Passages: Winter 2021

Dr. Cleophus Charles Hon. ’95
Initiated Black Studies, Professor Emeritus of History (1973- 2000)
Aug. 23, 2020

Sadly another member of the Charles family has received his wings. Dr. Cleophus Charles, born August 10, 1943, entered eternal rest on August 23, 2020. No one loved God or shared his knowledge of God more than brother Cleophus. Waiting at Heaven’s gate to greet him are: his loving wife, Rosa Charles; his parents Rubin and Dorcas Charles; Brothers – Rubin Charles Jr., O.C. Charles, Dobbs Samuel Charles, Joe L. Charles Sr.; Sisters – Catherine Charles and Willie Charles.

Though totally blind, Cleophus refused to allow this disability to disable him. He attended and graduated from the Arkansas Black School for the Deaf and Blind in Little Rock, AR. He then attended the Arkansas Mechanical and Normal College at Pine Bluff, AR. After graduating, he attended Cornell University at Ithaca, NY, where he met and married the love of his life, Rosa. Prior to Cornell, he applied and was accepted into the Harvard School of Law. He decided against this path in life and chose to attend Cornell.

Cleophus and Rosa Charles moved to Berea College, Berea, Kentucky, where he joined the Berea College faculty in 1973. In 1981, he received his PhD in American Political and Social History from Cornell University. Dr. Charles initiated Black Studies at Berea College, and at the second Black Berean Reunion in July 1987, he and his wife Rosa were designated as Honorary Black Alumni.

In 1995, Dr. Charles established the Cleo-Rosa Charles Pan-African Student Development Fund that provides financial support to the Black Student Union and the African Students’ Association. This fund encourages these groups to “provide a high quality of learning or leadership in African, African-American, Pan-African or interracial leadership, academic life, cultural awareness, social development, current events, or campus affairs.”

In 1997, as Dr. Charles began his 25th year at Berea; the college officially recognized his work with students by naming him as the first Carter G. Woodson Professor. The presentation read: “Being named to an endowed chair recognizes extraordinary contributions to teaching, scholarship, and service toward meeting the special purpose of Berea College. Throughout his twenty-four years at Berea, Professor Charles has been an intellectual and spiritual leader to many students and faculty on matters related to human rights, human dignity, and the African-American experience, from a caring perspective of Christian morality. He has served as intellectual resource and spokesperson for African-American history and culture for the College through many stages of planning and revision of its general education program. His service in this role as spiritual advisor, counselor, and intellectual leader makes his appointment to the Carter Woodson Professorship especially appropriate.”

Dr. Charles loved learning. He studied and became knowledgeable of every faith that his Braille books, cassettes CDs, and DVDs had to offer. His Braille Bibles and other books would overwhelm a small library because of the size and number of them.

Through his fighting for the rights of his black American and African students, Dr. Charles gained the respect and love of all who met and knew him. After the death of his wife Rosa, Dr. Charles learned just how much his friends loved him. The family is especially grateful to Mrs. Nancy Wright, who gave of her time, sweat and tears helping Dr. Charles. Also, the family wishes to acknowledge his loving friends Keith and Kathy Bullock and Renee Scott, who became like a family member. To know Dr. Charles was to love him, but also to know how very stubborn he was. He was determined to be treated like Any Other Man! Not a disabled man – but a Man.

Dr. Cleophus Charles leaves to cherish his memory: two bothers Archie Charles of Dorchester, MA, William (Marcia) Charles of Olympia, WA; three sisters Dorthula Charles Wilkinson of Kansas City, KS, Diane Charles and Lillian (Roosevelt) Bonner of Pine Bluff, AR; many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Cleophus and Rosa mentored many students who made a lifetime commitment to them. Though childless they parented many that addressed them as Mama and Daddy, of which two were most endearing Patricia Edward and Saidah Miller.

Dr. Cleophus Charles was known as a guiding force for students and served as a conscience to the campus regarding the College’s commitment to interracial education. Berea College, many students, and friends will forever be grateful for the love, education, and service Dr. Charles provided to our community.

Private Homegoing Services will be held on Saturday, August 29 at 1:00 pm at Davis & Powell Funeral Home. The service will be live-streamed on our website www.davisandpowellfuneralhome.com. Private burial will be at the Berea Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers contributions suggested to the Black Cultural Center C/O Berea College, Berea, Kentucky 40404

Adherence to COVID-19 guidelines will be observed for this celebration.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Cleophus Charles, please visit our Tribute Store.

Dr. Stephen Pulsford
Associate Professor of English and General Studies (1995-2020)
Aug. 15, 2020

Jessie Sue Allen Shugars
Hutchins Library (1977-1995)
July 23, 2020

Jessie Sue Allen Shugars, 87, of Lexington, KY, was born in Union City, TN on May 27, 1933. She passed away on July 23, 2020. She was a widow of Pat Shugars. Sue was a graduate of the University of Kentucky, class of 1955, completing a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. She worked a number of years in this field and changed careers working at the Berea College Library until her retirement.

Sue was married for over 50 years and raised two daughters. She and her husband lived primarily in Berea, KY and moved to Lexington, KY upon retirement.

She and husband, Pat, joined Maxwell Street Presbyterian Church in 1955. They enjoyed numerous activities and volunteer opportunities there including mission trips and tutoring young children.

Sue felt her greatest accomplishments and contributions involved her family. She was very proud of and filled with love for her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchild. She leaves behind numerous friends and family who will remember her kindness, compassion, sense of humor and gentle smile.

Survivors include daughter, Peggy Sue Shugars of Lexington, KY; grandsons, Nolan Norton of Lawrence, KS, Wesley Norton and his son, Luke Joseph of Texas; son-in-law, Mark Norton of Kingwood, TX, and sister, Carol Hunsinger of Frankfort, KY. Her husband, Pat, and her daughter, Nancy Miriam Norton, preceded Sue in death.

Milward Funeral Directors are entrusted with Sue’s arrangements. A private graveside memorial service will be held in the Lexington Cemetery. For further details regarding service, please contact Maxwell St. Presbyterian Church at (859) 255-1074.

Social distancing guidelines will be adhered to during this event. To share a remembrance of Sue or offer condolences to her family, please visit www.milwardfuneral.com.

Gertrude Faulkner Luke ’34
Nov. 25, 2003

Gertrude “Trudy” Luke, of Las Vegas, died Nov. 25, 2003. She was born Aug. 11, 1911 in Campton, Ky., and lived for 48 years in Bloomington, Ind. She is survived by her daughter, Lucinda Lein of Las Vegas; son, Walter Luke of Strongsville, Ohio; seven grandchildren; and 2 great-grandchildren. Trudy was a RN for over 65 years. Visitation was from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 28, at Davis Funeral Home, 2127 W. Charleston Blvd., was a memorial service. Donations can be made to the Bloomington Registered Nurses Scholarship Fund, c/o Kate Carey, 543 Parkridge Road, Bloomington, IN 47408.

Dr. Emmett U. Dillard ’40
June 22, 2019

Dr. Emmett Urcey Dillard Raleigh Emmett Urcey Dillard, PhD, 101, died on Saturday, June 22, 2019. A native of Jackson County, NC, he was born August 12, 1917 the son of the late Vilas Napoleon “Polie” Dillard and Minnie Lee Cope Dillard. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 75 years, Della Edna Bennett Dillard, in 2015; his five brothers and one sister. He is survived by three sons; David G Dillard (Hilda) of Severn, MD, Gerald E. Dillard (Betty) of Durham, NC, and Clifton E. Dillard (Jacky) of Weaverville, NC; a daughter, Sandra D. Arscott (James) of Jacksonville, NC; four granddaughters and six great-grandchildren. Emmett attended high school and junior college at Rabun Gap Nacoochee School, Rabun Gap, GA. He received his BS from Berea College, Berea, KY, his MS from N.C. State College, now NCSU, Raleigh, NC, and his PhD from the University of Missouri, Columbia, MO. When he arrived at N.C. State College after the war, he and his family moved into Trailwood, a trailer camp reserved for married WWII veterans. With Della and the three older children, his was the largest family in Trailwood. He was also voted Mayor of Trailwood while they lived there. He joined the NCSU faculty in 1947 and retired as Associate Professor Emertis in 1979. He taught and did research in livestock improvement through breeding and management throughout his career. He served in the US Navy during WWII from May 23, 1944 until November 26, 1945 as a radar operator aboard the USS Duxbury Bay in the Pacific Theater of Operations. Dr. Dillard was in Peru as a part of the contract between NCSU, the USDA, and the Agency for International Development (AID), from 1957-1960 and again 1967-1968. He was a member of the American Society of Animal Science and was elected to the honor societies Alpha Zeta, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, and Gamma Sigma Delta. He is listed in “American Men of Science” and “Who’s Who in the South and Southwest”. In 1975, he received the Educator’s Award from the N.C. Beef Cattle Improvement Program; and in 1980 was inducted into its Hall of Fame by the Animal Science Club at NCSU. In 1986 RGNS recognized him with the Outstanding Alumnus Award During his retirement he worked on family genealogy of both the Dillard family and his wife’s family, the Bennett family. Among his hobbies were bowling, stamp collecting, gardening, and family genealogy. Dr. Dillard was a long time member of Forest Hills Baptist Church, Raleigh, N.C. where the family began attending when they moved to Raleigh in 1946. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, June 27, 2019 at 11:00 am at Forest Hills Baptist Church. A reception will immediately follow the service at the church. Burial will follow the reception at Raleigh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to RGNS, 339 Nacoochee Dr., Rabun Gap, GA 30568; or Forest Hills Baptist Church, 201 Dixie Tr., Raleigh, NC 27607 Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary’s Street Raleigh.

Elsie Cairns Morgan ’40
March 25, 2020

Elsie Catharine (Cairns) Morgan Elsie Catharine (Cairns) Morgan of Kansas City passed away on March 25 at age 102. She was born in Pineville, KY, graduated from Berea College, and completed training in laboratory technology at KC General Hospital. In 1941, she married Dr. David B. Morgan. They raised 5 children in their home on Jefferson Street where she lived for 66 years. She is well known for founding the Brookside 4th of July Parade in the 1950s, a tradition that continues today. As a member of Second Presbyterian Church since 1947, she taught 4th grade Sunday School for many years. She was dedicated to befriending the less fortunate and socially isolated. She is survived by her daughter Ann and husband Bob Woodling of Redmond, WA, daughter Margie and husband Bert Ehrmann of Dallas, son Dr. David and wife Nancy Morgan of Leawood, son Tom and wife LaVerne Morgan of Midland, TX, and son Bob and wife Mary Morgan of Overland Park. She has 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at Second Presbyterian at a later date. Visit www.amosfamily.com for more information and to leave online condolences.
To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Grace Roberts Scott ’40
April 21, 2020

Former long-time Aiken resident Grace Alice (Roberts) Scott, wife of the late Walter B. Scott, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, April 21, at the age of 100. After making a life in Aiken for more than 40 years, beginning in 1954, Grace and husband Walt retired to Greenwood, SC, in 1995. After his death in 2006, she relocated to Denver, Colorado, to reside with her only surviving daughter Patricia (Scott) Miller and son-in-law Matthew Miller. Grace was a curious, charming, funny, and fun-loving centenarian until recent weeks when she suffered a series of strokes that ended her life.

Born August 24, 1919, in Berea, Kentucky, she was the youngest of 7 children born to Emma “Daisy” (Hodgson) Roberts of Chicago, and Joseph Pickett Roberts of Williamsfield, OH, later of Chicago. She witnessed incredible changes in the world during her lifetime, which began in Eastern Kentucky, where her father had taken a job at Berea College. When she was seven years old, the family relocated to Asheville, NC, where he worked as an engineer at the Biltmore Dairy. Grace had fond memories of her life there, attending Asheville public schools, despite the struggles of the Great Depression. While in high school, she and her family moved into a cottage on the grounds of Grove Park Inn, where her father was hired as the chief engineer. She graduated from Grace High School at the age of 15, as valedictorian of the class of 1935. She went on to earn a degree in Music Education from Berea College in 1940.

The following year, Grace married her college sweetheart, Walter Scott, who served in the Army Corps of Engineers after Pearl Harbor, and she returned to Grove Park Inn to reside with her parents after he was sent abroad. During those years, the inn was taken over by the State Department, closed to the public, and fenced in to hold high level German, Italian, and Japanese detainees, as well as to host State Department meetings attended, at least once, by President Roosevelt. She volunteered as a nurse’s aid for the war effort and worked at a music store in downtown Asheville. On Walter’s return, the couple resided in Nashville, TN, where he attended library school, Auburn and Montgomery, AL, where he held university librarian positions and their daughters, Barbara and Patricia, were born, and Wilmington, DE, where he was employed by Dupont as a technical librarian. The family finally landed in Aiken, SC, transferred there by Dupont, where Walt worked in the laboratory at the Savannah River Project. There they remained and made a wonderful life.

