Marilee Batte North

February 22, 1930 - May 8, 2022

Marilee Batte North passed away peacefully in her sleep at age 92 on May 8, 2022. She was the second daughter of the late John Gordon and Gladys Masterson Batte of Pueblo, Colorado, where she was born and raised. Marilee’s sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Robert DeGeer, preceeded her in death. Marilee graduated from CentralHigh School in Pueblo, CO in 1948. She then graduated from PuebloCollege with an Associate’s degree in Art. She further studied at WaltersStateCommunity College. On June 23, 1950 Marilee married William ‘Bill’ Lee North of Pueblo, CO. He preceded her in death in 2018. Bill and Marilee brought Forenta to Morristown, where Bill was president and eventually owned the company. Together, they raised their daughter, Susan Lee, while Marilee enjoyed gardening and antiquing. Marilee’s passion was her art. She enjoyed painting and used various techniques including acrylics, oils, pen and ink, and watercolors. She had a one-man show and won quite a few first place awards. She won the Best In Show Purchase Award at the Historic Jonesboro Days Art Show. Marilee was a charter member of the Morristown Art Association, where she served as president. Marilee is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Susan and David Culvern; granddaughter, Emily Culvern Hollander (Jackson); grandson, Christopher North Culvern (Katie); three great-grandsons: William Walker Hullander, Colton Bowman Hullander, and Noah Hays Culvern; one niece and three nephews. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 13 from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the service at 6 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Morristown, TN, 600 W. Main St. A celebratory reception will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 13 at The Country Club in Morristown, 1686 Doyal Drive.