Mary “Bootsie” June Dove Killen, 89, of Dayton, Texas, passed away on Sept. 25, 2026. She was born on June 11, 1937, in Rayville, Louisiana, to William Dove and Ruby Jewel Phillips Dove.
Bootsie was a graduate of Barbers Hill High School and made Dayton her home for more than 60 years. Over the years, she worked at Western Auto, Dayton Flower Shop, and The Vineyard. A familiar face to many, Bootsie was truly a fixture in the Dayton community and formed countless friendships throughout her lifetime.
She was a longtime and very active member of First Baptist Church of Dayton, where her faith and church family were an important part of her life.
Bootsie was especially well known around Dayton for her delicious cakes and pies, earning her the reputation of being the community’s “cake and pie lady.” She enjoyed sharing her baking with others and was always happy to have something sweet nearby. She loved diet Dr. Pepper, candy, and her snacks. She also enjoyed trips to the casino with her sister, Maxine, and treasured the fun memories they shared together.
Bootsie will be remembered for the many ways she became a part of the fabric of the Dayton community. After more than six decades in Dayton, she leaves behind a lifetime of memories and many people who knew and loved her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Ruby Dove; her husband, William Killen; her son, Roger Wallace Medlin; her daughter, Kimberly “Tootie” “2T” Renee Killen; and her brother, Billy Joe Dove.
Bootsie is survived by her son, Melvin Medlin; her sisters, Maxine Helen Mosley and husband Lewis, and Bobbie Jean Jones and husband Fulton; her grandchildren, Blake Medlin, Hunter Medlin and wife Makenzie, Alexys Brown and husband Brandon, and Kaitlynn deGaynor and husband Drake; and her great-grandchildren, Banks Medlin, Jensen Medlin, Karsyn Medlin, and Logan deGaynor; as well as numerous extended family members, friends, and members of the Dayton community who will miss her dearly.
A visitation for Bootsie will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026, at Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton. Her funeral service will follow at 11 a.m., with Pastor Randy Piatt officiating.
Serving as pallbearers will be Blake Medlin, Hunter Medlin, Drake deGaynor, Cory Ripkowski, River Mosley, and John Keller.
Honorary pallbearers will be Blue Secatero, Art Guerrero, Ronnie Mosley, Keith Carroll, and Zack Mosley.