner and Reginald Blake Drain, and her siblings, Rosie M. Bonner, Ezell Smith, James Smith, Johnny Smith all of Akron, Ohio, Sylvester Bonner of Omaha, Nebraska, and Adell Woods of St. Louis, Missouri.
A celebration of Betty’s life will be held at the Wilson Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, beginning with visitation at 11:30 a.m. until the ceremony at 12:30 p.m. Private graveside services will follow at Graceland Cemetery. If you are inclined to do so, please share an online condolence or a memory of Betty on her tribute page on Wilson Funeral Home’s website.
The family extends their heartfelt thanks to Dr. Korducki, nurse Abigail, the hospital staff of Aurora Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, and all those who cared for Betty during her final days.
Betty’s legacy lives on in every burst of laughter, every dance in the living room, and every recipe passed from one generation to the next.
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