Mrs. Florence Elizabeth "Betty" Morris McWhorter

BETTY MORRIS McWHORTER, age 84, of Knoxville, went to be with the Lord Monday, August 15, 2016, surrounded by her loving family. She was a lifelong resident of Knoxville. After graduating from Central High School, she attended the University of Tennessee where she was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority and a varsity cheerleader. There she met the love of her life, David McWhorter. They were married in 1953 and enjoyed 53 wonderful years together until his passing in 2006. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She was blessed throughout her life to be surrounded by many dear friends and was deeply grateful for their love and care, which she received in abundance. Betty loved having a “project” and leaves a legacy of many places in East Tennessee that reflect her beauty and creativity. She gave herself to her community in many ways. In 1969, desiring to share the love of God which she herself had received, Betty helped envision and found The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville. Through the Pageant, scores in Knoxville and surrounding communities hear again each Christmas the greatest story ever told - the story of Christ’s birth. Betty and David were longtime members of Central United Methodist Church which she loved and served tirelessly for many years. In later years, they joined Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church where she was active and served in many ways. The family would like to express its deep gratitude to the many caregivers, CNA’s, nurses and doctors who cared for Betty with us. We are forever indebted for the heartfelt skill, wisdom, care, comfort and support we received. Betty was preceded in death by her husband, David, her parents, Walter Lee and Florence Phillips Morris, and is survived by her loving family: children, Mark McWhorter and wife, Mary McWhorter, Kim Rolfes and husband, Frank Rolfes, Greg McWhorter, and wife, Jan McWhorter; grandchildren, Katie Tummins (Jason), Betsy Ford (Nathaniel), Haley Shukla (Piyush), Mac McWhorter (Karen), Andy Rolfes (Jenny), Laura Forrester (Taylor), Gregory Rolfes (Whitni), Carson McWhorter, Will McWhorter (fiancé, Becca) and Meg McWhorter; great grandchildren, Sam and Tyler Tummins, John and Carter Ford, Ajara Shukla, Drew and Matthew Rolfes, Harrison and Gray Forrester, Marshall and McWhorter Rolfes; sisters, Carrie Belle Herd and Ann Sherbakoff, and many sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Following a private interment service at Highland Memorial Cemetery, there will be a memorial service at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church, Dr. Holton Siegling, Jr., Rev. Mark Lampley and Rev. Rachel Hamburger officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in Barron Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville, P.O. Box 53258, Knoxville, Tennessee 37950. Online condolences may be sent to www.rosemortuary.com. Arrangements provided by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

Tributes

Mrs. Florence Elizabeth "Betty" Morris McWhorter

January 18, 1932 - August 15, 2016