Carolyn Burns Foxwoth

Carolyn Burns Foxworth was born in Dallas, Texas, April 30, 1937, to Robert and Dibrell Burns, and died peacefully on June 23, 2017. Carolyn had been in declining health for several years, stemming from a stroke in 2010. Carolyn is survived by her husband of almost 60 years, Walter Foxworth, son and daughter-in-law, Jack & Dodie Foxworth, and Jack’s children, Walter, Fontaine & Margaux, son and daughter-in-law Bob & Cindy Foxworth, and their children Brandon & Holden, son and daughter-in-law Bill and Gabriella Foxworth, and their children Jaqueline, Iago & Lorenzo. She is predeceased by her parents and her daughter-in-law, Sara Beckham Foxworth.

Carolyn was raised in Webster Groves, Missouri, attending Webster Groves High School. As a child, Carolyn loved to paint. Having been offered Hallmark art scholarships to any college, Carolyn moved to Austin, Texas, where she attended the University of Texas, 1955-1959, studying Fine Arts. Carolyn became a talented artist, having exhibited in the Museum of Art, Paris, France, as part of the Women Artists of the World exhibit in the early 1960s. With passion, Carolyn continued her oil painting until parenting and civic interests began to demand more of her time.

Carolyn devoted much of her life to civic interests, including serving on the Dallas Museum of Art Board, where she co-chaired the Museum Ball, and the Junior League of Dallas where she was President. In addition, she served on the Crystal Charity Ball Board, the Dallas County Mental Health and Retardation Board, the Development Committee of The University of Texas at Dallas, and was appointed by then Governor Bill Clements to the Texas State Fine Arts Commission. Carolyn was the Assistant Director for Public Affairs of the Dallas Museum of Art, and later in her career served as Vice President and Regional Representative for Christie’s, the renowned fine art and collectible auction house.

Carolyn was a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, previously having been awarded the Outstanding Theta Alum. In addition to her Theta sorority friendships, Carolyn loved cross country skiing, and tennis, where she was a member of Northwood Club, Brookhollow Golf Club, and the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs, and a lifelong member of The Dallas Woman’s Club. Carolyn was an avid art collector, specializing in Pre-Columbian art, traveling to Mexico and Central America, where she enjoyed exploring newly discovered archeological sites.

Carolyn was a successful, driven, business woman and organizer of all things. Carolyn could “get the job done,” herd cats, and produce the results which everyone who knew her came to expect. In addition to her leadership skills, Carolyn was socially and philanthropically adept, and could cultivate the resources needed for success. Carolyn was a “mover and shaker.”

Carolyn loved her husband, Walter, and her sons, Jack, Bob & Bill, and their families. Some of Carolyn’s greatest joys were her grandchildren. Special family vacations doting on grandchildren included beaches in Florida and South Padre Island, and the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico. Whether demonstrating oil on canvas, or the nuances of sand castle construction, Carolyn lovingly shared her artistic eye with her grandchildren.

Carolyn will be missed by many, and always loved by more. Donations can be made in Carolyn’s memory to The Dallas Zoological Society, or the charity of your choice. A Memorial Service will be held at Sparkman/Hillcrest Funeral Home on Thursday, June 29, 2017, at 2:00 pm. Burial in Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery will be private.