Grace and family were active members of St. John’s United Methodist Church. She was a devoted mother, talented seamstress, avid quilter, and enthusiastic gardener, who enjoyed playing piano, singing in the church choir, reading, and giving her time to charitable causes. In the 1970s, she trained as a Vista Volunteer in Atlanta and worked on rural outreach for the Council on Aging in the Aiken County regional area. On Walter’s retirement, they moved to Wesley Commons in Greenwood, SC, took Elder Hostel trips, haunted used bookshops, enjoyed regular retreats at St. Simon’s Island, went birdwatching and visited family members across the country.

In Denver, after Walter’s death in 2006, she readily adapted to her new home and was as generous as ever with her friendship, embracing the community there, forging new friendships, and “adopting” the Kresin family, with whom her daughter and husband share a special kinship. She deeply enriched their lives as she did everyone she met.

Predeceased by her husband of 65 years, and her beloved daughter Barbara, who was taken by Hodgkins Disease at the age 25, she is survived by her daughter Patricia, her sons-in-law Matthew and Jeff, and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and their families. She will be dearly missed and forever in their memories.

A private Interment service will be held at graveside in Sunset Memory Gardens near Aiken as soon as travel arrangements can safely be made.

The family wants to express special thanks to the dedicated healthcare and hospice workers who served in their home, despite a global pandemic, to provide comfort, guidance, and support.

Donations may be made to charities that Grace regularly funded: Doctors Without Borders, The Carter Center, UNICEF, The National WWII Museum, Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, or to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund at the WHO.

To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published by Aiken Standard and North Augusta Star from Apr. 24 to May 6, 2020.

Philip Burns Harrison Acad. ’37, ’41
May 29, 2020

Thursday, April 3rd, 1919 – Friday, May 29th, 2020

Philip Burns Harrison passed from this earth on May 29, 2020. Philip was born on April 3, 1919 in a hardware store in Stanton, Ky to Howard and Chaney (Burns) Harrison. Around the age of six, Philip, his parents and three brothers, moved to Berea so his father could help with the family dairy farm. Philip’s father also served as the Berea College forestry agent, which had a lasting influence on Philip and shaped his love of gardening and animals – especially growing tomatoes and raising chickens. He and his three younger brothers grew up in Berea, in the log cabin that still stands at the foot of the Pinnacles at Indian Fort Mountain.

Philip attended Silver Creek Elementary School, Berea Academy School and graduated from Berea College with a degree in agriculture. He made eight cents per hour as a work-study student. While in college, Philip started his first business called Berea Seed Growers, which distributed tobacco and corn seed to nearly 20 counties. He maintained the business for many years.

While at Berea College, Philip met his future wife, Fanny Wilder, of Bell County, Ky. They married in 1947 after a long courtship and had three daughters.

After college, Philip’s entrepreneurial drive led him to open Harrison Farm Supply. That business eventually became the Berea Southern States store, which he owned for more than 50 years. He also ran the Berea Food Locker and a retail grocery store. Other businesses include selling chickens, eggs and blackberries as well as roofing and guttering. His businesses made him a community leader, and he was supportive of the 4-H program and individuals in need. Over the years, his various businesses employed hundreds of individuals. In addition to his generosity and good nature, Philip was well-known by many in Madison County for the vegetable gardens, healthy mums and chickens he raised. He also raised goats, pheasants, pigs, rabbits and German Shepherd puppies.

Philip and Fanny lived life to the fullest. He loved music and dancing – especially square-dancing. They danced whenever they had an opportunity and always attended local events. On more than one occasion, photos of Philip dancing made the front page of local newspapers. At his 100th birthday celebration in 2019, he enjoyed a special performance of a song written for him by Pam Perry and Wayne Combs from his daughter Ronda’s point of view.

Faith played an important role in Philip’s life. He was baptized on February 26, 1942 at Berea Baptist Church. He was the church’s oldest member and served as an usher for over 70 years. Oneida Baptist Institute in Clay County, Ky also held a special place for Philip, as his maternal grandparents were among the school’s founders and both of his parents worked there.

Philip was always open to try new things. At the age of 95, he started beekeeping, which he did for nearly two years. At age 97, Philip became a resident at Berea Health & Rehabilitation, where he remained engaged with a sharp mind. He enjoyed books and worked with his daughter, Ronda, and a writer on a memoir titled Conceived in a Cave, Born in a Hardware Store, to record stories from throughout his life. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.

At his 100th birthday party, Berea Mayor Bruce Fraley presented Philip with a city proclamation recognizing his contribution to the community which read in part, “You set a good example of the importance of hard work and industriousness for everyone who knew you, and you paved the way for future generations of Bereans. You have made a positive and lasting mark on our city and local economy. We owe you a debt of gratitude, and it is my hope that my generation and future generations will continue to build a Berea that would make you proud.”

In addition to his parents, Philip was preceded in death by his brothers, John Russell Harrison, Roger Dean Harrison and Joseph Lee Harrison.

Philip is survived by his wife of more than 72 years, Fanny Harrison of Richmond, Ky and his three daughters, Brenda Williams (Jack) of Richmond, Ky; Teresa Kruse (Calvin) of Rapid City, South Dakota; and his “biggest fan” Ronda Taylor (Randy Gourley) of Richmond, Ky. He is also survived by four grandchildren, Kenan Kruse of Phoenix, AZ, Jill Carney (Richard) of Knoxville, Tn; Brian Williams (Jonda) of Richmond, Ky.; and Colby Taylor of Cincinnati, Ohio.

The family will welcome friends for visitation on Saturday, June 6, 2020 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Berea Baptist Church with a funeral service following at 1 p.m. at the church. Burial will follow at Berea Cemetery with Kevin Slemp officiating. Restrictions previously in place have been relaxed and anyone who would like to attend are encouraged to do so.

Pallbearers are Randy Gourley, Colby Taylor, Winford “Wink” Starnes, Bart Harrison, Greg Taylor and Jack Williams. Honorary pallbearers are the Baraca Sunday school class at Berea Baptist Church.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Philip Burns Harrison please visit our Tribute Store.

Nadeane Sears Newell ’44
Sept. 7, 2020

Nadeane Sears Newell, age 99, of Somerset, passed away on Monday, September 7, 2020 at her residence in the Parkers Mill Community. She was born on March 18, 1921 in Pulaski County, Kentucky, daughter of the late Ethel B. Sears and Mamie L. Hudson Sears. Nadeane was a graduate of Berea College in Berea, Kentucky and worked as a Librarian with the Somerset Independent Schools for several years before her retirement in 1982. She was a member of the Pulaski County Democratic Women’s club. She was of the Lutheran faith and a member of the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Somerset. Nadeane was a loving and kindhearted woman who enjoyed her family and friends. She will be sadly missed by those who knew and loved her. Nadeane is preceded in death by her parents, her husband; Frank “Doc” Newell whom she married on April 4, 1958 in Ringgold, Georgia and he passed away on January 23, 1994. She is also preceded in death by her two brothers; Walter Sears and Gene Marklin Sears Sr. She leaves behind to cherish her memory several nieces and nephews and her dedicated caregivers of over 25 years; Neva Troxtell and Arthur Troxtell of Burnside. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service and Inurnment will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 18, 2020, at the Somerset Cemetery with Pastor Doug Couch officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions are suggested to the Somerset Community College Foundation, 808 Monticello Street, Somerset, Kentucky 42503.

Lucille Turner Ouzts ’44
June 4, 2020

Mrs. Lucille Turner Ouzts of Elberton, age 98, passed away peacefully on June 4 at Elbert Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Ouzts was born September 12, 1921 in Hazard, Kentucky, daughter of the late John Calvin Turner and Rose Lillie Graham Turner. She received a Nursing degree from Berea College and upon graduation joined the U.S. Army as a Nurse Lieutenant during World War II. After the war she continued her nursing education at Vanderbilt University. While working as a public health nurse in Chattanooga, Tennessee she met her future husband, J. Lewis Ouzts, at a veterans’ dance. They were married in October of 1951 in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Mrs. Ouzts was most proud of her work for the School Board of Elbert County teaching the Licensed Practical Nurse course for a number of years. Many of her students are still working in the nursing profession in Elbert County. She was an active member of Elberton First Presbyterian Church for over 50 years serving as Deacon, Elder, and President of the Women of the Church. After her retirement Mrs. Ouzts enjoyed traveling all over the world with her Elberton friends and visiting her children and grandchildren. She was an avid reader and as always, devoted many hours to church activities and volunteer work. In addition to her husband and parents she was predeceased by her brothers, Paul, Horace, Hubert, and Lloyd Turner. Survivors include her two daughters, Nancy O. Reynolds (Bob) of Elberton, Carol O. Cordray (Jim Reaves) of Atlanta; grandchildren Katherine R. Loichinger (Corey) of Charleston, SC., J. Turner Reynolds of Greenville, SC (Linett), and Arielle Konfino Cohen (Jason) of Dallas, TX; and great grandchildren Fletcher, Thaddeus, Heyward, and Siddalee Loichinger. A memorial service to celebrate Mrs. Ouzts’ life will be scheduled at a later date. Interment will be at Friendship Church Cemetery in Saluda County, SC. Contributions in her memory may be made to Elberton First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 185, Elberton, GA 30635. Mrs. Ouzts family is grateful to the staff and caregivers at both Magnolia Estates and Nancy Hart Nursing Home for their friendship and care over the last 4 years. Arrangements for Mrs. Lucille Ouzts are in the care of Hicks Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

William Wesley Peavyhouse Navy V-12 ’44
Feb. 9, 2016

Obituary Unavailable

Ralph Eugene Ternes Navy V-12 ’44
April 10, 2020

Ralph E. Ternes of O’Fallon, MO passed away on Friday, April 10, 2020 at the age of 94. He had been declining in health and died peacefully in his sleep.

Ralph was born in Henderson, KY on April 29, 1925 to Frank and Mary Windhaus Ternes. He was the youngest of seven children.

He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 at the age of 18 and served in the Pacific. Upon his separation from the Navy in 1946, he returned to Berea College to finish his degree. He married his high school sweetheart, Mary Louise Pinson in 1950. They had three children, David, Jane, and Susan.

Ralph worked for various companies throughout his lifetime but retired in 1987 as the President of Bloomfield Manufacturing Co. He continued to live in Bloomfield until 2017 when he moved to O’Fallon, MO to be closer to his daughter and grandsons.

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife Mary Louise, son David and son-in-law Randy Francis. He is survived by his daughters Jane Francis and Susan Blethen (Steve). Also, three grandchildren, Sarah Blethen, Nick & Ryan Francis and three great-grandchildren, Karlee & Reagan Francis, and Ariana Morales. He is survived by several nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Ralph is planned for Saturday, July 11, 2020 at 9:30 am followed by Mass at 10:00 am at Holy Name Catholic Church in Bloomfield, IN. There will be a luncheon following the Mass and burial will follow in St. Louis Cemetery in Henderson, KY.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Holy Name Catholic Church in Bloomfield, IN or to St. Mary-of-the-Woods College in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN.

To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Ralph E. Ternes please visit our Sympathy Store.

Richard Otto Troll Navy V-12 ’44
March 4, 2020

Richard O. Troll, (96), of Grand Rapids, passed away on March 4th. Richard was born in Detroit, Michigan to Otto and Dagmar Troll in 1923. He met his wife, Doris, while attending high school in New Jersey, and they shared over 74 years of marriage. A Tool and Die Engineer, he spent 35 years at Keeler Brass Company in Grand Rapids. Richard was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving as a naval officer aboard the USS Laffey. He loved the natural world, leading his family on camping adventures in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, hiking to most of Michigan’s waterfalls, autumn color tours, and cruising Alaska and Georgian Bay in Canada. Richard enjoyed many years of houseboating on the Muskegon River and especially the many friendships that bloomed under the sun and on the water. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Otto and Dagmar, sister Betty Varner and brother William Troll. Richard is survived by his wife, Doris, daughter Carlee (James) Koessel, son Richard (Gwen) Troll, grandchildren Brian (Stephanie) Koessel and Kimberly Koessel, and great-grandchildren Elsie and Ken Koessel. Memorials may be given to The Wounded Warrior Project.

