Diane "Betsy" Cornwell

With heavy hearts, the family of Diane “Betsy” Cornwell of Wimberley, Texas, is saddened to announce her passing on August 13, 2023, at the age of 71. Betsy was born and raised in Wichita Falls, TX to Leland Smith, Jr. and Delores Deward Smith. As a girl, she spent her days playing baseball, boating, and performing with the drama club.

After graduating from Wichita Falls High School (Go Coyotes!), Betsy followed her sister to Austin, TX, where she attended The University of Texas at Austin, receiving both a Bachelor' and Masters' in Theatre Education. There she met her husband, Peter Cornwell. Together they created Betsy’s most precious achievement, their son, Chris Cornwell.

In Betsy’s early career, she taught at LBJ High School and David Crockett High School before setting roots at James Bowie High School, where she was the Theatre Director from the time the school was established in 1988. While at Bowie, Betsy built the Starlight Theatre Company program into one of the leading educational theatre companies in the state. Many of her students have gone on to successful careers on Broadway, in film and television, and as successful theatre teachers in their own right. In 2022, the new theatre at Bowie was named in her honor and the building is referred to as “The Betsy” by her colleagues and students.

As a leader and advocate in theatre education, Betsy served as a board member for the Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts (CEDFA) for 21 years and as President of the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) from 2003-2005. TETA recognized her with the Founders Award in 1995. Her passing leaves a space in Texas Fine Arts education that will not be easily filled.

Betsy’s family, friends, students, and colleagues will remember her for her warm hugs, sincere laugh, fierce loyalty, and impressive wit. Not a day went by that she didn’t snuggle with her dogs, and, though reluctant at first, became a passionate “cat grandma” to Miggy and Mia.

She lived in Wimberley with her beloved husband, Peter, and her dog, Louie. She also leaves a son, Chris Cornwell and his partner Erika Phoebus of New York City, a goddaughter Katie Kepper of Austin, Texas, and her sister Kathryn Smith of Eugene, Oregon

A viewing service will be held at Cook-Walden/Forest Oaks Funeral Home and Memorial Park (6300 W William Cannon Dr., Austin, TX 78749) on August 24th from 5-8pm. A memorial service will be held in Betsy’s honor at James Bowie High School (4103 W Slaughter Ln., Austin, TX 78749) on August 25 at 6pm. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations made to either the Center for Educator Development in Fine Arts (CEDFA) to honor Betsy’s devotion to theatre and fine arts education, or to the Wimberley Adoption Group and Rescue (WAG) in honor of her deep love for animals.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenforestoaks.com for the Cornwell family.