On May 29th 2022, Betty Foy Sanders passed away peacefully comforted by the fact she had been able to remain in her home in the later years of her remarkable life. Betty had suffered many years with a variety of ailments that were manageable thanks to her devoted daughter, Betty and the many equally devoted caregivers, who did their very best to make her life as comfortable as possible . Betty Foy Sanders' life was in many ways a storybook, having grown up living on a family farm outside of Statesboro in a community called Adabelle. In her childhood there, her playmates were primarily relatives and farmhands. At age 16 things changed when she lost her father, eventually resulting in her mother and sister, Teresa, moving to Statesboro. Betty's mother, Ida Teresa Foy, aka Doll Foy, was a strong and determined woman, who worked selling insurance and managing the family farm to support her two girls. I might add that Moma Doll did a fine job, considering few women at that time were working in what was traditionally a Man's world. Betty's youth in Statesboro was what one might expect- participating in sports, beauty pageants, and other like activities teenagers happily do. After a brief time spent in college at what is now Georgia Southern, Betty transferred to The University of Georgia, where she pledged the Tri Delta Sorority. It was there that she met her eventual husband of 67 years, Carl Sanders. Soon after Carl's graduation from law school, they married and went on to have two children, Betty Foy and Carl Jr. Soon after, Carl became an aspiring young politician who ultimately held the highest Office in the State of Georgia, Governor Carl E. Sanders. That journey for Betty Sanders was quite challenging and even frightening for a young woman, whose life had begun in a rural small community of less than 100. Her husband Carl had been a USAF aviator prior to law school, so it was natural for him to campaign around the state piloting his own plane with an often-frightened young wife. Betty's life experiences had served her well, having the ability to relate to people of all stripes. She was just as comfortable entertaining presidents and royalty as she was chewing the fat with farmers like she had grown up with. While Betty was wonderful in her role as the First Lady of Georgia, she was quite capable in her own right and in actuality rode no one's coattails to make her mark in life. Betty graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Throughout her life her central focus in her works, and those of other Georgians, was all about the state. From the hills of North Georgia to the shores of our coast, all were near and dear to her artistic mission. While in office, she was instrumental in the creation of The Georgia Council for the Arts and spearheaded the committee to design, furnish and construct the current Governor's Mansion. In later life, she also become a major benefactor to Georgia Southern University. Her pet project, as one might expect, was helping the University enhance their School of Art program. Her mission was to give those students a first class environment to hone their skills. Her efforts were evidently recognized, and today The School of Art bears her name. Having received this recognition, she doubled down her efforts to create a Betty Foy Sanders Scholarship Fund and Betty Foy Sanders Art Student Travel Fund to enable students to visit significant art venues throughout the state and the southeast. Her reward for her support of those students was her reading those many thank you letters from those many students she regularly received. Previously, now 50 years ago, she established the Betty Foy Sanders Collection of Art, representing many forms of Georgia art and artists. Betty was indeed a remarkable multi-faceted lady, who loved her family dearly and cherished her roots until the day she died. "Well done , good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25..21
Her immediate family includes her sister, Teresa Brannen, her daughter and son-in-law, Betty and David Botts, and son, Austin Botts, deceased, Michael Botts, daughter, Alyssa and husband Seth Tomason, and Austin Botts, deceased. Her son ,Carl Sanders Jr, his daughter Caroline Hamburg, His daughter and son-in-law, Keaton and Taylor Martin, his son Carl Sanders III , and 5 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank all of those people who did their best to love her and make her as comfortable as possible. Our thanks to her caregivers and long-term family employees, Margie Simms, Joanne Duffey, Craig Phillips, and Willie Derrico. A private graveside service was held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 at Westover memorial park cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks contributions be made to the Georgia Southern University Betty Foy Sanders Scholarship Fund and/or Art Student Travel Fund, Georgia Southern University Foundation, P.O. Box 1107 Statesboro Ga 30459 Attn. Jeff Garland.
Betty Foy Sanders, Statesboro native, artist, philanthropist and former First Lady of Georgia died on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the age of 95.