June Brice Cawthon ’45
Jan. 28, 2020

June Brice Cawthon, 96, died January 28, 2020. Born in Pineville, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Hiram Lee and Ida McKinley Brice.  She was married to J. Marvin Cawthon in 1956.  She was a graduate of Berea College and Emory University, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Librarianship.  She was a school librarian in Kentucky, Tennessee and Georgia before accepting a position of Library Consultant with the Athens Regional Library in 1953.  Twelve years later she left that position to teach at the University of Georgia until her retirement in 1982.  After her retirement, she and her husband traveled extensively in the United States and abroad.

For many years she volunteered at the Athens Regional Medical Center and the Meals on Wheels Program.  She was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church and over the years was active in the choir, United Methodist Women and the Fellowship Sunday School Class.

Her nephew, David Lee Hulme of Clarksburg, West Virginia survives her.

A memorial service will be held Friday, February 7, 2020 at 11AM at the First United Methodist Church of Athens with a reception following.

Donations may be made to the Meals on Wheels Program or to a charity of your choice.

Lord and Stephens Funeral Home, EAST, 4355 Lexington Road, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of June Brice Cawthon, please visit our floral store.

Margie Mantooth Linnartz ’45
June 1, 2020

Margie Mantooth Linnartz entered Life Eternal on June 1. She was born at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia while it was an active Army Post, home of the 6th Calvary. She and her sister enjoyed the privileges of “Army Brats” as their father remained at the Fort in a civilian role following his discharge from the Army. They participated in Girl Scouts, hiking and many other activities there at the Post. Her parents, Exie Keith & Luther Mantooth and her only sibling, Frankie Mantooth Rice, preceded her in death.

Margie graduated from Chattanooga High School and attended Berea College of Berea, Kentucky. After college, she worked at Fort Oglethorpe as an accountant and ultimately transferred to Camp Gordon, near Augusta, Georgia where she met the love of her life, Lt. Don Linnartz. They were married at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Augusta and moved to San Luis Obispo, California to begin their married life. When Don was sent to Korea, Margie returned to her parents’ home and took a position with TVA in Chattanooga, TN, which she held until they were blessed with their first child, Hans Christian, close to a year after Don’s return from the war. Gretchen Ann came along 22 months later, completing their small family.

Margie enjoyed arts and crafts, sewing, counted cross stitch, collecting and memorizing poetry. Margie has always had a passion for keeping in touch with friends and relatives and thus developed what Don called her “card ministry.” She carefully selected each card for the given recipient so that they felt blessed to be remembered. Among her talents, Margie managed the household budget, stretching limited income to meet the basic needs of the family. She was involved in the Lutheran Church wherever they lived, teaching Sunday School, serving on the altar guild, as a lay reader and for several years as a Stephen Minister. Margie loved her family, her church and her Lord. It was over 12 years after Don retired from BellSouth that they selected Gainesville as home and moved to Lanier Village Estates and joined First Presbyterian Church.

Margie is survived by her husband, Donald, children, Hans Linnartz and his wife, Ann Robertson of Raleigh, NC and Gretchen and her husband, Hugh Canterbury of Cumming, GA, 8 grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and Elizabeth Byrum Linnartz, mother of 5 of the grandchildren.

To assist in the furtherance of medical science, Margie requested that her body be donated to Emory University Medical Center. In lieu of flowers, it is Margie’s wish that contributions be made to Berea College or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held at a date and place to be determined. Rev. Lee Koontz of First Presbyterian Church will officiate.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store. Published in gainesvilletimes.com on Jun. 5, 2020.

Robert J. Stradling Navy V-12 ’45
Jan. 7, 2020

Robert Jamison Stradling, age 94, of Elkton, MD, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 7, 2020. He was born in Trenton, NJ, to Maurice and Mabel Jamison Stradling.

Bob grew up at various locations in Bucks County, PA. He graduated from Newtown High School and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He played baseball in both high school and college and was a lifelong Phillies fan. His education, made possible by the U.S. Navy and the G.I. Bill, consisted of attending six colleges and universities, earning a B.S. in Education from East Stroudsburg University, a masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania and the successful completion of the Doctoral Examination from the same school.

Bob taught mathematics at Richardson Park Junior High School and became the first principal of both Stanton and Skyline Junior High schools. He also served as Assistant Superintendent for Personnel before retiring in 1981. Bob was a lifelong Presbyterian and was an active member of Elkton Presbyterian Church.

Bob enjoyed reading, playing golf and writing pun-filled poems for special occasions celebrated by relatives and friends. He and his family enjoyed vacations on Cape Cod for many years. Winters in his retirement were made pleasurable by playing golf and associating with friends and relatives in the Stuart, FL, area.

In addition to his parents, Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Evelyn Nixon Stradling.

He is survived by his daughters, Kathleen Baldwin and husband, Jeffrey, Newark, DE, and Nancy Roberts and husband, John, Colorado Springs, CO; and son, Rev. Robert N. Stradling and wife, Sharon, Malvern, PA. He is also survived by grandchildren, Craig Baldwin (Stacy), Bear, DE, Honor Roberts (Joseph), Somer Heckert (Joshua), all of Colorado Springs, CO, and Jamison Roberts, San Antonio, TX; and great-grandchildren, Kelsey, Andrew, Jared, Carlos, Sierra, Jonathon, Sean, Serenity and Hunter.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, February 8, 2020, at Elkton Presbyterian Church, 209 E. Main Street, Elkton, MD 21921. Interment in Elkton Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Elkton Presbyterian Church, at the above address.

www.hickshomeforfunerals.com

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published in The News Journal from Jan. 23 to Jan. 26, 2020.

Glenna Smith Lett ’46
July 8, 2020

Glenna “Nana” Smith Lett was born on January 28, 1924 in Ashland, KY and passed away July 8, 2020 after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul E. Lett, M.D., her parents, Myrl and Jewel White Smith, and siblings June Smith, Jim Smith, Fred Smith and Eleanor McDowell. She is survived by her daughters Lisa Lett (Rex Turner) of Richmond and Jan DeLaney (Mike) of Ashland, sons Kevin (Libby) Lett and Jonathan (Candy) Lett of Ashland, sisters Nancy (Wayne) Utz of Ft. Thomas, KY, and Virginia “Jenny” Smith Baker of Gibralter, MI, ten grandchildren Jessica (Jeff) Abrams and Dylan DeLaney of Cincinnati, OH, Amanda Mussetter and Adam Lett of Lexington, Lyndsay DeLaney of Louisville, Amy (Drew) Grey of Knoxville, TN, and Terry Mussetter, Ashley DeLaney, Madison Lett and Spencer Lett of Ashland. She adored her six great-grandchildren.

Glenna was very active in her community and First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She was among the first members of Friends of Hospice and later served as its president. She served on the boards of Community Hospice and Kings Daughters Medical Center. She was a past president of the KDMC Medical Auxiliary, held a leadership position in the Boyd County Medical Alliance and was treasurer of the Ashland Civic League. She volunteered at KDMC, delivered Meals on Wheels, and also served on the Board of Directors and was Secretary of the Ashland Senior Center/Boyd County Counsel on Aging, Inc., for many years.

Glenna was an avid reader, worker of crossword puzzles and fan of Jeopardy. She and her husband Paul loved to cook and eat all types of cuisine. For the last several years, “Nana” Glenna contributed weekly recipes for publication in the Greater Ashland Beacon newspaper. Always willing, and honored, to provide food for any event, some of her most requested foods were her famous cucumber sandwiches, Snickerdoodles and her Mt. Dew cakes.

Glenna was an energetic, dynamic and truly special person for all of her 96 years on this earth and was inspiring to all who knew her. Though Heaven is rejoicing, she will be sadly missed by her family and friends and will forever be remembered as “Nana” to her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A service celebrating her life will be held Saturday, July 11 at 1 p.m. at First Christian Church in Ashland with Rev. Stephen Smythers and Pastor Acy Gibson officiating. Entombment will follow in Rose Hill Mausoleum. Visitation will be prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. As an ex-pression of sympathy, the family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to either First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1930 Winchester Ave., Ashland, KY 41101, or to Christian Appalachian Project, P.O. Box 55911, Lexington, KY 40555-5911. The family has entrusted Miller Funeral Home with arrangements.

Pallbearers: Drew Grey, Terry Mussetter, Adam Lett, Dylan DeLaney, Spencer Lett, and Randy Smith.

Honorary pallbearers: J. Michael DeLaney, Rex Turner, John DeLaney, Mike Smith, Wayne Utz, Chris Utz, Jason Stone, Frank Buehner and Jeff Abrams.

Online condolences may be sent to mfhfuneralhome.com. Published on July 9, 2020

Jimmie Burton Parris Fd. ’46
Feb. 9, 2020

Mrs. Jimmie Ruth Burton Parris, 95, made her transition to Heaven on Sunday, February 9, 2020. She was born on November 29, 1924 in the Denver Community of Tallapoosa County, Alabama. The funeral visitation will be in the Sanctuary of First United Methodist Church of Tuscumbia, Alabama from 11:00 to1:00, Wednesday, February 12, 2020. The service will follow in the same location at 1:00. Dr. Rudy Guess and Rev. Mark Parris will officiate. The graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Midway United Methodist Church Cemetery, Midway, Alabama between Wedowee and Roanoke in Randolph County. Rev. Mark Parris and Rev. Alan Barrett will officiate. Visitation following the service. Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews of Mrs. Parris. Jimmie was preceded in death by her parents, James Monroe Burton and Susan Elizabeth McEachern Burton, and her siblings: John Burton, Robert Burton, Edison Burton, Charlie Burton, Guy Burton, Gladys Burton, Edith Sanders, Clara Sims LeCroy, Eunice Welch, Annie Laurie Sanders, Mary Sanders, Ruby Drake, Cenus Harris, and Minnie Claude Isabell. She is survived by her husband of 71+ years, William Alton Parris of Sheffield, and their children: Joel B. Parris (Joan) of Tuscumbia, Rev. Mark D. Parris (Julianne) of Tuscumbia, and Elizabeth “Beth” Parris Barrett (Alan) of Pine Mt., Georgia. She was blessed with eight grandchildren: Jamie Parris (Jessica) of Homewood; Jana Beaver (Brant) of Florence; Michael Parris of Denver, Colorado; Jenny Boozer (Justin) of Muscle Shoals; Molly Bellow (Jonas) of Round Rock, Texas; Elizabeth Barrett (Flynn) Williford of Ooltewah, Tennessee; Stacey Barrett of Pine Mt., Georgia; and Andrew Barrett (Amanda) of LaGrange, Georgia. She is also survived by eleven great grandchildren: Sumner Parris, Grayson Parris, Meade Parris, Rebecca Beaver, Brooks Beaver, Lydia Ryan, Wesley Ryan, Lily Boozer, Easton Boozer, Genevieve Bellow, and Lorelei Bellow. She was also blessed with many nephews, nieces, and cousins. Jimmie grew up on a farm in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, where she was the youngest of 15 children. She graduated from Chambers County High School in 1942, and she graduated from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky in 1946. She and Alton were married on the campus of Southern Union Community College in Wadley, Alabama on March 27, 1948. She was employed in the social work field in Alabama and in Georgia after college and up until the birth of their first child. After her husband, Alton, graduated from seminary, Jimmie chose not to be employed outside the home as she felt she could not easily combine a career with being a mother and a pastor’s wife. She was very supportive of her husband, Alton’s, ministry in Methodist churches in Atlanta, Hokes Bluff, Haleyville, Birmingham, Gadsden, Tuscumbia, Roanoke District, and Guntersville. She held various offices in local churches and on the conference level within the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. She also was an active member of the United Methodist Women in the churches they served and of the North Alabama United Methodist pastors’ wives group, the “Susies.” She enjoyed her family and family gatherings. During their active years in ministry and during early retirement years, Jimmie and Alton enjoyed traveling in the U.S. and overseas. The family wishes to thank the staffs of Morningside Assisted Living and Mitchell-Hollingsworth Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for their special care in recent months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions to support local, national, and international missions to the “Faith Promise Missions Fund” at Tuscumbia First United Methodist Church, 104 E. 3rd St., Tuscumbia, AL 35674. Today’s Events Visitation Feb 12. 11:00 AM 1:00 PM (CST) First United Methodist Church Tuscumbia 104 E. 3rd Street Tuscumbia, AL, 35674

Walter H. Power ’46
Obituary Unavailable

Aileen Saylor Williams Fd. ’46
Sept. 27, 2020

Aileen Williams, wife of 35 years to the late Thomas Denver Williams, died September 27, 2020, in Cynthiana, Kentucky. She was born in 1927 in Blue Diamond, Kentucky to the late Rusaw & Sophie Huff Saylor. Aileen is a name of Irish origin and means bright or shining light. It is a unique name. Our mom Aileen was a beautiful person with a determined and independent spirit, yet she moved through life with dignity and grace. When you talked with Aileen, it was a soft conversation accompanied with a smile. She lived simply, focusing her time and resources on things she could hold in her heart rather than what she could hold in her hand. She was an elegant lady with a kind heart, traits that forever touched family, friends, and acquaintances. Her last years were spent at Cedar Ridge Health Campus, Cynthiana, Kentucky. She created new friendships and once said living there was like being back in a college dorm. Our family owes the staff at Cedar Ridge an un-repayable debt of gratitude. They loved and cared for Aileen and us, as though we were family. Their careful care enriched her final years. She is survived by five children: Deborah Madison (David), Karen Williams, Paul Williams (Jan), Marisa Palkuti (Gabe) and Rex Williams (Maxine McKinley); a brother, Harold Saylor; eight grandchildren: Nathan Madison (Mary), Chris Madison (Mina), Sarah Fitzgerald, Alex Fitzgerald (Elise), Marc Williams (Jenn), Andrew Williams (Kelli), McKinley Williams and Camryn Williams; and four great-grandchildren: Denver Madison, Elijah Madison, Larkin Williams and Ripley Jane Williams. There are nieces and nephews too numerous to mention, but upon whose lives she left a deep impression. Also preceding Aileen in death were three brothers, Walter, Bev & Ralph Saylor, and her dear friend Earl McNabb, who enriched her life for eighteen years. The Aileen Williams we knew was a woman molded in part by the mission of the school she attended Berea College. Her loyalty to those ideals have influenced her life since 1946. Memorial donations may be made in her name to Berea College, CPO 2216, Berea, KY 40404. A private service will be held at the convenience of the family in Battle Grove Cemetery.

