Crothers' long-awaited retirement shindig, State Farm Grand Opening Saturday

DAYTON–Long-time local insurance agent Bette Lou Crothers, who retired July 31, 2020, will be the guest of honor at a retirement celebration and grand opening this Saturday, sponsored by State Farm's recently appointed agent, Avren Childers, and commemorating the continuance of the agency here. The event at the State Farm Agency, 201 E. Main Street, starts at 10 a.m. and concludes at 2 p.m.

Crothers retired in the depths of the pandemic last summer and a proper and fitting retirement celebration had to be postponed due to coronavirus restrictions.

"I am excited and delighted to take over as the Dayton State Farm agent from the incomparable Bette Lou Crothers," Childers said this week.

In addition to feting Crothers, Childers is celebrating 30 years of service in the State Farm agency by Diana Ashley. "Diana is celebrating 30 years with State Farm," Childers said, "and Angie will be celebrating 35 years this fall and Diane celebrating 14 years. All have built deep bonds in this area and we all look forward to moving as one into the future.

"We will keep the same great service level and tradition of excellence strong as we grow," Childers said.

She also will introduce Carie Brooks, who has over 20 years of insurance experience. "She was born and raised in the Dayton area, moving to Walla Walla in her adolescence," Childers said. "She also has deep roots here and we are excited to have her on our team."

The public is invited to the corner of 2nd and Main to meet, greet and congratulate Crothers and Childers, and meet the State Farm team. Kiwanis Club will be serving hot dogs and Easter eggs will be available for the youngsters.

Crothers' retirement was just shy of what would've been starting her fortieth year in the insurance agency.

"I've truly enjoyed my policy holders and feel fortunate because of the community we're in," she said in a July, 2020, story in the Dayton Chronicle. "Policy holders are like family members. I so appreciate their support and loyalty all these years.

"I have stood at fires and literally handed out cost-of-living expense checks," Crothers remembered. "While insurance can be a difficult profession, when you see someone lose all or most of what they've worked for for years, and you can be there to help, that's the fulfilling part."

Crothers' father and mother, Gene and Sammy Anderson, came to Dayton in the 1960s to work on Little Goose and Lower Monumental dams, and her growing years had been a succession of cities and towns in Arizona, Oregon, California and Washington, including being the only fourth grader in Steptoe School. She was here for the last two years of high school, graduating with the Class of 1968.

When her youngest daughter started school, she started job hunting and was hired by Wally Payne. Although she didn't know anything about insurance, Payne recognized her work ethic. After a spell, she was offered the State Farm agency when Floyd McCauley retired, starting September 1, 1981.

Since retiring, she has accepted the position of president of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce.