Betty Dixon Falls

Mrs. Betty Dixon Falls, 93, passed away peacefully on January 1, 2026, after a decade of declining health due to Parkinson's disease. Her loving husband was by her side.

Betty was the youngest of five children and the only daughter of Henry and Irene Dixon.

After graduating from Fallston High School, she continued her education at Appalachian Teachers' College (now known as Appalachian State University) and then moved to Concord with her husband. The newlyweds laid down roots in the town, building a life centered around service in their new community.

Betty used her degree in home economics to educate her students but also to care for her family. She was a skilled seamstress, sewing beautiful clothing for herself, her children, and later her grandchildren. She had an undeniable green thumb; her plants, flowers, and vegetables, which she shared with family, friends, and neighbors, all thrived under her care. She was an excellent cook and welcomed many to her table.

When her children were born, Betty spent some years at home, before returning to the classroom. Early in her career she taught Home Economics and/or Science at Casar, Harrisburg, Hartsell, and Central Cabarrus High Schools. Later she earned her Master's Degree in Education from UNCC and spent the majority of her career teaching 7th grade Science at Concord Middle School. She was a phenomenal teacher who always went above and beyond for her students, sharing her enthusiasm for the marvels of God's creation. She always strived to take care of the environment and mastered recycling, reusing, or repurposing, long before the concept was popular.

Whether she was making family favorites, such as chocolate cake and raspberry jelly, supporting her children and grandchildren at their events, or sharing her wisdom when it was most needed, her quiet demeanor spoke volumes. Everyone who interacted with her knew they were seen, valued, and loved as she demonstrated her faith by her actions.

She was an active member of Forest Hill United Methodist Church where, over the course of more than sixty-five years, good health allowed her to participate in the United Methodist Women, Circle 3 "The Guild", and the Joe McEachern Sunday School class, pack bags for Positive Provisions (food for needy school children to take home), serve as a youth counselor, care for the columbarium garden, serve on the cookbook committee, and bake desserts for hot dog and spaghetti sales. Even as her health began to decline, she continued to support the Joe Cannon Trust Prison Ministry from home by preparing postage stamps and socks for the bags received by those in the Cabarrus County Detention Center.

Her retirement years were filled with community service, travel, hobbies, and lots of time with her grandchildren. She, also, lovingly devoted herself to caring for her son, Hal, for two and a half years when he battled a brain tumor. At the age of 83, she was diagnosed with Parkinson's, giving her family the opportunity to return the love she had showered on them, as they cared for her at home until the very end.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her brothers Robert, Boyd, Charles, and Lester; and son, William Harold Falls, Jr.

Left to cherish beautiful memories of her are her beloved husband of 71 years, Harold; daughter, Nanette Bennett and her husband Wayne; daughter Nancy Cress and her husband Alan; grandchildren Will, Wesley (Courtney), Worth (Rebekah), Kevyn (AJ), Walker, and Katherine (Jonathan); great-grandchildren Penn, Noah, Croft, Chloe, Story, Worth, Copeland, Scarlett, and Caroline.

A celebration of Betty's life will be held at Wilkinson's Funeral Home on Saturday, January 17, at 11:00 am, officiated by Suzanne Dornsmith. The family will receive friends immediately following the service or at home in the weeks to come.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Robert Mitchell, Dr. Bing Liu, Dr. Mark Braun, Atrium Hospice and Palliative Care, specifically Nurse Katie, and the team of caregivers: Denise, Tracy, Janice, Nathaline, Crystal, Renee, Diana, Donna, Sharon and Debra for the compassionate care they all provided.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:

The Parkinson Association of the Carolinas, P.O. Box 1465, Matthews, NC 28106 or parkinsonassociation.org

Atrium Hospice and Palliative Care Cabarrus, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081

Those who cannot attend may contact a family member for a link to a recording of the service.