Elizabeth Fowlkes Worden

WORDEN, ELIZABETH FOWLKES (BETSY) - age 70, passed away on Thursday, January 19, 2006 while on vacation with her husband of 42 years, Stuart R. Worden, in French Polynesia. Mrs. Worden suffered a cerebral hemorrhage Wednesday while taking a morning ocean swim in Bora Bora. She was airlifted to a hospital in Tahiti, where she died Thursday afternoon. An artist, a teacher and a Knoxville civic leader, Betsy Worden received her B.A. in fine arts from the University of Tennessee, and did postgraduate studies at Atlanta School of Art, the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and the University of Tennessee. Betsy Worden's art is represented in several major art collections, including those of President Gerald Ford, Joan Mondale, the Heard Collection, and the Knoxville Museum of Art. Betsy Worden first worked professionally as Art Director at Zell Manufacturing, a screen printing company in Atlanta, Georgia. A painter, tapestry weaver and printmaker, she was a longtime instructor at the Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts in Gatlinburg, and taught watercolor classes for the Knoxville Museum of Art. A leader in the Knoxville arts community, Betsy Worden was a board member of many arts organizations, including the Art Market Gallery, of which she was a co-founder. She was also a co-founder of the Community School of the Arts and served as an officer and board member for numerous arts organizations. She was a past president of the Knoxville Watercolor Society and was an active member of the Tennessee Watercolor Society, the Art and Antiques Gallery, Southern Highland Handicraft Guild, the Foothills Craft Guild and Tennessee Women in the Arts. She chaired ArtFest for the Knoxville Arts Council, and served on the group's board. She was a 1986 graduate of Leadership Knoxville and was selected to provide Dogwood Arts Festival prints in 1980 and 2001. In 1997 Betsy Worden was named the Knoxville Arts Council Artist of the Year and in 2000 the Arts Council honored her with its Lifetime Achievement award. She is survived by: her husband, Stuart Worden; sons, John Worden of Knoxville, David Worden and wife, Missy of Atlanta; daughter, Mary Stuart (Minky) Worden and husband, Gordon Crovitz of New York City; grandsons, Penn Worden, Shepard Worden and Jack Crovitz. Her long and distinguished arts career notwithstanding, Betsy Worden said her proudest achievements were her children and grandchildren. Funeral service 3:00 p.m. Monday at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Harris Schultz, Dr. Paul Rader, and Dr. Jack Davis officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the church. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Community School of the Arts, 620 State St, Knoxville, TN 37902. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel. www.rosemortuary.com.