Mrs. Betty Violet Lott, age 93, of Columbus, MS passed away Thursday, March 22, 2018, at Trinity Health Care Center, Columbus, MS.

A memorial visitation to celebrate the life of Betty will be held on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Lowndes Funeral Home, Columbus, MS.

Mrs. Lott was born on October 31, 1924, in London, England to the late James Alexander and Maude Elizabeth Needs Richards. "Miss Betty", as she was affectionately known to everyone, founded The English School of Dance in Columbus, MS 1962. During the next half-century, she touched the lives of three generations of literally thousands of the area's talented dancers. She always fondly referred to her students as "her" girls, and even a few boys at times. She began her dance education in London at the age of three and began dancing professionally with a children's troupe at age twelve. As a young adult, she continued her performing career and later joined the Clyde Beatty/Cole Bros. Circus as an aerial dancer and acrobat, touring extensively throughout Europe and the United States. After her marriage in 1951, she gave up the stage and traveled with her Air Force husband and children. The family was stationed at Columbus Air Force Base in 1961, and she remained in Columbus until her death. Miss Betty was a great lover of animals and people, and always had a ready smile for everyone. Despite her petite stature, she had a big "life of the party" personality and never met a stranger! She also possessed a lively, sometimes wickedly irreverent sense of humor and loved to joke and laugh. Some of her favorite hobbies and pastimes were reading, knitting, crossword puzzles, watch "Wheel of Fortune", and passionately following the Atlanta Braves. She adored cats, anything chocolate, music, her afternoon cup of British tea, and the color pink. One of her favorite activities was her monthly meeting with the British Birds, a group of local ladies who also hail from her homeland. Above all, she loved her family and friends and was fiercely proud of her four grandchildren and great-granddaughter. In addition to her parents, Miss Beatty was preceded in death by her husband- Clyde "Jim" E. Lott, and sister- Marjorie Swinnerton.

Miss Beatty is survived by her daughter- Deborah (Steven) Guist of Columbus, MS; son- James (Elizabeth) Lott of Columbus, MS; sister- Maudie Cole ; brother- Allan (Julia) Richards; grandchildren- Carley Guist, Walton Lott, Carrington Lott, and Sara Margaret Lott; great-grandchild- Clara Jade Cutler; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1380 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213, the Alzheimer's Association, 855 S. Pear Orchard Road, Ridgeland, MS 39157, Columbus-Humane Society, P.O. Box 85, Columbus, MS 39703, or The Lily Foundation, 31 Warren Park, Warlingham, Surrey, CR6 9LD, UK.