Dennis Wayne Botts

Coach Dennis Wayne Botts Sr., 55, resident of 97 Noble Estates, Husband of Dionne Mallory Botts died Wednesday December 10, 2003 at Self Regional Medical Center in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Born in Fort Lewis, Washington. He was a son of Johnnie "Jewel" Loftis Botts and the late Lt. Col. LB Botts.

Dennis was a 1972 graduate of Newberry College where he earned a B.S. Degree in Economics and later received his Master's Degree from Clemson University. Coach Botts coaching career spanned over 33 years. He began his coaching career as an assistant football coach and head basketball coach at Calhoun Falls High School. He later became the head football coach at Calhoun Falls where he served for seven seasons. In 1989 he became the head football coach at Abbeville High School where he coached for 15 years. During his time as head coach his teams earned 12 Region Championships, 4 Upper State Championships, and 2 State Championships in 1991 and 1996. Coach Botts was also named Coach of the Year 10 times in his Region and 3 times he was the Coach of the Year for the entire sovereign state of South Carolina. In 2003 he became the winningest football coach in Abbeville High School history with 147 wins. During his time as head coach his teams earned 188 victories.

Coach Botts was not only a great football coach he was a devoted family man. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Coach Botts was also very proud to be a part of the Abbeville community. He was always appreciative of the support the community gave to him during his years in Abbeville. Coach Botts was an avid fisherman having won many tournaments during his fishing career. One thing Coach Botts enjoyed more than football was spending time with his boys, fishing. Coach also loved spending time with his grandchildren Alex, Nate, Cruz and Meg. He would speak of them everyday.

Coach Botts was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.

He is survived by: his wife Dionne Mallory Botts of the home, one daughter Shannon and son-in-law Tony Temple of Abbeville, two sons Jonathan Botts of the home and Wayne and daughter-in-law Lana Botts of Abbeville two brothers Bill Botts of Abbeville and Michael Botts of Lake Secession his mother Johnnie "Jewel" Loftis Botts of Abbeville and grandchildren Alex, Nate, and Cruz Temple, and Meg Botts.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday Dec. 13, 2003 at 11am from Hite Stadium on the campus of Abbeville High School with the Rev's Lee Bryant and Bob Clemons with Coach Dick Williams officiating. The burial will follow in Long Cane Cemetery, Abbeville, South Carolina.

The body is at the Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00pm on Friday evening. The family is at the home 97 Noble Estates.

The family requests that flowers be omitted and that memorials be made to the Dennis Botts Memorial Scholarship Fund C/O Bank of Abbeville P.O. Box 400 Abbeville , SC 29620.

THE CHANDLER-JACKSON FUNERAL HOME, ABBEVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA IS IN CHARGE.

Visitation

Chandler-Jackson Funeral Home
208 South Main Street
Abbeville, SC  29620
Dec 12, 2003
5:00-8:00 PM

Service

Abbeville High School
701 WASHINGTON ST
Abbeville, SC  29620
Dec 13, 2003
11:00 AM

Interment

Long Cane Cemetery
Due West Hwy
Abbeville ,  SC  29620