Gay Evans Whitt

Gay Evans Whitt, age 84 of Unicoi, TN, tap danced into the heavenly arms of her Lord on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving husband, Jerry, and children Mike and Amy. Gay was long-time member of First Christian Church of Erwin. "Ms. Gay", as she was affectionately known to her thousands of dance students, was born to Ralph Augustus Evans and Ruth Hinkle Evans on December 14, 1940, in Johnson City, TN. Ms. Gay graduated from Science Hill High School in the class of 1958 where she was selected as most talented. Ms. Gay was multitalented. She played piano, organ and clarinet. She was the organist at Boones Creek Methodist church for several years, the same church where she and Jerry married. She also sang in the choir at First Christian Church in Erwin, wrote poetry and was an excellent seamstress. She made the baptistry curtains and communion table cloth at First Christian Church, Erwin. As she was growing up, she made much of her clothing. In fact, she made her own wedding dress when she and Jerry were married. Ms. Gay also drew the house plans for their former home in Jonesborough and their current home in Unicoi. She worked for both the Internal Revenue Service and the Veteran's Administration, as a secretary. Ms. Gay's primary vocation was teaching dance. Her career as a dance educator spanned 70 years. In 1955, at age 15, she began teaching for Holloway School of Dance, in both Johnson City, TN and Kingsport, TN under the direction of Reece Holloway Toohey. In 1965, she married Jerry (aka Mr. Jerry) Whitt of Erwin, TN, on the promise that she could continue teaching dance as long as she wished. She often laughed in telling Mr. Jerry he didn't know what he was getting himself into when he made that promise. In 1971, she opened her first dance school on Gay Street in Erwin with Mr. Jerry as her partner and business manager. In 1972 she opened her studio in Jonesborough. Eventually, she had studios in Johnson City, Greeneville and Boones Creek. Ms. Gay was a long-standing member of several professional dance associations. Among those are Dance Masters of America (local Chapter, Carolina Dancemasters); Dance Educators of America; National Association of Dance and Affiliated Artists and the International Tap Association, having been tested to teach under the guidelines of these organizations. She served numerous times on the faculty of Dance Masters Regional Convention and Dansorama by the Sea National Convention. Ms. Gay choreographed, directed and produced the Miss Historic Jonesborough Scholarship Pageant, a Miss Tennessee Preliminary Pageant, for over 20 years. Two of those titleholders, Miss Sarah Leonard and Miss Kathleen Brang went on to earn the title of Miss Tennessee. Ms. Gay always strived to give her dancers the very best dance education. In addition to her own excellent instruction, she brought several nationally-known dance instructors to her studio. Among these were the late Nilo Toldedo and Ronn Daniels, Judy Bassing and Barry Lather. Ms. Gay often provided free workshops and seminars to her students. Ms. Gay also offered tuition-free scholarships to deserving students. She loved her dance students and their families. Former students often commented about how Ms. Gay had influenced their lives in such a positive way. They remembered the life lessons she taught them and how they felt she was such a good role model for them. Ms. Gay was always so happy to see the success of young people's lives she had taught, whether the success was in dance or another field. Her former students included teachers, doctors, nurses and lawyers. Some of her students toured with the international group, "Up with People". One of her former tap students, Michael Blevins, starred on Broadway in "A Chorus Line" and is now a nationally-known teacher and choreographer. Ms. Gay and Mr. Jerry were very supportive of each other's special interest. Ms. Gay insisted that Mr. Jerry loved golf almost as she loved teaching dance. Services for Gay Evans Whitt will be conducted from First Christian Church, Erwin, Tn on May 3, 2025. Visitation will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The Purpose of Life Celebration will begin at 3:00 pm with Dr. Todd Edmondson officiating. Funeral arrangements are provided by Valley Funeral Home, Erwin, TN. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to The Children's Advocacy Center of Sullivan County or First Christian Church, Erwin. The family wishes to thank Caris Hospice Service for their gentle, loving care of Ms. Gay during her illness.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Gay Evans Whitt through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N Main Ave., Erwin, TN. 37650. (423)743-9187.