Kathy Whorton. Source: Emory University, YouTube

City Schools of Decatur reports that music teacher Kathy Whorton has lost her battle with cancer.

Whorton was a music teacher at Clairemont Elementary and a band teacher at the 4/5 Academy. She worked for CSD for nine years, and retired in May.

“Please hold Ms. Whorton’s family, friends and colleagues in your heart during this difficult time,” the message from Clairemont Elementary Principal Erin Wheeler says.

Memorial services for Ms. Whorton will be held at A.S. Turner and Sons Funeral home in Decatur on Saturday, Aug. 2 at 10 am.

According to Wheeler:

Ms. Whorton’s family has established a fund at the Decatur Education Foundation in her memory. To make a donation to the fund, which will support music education in City Schools of Decatur, please go to http://www.decatureducationfoundation.org and click the donate link. Include Kathy Whorton’s name in the comments box. Checks for the fund can be mailed to: DEF, 200 Nelson Ferry Road, Suite B, Decatur, GA 30030. Make payable to DEF and indicate that the check is for the Kathy Whorton Fund.

Emory University produced a video about Whorton:

“Kathy Whorton’s life fell out of tune when she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer,” the video description says. “A music and band teacher, a pressing concern for her was that she wouldn’t be back for the new school year.”

Here is the video showing Whorton working with some of her students: