Marion Elizabeth "Bettye" Korenblat

Apr 15, 1936 - Nov 10th, 2024

Birth Date: Apr 15, 1936
Death Date: Nov 10, 2024
Funeral Date: Nov 13, 2024, 1:00 pm
Location: Temple B’nai Israel, Little Rock AR 72212
Print this Obituary

Biography:

Marion Elizabeth “Bettye” Korenblat, 88 of Little Rock, passed away on November 10th, 2024, surrounded by her family. Bettye was born in Little Rock on April 15,1936, to Leffel and Sybil Gentry. From a very young age, Bettye’s unique talent has been her sincere interest in everyone around her. Bettye’s kindergarten teacher noticed it right away, “Bettye works constantly to make sure everyone is included in everything.” Bettye studied ballet at the Dorothy Donaldson Dance Studio and attended Pulaski Heights Jr. High School, where she met Art Korenblat, her future husband. While Art was away for both high school and college, the two stayed in touch. Bettye was a graduate of Little Rock High School, where she was a spirited cheerleader.

During this time, a renowned ballet teacher visited the Donaldson dance studio – and Bettye was “discovered!” Alexi Ramov invited Bettye to study at his studio in Scranton PA, where he prepared her to join the New York City Ballet’s School of American Ballet as a professional ballerina. Bettye loved her time in the Big Apple. In 1957, she headed to Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, for college, where she pledged Chi Omega.

After all these adventures, she returned to Little Rock to marry her JR high school sweetheart, Art Korenblat. After her children were born, Bettye taught ballet to generations of Little Rock dancers. Throughout her life, she was frequently greeted by countless former students as ‘Miss Bettye”. In 1991, she volunteered for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign in the correspondence office. She had many interests including a love of opera and the symphony, along with traveling, antiquing, and decorating. She was a lifelong member of Congregation B’nai Israel.

Bettye’s concern and commitment to others continued throughout her entire life. While living at the Blake at Chenal Valley, she quickly made dear friends among the residents and staff. Her family is so grateful for these wonderful friendships Bettye formed late in life.

Bettye is survived by her daughter Ashley Korenblat and her husband Mark Sevenoff, as well as her son Scott Korenblat and his wife Janet, and her three grandsons Tyler and Adam Korenblat and Kip Sevenoff, along with her brother Hal Gentry, his wife Lynda, and Bettye’s dear cousin Sissy Greene, along with many wonderful friends, nieces and nephews.
Bettye was preceded in death by her husband Art Korenblat and her sister Shirley Gentry.

The family would especially like to thank Estelle Dale for her constant care, love, and friendship.

A Memorial Service will be held at Temple B’nai Israel on Wednesday November 13th at 1:00pm. Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Ballet Arkansas- Beauty in Action (The Miss Bettye Scholarship Fund).

Condolences(09)

Susan Jones Boe

Nov 17th, 2024 7:23 pm

Ashley and family I am so sorry about the passing of your beautiful Momma. I know a lifetime of precious memories will be a constant comfort. With love and thanksgiving for Mommas.

Jan Nix McFarlane, Dallas, Texas

Nov 13th, 2024 2:53 am

All I can think of is that everyone in Little Rock knew Bettye Gentry at least I thought surely they did when I was in 7th grade at PH Jr.High and Bettye was in the 9th, and she was Hal Gentry's big sister. I think we younger girls all felt that way as we were in awe of the 9th graders and Bettye was a force to be reckoned with, with that gorgeous smile, cheerleading and dancing like a professional at 14. Of course at Dorothy Donaldon's Studio we all loved watching her during her lessons thinking like Chorus Line, "I can do that!", well maybe. And Bettye was the epitome of kind and sweet to us younger girls, and that made it all more exciting that we knew her. And she never changed... she carried that popularity from Jr. High to LRCHS still kind and sweet, and her character and my memories lasted through all these years. So yes, I was right, everyone in Little Rock knew Bettye Gentry. Thanks Hal for making those many trips to Little Rock, especially our reunions; however, I know there were many, many more looking after Bettye and Shirley. They were blessed to have you. as their younger brother! As we sang together in A Cappella Choir - May The Lord Bless You And Keep You.

Roy Dudley

Nov 12th, 2024 8:12 pm

So sorry to hear this news. May your memories comfort you.

Amy Fraiser

Nov 12th, 2024 6:31 pm

Miss Bettye was my ballet teacher for many years. She would also drive me to class as she said she was returning the favor for the years my mother drove her to school. She will always be a defining woman in my life with such grace and class. She was always kind and caring. My heart goes out to all the family and friends. My condolences to all that were touched by Miss Bettye’s beautiful soul.

Kim Swink

Nov 12th, 2024 3:20 am

From 8th-12th grade, I spent almost as many nights at the Korenblat house as my own. I have such vivid and wonderful memories of staying up late laughing with Ashley as Bettye taught us tap dance steps in the kitchen, wearing socks so we wouldn’t wake Art. I can still do the soft-shoe and time-step thanks to Bettye’s infectious love of dance. I’m so grateful to have reconnected with her these past several years when my mother and I shared many lunch dates with Bettye when I would visit from NY. I think of her beautiful smile often and will always.

Audrey Powell

Nov 12th, 2024 12:15 am

I was so blessed to have known Bettye this past year and a half while living at The Blake. She definitely made everyone feel so known and welcomed. She will be so missed. Blesseings to her family during this difficult time.

Marsha Morrow Morgan

Nov 11th, 2024 3:26 pm

I was one of the many students of "Miss Bettye". I was in awe of her beauty and grace. I have always admired the fact that she was able to let me know that I was talking too much in class, without raising her voice. She was a very special woman and I am blessed to have known her.

Martha Sowell

Nov 11th, 2024 3:01 pm

The Korenblats and Sowells shared many professional and fun times together for many years in Little Rock. And even after my move to assisted living in Louisville, we have kept in touch. My sympathies are extended to her son and daughter—we will all miss her but you most of all. My sons join me in this expression of our sympathy.

Phil & Mary Beth Hurley

Nov 11th, 2024 2:12 am

Bettye always reminded me of my grandmother who was her aunt: they both were polite, refined, and gracious to everyone they came in contact with. Although I didn't get to be with her as much as I would have liked to, I always looked forward to and cherished my time with her. Mary Beth & I will be praying for her and her family.

Leave your Condolence

* Enter verification code

Top