Dance instructor led graceful life
Venson founded Lively Arts studio
Many young AfricanAmericans savored their first taste of the fine art of dance from Dr. Gloria “Dip” Mathis Venson at Deeta’s Lively Arts Dance Studio in South Memphis.
There, students unwelcomed in other dance studios were introduced to classical ballet, tap and jazz. It was a place where Dr. Venson never raised her voice, but expected her high standards to be met.
Dr. Venson, who was married to Kennel Venson Jr. for 49 years, died Saturday at her home after a long illness.
“When she walked into a room she commanded your attention,” said former dance student Candyce Washing- ton.
Washington is now a speech therapist and dance instructor and uses in both roles what she learned from Dr. Venson.
“I wish I could instill in someone the love of dance that she instilled in me,” Washington said.
Dr. Venson operated the studio from 1965 to 1982 and saw many students leave Memphis for greater things.
“She helped me to dream,” former student Lowell Smith, a member of the Dance Theater of Harlem, told The Commercial Appeal in 1993.
The dance studio was named for Dr. Venson’s only child, Deeta Venson-cheek, who was killed in 1991 by her estranged husband.
Dr. Venson graduated from Douglass High School and earned degrees from Tennessee State University, the University of Memphis and Southern Illinois University.
She was a teacher, guidance counselor and assistant principal with Memphis City Schools. She was active in Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., the Douglass national alumni group and in the 1983 Leadership Memphis class.
Dr. Venson also choreographed the Debutante Cotillion for 44 years, a task she turned over to Washington.
She also gave a lot to her family, said niece Yolanda Abram of Durham, N.C.
“You know how a dancer is graceful? That’s the way she wanted us to act all the time,” Abram said. “During my high school graduation, I was not walking tall and graceful. I was playing around. And she lit into me.”
Dr. Venson first became ill early in 2010 and spent her final days at home.
During that time, she never lost her sense of humor, Bailey said.
“She told me somebody was saying a prayer for her to stay here and she said ‘I wish they’d stop it.’ She had a humorous side, even then,” said long-time friend Barbara Bailey.
“She lived a beautiful life and if there’s such a thing, she died a beautiful death,” Bailey said.
In addition to her husband, Dr. Venson is survived by sisters Lavern Buford of Memphis and Geraldine Hooks of Columbus, Ohio.
Funeral services will be today at 11:30 a.m. at St. Augustine Catholic Church, 1169 Kerr.
Interment is at 2 p.m. at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, 4000 Forest Hill Irene Road.
V.H. Bins & Sons MidSouth Funeral Home has charge.