Judith Belle Avitts

Judith (Judy) Belle Brockway Avitts Judy Avitts was 89 years old when she passed away on June 17, 2023. She was born in Flint Michigan to Myrtle (Gillespie) Brockway and George Ralph Brockway and grew up there. She married William John Avitts on June 29, 1957. They lived in Flint then Grand Blanc and finally moved to Williamsburg, Michigan in 1987. Judy earned a BA, Cum Laude, at Albion College in 1955. She was always very proud that she was awarded Honors in Art with her degree. Judy’s MA in Art Education came from the University of Michigan in 1960. She had post graduate credits from Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan and Michigan State University. Judy taught art in Wayne Public Schools in 1955 and then in Flint Community Schools from 1956 to 1972. Judy became the Art Consultant for 50 schools, a position she held until 1987 when she retired. After retirement she taught Art History at Baker College. Judy’s achievements, honors, contributions, and social activities were beyond what even the family imagined. She gave her love and time to all, making us wonder how anyone could accomplish all that she did in just one lifetime. The following is a compilation of 3 single spaced typed pages of achievements and contributions. She was President of the Michigan Art Educators Association and President of the National Art Educators Association. Judy was an actively contributing member in 19 different state, national and international organizations. Among the most recent were the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International – Grand Traverse Area Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution –Job Winslow Chapter, Zeta Tau Alpha-Mu Chapter and Williamsburg United Methodist Church. Throughout her life she had been published in the Michigan Art Education Newsletter, Michigan Art Education Association, and Art Teacher. She created “Plans for Hands” and “Plans for Art” series for Flint Schools. She wrote art curriculum for Flint Schools and the Michigan Department of Education. She was part of the US delegation to the World Congress of Art Education in Rotterdam, Netherlands. When president of the National Art Educators Association she was named National Arts Educator of the Year. While Michigan Art Education Association President she conceived and implemented the traveling Art Train in Michigan in 1971. During the first year the visitor count was 191,000. Her nephew, Charlie Koop, was a visiting artist on the Michigan Art Train demonstrating on the Potter’s Wheel. Her Art Train concept was expanded nationwide in 1973. During all this time, she was also an active oil, acrylic and collage artist exhibiting her work in 32 different juried shows at various venues, some of which were: Flint Artist Market group exhibit in Tokyo, Japan, Flint Institute of Art, Albion College Traveling Show, Flint Art Fair, Detroit Institute of Art, and Flint Artist Market Shows including traveling shows to private colleges. Judy organized the following art shows to be placed in the Flint Schools: Black Reflections Collection, Black American Art, Fritz Scholder Collection Native American Art, Art to the Schools-Michigan Art Collection, and Annual Shows of Flint School Children’s Art. Judy received the following honors: Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities, Mortar Board, Alpha Pi Art and Drama, 2nd prize in oils Flint area Art Show 1957, 48th Michigan Artists Annual Detroit Institute of Art, Outstanding Art Director of the Year in 1972 and 1980, Two Woman Show-Left Bank Gallery,1970, and Purchase Prize for Etching - MEA Lansing. Her love of the arts, children and teaching fueled her passion to make the Flint Schools the most complete fine arts magnet schools in the State of Michigan. Because of Judy all schools in Flint K-12 had an art teacher. Judy knew every individual teacher’s strength and looked at them and nurtured them as artists. She promoted teachers’ talents outside of their teaching assignments. Once she encouraged a teacher, Fred Wagonlander, to submit his 7th grade students’ short film to a juried art show. He used the pre-computer “trick photography” of the 60’s. He won! Judy inspired a love of art in her family. She and her sister took nieces and nephews to all varieties of museums, an activity we continue to do. Beyond everything shared above Judy’s favorite things list includes: collecting art, genealogy with her sister, Bethany, cooking (her famous homemade chocolate cake with Molly’s real fudge frosting), her special roses, four leaf clovers, classy outfits and shoes, special event dress shopping with nieces, and Sunday dinners and holidays with Chrissy and family. Chrissy and Judy developed a close bond during all the 38 years they lived in this area. Judy is survived by nephew, Ralph (Jackie) Blue, beloved niece, Christine (Blue) Koop, niece, Mary Beth Blue (Matthew) Anderson, brother-in-law, Paul (Ruth) Avitts, sister-in-law, Chery (Fred) Wagonlander, grand nieces and nephews; Tonya Blue (Ron) Eads, Nicole Blue (Wayne) Madsen, Aaron Blue, Haley Koop (Ted) Elliott, Sally Koop (Clint) Babcock, Charles “Chas” (Amanda) Koop II, Keely Anderson (Matthew) Marinella, Matthew (Katherine) Anderson, Scott (Cailey) Anderson, great-grand nieces and nephews; Otis Eads, Taylor Madsen, Nora Madsen, Connor Blue, Kaydee Blue, Katie Elliot, Kassi Elliot Edwards, Peyton Elliot, Addy Elliot, Laurel Babcock, Charles Thomas Koop III, Amelia Edwards, Macy Marinella, Steven Marinella, Bridget Anderson, Matthew Anderson, John Paul Anderson, David Anderson, Scott Anderson, Logan Anderson, grandchildren; David Avitts, Mark (Nancy) Avitts, Jennifer Avitts, Laurie Avitts (Ron) Eastwood, John (Jennifer) Wagonlander, Katie Wagonlander, Ella (Eden) Wagonlander, Henry Wagonlander. Judy was preceded in death by husband Bill Avitts, her brother-in-law, Stanley Avitts, nephew, Charles H Koop, grandniece, Nicole Avitts. Friends are welcome to visit with Judith’s family on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 305 Sixth Street, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. A committal service honoring Judith will take place at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Sunset Hills Cemetery, 4413 Flushing Road, Flint, Michigan 48504. In lieu of flowers donations in honor of Judy Avitts may be directed to: Cherryland Humane Society, Hospice of Michigan Grand Traverse County, Habitat for Humanity, Acme Christian Thrift Store (ACTS), or Delta Kappa Gamma Grand Traverse Area Educational Scholarship Fund. Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Judith’s family at her tribute page at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Judith Belle Avitts

August 30, 1933 - June 17, 2023