According to the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Betty Bird Foy Sanders was born to a farming family in Statesboro on August 6, 1926. She spent a year at the Georgia Teacher's College, and then earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia. She met Carl Sanders at UGA, and they married in 1947. They moved to Augusta, Carl Sanders's hometown, where Carl practiced law. When he entered politics, Betty campaigned with him, and they moved to Atlanta when Carl was elected governor in 1962. As the first lady of Georgia, she raised two children, helped develop the new governor's mansion, and entertained many renowned politicians and business leaders.
Betty Foy Sanders was a legend in the Georgia art world, especially in Statesboro, and the Averitt Center for the Arts confirmed that status by naming her the 2015 Legend in the Arts Award Inductee. Sanders joins Emma Kelly, Willie McTell, Michael Braz, Roxie Remley and Delmar Presley as the sixth named Legend. Within the Georgia
community, these men and women are known not only for their amazing artistic abilities, but for their contributions to the area's arts culture.
A lasting tribute to Sanders' steadfast support of Statesboro and Georgia Southern University is the visual arts department that bears her name: The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art.
Betty Foy Sanders whole-heartedly pursued her interest for student education in the visual arts. During her husband's tenure as governor, her efforts toward the construction of several fine arts buildings and additions for the University System of Georgia were exceptional —including Georgia Southern's Foy Fine Arts Building, named for her father J. P. Foy. Truly student centered, Sanders established
generous academic scholarships, student travel scholarships and opportunities for the art students of Georgia Southern University —including 'the Betty Bus' to transport students to exhibitions, artists' studios and sites for creative inspiration. Through her generosity and model of excellence, Betty Foy Sanders has provided for the next generation of Georgia artists, and has honored Georgia Southern with that responsibility.
"I have always wanted to help students," she said. Sanders views her donations as a way of giving back to the University that has meant so much to her personally.
"There's something about Georgia Southern. This is an opportunity for me to educate, instruct and direct future generations," Betty Foy Sanders said proudly during the dedication of the GS Art Department bearing her name.
"I have never met anyone who could hold a candle to her warmth, graciousness, and sharp mind. Her beautiful and regal physical presence becomes even more enchanting when she begins communicating with her wit, her ability to converse about anything and everything, especially about art," said Dr. Patricia Carter, GS Professor/BFSDoA Department Chair Emerita. "Her genuine interest in others, and her ability to make others feel valuable with her gentle and kind words. Really, she's a legendary human-being, and yet she describes herself as "a country girl from Statesboro, Georgia."
Her immediate family includes her sister, Teresa Brannen, her daughter and son-in-law, Betty and David Botts, and son, Austin Botts, deceased, Michael Botts, daughter, Alyssa and husband Seth Tomason, and Austin Botts, deceased. Her son ,Carl Sanders Jr, his daughter Caroline Hamburg, His daughter and son-in-law, Keaton and Taylor Martin, his son Carl Sanders III , and 5 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank all of those people who did their best to love her and make her as comfortable as possible. Our thanks to her caregivers and long-term family employees, Margie Simms, Joanne Duffey, Craig Phillips, and Willie Derrico. A private graveside service was held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 at Westover memorial park cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks contributions be made to the Georgia Southern University Betty Foy Sanders Scholarship Fund and/or Art Student Travel Fund, Georgia Southern University Foundation, P.O. Box 1107 Statesboro Ga 30459 Attn. Jeff Garland.
Betty Foy Sanders, Statesboro native, artist, philanthropist and former First Lady of Georgia died on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the age of 95.
According to the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Betty Bird Foy Sanders was born to a farming family in Statesboro on August 6, 1926. She spent a year at the Georgia Teacher's College, and then earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia. She met Carl Sanders at UGA, and they married in 1947. They moved to Augusta, Carl Sanders's hometown, where Carl practiced law. When he entered politics, Betty campaigned with him, and they moved to Atlanta when Carl was elected governor in 1962. As the first lady of Georgia, she raised two children, helped develop the new governor's mansion, and entertained many renowned politicians and business leaders.