Colette Rieben Charig ’47
Dec. 11, 2019

Charig Colette, 95, of Eugene died December 11th. Arrangements by Andreason’s Cremation and Burial Services in Springfield.

Elizabeth Crumbley Losee ’47
May 17, 2020

Mrs. Elizabeth (Betsy) Losee, age 93, died Sunday, May 17, 2020 at her home in Franklin, Tennessee. Mrs. Losee was born in Prairie Grove, AR, daughter of the late Dr Joseph Terrell Crumbley and Emily Turner Crumbley. She is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Walter Bayard Losee Jr and sons Thomas Franklin Losee and David Bayard Losee. She graduated from Colquitt High School in Colquitt, Georgia and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology specializing in Early Education from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. Throughout life, her dedication and love for children has been evident in the positive effects derived from her interactions and guidance at church and school and with family, friends, and persons in need. Children were her passion as demonstrated in her early summer work at Hiram House Camp outside Cleveland, Ohio and her devotion to her family. She loved nature and the outdoors and was a happy gardener, proficient painter, and skilled seamstress.

After living and raising a family outside NYC on Long Island, she and Walter lived in southern California before moving to Franklin, Tennessee in 1993 where she was an active member of Epworth United Methodist Church and the United Methodist Women, serving many years in support of the Epworth Young Children’s School. She quilted, baked bread, and crocheted an abundance of hats and prayer shawls for others. She was a Master Gardener, and member of The Parthenon Porcelain Painters Guild, FCE, and Four Seasons Garden Club.

Elizabeth is survived by: three sons; James Walter Losee (Joan) of Mason, NH, Terrell George Losee (Anne) of Chattanooga, TN, and Paul Turner Losee (Cheryl) of Freehold, NJ, and a daughter Janet Losee (Russ) Wetzel of Madison, AL. Sixteen grandchildren; Heather, Scott, Jennifer-Lea, Sean, Paul, Jeffrey, Andrew, Joseph, Christine, Robert, Alexander, Theresa, John, Matthew, Franklin, and Peter. Twenty-six great grandchildren.

Her family is thankful for the Christian love and support she found in the Epworth UMC family. A private service will be held for the family.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers a memorial donation be made to Hiram House Camp www.HiramHouseCamp.org or Berea College www.Berea.edu/give.

Helen Smith Brown Acad. ’44, ‘48
Feb. 9, 2020

HELEN S. BROWN, 93, of Huntington, passed away peacefully February 9, 2020, at her home. Helen was preceded in death by Charlie, her husband of 63 years, in 2017. She is survived by their three boys, Mark (Kathy and son Nathan) of Huntington, Gene (Michele and children Aidan and Lilly) of Versailles, Ky., and Charlie (Monica and children Evan and Claire) of Cincinnati, Ohio. Also surviving are cousins Susie Ziegenfus (Kutztown, Pa.) and Kathy Bromer (Davidson, N.C.) and several Illinois siblings. Helen was born and raised in Stonington. Ill., until she moved to Kentucky to finish high school. She graduated from Berea College and worked as an art teacher and librarian until “Smitty” met “Brownie” while visiting friends in New York. They bonded over coffee (the other love of her life) and soon married. After stints in Texas, New York and Kentucky, his work took them to Huntington in 1960. While raising the boys, she also offered her time to League of Women Voters, AAUW, her church, adult and child literacy and Habitat for Humanity, among others. Her love of art took them to Europe many times after his retirement. Helen’s sunny disposition never left her. Even after dementia robbed her of her short-term memory, she still cherished everyone around her, from her family to people she met (and re-met) daily. Helen and Charlie’s love and acceptance of all people, despite age, race, sexual orientation or any other measure, is a gift that weaves through her children and grandchildren every day. Helen the Gracious, as someone once nicknamed her, was truly a blessing. A memorial service will be held at noon March 7, 2020, at First Presbyterian Church in Huntington. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Tri-State Literacy Council.

Clinton O. Clay ’48
Jan. 19, 2020

Clinton Oran Clay, 92 of Huntsville died Sunday, January 19, 2020 at Regency Healthcare. He is survived by his daughter, Anna Elizabeth Clay, of Huntsville, AL. Preceded in death by his loving wife, Edna Ward Clay and son, Joseph Christopher Clay.

Visitation will be held at First United Methodist Church Sunday, January 26 at 1:15 pm to 2:00 pm, with memorial services following at 2 pm. Mr. Clay was born in Bucksnort, AL (now part of Grant in Marshall County). A high school graduate of Kate Duncan Smith in 1944, he graduated Berea College in Berea, KY in 1948 with a B.A. in Sociology. He received his master’s degree in social work with an undergraduate in psychology and sociology at Florida State University.

Mr. Clay’s studies were delayed when he was inducted into the army in 1954. He spent the Korean War at Camp Roberts, CA as a psychiatric social work technician in the neuro psychiatrist division helping veterans through PTSD and war trauma.

He was an avid clogger, which he thoroughly enjoyed. Never meeting a stranger, he made everyone feel at ease with his many humorous stories. Mr. Clay will be greatly missed. A special thank you to a great family friend, Carol Baker, for all she’s done through the years. The family would also like to thank the staff of Encompass Health- Hospice for the wonderful care and support that they have provided during this difficult time.

Mary Lou Baker Henjum ’48
Nov. 11, 2019

Mary Lou Baker Henjum, 94, wife of the late Paul G. Henjum, passed away on November 11, 2019. She was the daughter of the late Elmer L. Baker and Daisy Young Baker and was born in Corbin, Kentucky on June 5, 1925She was survived by her brother, E. Lee Baker; two nieces, Debbie Baker and Lynn Baker Kennedy; and two nephews, Alan L. Baker and Mark E. Baker. She was preceded in death by her sister, Jo Ann Baker IshamA Private family service will be held. Interment will be at the Lexington Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society. Milward-Southland is serving the family.

Margaret Southard Perkins ’48
April 27, 2020

Margaret (Margo) Southard Perkins passed on Monday April 27, 2020. She was 93 years old and passed comfortably in Hospice Home of Rockingham after several weeks of declining health. Margo was born in Central City Kentucky on July 17, 1926. She grew up during the 1929 depression in an orphanage after her father died. She attended Berea College where she earned her Bachelor of Science. Later she earned her Master of Mathematics from University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She married Kenneth Perkins in 1947 and together they raised three children. Margo was a teacher for most of her adult life. She taught in High Point College, Elon College, Altamahaw-Ossippee High School, Western Alamance High School, and Western Alamance Middle School. She wrote, produced, and taught a math program for UNC-TV. Margo also created and taught a program to improve math teacher skills in Winston-Salem and Forsyth County Schools. In 1986 she received the Governor’s Award for North Carolina Outstanding Mathematics Teacher. After retiring, she lived with her husband in Rockingham County and the two of them traveled around the world and country when they were not working on their property. Ken and Margo were active in the support of NC Parks and Nature areas. Margo is survived by 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Kenneth predeceased Margo in 2016. There are no services; a private family service will be held later this fall. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in memory of Margaret Perkins to either Hospice of Rockingham County, 2150 NC Hwy 65, Reidsville, NC 27320; or Berea College, 101 Chestnut St, Berea, KY 40403.

Romulus Jolley Duncan ’49
Feb. 17, 2020

Romulus “Jolley” Duncan, age 98, of Dysartsville, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2020 at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center, in Salisbury, NC. A native of Spruce Pine, Jolley was born on July 4, 1921 to the late Rom and Connie Jolley Duncan. Jolley was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. He served in the United States Army as a Field Artillery Heavy Machine Gunner where he fought in five battles, Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was also briefly apart of the Battle of the Bulge. Jolley attended Brevard College, Western Carolina and then attended college in Berea, Kentucky where he majored in Agriculture. He retired from Davie County Health Department as an Environmentalist. Jolley is preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Genevieve Tate Duncan, who passed on December 8, 1993; his twin brother Jack as an infant; and a sister, Margaret Duncan Byrd. Jolley leaves behind his three children; son, Ronald Eugene Duncan of Nebo, daughters, Carol Duncan Hendricks and husband Richard of Mocksville N.C. and Janice Elaine Duncan of Statesville; four grandchildren, Ronnie Lee Duncan of Nebo, Christina Starr and husband Christopher of Rembert of S.C., Jenna Hendricks Granger and husband Brad of Roanoke, V.A., Cara Hendricks of Waynesville, N.C., two great-grandchildren; Conner and Cody Starr, a special friend; Amanda Snyder of Granada Hills, CA. The funeral service will be held on Friday, February 21, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church with Rev. Don Morrison officiating. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the funeral service at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow the funeral service in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church at 174 Trinity Church Loop, Nebo, 28762 or First United Methodist Church of Mocksville at 310 N Main Street, Mocksville, NC, 27028

Betty Partin Hurst ’50
July 16, 2020

Betty Lou Partin Hurst, 91, of Knoxville and formerly of Oak Ridge, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2020 at the Turkey Creek Medical Center.

She was born May 30, 1929 in Wasioto, Ky, the daughter of Charles Edward Partin and Lettie Mae Carty Partin.

After graduation from high school, Betty continued her education for two years at Berea College.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by husband, George Samuel Hurst, July 4, 2010. They were married 62 years.

She and Sam traveled extensively and she often accompanied him on business trips. She loved the southwest and traveled to Las Vegas with Sam where he worked with the US Army on post-war radiation studies. She also accompanied her husband to China, where they stayed for three months while he had speaking engagements. She often entertained many visiting international scientists and dignitaries in their home.

Betty was a member of United Church Chapel on the Hill where she enjoyed volunteering in the Nursery rocking the babies.

In the past she was active with the Burchfield Garden Club, had been a “Pink Lady” at a hospital in Lexington, KY and active with a local sewing group that made dolls and donated them to the Holiday Bureau. She was very independent and greatly loved by all.

She is survived by son, Donald E. Hurst and wife Linda and daughter Karen L. Popham and husband Michael, all of Knoxville; sister, Jan Partin Miracle and husband Leon of Pineville, KY and their children Susan Miracle and Leigh Anne Eldridge and husband Rick; cousin Diana Carty of Wenatchee, WA; 3 grandchildren, Heather Thum and husband George of W. Palm Beach, FL, Joshua L. Hurst and wife Kati and Abby C. Hurst of Knoxville; and 4 Great Grandchildren, Rachel Thum, Henry, Dylan and Wyatt Hurst.

Family and friends will meet for a graveside service on Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 10:00 am at Oak Ridge Memorial Park. Dr. C. N. Willborn will officiate.

