Dorothy B. Watters

Dorothy (Dot) Watters, 91, of Fallston, Md passed away peacefully at Awakenings of Bel Air. She was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, the middle of 9 children, to Hubert A. Bullis, Sr and Inez Wallace Bullis. Her family moved to Md when she was 8 years old and she attended local schools, graduating in 1951 from Bel Air High School. Soon after graduation, Dot married Lawrence Watters. Their marriage lasted almost 71 years until his death in 2022. As newlyweds, they lived in San Diego, CA from 1951-1954, at which time Lawrence served active duty on an aircraft carrier in the Navy during the Korean War. At the end of his enlistment, they moved back home to Maryland where they lived for 66 years in the house he built on the edge of his parents’ dairy farm in Fallston.

Following the births of her 3 children, Dot fulfilled her lifelong dream to become a teacher, graduating from Towson State Teachers College in 1966. Later, she obtained a Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University and taught at Homestead Elementary, Mountain Christian, and Youth’s Benefit Elementary Schools over a 30 year period. While at Youth’s Benefit, Dot served as team leader in the after school program called “Odyssey of the Mind”, teaching children to use creativity to solve problems. Her 5th grade YBS team won first place at the Md state level. 

Dot had boundless energy and a positive, “can do” approach to life. Growing up as the middle child in a large family, she quickly learned how to get along with others. Her motto in teaching was to “find the best in every child”. 

Throughout her teaching career and in retirement, Dot volunteered countless hours of her time and energy as a tutor to children or adults who needed help with their education. 

After retiring from teaching in 2000, she served for almost 20 years as a pastor to the women inmates at Harford County Detention Center, teaching the Overcomers class on Fridays. 

Her home was known for Christian hospitality where family and friends enjoyed fellowship and meals at the Watters dinner table. Dot was always reaching out to others in need of support in any way, whether it was transportation or the need of a temporary home. 

Dot was an active member of both Mountain Christian and Grandview Christian Churches and taught Bible classes to all ages from children to adults. She organized and served hundreds of funeral luncheons for families so that they could enjoy a meal and fellowship after the death of a loved one. She lived her life as a positive person and shared her Christian faith wherever she went. Dot was nominated in 2006 as one of Harford County’s Most Beautiful People. 

Dot felt honored to be a member of Delta Kappa Gamma teachers’ sorority and the Chimney Corner Club of Fallston. 

Dot and Lawrence were the parents of 3 children—Rick (Raquel), Linda (Willard), and Diane (John). They were also blessed with 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. 

Dot is survived by her two daughters, her brother Mike Bullis of WV, sister Barbara Jolly of NC, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Lawrence and son Rick, brothers Bill, Bob, and Jack Bullis and also two sisters, Betty Jo Bullis and Mary Gay Parks.