Bethany Lynn McCotter

Bethany Lynn McCotter, age 77, passed away on January 25, 2026, of natural causes in Aiken, South Carolina. 

Bethany was born in Battle Creek, Michigan on September 7, 1948, to James Cassius and Anna Louise (Hartung) Welsh. She graduated from Lakeview High School in 1966. She worked as a telephone operator at Michigan Bell Telephone Co. and at the commissary at Bill Knapps Restaurant.

She married Gary Lee McCotter, raising two daughters, Tracy Lynn and Jennifer Ann in Battle Creek, Michigan, a year in Midland, Texas and then in Winter Springs, Florida. While in Florida, Bethany worked at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. In the late 90’s, she returned to Battle Creek to take care of her parents, working at the Kalamazoo Sheriff’s Office until retirement. She was proud to work at both sheriff’s offices, making lifelong friends at each. 

Bethany had a love for art and was especially good at drawing. She was always making something: clothes, curtains, ornaments, meals, the list goes on and on. Her real passion, however, was doll making. She started in the late 70’s making comical soft sculptured dolls of all themes. In the 80’s she went through a phase of creating Father Christmas dolls and eventually found her stride in Halloween-themed dolls with clay faces, making the first one in 1997. Her company was Bethany Lynn Originals on Etsy and most dolls sold within an hour of posting! Her creations were humorous, lifelike, with a personality, and each one felt a bit familiar.

Along with being creative, Bethany was a positive person with a quick wit. She was light-hearted and fun to be around, a great cook and hostess. She loved to decorate, creating a warm environment in any space, both at home and work. She was a lover of animals and nature, delighting in her cats, birds at her feeders, cows in a field, really green grass, tall pine trees, “enchanted” forests over-taken with ivy and frequently took drives to see deer at dusk. She loved good meals and liked reading and browsing the internet. She enjoyed going to musicals and all music, both old and current. And most of all, she loved her grandchildren.

She is described as a loving mother, a proud grandmother, and a loyal friend. And it cannot go without mention… Bethany was always known for her big hair! She went through many styles throughout the years, almost always having volume. 

Bethany is survived by her daughters: Tracy (Kyle) Seconi and Jennifer (Chris) Johnson; five grandchildren: Maddie (Dawson) Seconi, Emily Seconi, Olivia Seconi, Kylie Johnson and Carter Johnson; She was also survived by her cat, Jinx, who passed 2 weeks later at 18.5 years old.

She was preceded in death by both parents and her brother, James “Jimmy” Earl Welsh.

No funeral service will be held as per request of Bethany. In lieu of flowers or donations, she asked only that we share funny stories and laugh together in her memory.

SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 715 E. PINE LOG RD., AIKEN, SC 29801