Elsie Jean Mc Whorter

Jean McWhorter, one of South Carolina’s renowned artist and educator, died at home surrounded by her art work. Her battle with cancer ended on February 12, 2011. She will be missed but her work remains “A thing of beauty is a joy forever”.

Born in Laurel, Mississippi in 1932, her talent developed at Central High School in Chattanooga, TN. She received her Bachelor's and Master's Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Georgia under Lamar Dodd, her inspiration.

As an educator she taught at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, The University of South Carolina, Newberry College and Benedict College. She taught drawing, painting and sculpture at the Museum School of The Columbia Museum of Art for twenty-three years and served as Director of The Museum School for six years. Her works of sculpture, drawing, painting, bronze reliefs, and lithography are represented in collections of both the private and public sector: The Gibbs Art Gallery, The Greenville Museum of Art, The Columbia Museum of Art, The Georgia Museum of Art, Columbia College of Columbia, SC, The Richland County Public Library and The University of South Carolina just to name a few. She was commissioned for pieces at: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School, Trinity Cathedral Chapel, Washington Street United Methodist Chapel, a piece of sculpture in the State House Complex and the prestigious Verner Award for The S.C. Arts Commission. One her contemporaries said that in the field of art, she was one of South Carolina’s finest.

 Those who knew her loved the passion, creativity and free spirit. She is survived by her sisters, Sandra ‘Kitty’ Johnson of Atlanta, GA and Carol Graham of Wichita, KS and brother, Ben McWhorter of Olympia, WA and their extended families and her friends. They would especially like to thank, Hospice Care of Tri-County and the professionals who cared for her.

Memorial Services will be held at Washington Street Methodist Chapel on February 25th at 3:30 pm, 1401 Washington St., Columbia, SC, 29201. Donations can be made to Washington Street Methodist Church or Hospice Care of Tri-County, 166 Stoneridge Drive Suite 100 Columbia, SC 29210.