The family asks that memorials be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Dr. John Alden Auxier ’51 (Berea College Trustee)
Aug. 27, 2020

Dr. John Alden Auxier died Thursday, August 27 at home. He was born on October 7, 1925 in Paintsville, KY to the late John Brown Auxier and Stella Grace Robinson Auxier.   He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Whitten Auxier; his daughters, Rebecca Auxier of Athens, Georgia and Barbara Auxier Turner, husband Jim Turner of Watkinsville, Georgia.; Stepchildren Leonard Whitten and wife Hillary of Denver, CO and Linda Whitten Stinnett of Littleton, CO; two step grandchildren Jennifer Stinnett and Whitteny Stinnett.  He was preceded in death by his sister Bonnie Hager; brothers George Auxier; Dave Auxier.

Dr. Auxier is also survived by his sister-in-law, Martha Auxier of Farragut; sister-in-law Tanja Auxier of Ohio and many nieces and nephews.

After Auxier passed a 2 year college equivalency exam he quit high school in his senior year (1943) to enter the Army Air Corp as a cadet.   Subsequently, he became a fighter pilot and continued his love of airplanes throughout his life.  After leaving the Air Force he continued his education at Berea College, graduating in 1951 with a B.A. in Physics.  He was then awarded an AEC Fellowship at Vanderbilt University and received a M.S. in Physics in 1952.  In 1972 he received his Ph.D in Nuclear Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology and returned to ORNL to become the Director of the Health Physics Division.

While a graduate student at ORNL in 1952 John was hired by the University of Texas where he coordinated and directed the Health Physics Program and was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Department of Physics and Engineering of the Radiobiological Laboratory.  He returned to ORNL in 1955 as a researcher.

 Dr. Auxier was considered an expert in the areas of nuclear engineering and health physics. He directed research in the investigation of pathways of exposure and biological effects of pollutants, both nuclear and non-nuclear, and toxic agents safety, with emphasis on the needs of practicing health physicists.  He participated in, and ultimately directed, successful efforts to obtain radiation doses for the survivors of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.  He has been a consultant to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation of Japan.

Dr. Auxier’s special consulting activities have included the President’s Commission on the Accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant.  Also, he was the head of the task committee on health physics and dosimetry for this incident.  He has been a member of the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Department of Energy for the Northern Marshall Islands and a member of the Department of Energy/Defense Nuclear Agency Inspection and Advisory Team for the Cleanup of Enewetak Atoll.

He received many awards including being inducted into the Engineering Hall of Fame at Georgia Institute of Technology in 1996; receiving a Honorary Doctorate of Science, Berea College in 1987.  He served on the Board of Trustees at Berea College for many years and at the time of his death was an Honorary Trustee of Berea College. 

He published over 100 papers and authored the Energy Research and Development Agency (ERDA-later to become the Department of Energy) Prestige Series book entitled ICHIBAN:  Dosimetry for the Survivors of the Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.  He served on numerous committees.

In 1992 Dr. Auxier founded Auxier & Associates Inc, Knoxville, providing radiological health, safety and environmental consulting.

Dr. Auxier’s proudest accomplishment was the founding of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge in 2010.

Memorial services are incomplete at this time. 

Dr. Auxier will be cremated and interred at the First United Methodist Church Memorial Garden.

Gertrude Bremer Crites ’51
April 20, 2020

On April 20, 2020, Trudy’s loved ones lost our mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Mother Earth lost an advocate, an artist, a caregiver, and a friend. Trudy was born in German Silesia on April 17th, 1925. Her long and remarkably resilient journey ended in Portland, Oregon. Trudy’s optimism and openness to evolving circumstances always paved the way for her journey. At age 12, Trudy and her family of eight fled Germany, immigrating and assimilating to neutral Turkey. Afforded little opportunity for herself in 1947, Trudy immigrated to America for educational opportunities, Europe and her family being in war-torn disarray. Trudy worked her way through Kentucky’s Berea college, then earned scholarship to a Yale MSN, then Yale Divinity School. In 1955, she married Stephen D. Crites in Elida, Ohio. Trudy’s remarkable ability to reinvent herself served her well as she and Stephen eventually settled into life in Middletown, CT. She assumed the mantle of her role as a pastor/professor’s spouse. They raised four daughters, Thea, Stephanie, Lilian, and Hannah. The family traveled the world together, having many colorful adventures and misadventures. Trudy pursued her nursing career, but her guiding lights were her beloved family, her Christian faith, and her keen eye for art, creating beauty every day for the rest of her life. In 1986, newly single and empty-nested, Trudy joined the Peace Corps, teaching nursing skills in Gambia, west Africa. Her stateside return was no less grueling than the previous transitions had been. Trudy arose like the Phoenix nonetheless, resettling in Brattleboro, VT. She drew her family about her, she engaged her artistic energies as never before, she became quite an active parishioner, and she volunteered for everything that she could schedule. Trudy especially reveled in her role as Oma to her now-adult grandchildren, Michael and Timothy Seckla, Adeline and Laura Mitchell, Iris and Rose Flesher, and to Peter Johnson. With great joy she welcomed the next generation, Finnegan, Madison, and Christopher Seckla. In 2016, Trudy moved to Portland, into the care of Hannah. Trudy’s ability to keep moving forward was always sustained by her Christianity, and in her determination to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in any circumstance. Trudy’s essence will live on in the twinkle of her love in her family’s eyes, in the brightness of each spring’s blossoming, in the sweetness of sun-ripened tomatoes, and in the hues of each season’s subtle rotation, absent her paintbrushes capturing them for us all.

Louise Archer Davidson ’51
Sept. 22, 2020

Louise Archer Davidson Louisville Louise Archer Davidson died peacefully in Louisville on September 22, 2020 at the age of 92. She was preceded in death by her husband, Broadus Napier Davidson. She is survived by her daughter Deborah Moore, son Gregory Davidson, son-in-law Wayne Moore, cherished grandchildren Rachel Moore, Allison Moore, Philip Moore, and two beloved great-grandchildren Ashlynn and Carter Leigh. Louise was born in Jonesborough, TN to Elijah and May Archer. She was a proud 1951 graduate of Berea College. Following her marriage to Broadus in 1954, they became longtime Louisville residents where she happily raised her family. She actively volunteered in the community, especially through Meadow Heights Woman’s Club and Locust Grove, enjoyed travel, and supported U of L football and basketball. There will be a private family graveside service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all donations be made to Berea College (The Berea Fund: CPO 2216 Berea, KY 40404 with memo “In memory of Louise Davidson”)

Maude Brewer Jones ’51
Obituary Unavailable

Rubye R. Teague ’51
Aug. 30, 2020

Rubye Roberta Teague, 92, of Greenville, died August 30, 2020. She was a daughter of the late Robert and Mamie Milam Teague.

In her words, an aura of serenity and gentleness surrounds Rubye Teague. Though she has dealt with many challenges, she seems at peace in the moment. The yard of her new condo is in bloom, and the organic sense continues inside with the use of natural colors and materials. Her walls are filled with books, art, and family photos. A small Buddhist shrine, spare and beautiful in its simplicity, blends into the many wooden pieces. Its doors open to a calligraphy prayer scroll. There are collections of handwoven baskets, large shells, a Mexican bark painting, and a Remington glass etching. There is evidence everywhere of a life filled with intellectual and international flavors and a love of its roots.

Rubye grew up north of Laurens on a 73-acre farm which had 17 acres of ponds. She speaks fondly of her childhood at the ‘home place’. She is the eldest of five girls born within seven years of each other, and one boy born five years later. Her mother worked at home raising the family. Her father had a grading contractor business, was elected County Supervisor, and ran a country store in retirement. Rubye’s grandparents lived nearby on a farm filled with fruit and nut trees. Her childhood was marked by happiness and the beauty of these places.

In her teens, Rubye couldn’t relate to the non-inclusive message of her rural church. She began a lifelong interest in other religions after reading “The Wisdom Tree”. After attending local schools, she spent a year at Pfeiffer Jr. College in NC and transferred to Berea College in Kentucky where she studied English and Philosophy. After transferring to Wayne (State) University in Detroit, she joined the Miles Poetry Group which greatly influenced her and helped form her identity. A central figure was Phillip Levine, a renowned poet who has won a National Book Award and a Pulitzer. She links his influence to her desire to write, her connection to poetry, and she still follows the careers of the group members.

She moved to NYC, worked briefly at J. Walter Thompson Advertising and three years at Newsweek in production. Her sister, Hariett, married a Peruvian, and Rubye visited them. Literary and political movements in South America made it an exciting time to be there, and she stayed six years. The literature included the novels of Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Hundred Years of Solitude) and Mario Vargas Llosa, a noted Peruvian literary figure. It was a time of liberation theology and the Bolivian rebel, Che Guevara. Rubye taught English at the American School of Lima and taught English Literature to Peruvian teachers of English at the American Peruvian Institute. She socialized with an interesting literary circle, and traveled the country pursuing her interests in mythology and archeology.

Rubye returned to study for a Masters in Spanish Literature at George Washington University in DC, then at Middlebury College in Vermont. While at Middlebury, she began an 11-year friendship with a violinist from NY. They spent a year in Spain and met many fascinating people including the brother and sister-in-law of the poet and playwright, Federico Garcia Lorca. Rubye moved to Maryland and taught all levels of public school there. In summers, she traveled to France, Greece, Italy, Germany, Mexico and Peru, also visiting her brother, who had married a German, in Bavaria. When she lost her friend, who died suddenly during a musical performance, she continued to teach and enjoy Washington’s cultural life.

A highlight was attending the Dalai Lama’s 1979 lecture in DC when he first visited this country. Rubye retired to Laurens in 1991, living with her mother at the farm. Her mother was still energetic, and Rubye enjoyed gardening, writing poetry, and the ponds. She met every two weeks with a writing group. Rubye has 14 nieces and nephews. A great niece and nephew, Stephanie and Nathan, lived at the farm, and she was with them frequently, reading and caring for them- becoming a surrogate grandmother.

At FULIR, Rubye has taught Buddhism, and enjoyed a variety of classes. She’s had surgery for, and has become the survivor of, two non-aggressive forms of cancer. Due to failing eyesight, she listens to books on tape for the Great Books class this term. She moved to Table Rock with her partner, a man she’d met in 1997, when he kept a horse at the farm. Until he died in 2001, they had a happy life together. Rubye bonded with his two grown children and the four of them spent his last Christmas together. Rubye stayed at Table Rock for two more years writing, thinking and grieving. When she needed knee replacement, she bought a condo in Greenville.

Ms. Teague is survived by her brother Robert M Teague of Raleigh, NC, two sisters, Harriett T Roseman of Lima, Peru, and Bernadine M Teague, Newport News, VA, and 14 nieces and nephews. A memorial gathering will be held at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Dr., Saturday September 5, 2020 from 2pm until 3:30pm. Online tributes at www.mackeycenturydrive.com

Carolyn Thurmond Bostic ’53
April 17, 2020

Carolyn May Thurmond Bostic, 87, of Shady Spring, WV, was received into the Loving Arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, in a tremendous Home Coming on April 17, 2020. Carolyn Bostic was the daughter of Fred W. and Frances Morris Thurmond, born in Alderson, WV. She was a graduate of Alderson High School, and of Berea College, Berea, KY. A music major, Ms. Bostic taught school for over 30 years. In addition to teaching, she was a band director, chorus director, glee club director and taught piano to many students. She was proficient in playing a variety of musical instruments, participating in a local jazz band and orchestra, playing the saxophone. As a faithful servant to her Lord, she was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church of Shady Spring since 1963. She was the church choir director for over 30 years, taught Sunday school class, and fulfilled any other duties the church required. Carolyn Bostic is preceded in death by her husband, Clyde “Pete” Bostic, an infant child, her parents, a sister, Patty Goff of Waynesboro, VA, sisters and brothers-in-law, and many cousins, aunts and uncles. Left to cherish her memory are four sons and their wives, Steve and Penny Bostic, of White Oak, WV, William “Bill” and Diane Bostic of Dublin, VA, Harry Lee “Hank” and Misty Bostic, of Paw Paw MI, Mitchell and Alisa Bostic of Wirtz, VA., nineteen grandchildren and twenty-five great grandchildren, a brother, James D. Thurmond and wife Sarah, of New Port News, VA., and many nieces and nephews. Private services will be held at Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home in Shady Spring, conducted by Pastor Delvin Elwell, with burial to follow at Fairview Christian Church Cemetery, Union, WV. Carolyn was a devoted Christian, hardworking teacher, loving mother and friend. She always believed in blessing other people in any way possible. In her honor, the family requests that any expressions of sympathy be made to Bowers Hospice of Southern WV, 454 Cranberry Drive, Beckley, WV 25801, in memory of Carolyn May Bostic. The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff and management of The Oak Hill Place, assisted living in Oak Hill, WV, who treated our mother as family. Additionally, the same expression of thanks goes to Bowers Hospice. The help, friendship and loving care provided to our Mother will never be forgotten. Private online condolences, and other expressions of sympathy may be directed to the family via our guestbook at www.roseandquesenberry.net. Arrangements by Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home Shady Spring Chapel, 729 Flat Top Road, Shady Spring, WV.

