Natalie Haslam, right, in 2020 at the Knoxville Museum of Art for the opening of a Beauford Delaney exhibit. With her are her husband, Jim Haslam, and her step-daughter, Ann Haslam Bailey.
A celebration of life was held for Natalie Haslam January 21 at St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Knoxville. The some 500-seat sanctuary was standing room only and the services were live-streamed into an overflow space for those who couldn’t even wedge into the standing areas.
“Today we celebrate a life well-lived and a love well-loved,” said Natalie Haslam’s step-son, former Knoxville mayor and Tennessee governor Bill Haslam from the pulpit during a short and emotional remembrance. “She was a role model to so many people of what love looks like,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many people told me, ‘I want my marriage to be like theirs is.'”
Natalie Haslam was married for 50 years to James A. Haslam, II, the founder of Pilot Company, which today is the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America. She supported him in his business and other endeavors, but she also was a community leader in her own right.
“Natalie would have never, ever called herself a feminist pioneer,” Bill Haslam said. “But she was the very first woman to do a lot of things in this community. She did it because she loved this community.”
She was the first woman to have a college at the University of Tennessee named for her (the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music) and the first female president of the Knoxville Symphony Society.
Natalie Haslam accepting the East Tennessean of the Year Award at Cherokee Country Club in 2018.
“I am not a musician, but music has always meant a lot to me,” she said at the time. “If we are lucky, music is a part of our lives at almost every turn – from the church services and weddings we attend, to football, basketball and other sports functions, and even to the parties, movies, plays and social activities in our lives. There’s always music.”
She also held presidencies of the East Tennessee Foundation, the East Tennessee Historical Society, the Knoxville Garden Club, and the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Greater Knoxville.
She was a founding member of the nonprofit Friends of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and served on various other boards, including the Tennessee Arts Commission, Child and Family Services, Zoo Knoxville, Maryville College, Webb School of Knoxville, the Wellness Community and Junior League of Knoxville.
She was chosen as the University of Tennessee Volunteer of the Year in 1992. In 1995, she was awarded the national Amy Angell Collier Montague Medal from the Garden Club of America for her continuous leadership and service for the causes of the arts, education, history, mental health, gardening and conservation in Knoxville and the state of Tennessee.
Natalie Haslam with Aram Demirjian, conductor and music director of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, at a 2021 party benefiting the KSO at the Cherokee Boulevard home of Ruth and Joe Fielden.
She was the recipient of the National Conference for Community and Justice Award in 1996. In 2003, she received the Governor’s Arts Award from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Knoxville Award from the Senior Citizens Home Assistance Service. In 2018, she was named East Tennessean of the Year by the East Tennessee Historical Society.
And she was a lifelong member of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral. “If the doors of the church were open on a Sunday and she was in town, she was here,” said the Very Rev. Christopher Hackett, dean of the Cathedral. “You don’t get any more St. John’s than Natalie Haslam!”
He said she was baptized there in 1932, confirmed there in 1944, married Jim Haslam there and now was being celebrated there upon her death.
“We will miss you, Natalie,” he said. “But, above all, we will give thanks to God that we all had the privilege of experiencing your beautiful and loving presence. What a gift Natalie was to all of us.”
Here’s a link to her obituary which was published in the Knoxville News Sentinel.
(Natalie Haslam also has been a consistent presence on the Blue Streak since its inception in 2009. These pictures of her brought back many fond memories of Natalie — and the many important causes she supported.)
Ladies in pink! From left, Sharon Pryse, Natalie Haslam, and Ruth Bailey at the 2021 party at the Fieldens’ house for the Knoxville Symphony.
Natalie Haslam and her friend Sharon Pryse in 2023 at Lakeshore Park for an impromptu performance by cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
Natalie and Jim Haslam at J.C. Holdway in 2024 for the wedding reception of the eatery’s chef-owner Joseph Lenn and his bride, distinguished UT professor Laura Lenn.
Jim and Natalie Haslam in 2023 at The Quarry event center for an update on progress on UT’s Jenny Boyd Theatre.
Jim and Natalie Haslam in 2022 at Cherokee Country Club when Jenny and Randy Boyd were named East Tennesseans of the Year by the East Tennessee Historical Society.
Natalie Haslam posing with Kenneth Creed at that same event.
Jim and Natalie Haslam in 2021 with Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon at Blackberry Farm at a dinner benefiting the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra.
Natalie Haslam and Nazzy Hashemian at the same event.
Natalie Haslam, left, with Margie Nichols in 2025 at the UT Gardens Gala.
Natalie Haslam and Barbara Bernstein in 2020 at the Beauford Delaney exhibit opening at the Knoxville Museum of Art.
Natalie Haslam and Kenneth Creed in 2020 at Blackberry Farm for a Knoxville Symphony benefit.
Natalie and Jim Haslam with their friend Dick Ray in 2019 at a reception at the UT Student Union welcoming new UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman.
From left, Bill and Barbara Arant, Natalie Haslam, Annie Haslam Colquitt, and Jim Haslam in 2019 at Blackberry Farm for a Knoxville Symphony fundraiser.
