Dr. Bramlett

Dr. Betty Jane Bramlett, of Spartanburg, SC, died unexpectedly on Sunday, February 1, 2015, at her home. Born August 7, 1925, in Augusta, GA, she was the daughter of the late Charner Scaife Bramlett and Lora Eunice Williams Bramlett. Dr. Bramlett moved to Spartanburg in her teens where she graduated from Spartanburg High School. She received a BA in fine arts from Converse College, and MA in fine arts and supervision from Columbia University, and an EDD from the University of South Carolina. For 42 years she served as Fine Arts Coordinator for Spartanburg County School District Seven, influencing generations of students and teachers; thousands have felt the impact of her dedication to arts education. Her artwork focused mainly upon the environment around her home, the creek, rocks, trees, grasses, and flowers that produced abstract works. Her works are familiar at numerous galleries, juried exhibitions, and private collections throughout the Carolinas. Her many awards at the local, state and national levels, include the following: At Converse College she was a recipient of the Alumnae Award for Career Achievement and was recognized in 2014 at Converse's 125th Anniversary as one of the top 125 graduates. In 1989 she was honored to receive South Carolina's Elizabeth O'Neill Verner Award for her artwork and for outstanding service in art education in her community and state. Other honors and awards have included Who's Who in American Art, Southeastern Regional Supervision Award of the Year, SC Art Education Association Lifetime Achievement Award and Art Educator of the Year, the Award for Outstanding Contributions in the Visual Arts at Spartanburg County Vocational School, and the Spartanburg District 7 Orchestra Program Award. In 2003, her work was recognized as Best in Show at the NAEA Electronic Gallery Juried Exhibition. To many, she was fondly known as "Miss Art Education" and has served as a wonderful mentor and friend. She has served as a Founding Member, Board member and Secretary of the Spartanburg County Artists' Guild. She has been a member of both the National Art and Music Education Associations, both the South Carolina Art (past President, and Secretary) and Music Education Associations, Chairman of the Scholastic Arts for South Carolina, President of the Spartanburg County Art Association, Advisory Board of the Spartanburg County Arts Council, Southeastern and South Carolina Watercolor Society, the Upstate Artists and served as a Board member of the Music Foundation of Spartanburg. She has been well known as a strong supporter of the arts which include music and drama organizations and programs in the community. Dr. Bramlett has been a member of the Battle of Cowpens Chapter of the DAR, the Daughters of the American Colonists (First Vice President), and the Literary Guild. She was an active member of The Episcopal Church of the Advent. Survivors include a number of cousins, close friends, and her beloved pets Annie, Sally, and Winston Churchill. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Charner Williams Bramlett. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 PM Thursday, February 12, 2015, at The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent St., Spartanburg, SC 29302, by the Rev. J. Edward Morris. Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307. Visitation in the Parish and Community Life Center of The Episcopal Church of the Advent will follow the committal. Honorary Escort will be Art Teachers who worked with Betty during her career in the schools. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Spartanburg County Foundation, 424 East Kennedy Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Dr. Betty Jane Bramlett please visit our Sympathy Store.