Betti Bland-Volkers

Betti Bland-Volkers, 73, of Charleston, WV, peacefully passed from this life to one of eternal joy on Friday, February 17, 2017 at Hubbard Hospice House, Charleston. She was preceded in death by her husband, Kenneth Volkers, her parents, Noell and Pearl Maxwell Bland, her brother Robert Noell Bland, and her sister, Rebecca Ann Bland. She is survived by her children, Kenneth (Linda) Chadwick of Knoxville, TN and Charla Nicole (Wesley) Volkers-Cox of Waynesville, NC; her grandchildren, Caleah Pearl Cox and Siobian and Gary Pitts of Las Vegas, NV; nieces and nephews, Robin Bland, Shannon Bland and Heather (David) Parks of Charleston; and her grand-nieces and nephews, Kristen and Kathrine Parks and Noell, Maxwell and Jackson Bland. Betti was a graduate of St. Albans High School, class of 1961. She had an undergraduate degree in Sociology and Psychology from Ohio University, class of 1965. She attended Marshall University where she received her Master’s Degree in Art Education and completed coursework toward her doctorate degree. Her professional art training was continued at The Ringling School of Art and Design, The Silvermine School of Fine Arts and private study with nationally renowned artists. Betti was an art educator, both as a traveling art specialist for the Kanawha County school system and in private practice for 27 years. She served as an Adjunct Faculty member at West Virginia College of Graduate Studies (Marshall University), in the fields of art and special education. She also served as state program director for Very Special Arts of West Virginia. This program involves art, music and drama for the mentally and physically impaired. She was a charter member of the WV Watercolor Society, Allied Artists of WV, The National League of American Pen Women and WV 4-H All Stars. She has served as an elder, deacon and bible teacher in the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston. Betti currently worked from her home-studio as a private art consultant and freelance artist. Her work hangs in many private collections and galleries throughout the country. When not painting, her other interests included gardening, reading, organizing family memoirs, and singing/playing folk music on both mountain and hammer dulcimer. A celebration of Betti’s life will be 12:00 p.m., Monday, February 20, 2017 at First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, 16 Leon Sullivan Way, Charleston with Rev. William McCoy officiating. A reception will immediately follow the service. There will be a gathering of family and friends from 10:00 a.m. until service time at the church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.casdorphandcurry.com. Casdorph & Curry Funeral Home, 110 B Street, St. Albans is assisting the Volkers family with arrangements.