Wayne Oscar Hymer Fd. ’49, ’53
July 8, 2020

Wayne O. Hymer, age 88, widower of Maureen Elizabeth Hymer, whom he loved and missed dearly, passed away Wednesday July 8, 2020, at Berea Health Care in Berea, KY. Mr. Hymer was born January 4, 1932, in Berea, KY, to the late James Marion and Fairy Zeta Abrams Hymer. He loved being outdoors, playing golf, riding around town with his dog Bo, and like many Kentucky people he loved U.K. Basketball. In November 1951, Mr. Hymer enlisted to the United States Air Force and was stationed at Vance AFB in Enid, OK, where he received pilot training through May 1952. On June 16, 1953, he was released into active service at Enid, OK, and transferred to Norton AFB in San Bernardino, CA, where he became Aircraft Commander of a C-47 aircraft and received the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. Hymer was released from active duty in June of 1956, moved back to Berea, KY, and attended two more years of college at EKU. Mr. Hymer was a member of the First Christian Church in Berea, KY.

Other than his wife and parents Mr. Hymer was preceded in death by his son Steven Hymer, and sister Geneva Hymer Conners.

Mr. Hymer is survived by his daughter, Vicki Lynn Hymer of Berea, KY, daughter-in-law Lynn Hymer of Richmond, KY, two grandchildren, Jay Simmons, and his wife Sumner, and Cristi Simmons. Four great-grandchildren, Avery & Saylor Simmons, and Meghan & Reece Smith also survive.

Funeral service will be 1 p.m. Tuesday July 14, 2020, at First Christian Church in Berea, KY, with Rev. Mark Caldwell-Reiss officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Berea Cemetery. Visitation will be 11 a.m. until service time at the church. Davis & Powell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. www.davisandpowellfuneralhome.com

Jean M. Mitchell ’53
Dec. 1, 2019

Jean M. Mitchell, 99, passed away Sunday, December 1, 2019. Jean was born in Livermore, Kentucky on June 17, 1920 to the late Scott and Lula (Perkins) McClure.

Jean obtained her Master’s Degree and was a special education teacher before her retirement. She was also a past member of Crestwood Christian Church, National Education Association, AA4W, and the Lexington Homemakers.

In addition to her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her twin brothers, Marvin and Wilford Mitchell. She is survived by her nieces, Elaine Croake and Vicki Jarvis; nephew, Rick Mitchell, and great-nephew, Dan Croake.

Family will receive friends for visitation from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm, Saturday, December 7th at Milward – Southland located at 391 Southland Drive, Lexington with funeral service following at 1:00 pm. Interment will be in Hazel Green Cemetery on Monday, December 9th at 10:00 am.

To share a remembrance of Jean or offer condolences to her family, please visit www.milwardfuneral.com.

Jeanne Riddle Parker ’53
Obituary Unavailable

Rev. Don Reece ’53
Aug. 22, 2020

Rev. Don Reece, age 88, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, formerly of Boaz died on Saturday, August 22, 2020, in Tuscaloosa, surrounded by family. Born to Zemery Reece and Mae Haynes in Haywood County, North Carolina, he was the eldest son of eight children. He graduated from Bethel High School, received his BA in History and Political Science from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky, a Master of Divinity from Southern Seminary in Louisville, and an MA in Educational Supervision and Principalship from Eastern Kentucky University. While at Berea, he met the love of his life, Gwendolyn Downes of Boaz, married her, and she joined him in a life of mission work. He and Gwen were appointed as Southern Baptist missionaries to Nigeria in 1959, serving thirty-five years in many capacities in various parts of the country, including church development, education leadership, relief work, pastoral development, and as houseparents for missionary children, many of whom consider them a second father and mother. For his relief work during the Nigerian Civil War, Don was given the chieftaincy title, Onotu of Amai. Don concluded his work in Nigeria as Mission Director of the Baptist Mission of Nigeria. Upon retirement in 1993 to Boaz, Alabama, Don and Gwen were active in First Baptist Church, Boaz, where Don taught Sunday School and participated in many mission trips around the world as a part of Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief efforts. Don not only touched the lives of those he served. As an avid gardener, wherever he lived, he planted flowers, trees, and vegetables, bringing beauty and bounty from the earth.

A private graveside service will be held with son-in-law Rev. Dr. Mark McCormick officiating. A public celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.

Bro. Reece is survived by his Wife: Gwendolyn Downes Reece of Tuscaloosa; Son & Daughters-in-Law: Kevin & Pamela Reece of North Carolina and Rhonda Reece of Decatur, Alabama; Daughter & Son-in-Law: Dr. Paige Reece McCormick and Dr. Mark McCormick of Tuscaloosa; Grandchildren: Jessica Reece Loomis (Kyle), Ryan Reece, and Gwenafaye McCormick; Brother: Dean Reece of California and Sister: Gayle West of Virginia.  He was preceded in death by his Parents: Zemery & Mae Reece and Son: Bryan Reece.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the WMU Foundation-Vision Fund, Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief: General Fund, or Nigeria Faithful Works, Inc.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Don Reece, please visit our floral store.

Jessie Ruth Meeks Bringman ’54
April 27, 2020

Jessie “Ruth” Bringman, 87, of Mt. Dora, Florida passed away Monday, April 27, 2020. Ruth was born in Swannanoa, North Carolina, and grew up in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. She was very involved in school activities, including music, sports, and cheerleading. She graduated as valedictorian of her class from Swannanoa High School and then earned a degree in Elementary Education from Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. She married her college sweetheart, Ed, soon after graduation, and went on to teach first through third grades for many years. Ruth was an avid golfer and loyal fan of the Orlando Magic. She was active in her church and community, serving as Secretary for the Garden Club and Treasurer of the Nine Holers group at The Country Club of Mount Dora. She also volunteered her time with the Parkview Hospital Auxiliary and Women for Hospice. Ruth treasured her family and friends and especially loved her role as Nana. She was a kind, generous and beautiful soul, always ready with a listening ear and loving support. She was the daughter of the late Raymond Meeks and Eula Gregory Meeks of Swannanoa, North Carolina, and was also preceded in death by her husband, Edward Bringman of Mt. Dora, Florida, and two sisters, Mabel Mull of Drexel, North Carolina, and Annette Baber of Hendersonville, North Carolina. Ruth is survived by two sons, Garry Bringman of Lady Lake, Florida and Eric Bringman of Mt. Dora, Florida; a daughter, Mary Funka and her husband, Tom Funka, of Vero Beach, Florida; and two granddaughters, Lindsay Bringman of High Point, North Carolina, and Melanie Funka of Vero Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstone Hospice in Lake County, Florida.

Betty Howard Mills ’54
April 19, 2020

Betty Lee Howard Mills, age 88, passed away on April 19, 2020 at her home in Lexington, surrounded by Lee Thomas (Tom) Mills, her husband of 66 years, and their four children. She was born on February 14, 1932 in Black Snake, KY, the daughter of the late John J. and Sarah Howard, of Pineville, KY. Tom and Betty were high school sweethearts. Tom captained the football team; Betty captained the cheerleading squad. Tom was class president, Betty vice-president. She earned superior ratings in regional and state speech and debate competitions. She graduated from Pineville High School in 1950. She earned her undergraduate degree in Home Economics from Berea College in 1954 and later, her Master’s degree from Georgetown College. Tom and Betty married on March 6, 1954. Her commitment to family was tireless and unconditional. Her abundance of love was such that each child and grandchild felt they were the most special person in her world. She was the #1 fan of all her children and grandchildren’s vast array of activities. She was the apple of every grandchild’s eye, influential beyond measure. Her hospitable nature mirrored that of her parents. No one ever left her home without food or candy in tow. A Bible scholar, resolute in her Christian faith, she served as a Baptist Study Fellowship leader for years. She enjoyed Kentucky’s high school basketball tournament, attending 50 consecutive Sweet 16 tournaments from 1968-2018. She retired from her Frankfort Independent Schools teaching position in 1988. Kind and generous beyond description, her advice regarding tone of voice will live generationally: “It’s not what you say, but how you say it.” She is survived by her loving, devoted husband Tom and their children: Thomas Mills, Danville; Randy (Emily) Mills, Frankfort; Jennifer Mills (Rusty) Andes, Georgetown; and David (Mendy) Mills, Richmond. She has eleven grandchildren: Brittney Mills (Nick) Adams; Amber Leigh Mills; Erica Mills (Sam) Yeary; Amanda Mills (Jared) Cutright; Grant Thomas (Barbara) Mills; Kyndel Andes (Phillip) Herbst; Haley Andes; Renee and Derek Mills; Griffin and Trey Sexton. She has twelve great-grandchildren: Addison Leigh and Luke Thomas Adams; Grayson Thomas Yeary; Jackson Thomas and Lee Howard Mills; Marcy, Margarette, Mary Ellen and Madylin Herbst; Bryan Andes; Henry Thomas and Clayton Cutright. She is also survived by her dear brothers Orville (Helen), Oscar and Henry Howard and by a host of nieces and nephews, including caregiver Sue Ellen Thomas (Skeeter) Warren. She is preceded in death by loving siblings Thelma Asher; Jean Thompson; Mildred Osborne; JW Howard and Robert Howard. The family expresses its gratitude to her committed caregivers. Any contributions in memory of Betty may be made to Parkway Baptist Church; 1915 N. Broadway; Lexington, KY 40505. Kerr Brothers Funeral Home, Lexington, KY handling arrangements.

Wayne C. Morris ’54
July 13, 2020

Wayne C. Morris, 87, Leesburg, Florida passed away on July 13, 2020 at his residence after a lengthy illness, under the loving care of his wife, the staff of Compassionate Care Hospice, and his dedicated private caregivers. Wayne was born on December 11, 1932 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania to his parents Arlington Morris and Anna Pearl (Mercer) Morris. He was a retired Safety and Occupational Health Administrator with LTV Steel (formerly J&L Steel). Wayne was of the Catholic faith, had served in the U.S. Army, and was a graduate of Berea College, Berea, KY. He was an avid racquetball player prior to his health declining and he also loved to go freshwater fishing. He is survived by his beloved wife of 34 years, Marilyn Morris of Leesburg, Florida; four children, six grandchildren, two brothers and two sisters, and many cousins and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother and a sister. Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 16, 2020 at 11:00AM at Page-Theus Funeral Home, Leesburg Chapel, entombment to follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Leesburg, Florida. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to the Southlake Animal League at 4648 Baptist Island Rd, Groveland, FL 34736 in Wayne’s loving memory. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.pagetheus.com.  Arrangements are entrusted to Page-Theus Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Leesburg. 

Dr. Philip F. Thornton ’54
July 31, 2020

Dr. Philip Franklin Thornton, 87, of Pinch, passed away on July 31, 2020 in Charleston, West Virginia, after a long illness. Phil was born September 11, 1932, in Mammoth, West Virginia, to Noah Franklin Thornton and Gladys Virginia Barger. When he was two, the family moved to Brushton, where he grew up with his four siblings, near the Big Coal River in Boone County. Phil loved the outdoors, and enjoyed camping, hiking, and canoeing, and as an adult, travel. After graduating from Sherman High School in 1950, he attended Warren Wilson Junior College in North Carolina, where he received an A.A. in Electrical Technology in 1952. He then moved to Berea College in Kentucky, where he received his B.A. degree in Geology in 1954. From August 1955 through August 1957 he served in the US Army. His geology background led to a posting with the Corps of Engineers in West Germany, where he worked on creating detailed maps from stereoscopic aerial photography. On leave he was able to travel around Europe, and practice his own photography hobby.

Returning to West Virginia in late 1957, Phil worked for the Boone County Board of Education, one year as a junior high teacher, and a year as a math teacher at the high school level, and then science (chemistry, physics, and biology) for over 5 years at Sherman High School. He continued his education with summer and evening classes at Morris Harvey College and West Virginia Institute of Technology. He received NSF grants for summer studies at Davis & Elkins College and Marshall University. He earned a Permanent Teaching Certificate for Physical Science from Morris Harvey College in 1965.

In 1960 he met Linda Lou Barker, of Ashford; they married in 1964. Phil had received an NSF Academic Year grant, and so moved to Morgantown to attend West Virginia University; he received his Master’s degree in geology in 1965. In 1966 he became K-12 Science Supervisor for Boone County. Becoming interested in education curriculum, supervision, and improvement in WV, he earned an Administration Certificate from Marshall University in 1968. That same year, Phil and Linda moved to Pinch, and he took a job with the West Virginia Department of Education in Charleston.