The Haslams pose with KSO Concertmaster William Shaub at that party.
In 2018, filmmaker Ken Burns made an appearance in Knoxville on behalf of the East Tennessee Historical Society and Lincoln Memorial University. Here he’s with Natalie and Jim Haslam at the event held at the downtown Hilton.
Natalie Haslam and Jim Hart at the Ken Burns event.
Jim and Natalie Haslam having dinner on the stage of the Tennessee Theatre in 2018 when Chris Blue performed there at the “Stars on Stage” fundraiser.
Natalie Haslam with Ileen and UT-Knoxville Chancellor Emeritus Jimmy Cheek at the UT Gardens Gala in 2018.
Natalie Dowling with Natalie Haslam at that party.
From left, Jim Haslam, Dick Williams, Anne Sprouse, and Natalie Haslam in 2018 at Cherokee Country Club when the East Tennessee Historical Society named her East Tennessean of the Year.
Following the East Tennessean of the Year ceremony, photographer Jack Williams snapped this great one. From left, Natalie’s daughter Susan Robie, Jim and Natalie Haslam, her daughter Jennie McCabe and her granddaughter, also named Jennie McCabe.
Natalie Haslam, left, with UT Music College Dean Jeff Pappas and his wife, Joni, in 2018 at the Lauricella Center in Neyland Stadium. The event was a gathering of the Alexis de Tocqueville Society saluting the largest donors to the United Way of Greater Knoxville.
Also in 2018, Natalie posed with, from left, David Colquitt, Jim Haslam and Annie Haslam Colquitt at the Blackberry Farm event benefiting the Knoxville Symphony.
Natalie Haslam with Bill Arant, left, and Frank Gray at dinner that night.
Natalie Haslam with Frank Gray in 2017 at the UT Gardens Gala.
This was taken in 2017 at the Knoxville Convention Center at a reception welcoming John Currie to UT as director of athletics. From left, Knoxville Chamber CEO Mike Edwards, Natalie and Jim Haslam, and community leader Gloria Garner.
Natalie Haslam speaking in 2017 at The Foundry after being honored with the Community Impact Award by the East Tennessee Community Design Center.
Natalie with John and LeAnne Dougherty at that same dinner.
Also in 2017, this picture was taken at the Knoxville Convention Center during a reception welcoming Beverly Davenport as chancellor of UT-Knoxville. From left, Tom Ballard, Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture Jai Templeton, and Natalie.
Natalie Haslam, left, and Sandy Bertelkamp at Blackberry Farm in 2017 at an event for the Knoxville Symphony.
Also at that event, Jim and Natalie pose with her daughter, Jennie McCabe.
Natalie Haslam, left, and her friend Bobbie Congleton in 2016 at Cherokee Country Club when Roy Kramer, former Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, was named East Tennessean of the Year by the East Tennessee Historical Society.
Here she is visiting with Buck Vaghan at that event.
In 2016, Natalie, right, with Jane and Larry Martin at the Mill & Mine during a benefit for top United Way givers.
Wearing an appropriate scarf at the 2016 UT Gardens Gala!
Jim and Natalie Haslam in 2015 at Bill Haslam’s inauguration for his second term as Tennessee governor.
The Haslams at the Knoxville Museum of Art in 2015 for the wedding of Natalie Robinson and Marshall Stair.
From left, Sylvia Lacey, Jim Haslam, Kreis Beall, Brenda Tombras, and Natalie Haslam at Jackson Terminal for a United Way event in 2015.
She wore a pin shaped like a ghost because the event was right before Halloween! Ha.
Natalie Haslam with former UT Athletic Director Dave Hart at the Knoxville Convention Center during a welcoming event for him in 2015.
The Haslams, right, with Anna and Frank Gray in 2015 at Blackberry Farm for a Knoxville Symphony fundraiser.
Natalie and Frank Gray in 2014 at Cherokee Country Club when Jack Hanna was named East Tennessean of the Year by the Historical Society.
Jenny Boyd, center, with the Haslams in 2014 at a Leadership Knoxville party at the Boyds’ west Knox home.
UT Women’s Athletic Director Emeritus Joan Cronan, left, with Natalie Haslam at the Knoxville Convention Center during a 2014 welcome reception for Head Basketball Coach Donnie Tyndall.
UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek and Natalie Haslam in 2014 at a garden party at his home.
From left, Jim Hart, Natalie Haslam, Jane and Bo Shafer at the Natalie Haslam Music Center for a United Way event in 2014.
In 2014, the Glass Ball at the Knoxville Museum of Art celebrated the installation of the iconic Richard Jolley glass sculpture in the museum’s Ann and Steve Bailey Great Hall. Here is Sharon Pryse, left, with Natalie and Jim Haslam at that event.
From left, Marsha and Duane Grieve, the Haslams, and Peter Acly at that same party.
Natalie posing in 2014 with James Fellenbaum, left, and Gabriel Lefkowitz at a Knoxville Symphony event at Blackberry Farm. Fellenbaum is the KSO’s resident conductor and Lefkowitz was at the time the orchestra’s concertmaster.
