New park pavilion honors longtime BHS counselor

May 1, 2025

By David Stone

Belton Journal

A large family pavilion was dedicated last week in memory of longtime Belton ISD counselor Debbie Potts who died last year.

Potts’ family donated funds for the pavilion through Belton’s Legacy Program, a unique way to honor others through the beautification of parks throughout the city.

The 20x30 pavilion is located in Chisholm Trail Park near Belton High School, Potts lived nearby and frequented the park almost daily. Her husband Neale, son Luke and daughter Lynsey Patrick donated money for the pavilion in her honor.

“Mom lived in Belton for 50 years and she worked as a guidance counselor at Belton High School for 33 years,” Lynsey said Friday. She fought a devastating battle with dementia for several years, and she died in August 2024.”

“She had expressed often that she didn’t want her loved ones to feel like they had to come visit her grave and stand around crying,” Lynsey added. “Her personality was unfailingly optimistic and positive, and she made the decision to donate her body to science in hopes that medical research could improve understanding of brain conditions like the one that took so much from her in those last years.”

“As we sat around her bedside at Stoney Brook in Belton during her last hours, my brother and father and I discussed the most fitting way to honor a woman who gave so much of her life to blessing others. We ultimately decided that giving a gift to the community that she loved so much would be the option she would have chosen.”

“Debbie and Neale Potts built a home on Dunns Canyon Road in the 1990’s and lived there for 30 years,” Lynsey continued. “When the city developed Chisholm Trail Park, it backed up directly to their yard. She spent countless hours walking on the trails in the park, both alone and with beloved long-time friends.”

Lynsey said that because her mom loved spending time at Chisholm Trail Park and at Belton High School events, the family decided the park would be the perfect place to donate something in her honor.

“My mom always loved to throw a party. She loved people, she loved Belton, and she loved fun. Gathering people was one of her favorite things in the world.

“We approached the city about our concept and asked them about possible options for a project that would improve life for everyone in Belton and serve as an enduring memorial. When they suggested donating a covered pavilion in Chisholm Trail Park, we knew this was a perfect way to memorialize a woman who truly loved Belton, loved to gather people, and enjoyed so many beautiful moments in that area.”

For more information about the Legacy Program, contact the Belton Parks & Recreation Department at (254) 933-5860.