In 1969 Phil began work on his doctorate at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. From 1971, he resumed work at the WV Department of Education. He defended his thesis and received his Ph.D. in Curriculum and Supervision in December 1974. He continued working at the WV Department of Education, in various positions including as a school evaluator with North Central Association. He retired in 1997.

Before and in retirement, he enjoyed motorhome travels around the country with family for many years. His friends and family always knew that Phil was a great listener, with well-considered thoughts and opinions. He loved reading and learning about how things work, plus repairing and fixing all things.

Phil was preceded in death by his parents, Noah and Gladys; his brother, Paul; and a sister, Elene Lawson. He is survived by his wife of more than 56 years, Linda; two sons, Brett Franklin; and Ryan Elliott; and two sisters, Doris Jarrell of Danville and Carole of Bethlehem, Connecticut.

Funeral will be 1 p.m. Thursday August 6, 2020 at Leonard Johnson Funeral Home, Marmet. Burial will follow in Barker Cemetery, Ashford. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday August 5, 2020 at the Funeral Home.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.leonardjohnsonfuneralhome.com.

David Udine Allen ’55
Oct. 9, 2019

David Udine Allen passed away on October 9, 2019 in Lakewood, Colorado. For most of his professional life Dave worked as a geologist with the US Bureau of Reclamation.

Dave was the nephew of (Dean) Julia Allen, a long time Dean of Women and history professor at Berea.

He is survived by his wife Marlene, son Dan and grandchildren Freya, Lucas, and Jessica all of Denver and his brother Jack (1959) and sister Ellery (1965) both Berea graduates.

Juanita Simons Baird Fd. ’55
April 12, 2020

Juanita Mae Baird, born July 21, 1936 to Dail and Winifred Simons in Waterloo, Iowa and passed into eternal rest with her family by her side on April 12, 2020. Mother met Dad at Great Lakes where they were both serving in the U.S. Navy (her from July 1955-June 1957). They had their first date on July 4, 1956 and were married September 20, 1956. Dad was stationed in Kamisaya, Japan where Jackie was born in 1961. Fort Meade, MD. 1965, was where Dawn was born in the back of a rescue squad. Then to Norfolk, VA, where Dad retired and to Virginia Beach, VA, where they finally laid roots and raised their two girls. Mom was a stay at home mother and with her love, patience, understanding and great sacrificing raised two amazing women. Harry, Jackie and Dawn were always first and foremost on the top of her list. Mom was a special needs Girl Scout leader for many years, enjoying all the adventures that camping and meetings always brought. CLASP was another endeavor that she gave her all when dad formed the organization over 40 years ago. Mother was an exemplary member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 45 years. She especially loved helping with the special persons picnic at Azalea Gardens. Special Olympics with Jackie was another volunteer position that she enjoyed. Family time was her favorite: camping, fishing, crabbing, leather projects and taking us girls everywhere we wanted and needed to go. Anything to spend time with her little family. Every holiday and birthday were geared around the family, festive and warm. Then came grandchildren and great grandchildren, who she adored, treasured and loved more than life itself. I think they completed her family and she spent time going to every school function, making their birthdays extra special and teaching them about life and love. Mom was predeceased by her parents, stepdad Virgil Wright, sisters Darlene Furtado and Sharon Nelsen, and brother Dail. Blessed to carry on her legacy are: Husband Harry Baird of 63 years, daughters Jackie and Dawn (Dennis), grandchildren Krystle and Riley and great grandchildren Jaydon, Marley, Rylynn, Rayden and Kamran. Also left to cherish her memory are her sister Shirley Walker of California, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends, especially her good friend Jill Nelson. The family would like to thank Robert Woodard, Jesse St. Clair, Lisbet Hanson and Thomas Alberico for years of faithful and nurturing healthcare. Also, Jewish Family Service of Tidewater, Sentara home healthcare and Sentara Hospice for supporting us during mother’s last weeks and days. “This too shall pass”-Mom’s sage advice.

John Colin Chalmers Fd. ’55
Sept. 10, 2020

John Colin Chalmers went home to be with his Lord on September 10, 2020. John was born October 15, 1935 on The Isle of Pines, Cuba. He was the fourth son of Jack and Gertrude Chalmers. At the age of 16, he came to the United States to go to school at the University of Houston and Berea College. He was very proud of his American citizenship. He spent four years in the National Guard and received an honorable discharge. He worked as a manager at Caterpillar, Inc and retired after 41 years of employment. John moved to Covington, Tennessee from Houston, Texas in 2015. He is survived by his loving wife, Shirley Chalmers of 15 years. He is also survived by one son, Tom Chalmers of Jarrell, Texas and daughter, Cherie Newton of Houston; and step-children, Trish Harrington of Crown Point Indiana and Mike Slack of Indianapolis, Indiana. He was a proud to have 10 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He enjoyed carpentry, bird watching, gardening, and watching the Houston Astros with his loving wife. Services will held at First Baptist Church on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at 10:30 a.m., in Covington. He will be laid to rest in Houston, Texas. He was a kind wonderful father and husband and will be missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

James L. Harris ’55
June 22, 2020

James L. Harris, 86, of Lancaster, Ohio passed away Monday, June 22, 2020 at Fairfield Medical Center. He was born on October 26, 1933 in Harlan, Kentucky to the late John P. and Sarah J. (Turner) Harris.

He served in the US Army. James held the position of Vice President of Quality Assurance at Ross Labs in Columbus, Ohio before retiring.

James is survived by his wife of 64 years, Faye I. Harris; daughter, Lisa (James A.) Knouff; son, Matthew L. Harris; granddaughter, Holly F. Knouff all of Lancaster, Ohio and many nieces and nephews.

 He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Ethel Harris, Blanche Harris and Betty Jean Harris, brothers, Foy Harris and John P. Harris.

Caring Cremation® has taken place by the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, LANCASTER, OHIO.

Memorial gifts may be given to ALS Organization at https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate.

To send an online condolence, and sign the guest book, please visit www.funeralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of James L. Harris, please visit our floral store.

Joni W. Hyder
Wife of James Edward Hyder ’55
April 1, 2020

Joni Worth Hyder, 78, a resident of White Rock, passed away on Wednesday, April 1, 2020. Joni was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Viola Worth; son, Michael Wachter. Joni has been limited in mobility for several years, however she always enjoyed reading. She enjoyed activities that brought her joy like taking rides out toward the oceans for fresh air which gave her a sense of freedom. She had spent time in Alaska and Los Alamos as a schoolteacher before joining the Los Alamos National Laboratories as a Radiation Safety Tech. She is survived by her husband, James E. Hyder; children, Mark Wachter, Matthew Wachter and her brother, Donald Worth Jr. The family of Joni Worth Hyder has entrusted the care of their loved one to the DeVargas Funeral Home & Crematory of the Espanola Valley. 505-747-7477- www.devargasfuneral.com.

James Wing
Husband of Dorothy Lee Wing ’55
April 21, 2016

On April 21, 2016, James Wing, beloved husband of Dorothy, loving father of Kim and Jonathan, cherished grandfather of Natalie, Joshua and Jolee, dear brother of Mamie (deceased), Omar and Amy, passed away at the age of 86. He graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelors in Chemistry, a Masters in Biochemistry and then a Doctorate in Physical Chemistry from Purdue University in 1955. He completed a Fulbright Lectureship in 1965 at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. He worked as a research chemist and analyst until his retirement from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission in 1995. During his retirement, he compiled a volume of about 150,000 Chinese phrases, which he translated into English, and made available online. He was proud to be the Chief Librarian of the Chinese Christian Church of Greater Washington, DC. He was a founding member and past president of the Chinese Club at Leisure World. A memorial service will be held on May 7, 10:30 a.m. at the Hines-Rinaldi Funeral Home, 11800 New Hampshire Avenue, Silver Spring, MD. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Montgomery Hospice Casey House or Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center (for lung cancer research). Please sign and view the family guestbook at: www.hinesrinaldifuneralhome.com

Letty Hunt Biggerstaff ’56
Dec. 25, 2017

Letty H. Biggerstaff, age 86, of Bostic, passed away Monday, December 25, 2017 at Carolinas Healthcare System-Cleveland in Shelby.

Born August 1, 1931 in Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late Zeno Hunt and Nancy Hennessee Hunt. She was a graduate of Sunshine High School and worked as a secretary for various local businesses. Letty worked as a caretaker in home healthcare. She attended the Lutheran Church and was an animal lover. Letty enjoyed playing the piano.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Ruby Edwards and Nita Hunt and a brother, Joe Hunt.

Those left to cherish her memory include three daughters, Cheryl Ledbetter and husband, Butch of Forest City, Wanda Biggerstaff of Moscow, Idaho and Kim Nelson and husband, Gene of Kendrick, Idaho; three sons, Norris Biggerstaff, Jr. of Bostic, Karl Biggerstaff of Ketchikan, Alaska and Mark Biggerstaff of Vancouver, Washington; one sister, Polly Flores and husband, Ernie of Minneola, Florida. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Danielle Nix, Christopher Biggerstaff, Christina Fleener, Matthew Biggerstaff, Lexi Biggerstaff, Chelsea Walker, Chase Christopher, Chet Christopher and Neil Biggerstaff; eight great-grandchildren, Drew, Zack, Jake, Marcus, Daniel, Liv, Carter, Wyatt and her companion pet, Michelle.

A service of remembrance will be conducted in the Spring of 2018.

Memorial donations are respectfully requested to The Humane Society.

Dr. Frances Joan Brannon ’56
July 5, 2020

Frances J. Brannon, PhD, 85, of Prospect, joined her siblings by the endless blue water on July 5, 2020 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s.

Frances was a longtime professor at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania and the renowned author of several texts on Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation and various other topics still used by students around the world. She grew up in Webster Springs, WV, and went on to Berea, KY, where she received her degree and first taught exercise physiology.  An avid supporter of animals, Frances was a lifelong supporter of the Audubon Society, the ASPCA, and countless other charities, some of which she founded herself. She was the recipient of the 1974 Commonwealth Distinguished Teaching Award for the State of Pennsylvania.

 Surviving Frances are several cousins, nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-nieces and nephews.

Frances was greeted on the other side by her beloved pets, her brother Jennings Brannon, and her sisters Elise Brannon Faltot, Marjorie Brannon Stephens, Emily Brannon Armstrong, Patricia Brannon Pike, and her parents Doy and Lona Brannon.

The services are being conducted by Martin Funeral Home in Butler and by Ellyson Mortuary in Glenville, WV.

 A private burial will be held at Woodford Cemetery in Glenville, WV, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and a memorial celebration of life will be held at a later date.

R. Jack Brown ’56
June 7, 2020

Romulus Jack Brown, 85, son of the late Romulus Jahue Brown and Phoebe Daniels Brown died on the morning of Sunday, June 7, 2020. His final days were spent with family by his side.

He was preceded in death by his only son, Romulus Tyrone; and his only brother, Henry Seawell. Jack spent his formative years helping his dad and grandad with the farming chores in North Cove. He became a Boy Scout and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. He was valedictorian of his North Cove high school class. Jack attended Berea College in Berea, Kentucky where he met and married his wife of 63 years, Wanda Seaton. He then attended UNC where he earned a Master’s degree in Mathematics. It was in Chapel Hill that he became a lifelong avid Tarheel fan.

Jack spent most of his career in Lynchburg, Virginia working in the nuclear energy field. He was a Senior Analyst with the Areeva Company, where he was known by his co-workers as the “computer wizard”. After retiring, Jack moved back to the mountains he loved. He spent his time gardening, playing golf, traveling, and working sudoku puzzles.

Besides his wife, Jack is survived by his daughter, Mimi B. Griffith, two grandsons, Dustin Griffith and Jesse Griffith and wife, Vanna, and one great-granddaughter, Vanessa Griffith. He was also survived by 2 nieces, 3 nephews, and 3 cousins.

As a memorial please consider Hospice of the Carolina Foothills or Concord Methodist church.

No date has been set for a memorial service at this time.

Beam Funeral Service & Crematory is assisting the Robinson family. For further information and/or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.beamfuneralservice.com, or call (828)-559-8111.