Here she is with her daughter, Susan Robie, at the same event.
Here’s Natalie in 2013 with Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and First Lady Crissy Haslam at a garden party at the Governor’s Residence in Nashville.
In 2013, Jim Haslam was in on a plot to surprise Natalie on her birthday with an original portrait of her to be placed in a gallery named for her at the East Tennessee History Center in downtown Knoxville. Jack Williams took this photo of the portrait and of Natalie with her daughters, Susan Robie, at left, and Jennie McCabe.
Here’s Natalie when she walked into the room and discovered what was going on! The Blue Streak has the story of how everyone pulled off this surprise in this post! Ha. (Jack Williams took this photo, too.)
Jim and Natalie with Stephen Mangum, dean of the Haslam College of Business at UT-Knoxville. This was taken at the Knoxville Convention Center during a 2013 welcome reception for Mangum.
Natalie with Tommy Ayers and Betty McWhorter at the 2013 UT Gardens Gala.
Natalie with Gay Lyons at the 2013 Great Gardens Party benefiting the Knoxville Botanical Gardens and Arboretum. The event was at Kreis Beall’s home on Lyons View Pike.
Jim and Natalie Haslam in 2013 at the Blackberry Farm benefit for the Knoxville Symphony.
Here they are in 2012 at the Symphony event at Blackberry Farm.
Jim and Natalie Haslam look proudly on as Bill Haslam takes the oath of office in 2011 for his first term as governor of the state of Tennessee.
Natalie with her daughters Susan Robie, left, and Jennie McCabe at one of the 2011 inaugural parties in Nashville.
Back in Knoxville, Natalie is hugging Barbara Dooley at a benefit for the Knoxville Botanical Garden held at the home of Whitfield and Brittany Bailey in 2011. Dooley’s son, Derek, was UT’s football coach at the time.
Natalie and Carlton Long with former University of Georgia Coach Vince Dooley, who also was in town visiting his son.
Natalie with John Butler and Mickey Mallonee in 2011 at Symphony in the Park at Ijams Nature Center.
With UT-Knoxville Chancellor John Quinn in 2011 at Sherri Lee’s home for a fundraiser for the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra.
Natalie at the Evergreen Ball at Cherokee Country Club in 2011.
Natalie and Jim at the Moxley Carmichael client party at the historic Miller’s Building in 2011.
From left, Sarah Stowers, Natalie, and David Martin at Symphony in the Park at Ijams Nature Center in 2010.
With then-Knoxville Symphony Music Director and Conductor Lucas Richman at a dinner at the Tennessee Theatre in 2010.
Haha. Moxley Carmichael’s client party was themed in 2010 around Mercury, “the messenger god!” We hired an actor to portray him! The Haslams were good sports.
At a party at the East Tennessee History Center in 2009 welcoming Patrick Birmingham as the new president and publisher of the Knoxville News Sentinel. From left, editor Jack McElroy, former publisher Bruce Hartmann, Jim and Natalie Haslam.
This photo was taken in 2017. But it could have been taken anytime over the past 50 years.
Thank you, Cynthia – what a wonderful retrospective of a beautiful and gracious lady! Her involvement and leadership in so many cultural non-profits is amazing. Always admired her very much!
Marsha: Thanks. I feel the same way about her. How lucky we were to have her for so long.
Cynthia, the most beautiful tribute. Natalie was such a beautiful lady and she left an equally beautiful legacy. She will be missed.
Mary Pat: Thanks so much. I totally agree about Natalie. A Knoxville treasure that will be impossible to replace. Or to forget.
I frequently ran into her at charity events or the Fresh Market. We often talked about our daughters studying or traveling abroad. She was a lovely person in every sense of the word. Knoxville was lucky.
Diana: She really was lovely – and vital for Knoxville. She helped make this a better place.
Classy! She broke glass ceiling with dignity and determined leadership!! Knoxville has lost one of it’s most notable women. She will be missed.
Great tribute, Mox. Doesn’t she have the most beautiful smile? She certainly left a wonderful legacy.
Wonderful tribute, Cynthia!
Natalie was always interested in new people and initiatives taking place in Tennessee, and supported many of them. I am so thankful that I knew her and experienced her grace and her smile.
Lillian, Katie, and Alice: Thank you for your comments. I agree with all of you. We were so lucky to have had Natalie.
Glad you had this perspective of Natalie and all she represented.
Georgiana: She certainly was involved in a lot!
What a beautiful tribute. These photos are such a great reminder of Natalie’s involvement & impact. You are so correct that the sweet photo of Natalie & Jim could have been taken any time during the last 50 years. One of my favorite memories: Seated at the table next to Natalie & Jim’s table when she was honored by the East Tennessee Community Design Center, listening to a speaker introducing Natalie as honoree, there the two of them were sitting at a table in The Foundry holding hands. Truly a love story.
Thanks for sharing these pictures and your wonderful tribute to a very special lady.
Gay: They were madly in love for 50 years! Doesn’t that just make you smile?
Cile: Thanks so much.
Cynthia: Natalie always made me smile. With Jim, it was more likely to be a laugh. They so clearly loved each other.
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