Service with a smile: Betty Johnston finds her home at Silver Dollar City

When Betty Johnston was a little girl, she knew what it meant to never truly settle. Her stepfather was a sought-after bricklayer, so the Johnston family was always on the move. In one single year, Betty changed schools 32 times—each time having to adjust to a new town, a new classroom and new faces.

Having a childhood blurred with unfamiliar places and short-lived friendships has made the past 36 years of her adulthood even sweeter. It was the first year of Silver Dollar City’s Christmas festival (https://www.silverdollarcity.com/theme-park/festivals/an-old-time-christmas/) when Betty took a job in food service at the park and finally found her home.

Over the years, she’s weathered personal tragedies, including the loss of family members, but Silver Dollar City has remained a constant source of support.

“I’ve lost two brothers and a step-sister during my time here, but this place has always had my back through the heartbreaks,” she says, her voice filled with emotion. “They’ve got me.”

Her dedication to the park and the people around her has made Betty a beloved figure among both staff and visitors. Her cheerful spirit, coupled with a deep understanding of what it means to feel like part of something larger, has made her a fixture at Mollie’s Mill Restaurant for nearly four decades.

“I don’t do this for the money, I do this because it feels good to serve others. If a child comes in upset and crying or if the parents are hot and cranky, it’s my goal to have them smiling before they leave my restaurant.”

And, she sure does. She’s impacted countless families through the years as a foster parent and also a server to multiple generations at the Mill.

“I’ve waited on little girls who’ve grown up then brought their own families in to see me for supper,” Betty says with a smile. “That’s a real joy for me to care for guests and watch them grow and thrive through the generations.”

It’s also a joy for her to watch her beloved City grow and thrive.

“I get so tickled just thinking about what in the world we’re going to do next,” she beams. “It makes me really proud to be a part of the legacy we’re creating here.”

A recent medical scare opened her eyes even more to the love that lingers through these Ozark hills. An ulcer the size of a silver dollar—oddly enough— brought her to her knees.

“I was in the hospital a few weeks and received all sorts of cards, including from Brad Thomas (Silver Dollar City president). He always makes me feel so special when he calls me Lady Betty. I try to be like him because he’s always smiling and you never can tell if he’s going through something hard. I try to leave my problems at home and give my guests the best version of me.”

The best version of Betty is slowing down these days—her body is telling her it’s time to rest.

“I’ve gone to part-time to recharge a bit in between work days, but my heart is so fulfilled every time I get to be here. What a blessing it is for a gal my age to be able to do what she loves. For me, that’s giving guests my heart.”