Bette Welshan Bacon

Bette Welshan Bacon, born July 1929 in Knoxville, TN passed into her heavenly reward on February 15, 2026 at The Lantern at Morning Pointe in West Knoxville after living a long, loving, successful and eventful life. She is survived by a sister in law, 6 nieces, one nephew and many precious grand nieces and nephews. She is preceded by her husband of 68 years (Joseph Duncan Bacon), 3 brothers in law, one sister in law,1 niece and 2 nephews.

Bette grew up with her mother, grand mother and great grandmother in a nice home close to the UT campus. She graduated from Knoxville High School in1947 with her best friend and the two of them married two of the Bacon brothers of Farragut who they met while she attended the University of Tennessee. The 4 of them loved dancing and even occasionally won a few dance contests. Bette married the love of her life in 1952.

Bette began her career in banking at Valley Bank in the 50's. She was a sought-after mentor for her colleagues and indeed mentored several future banking and finance professionals. With a combination of intelligence, hard work, social skills and talent Bette rose to the position of Trust Officer in an era when that was not a common role for a woman. A remarkable feat!

In her personal life Bette sang in the St John's Cathedral choir with her husband for 63 years. She served the community in the Knoxville Symphony League, Westmoreland Garden Club, the East Tennessee Historical Society, the Blount Mansion Association and was a supporting member of the Knoxville Opera Company. She loved antiquing, gardening, decorating and fashion. She also was a regular volunteer at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center in Knoxville at the information desk for many years.

The best way this author can summarize Bette Bacon would be to say "you could fill up Neyland stadium to the max and when Bette Bacon walked in, she would be the nicest person there.

A Celebration of Life will be held at St. John's Cathedral Chapel on March 31, 2026 at 1:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. John's Endowment Fund.