Bette Smith Muillins
1932 - 2025
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Remembering Betty (Bette) Jean Smith Mullins
January 19, 1932 - September 21, 2025
On September 21, 2025, the arts community of North Texas and her extended family bid farewell to Bette Jean Smith Mullins, who passed away peacefully in Fort Worth at the age of 93.
Born January 19, 1932, in Waxahachie, Texas, Bette was the youngest of the three children of Mabel and T. E. Smith. She spent her early years in Waxahachie, attending school and developing a lifelong love of learning. After graduating from Waxahachie High School, she studied English at Texas Wesleyan College (B.A. 1953), earned a master's degree at the University of North Texas (M.A. 1958), expanded her horizons through graduate studies at the University of London in 1958, and earned another master's degree from the University of Dallas (M.B.A. 1974).
Bette married Joe Bailey Mullins, Jr., on March 29, 1975, in Dallas. Their marriage was filled with joy, community involvement, and a shared devotion to the arts and culture. They celebrated their 39th anniversary shortly before Joe's passing in 2015. A very talented chef, Bette loved to entertain family, friends and the occasional celebrity. From cooking school at La Varenne in Paris to the many ribbons she won at the Texas State Fair for her preserves and chutneys, she was always happy in her kitchen.
Bette's professional life was defined by educational opportunities, career achievements and tireless community service. Among other positions, she was an English teacher, a model, a corporate executive with Federated Department Stores, a special events coordinator at UT Southwestern Medical School and a principal with Buker-Mullins Philanthropic Advisors. Following the bulk of her professional career, she devoted herself to being a full-time civic volunteer. She donated time, energy, and passion to dozens of Dallas cultural, educational and social service institutions.
Most of her activities were grounded in her deeply held belief that the arts strengthen community and quality of life. Her involvement was wide-ranging, including, among other efforts, serving as trustee and longtime docent at the Dallas Museum of Art, president of the DMA League, support of numerous exhibitions (events, celebrations, and fund raising) and outreach; serving on the Board of Governors for the Dallas Symphony Association and in leadership roles for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League; co-founding and acting as president of Friends of WRR, championing classical music radio in North Texas; serving as president of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, nurturing the next generation of musicians; supporting Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs and Dallas Federation of Music Clubs, Dallas Altrusa, Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Susan G. Komen Auxiliary, Crystal Charity Ball, The Dallas Opera, Les Femmes du Monde and the DFW World Affairs Council, the Assemblage, Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Leadership Dallas, the board of Multiple Sclerosis, TACA and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. She was particularly proud of her work in bringing the Emery Reves Arch of Peace to the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
In recognition of her many contributions, the University of North Texas honored her in 1994 as a Distinguished Alumna. She also received the Dallas Historical Society Award for Excellence in Arts Leadership and the Texas Do-ers Award for Excellence in Arts Leadership in Texas, among many other accolades.
Bette's life will forever be a testament to the values of ingenuity and determination and the power of volunteerism fueled by a passion for cultural stewardship. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, generosity, good taste, elegance, and steadfast devotion to the arts and education. She is remembered with deep love and appreciation by her family, colleagues, and countless friends, all of whom were enriched by her wisdom, wit, and warmth.
A memorial celebration of Bette's life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Symphony, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra or the Fort Worth Opera.
January 19, 1932 - September 21, 2025
On September 21, 2025, the arts community of North Texas and her extended family bid farewell to Bette Jean Smith Mullins, who passed away peacefully in Fort Worth at the age of 93.
Born January 19, 1932, in Waxahachie, Texas, Bette was the youngest of the three children of Mabel and T. E. Smith. She spent her early years in Waxahachie, attending school and developing a lifelong love of learning. After graduating from Waxahachie High School, she studied English at Texas Wesleyan College (B.A. 1953), earned a master's degree at the University of North Texas (M.A. 1958), expanded her horizons through graduate studies at the University of London in 1958, and earned another master's degree from the University of Dallas (M.B.A. 1974).
Bette married Joe Bailey Mullins, Jr., on March 29, 1975, in Dallas. Their marriage was filled with joy, community involvement, and a shared devotion to the arts and culture. They celebrated their 39th anniversary shortly before Joe's passing in 2015. A very talented chef, Bette loved to entertain family, friends and the occasional celebrity. From cooking school at La Varenne in Paris to the many ribbons she won at the Texas State Fair for her preserves and chutneys, she was always happy in her kitchen.
Bette's professional life was defined by educational opportunities, career achievements and tireless community service. Among other positions, she was an English teacher, a model, a corporate executive with Federated Department Stores, a special events coordinator at UT Southwestern Medical School and a principal with Buker-Mullins Philanthropic Advisors. Following the bulk of her professional career, she devoted herself to being a full-time civic volunteer. She donated time, energy, and passion to dozens of Dallas cultural, educational and social service institutions.
Most of her activities were grounded in her deeply held belief that the arts strengthen community and quality of life. Her involvement was wide-ranging, including, among other efforts, serving as trustee and longtime docent at the Dallas Museum of Art, president of the DMA League, support of numerous exhibitions (events, celebrations, and fund raising) and outreach; serving on the Board of Governors for the Dallas Symphony Association and in leadership roles for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra League; co-founding and acting as president of Friends of WRR, championing classical music radio in North Texas; serving as president of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra, nurturing the next generation of musicians; supporting Dallas Federation of Women's Clubs and Dallas Federation of Music Clubs, Dallas Altrusa, Friends of the Dallas Public Library, Susan G. Komen Auxiliary, Crystal Charity Ball, The Dallas Opera, Les Femmes du Monde and the DFW World Affairs Council, the Assemblage, Anita Martinez Ballet Folklorico, Leadership Dallas, the board of Multiple Sclerosis, TACA and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. She was particularly proud of her work in bringing the Emery Reves Arch of Peace to the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.
In recognition of her many contributions, the University of North Texas honored her in 1994 as a Distinguished Alumna. She also received the Dallas Historical Society Award for Excellence in Arts Leadership and the Texas Do-ers Award for Excellence in Arts Leadership in Texas, among many other accolades.
Bette's life will forever be a testament to the values of ingenuity and determination and the power of volunteerism fueled by a passion for cultural stewardship. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, generosity, good taste, elegance, and steadfast devotion to the arts and education. She is remembered with deep love and appreciation by her family, colleagues, and countless friends, all of whom were enriched by her wisdom, wit, and warmth.
A memorial celebration of Bette's life will be held on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at 3:00 PM at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, consider contributions to the Dallas Museum of Art, the Dallas Symphony, the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra or the Fort Worth Opera.
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