Betty Foy Sanders was a legend in the Georgia art world, especially in Statesboro, and the Averitt Center for the Arts confirmed that status by naming her the 2015 Legend in the Arts Award Inductee. Sanders joins Emma Kelly, Willie McTell, Michael Braz, Roxie Remley and Delmar Presley as the sixth named Legend. Within the Georgia
community, these men and women are known not only for their amazing artistic abilities, but for their contributions to the area's arts culture.
A lasting tribute to Sanders' steadfast support of Statesboro and Georgia Southern University is the visual arts department that bears her name: The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art.
Betty Foy Sanders whole-heartedly pursued her interest for student education in the visual arts. During her husband's tenure as governor, her efforts toward the construction of several fine arts buildings and additions for the University System of Georgia were exceptional —including Georgia Southern's Foy Fine Arts Building, named for her father J. P. Foy. Truly student centered, Sanders established
generous academic scholarships, student travel scholarships and opportunities for the art students of Georgia Southern University —including 'the Betty Bus' to transport students to exhibitions, artists' studios and sites for creative inspiration. Through her generosity and model of excellence, Betty Foy Sanders has provided for the next generation of Georgia artists, and has honored Georgia Southern with that responsibility.
"I have always wanted to help students," she said. Sanders views her donations as a way of giving back to the University that has meant so much to her personally.
"There's something about Georgia Southern. This is an opportunity for me to educate, instruct and direct future generations," Betty Foy Sanders said proudly during the dedication of the GS Art Department bearing her name.
"I have never met anyone who could hold a candle to her warmth, graciousness, and sharp mind. Her beautiful and regal physical presence becomes even more enchanting when she begins communicating with her wit, her ability to converse about anything and everything, especially about art," said Dr. Patricia Carter, GS Professor/BFSDoA Department Chair Emerita. "Her genuine interest in others, and her ability to make others feel valuable with her gentle and kind words. Really, she's a legendary human-being, and yet she describes herself as "a country girl from Statesboro, Georgia."
On May 29th 2022, Betty Foy Sanders passed away peacefully comforted by the fact she had been able to remain in her home in the later years of her remarkable life. Betty had suffered many years with a variety of ailments that were manageable thanks to her devoted daughter, Betty and the many equally devoted caregivers, who did their very best to make her life as comfortable as possible . Betty Foy Sanders' life was in many ways a storybook, having grown up living on a family farm outside of Statesboro in a community called Adabelle. In her childhood there, her playmates were primarily relatives and farmhands. At age 16 things changed when she lost her father, eventually resulting in her mother and sister, Teresa, moving to Statesboro. Betty's mother, Ida Teresa Foy, aka Doll Foy, was a strong and determined woman, who worked selling insurance and managing the family farm to support her two girls. I might add that Moma Doll did a fine job, considering few women at that time were working in what was traditionally a Man's world. Betty's youth in Statesboro was what one might expect- participating in sports, beauty pageants, and other like activities teenagers happily do. After a brief time spent in college at what is now Georgia Southern, Betty transferred to The University of Georgia, where she pledged the Tri Delta Sorority. It was there that she met her eventual husband of 67 years, Carl Sanders. Soon after Carl's graduation from law school, they married and went on to have two children, Betty Foy and Carl Jr. Soon after, Carl became an aspiring young politician who ultimately held the highest Office in the State of Georgia, Governor Carl E. Sanders. That journey for Betty Sanders was quite challenging and even frightening for a young woman, whose life had begun in a rural small community of less than 100. Her husband Carl had been a USAF aviator prior to law school, so it was natural for him to campaign around the state piloting his own plane with an often-frightened young wife. Betty's life experiences had served her well, having the ability to relate to people of all stripes. She was just as comfortable entertaining presidents and royalty as she was chewing the fat with farmers like she had grown up with. While Betty was wonderful in her role as the First Lady of Georgia, she was quite capable in her own right and in actuality rode no one's coattails to make her mark in life. Betty graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Throughout her life her central focus in her works, and those of other Georgians, was all about the state. From the hills of North Georgia to