Melissa Wynn Whitson

Wendy Whitson, a loved and respected Asheville artist passed away from leukemia and other illnesses converging. She had been sent home from Duke University Hospital to enter hospice care but died almost immediately after arrival in her home with her loving husband, John present. She is survived by her mother, Barbara Whitson, and three sisters, Elaine Butler, Christy Aley, and Sarah Healy. Also, by her loving husband, John Davis and her stepdaughter, Jennifer Ivy. In addition, she had many nephews and nieces, and other relatives too numerous to name. She was close to all of them and had many many friends in Asheville and scattered throughout North Carolina and Mexico. She loved people and life, and her delightful laugh will be remembered by all who knew her. Wendy was pre-deceased by her father, Dr. Ronald Whitson. Wendy graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in art and became a graphic designer for a large company in Atlanta Georgia. 22 years ago, she married her husband, John and they moved to Asheville where within two years she returned to her fine art and opened a studio in the river arts District. After a few successful years she and her husband purchased a building in the district and named it Northlight studios. She was determined to provide space for other artists at a reasonable cost even though the district was fast becoming a more expensive place for artists to work. She was quite successful and many homes in Asheville and elsewhere exhibit her artwork which consists mainly of impressionistic landscapes that were inspired by this beautiful area. Wendy was a strong presence and force in the art world and in the community at large. She was a past president of the River Arts District association, a member of the board at BB&T, on the board of the Chamber of Commerce of Asheville, and several other organizations responsible for the development of the river, the arts, and Asheville in general. She will be greatly missed not only by her family, but also by all the friends and associates from these organizations as well as her neighbors, and patrons of her art all over the country. She was represented by Wells Gallery at Kiawah, Ballard Designs and by Woolworth in downtown Asheville as well as other galleries and by displaying her art and inviting visitors to her own studio and building at 357 Depot St., Northlight Studios. She and her husband John were members of First Baptist Church of Asheville and her remains, and a plaque will be placed in the garden there. In a month or so an informal memorial will be held for the many people who knew her to be able to visit her studio and once again see her work and experience her presence. An announcement to this effect of the date and time will be made in every way possible so that people can wander through at their leisure while retaining proper precautions against Covid. A large service at first Baptist would have been preferable but Wendy was very concerned and cautious about not creating a super spreader event. She was taken from this world way too early. She was loved and will be greatly missed. These words cannot begin to express how much. Morris Funeral & Cremation Care is serving Wendy’s family and condolences may be sent to them through our website at www.morrisfamilycare.com.

Tributes

Melissa Wynn Whitson

June 13, 1956 - November 9, 2021