the shores of our coast, all were near and dear to her artistic mission. While in office, she was instrumental in the creation of The Georgia Council for the Arts and spearheaded the committee to design, furnish and construct the current Governor's Mansion. In later life, she also become a major benefactor to Georgia Southern University. Her pet project, as one might expect, was helping the University enhance their School of Art program. Her mission was to give those students a first class environment to hone their skills. Her efforts were evidently recognized, and today The School of Art bears her name. Having received this recognition, she doubled down her efforts to create a Betty Foy Sanders Scholarship Fund and Betty Foy Sanders Art Student Travel Fund to enable students to visit significant art venues throughout the state and the southeast. Her reward for her support of those students was her reading those many thank you letters from those many students she regularly received. Previously, now 50 years ago, she established the Betty Foy Sanders Collection of Art, representing many forms of Georgia art and artists. Betty was indeed a remarkable multi-faceted lady, who loved her family dearly and cherished her roots until the day she died. "Well done , good and faithful servant!" Matthew 25..21
Her immediate family includes her sister, Teresa Brannen, her daughter and son-in-law, Betty and David Botts, and son, Austin Botts, deceased, Michael Botts, daughter, Alyssa and husband Seth Tomason, and Austin Botts, deceased. Her son ,Carl Sanders Jr, his daughter Caroline Hamburg, His daughter and son-in-law, Keaton and Taylor Martin, his son Carl Sanders III , and 5 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank all of those people who did their best to love her and make her as comfortable as possible. Our thanks to her caregivers and long-term family employees, Margie Simms, Joanne Duffey, Craig Phillips, and Willie Derrico. A private graveside service was held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 at Westover memorial park cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks contributions be made to the Georgia Southern University Betty Foy Sanders Scholarship Fund and/or Art Student Travel Fund, Georgia Southern University Foundation, P.O. Box 1107 Statesboro Ga 30459 Attn. Jeff Garland.
Betty Foy Sanders, Statesboro native, artist, philanthropist and former First Lady of Georgia died on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the age of 95.
According to the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Betty Bird Foy Sanders was born to a farming family in Statesboro on August 6, 1926. She spent a year at the Georgia Teacher's College, and then earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia. She met Carl Sanders at UGA, and they married in 1947. They moved to Augusta, Carl Sanders's hometown, where Carl practiced law. When he entered politics, Betty campaigned with him, and they moved to Atlanta when Carl was elected governor in 1962. As the first lady of Georgia, she raised two children, helped develop the new governor's mansion, and entertained many renowned politicians and business leaders.
Betty Foy Sanders was a legend in the Georgia art world, especially in Statesboro, and the Averitt Center for the Arts confirmed that status by naming her the 2015 Legend in the Arts Award Inductee. Sanders joins Emma Kelly, Willie McTell, Michael Braz, Roxie Remley and Delmar Presley as the sixth named Legend. Within the Georgia
community, these men and women are known not only for their amazing artistic abilities, but for their contributions to the area's arts culture.
A lasting tribute to Sanders' steadfast support of Statesboro and Georgia Southern University is the visual arts department that bears her name: The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art.
Betty Foy Sanders whole-heartedly pursued her interest for student education in the visual arts. During her husband's tenure as governor, her efforts toward the construction of several fine arts buildings and additions for the University System of Georgia were exceptional —including Georgia Southern's Foy Fine Arts Building, named for her father J. P. Foy. Truly student centered, Sanders established
generous academic scholarships, student travel scholarships and opportunities for the art students of Georgia Southern University —including 'the Betty Bus' to transport students to exhibitions, artists' studios and sites for creative inspiration. Through her generosity and model of excellence, Betty Foy Sanders has provided for the next generation of Georgia artists, and has honored Georgia Southern with that responsibility.
"I have always wanted to help students," she said. Sanders views her donations as a way of giving back to the University that has meant so much to her personally.
"There's something about Georgia Southern. This is an opportunity for me to educate, instruct and direct future generations," Betty Foy Sanders said proudly during the dedication of the GS Art Department bearing her name.
"I have never met anyone who could hold a candle to her warmth, graciousness, and sharp mind. Her beautiful and regal physical presence becomes even more enchanting when she begins communicating with her wit, her ability to converse about anything and everything, especially about art," said Dr. Patricia Carter, GS Professor/BFSDoA Department Chair Emerita. "Her genuine interest in others, and her ability to make others feel valuable with her gentle and kind words. Really, she's a legendary human-being, and yet she describes herself as "a country girl from Statesboro, Georgia."
Her immediate family includes her sister, Teresa Brannen, her daughter and son-in-law, Betty and David Botts, and son, Austin Botts, deceased, Michael Botts, daughter, Alyssa and husband Seth Tomason, and Austin Botts, deceased. Her son ,Carl Sanders Jr, his daughter Caroline Hamburg, His daughter and son-in-law, Keaton and Taylor Martin, his son Carl Sanders III , and 5 great grandchildren. The family would like to thank all of those people who did their best to love her and make her as comfortable as possible. Our thanks to her caregivers and long-term family employees, Margie Simms, Joanne Duffey, Craig Phillips, and Willie Derrico. A private graveside service was held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 at Westover memorial park cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family asks contributions be made to the Georgia Southern University Betty Foy Sanders Scholarship Fund and/or Art Student Travel Fund, Georgia Southern University Foundation, P.O. Box 1107 Statesboro Ga 30459 Attn. Jeff Garland.
Betty Foy Sanders, Statesboro native, artist, philanthropist and former First Lady of Georgia died on Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the age of 95.
According to the Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Betty Bird Foy Sanders was born to a farming family in Statesboro on August 6, 1926. She spent a year at the Georgia Teacher's College, and then earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia. She met Carl Sanders at UGA, and they married in 1947. They moved to Augusta, Carl Sanders's hometown, where Carl practiced law. When he entered politics, Betty campaigned with him, and they moved to Atlanta when Carl was elected governor in 1962. As the first lady of Georgia, she raised two children, helped develop the new governor's mansion, and entertained many renowned politicians and business leaders.
Betty Foy Sanders was a legend in the Georgia art world, especially in Statesboro, and the Averitt Center for the Arts confirmed that status by naming her the 2015 Legend in the Arts Award Inductee. Sanders joins Emma Kelly, Willie McTell, Michael Braz, Roxie Remley and Delmar Presley as the sixth named Legend. Within the Georgia
community, these men and women are known not only for their amazing artistic abilities, but for their contributions to the area's arts culture.
A lasting tribute to Sanders' steadfast support of Statesboro and Georgia Southern University is the visual arts department that bears her name: The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art.
Betty Foy Sanders whole-heartedly pursued her interest for student education in the visual arts. During her husband's tenure as governor, her efforts toward the construction of several fine arts buildings and additions for the University System of Georgia were exceptional —including Georgia Southern's Foy Fine Arts Building, named for her father J. P. Foy. Truly student centered, Sanders established
generous academic scholarships, student travel scholarships and opportunities for the art students of Georgia Southern University —including 'the Betty Bus' to transport students to exhibitions, artists' studios and sites for creative inspiration. Through her generosity and model of excellence, Betty Foy Sanders has provided for the next generation of Georgia artists, and has honored Georgia Southern with that responsibility.
"I have always wanted to help students," she said. Sanders views her donations as a way of giving back to the University that has meant so much to her personally.
"There's something about Georgia Southern. This is an opportunity for me to educate, instruct and direct future generations," Betty Foy Sanders said proudly during the dedication of the GS Art Department bearing her name.
"I have never met anyone who could hold a candle to her warmth, graciousness, and sharp mind. Her beautiful and regal physical presence becomes even more enchanting when she begins communicating with her wit, her ability to converse about anything and everything, especially about art," said Dr. Patricia Carter, GS Professor/BFSDoA Department Chair Emerita. "Her genuine interest in others, and her ability to make others feel valuable with her gentle and kind words. Really, she's a legendary human-being, and yet she describes herself as "a country girl from Statesboro, Georgia."
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