Omer M. McGlone ’56
March 17, 2020

A kind and gentle man, Omer was a faithful member of Aley United Methodist Church where he taught the Journeyers Bible Study class for 13 years. He was the “go to” person for where to find items in the Bible. Omer loved to garden and take his grandchildren for rides on the tractor. He grew his own popcorn, which he enjoyed eating, and often battled with the groundhogs over who would eat the vegetables in the garden. Omer graduated from Erie High School in 1952, Berea College in 1956, and earned his Masters degree in Business in 1964. He retired from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he negotiated and signed contracts for government research and development projects. Omer taught classes at Sinclair Community College and also volunteered at Miami Valley Hospital and Hospice of Dayton. He was preceded In death by his wife of over 25 years, Clara Jean Davis McGlone, his three brothers-Orin, Arlie and Carl-and two sisters, Marjorie and Rosemary. He is survived by two daughters, Dr. Janine (& Mike) Mylett of Bradenton, Florida, and Clarinda (& Buz) Smith of Fairborn, Ohio. He has four grandchildren: Woody (& Jackie) Collins of Germantown, Ohio; Brian (& Elizabeth) Collins of Maryville, Tennessee; Matthew Mylett of Nashville, Tennessee; and, Jonathan (& Katrina) of Parrish, Florida. There are 5 great grandchildren: Brentan (& Lauren) Collins stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Megan Collins, Kathryne Collins, Anna Mylett, and Lauren Collins; and one great, great grandchild, Grayson Collins, born on March 12, 2020. Omer was greatly loved by his family and will be deeply missed. Omer McGlone, age 91, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away March 17, 2020. He was born September 8, 1928, and raised in Rooney, Kentucky, on McGlone Creek, son of the late Mort and Susie Davis McGlone. A kind and gentle man, Omer was a faithful member of Aley United Methodist Church where he taught the Journeyers Bible Study class for 13 years. He was the “go to” person for where to find items in the Bible. Omer loved to garden and take his grandchildren for rides on the tractor. He grew his own popcorn, which he enjoyed eating, and often battled with the groundhogs over who would eat the vegetables in the garden. Omer graduated from Erie High School in 1952, Berea College in 1956, and earned his Masters degree in Business in 1964. He retired from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he negotiated and signed contracts for government research and development projects. Omer taught classes at Sinclair Community College and also volunteered at Miami Valley Hospital and Hospice of Dayton. He was preceded in death by his wife of over 25 years, Clara Jean Davis McGlone, his three brothers-Orin, Arlie and Carl-and two sisters, Marjorie and Rosemary. He is survived by two daughters, Dr. Janine (& Mike) Mylett of Bradenton, Florida, and Clarinda (& Buz) Smith of Fairborn, Ohio. He has four grandchildren: Woody (& Jackie) Collins of Germantown, Ohio; Brian (& Elizabeth) Collins of Maryville, Tennessee; Matthew Mylett of Nashville, Tennessee; and, Jonathan (& Katrina) of Parrish, Florida. There are 5 great grandchildren: Brentan (& Lauren) Collins stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Megan Collins, Kathryne Collins, Anna Mylett, and Lauren Collins; and one great, great grandchild, Grayson Collins, born on March 12, 2020. Omer was greatly loved by his family and will be deeply missed. Omer McGlone, age 91, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away March 17, 2020. He was born September 8, 1928, and raised in Rooney, Kentucky, on McGlone Creek, son of the late Mort and Susie Davis McGlone. A kind and gentle man, Omer was a faithful member of Aley United Methodist Church where he taught the Journeyers Bible Study class for 13 years. He was the “go to” person for where to find items in the Bible. Omer loved to garden and take his grandchildren for rides on the tractor. He grew his own popcorn, which he enjoyed eating, and often battled with the groundhogs over who would eat the vegetables in the garden. Omer graduated from Erie High School in 1952, Berea College in 1956, and earned his Masters degree in Business in 1964. He retired from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where he negotiated and signed contracts for government research and development projects. Omer taught classes at Sinclair Community College and also volunteered at Miami Valley Hospital and Hospice of Dayton. He was preceded In death by his wife of over 25 years, Clara Jean Davis McGlone, his three brothers-Orin, Arlie and Carl-and two sisters, Marjorie and Rosemary. He is survived by two daughters, Dr. Janine (& Mike) Mylett of Bradenton, Florida, and Clarinda (& Buz) Smith of Fairborn, Ohio. He has four grandchildren: Woody (& Jackie) Collins of Germantown, Ohio; Brian (& Elizabeth) Collins of Maryville, Tennessee; Matthew Mylett of Nashville, Tennessee; and, Jonathan (& Katrina) of Parrish, Florida. There are 5 great grandchildren: Brentan (& Lauren) Collins stationed at McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, Megan Collins, Kathryne Collins, Anna Mylett, and Lauren Collins; and one great, great grandchild, Grayson Collins, born on March 12, 2020. Omer was greatly loved by his family and will be deeply missed.

Harry K. Mustard ’56
Obituary Unavailable

Dr. Wayne C. Spiggle Jr. ’56
July 31, 2020

Dr. Wayne Campbell Spiggle Jr., of Short Gap, W.Va., died Friday, July 31, 2020.

He was born in Davis, W.Va., Sept. 1, 1934, to Wayne C. Spiggle Sr. and Margaret Lenora (Gnegy) Spiggle.

He was educated in Davis public schools and later attended Berea College where he received his B.A. degree in agriculture. He entered medical school at West Virginia University and also studied at Medical College of Virginia, followed by his internship in Charleston. He specialized in internal medicine for three years at WVU.

He was dedicated to his family, medicine, agriculture, and environmental protection and served all with passion and honor. He was a co-founder of the Braddock Medical Group where he worked for 37 years, attending physician at both Sacred Heart and Memorial Hospitals, attending physician in the Allegany Community College and Sacred Heart Hospital cardiac rehabilitation program, a clinical instructor at the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine, medical director of the Fort Ashby Medical Foundation Clinic, president of Med Chi the Maryland State Medical Society, member of the Executive Committee of the Sacred Heart Hospital’s medical staff, as well as an associate of the American Thoracic Association and the American Society of Internal Medicine.

He and his wife, Betty, owned and operated a beef cattle farm in Short Gap. He was named Farmer of the Year in 1982 by the Mineral County Soil Conservation Committee, outstanding district tree farmer in 1983 by the West Virginia State Forestry Department, and was cited in the Potomac Valley Soil Conservation District. Dr. Spiggle hosted Markus Witschi from Hindelbank, Switzerland, through the International 4-H Youth Exchange to teach him American farming customs. He was chairman of the Board of Visitors for the University of Maryland’s Appalachian Environmental Laboratory at Frostburg, president of the Nemacolin Chapter of Trout Unlimited, and a member of the West Virginia Conservancy, the Maryland Conservation Council, and the Citizen’s Coalition on Surface Mining. His citizen activities included membership with Allegany County Chamber of Commerce, Mineral County Farm Bureau, and the Frostburg State College Foundation Executive Committee. He was elected and served as Mineral County Commissioner for six years.

Some of the many awards he was granted over the years include 1990 A.H. Robins Award for community service, named the 2013 Most Loyal West Virginia Physician by the West Virginia University School of Medicine Alumni Association, and was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society for his work as a preceptor in the AHEC Clinical Education Program. He was awarded the 1991 Public Service Award from Common Cause/West Virginia for taking the lead in banding together a group of citizens in Mineral and Allegany counties to form a coalition in fighting a landfill site that posed a hazard to the environment, helped develop Allegany Health Right to insure treatment for low income citizens, and was instrumental in creating WVRx, a public-private partnership that works with pharmaceutical companies to dispense donated medicines to West Virginians who are without prescription drug insurance.

Dr. Spiggle was preceded in death by his father, Wayne; mother, Lenora; stepmother, Isabel (Eshelman) Spiggle; brother, David; and daughter, Lynn.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Betty (Sutton) Spiggle, of Short Gap; brother, George and wife, Nancy Spiggle, of Hudson, Fla.; children, Sheryl and husband, Jascha Lee, of Charlottesville, Va., Lora and husband, Dan Boe, of Cumberland, Jennifer Suttie, of Monterey Peninsula, Calif., Lee Brown and wife, Pam, of Short Gap, and Dianne and husband, Craig Scott, of Short Gap. He also leaves his grandchildren, Jacob and Elliot Lee, Nick Yared, Kendall Harrison, Albert Boe, AndiJo Suttie, Ashlee and husband, Ethan Cook, Ben Brown and wife, Candace, Amber and husband, Justin Nieves, and Alyssa and Eliza Scott; and his great-grandchildren, Finn, Emilia, Jocelyn and Alex Cook, Wyatt and Mason Nieves, and Jayce Grumblatt.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

Donations can be made to Community Trust Foundation, 112 Baltimore St., Suite 201, Cumberland, MD 21502.

(www.upchurchfh.com)

Published on August 2, 2020

Carl B. Thompson
Husband of Christine Greene Thompson ’56
June 29, 2020

Obituary Unavailable

Dr. Emel L. Atkins Fd ’53, ’57
May 1, 2020

Emel Atkins, at the age of 84 and residing in Inverness, Florida, went to be with the Lord, on May 1, 2020.  He was born in Sandy Hook, Kentucky in 1935, to Jason Braxton Atkins and Maude Withrow Atkins. The family later moved to the village of Coalton, Ohio, seeking new opportunities and fertile farm land.  At the age of 14, Emel was accepted into Berea College which at that time also included high school enrollment.  Emel completed his undergraduate degree at Berea College and met the love of his life and fellow student Margaret (Meg) Boyd of Bluff City, TN.

Emel and Meg married in 1958, while he attended The Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio.  They welcomed into their new world a daughter, Nancy Elizabeth Atkins, born in 1959. Emel received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1961 and then enlisted into the Army, stationed at Fort Knox, KY.  Their first son David Braxton Atkins was born at Fort Knox in 1963.  Upon completing his Army enlistment, Emel moved his family to Springfield, Ohio to establish his dental practice.  In 1964, their second son, Gregory Jon Atkins was born and welcomed into the family.

Emel spent the following years of his life in the service of others through his dental practice; in the Air Force reserve; as a member of the St. Andrews Masonic Lodge #516, and through “Missionary Health Services” (MHS). Through MHS, Emel and Meg created the “Whispering Hope” medical clinic in Honduras, which gave free medical and dental care and education to the Honduran people with generous help and contributions of other professionals located throughout the United States and Canada.  Emel was known for his contagious smile and genuine caring and interest in other people.

Emel is survived by his wife, Meg; daughter, Nancy Atkins-Joy; son, David Braxton Atkins and his children Joshua and Rachel; son Greg Atkins and wife Dottie and their children Matthew Emel, Grayson, and Alec, and a multitude of nieces, nephews and cousins from the Atkins, Dolph, Jones and Boyd families.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Berea College (https://www.berea.edu/give/) or the charity of your choice.  Berea College provided an education to Emel and Meg that was not available through any other avenue at that time and in turn, inspired them for a lifetime of giving to others.  Berea is one of the only top colleges in America, that gives free tuition to every enrolled student.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, May 9, 2020 at Crumley Cemetery in Bluff City, Tenn., with Rev. Bill Thompson officiating. A procession of family and friends will leave Weaver Funeral Home at 12:30 p.m. Saturday going to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Greg Atkins, Davis Atkins, Eugene Jones, Hal Boyd, Mike Dolph and his grandchildren.

Online condolences may be registered at www.weaverfuneralhome.net. Arrangements have been made with Weaver Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Mr. O. Dean Cornett
Husband of Sarah Kincer Hagen ‘57
Obituary Unavailable

Rev. Richard C. Donnelly ’57
Aug. 25, 2019

Spring Garden Twp – Richard C. Donnelly, age 91, of Spring Garden Township, York, died at 12:25 PM Sunday, August 25, 2019 at Rest Haven-York.

Born December 15, 1927 in Albany, New York, he was a son of the late Henry Ellis and Lena Elizabeth (Graves) Donnelly. Mr. Donnelly served in the US Army Air Force and earned his Master’s of Divinity from Harvard Episcopal Theological School in 1972. He retired as a Professor of American History at York College, and was also an ordained Episcopal Priest. He was a member of Saint John’s Episcopal Church and served as rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church form 1965 – 1970.

Mr. Donnelly is survived by two daughters, Sharon E. Donnelly, and her husband Richard Schwab of East Setauket, New York, and Rachael Donnelly Finnecy of Glen Ridge, New Jersey; a son, Brice Donnelly of East Sandwich, Massachusetts; four grandchildren, Taylor Schwab, Cole Finnecy, Aidan Finnecy, and Montana Sanford; and two great grandchildren, Carson and Cameron Sanford He was also preceded in death by two sisters.

Funeral services are scheduled for 11 am on Friday, September 13th at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, 140 North Beaver Street, York, with the Rev. Eric Hillegas officiating. A luncheon will follow at St. John’s. The burial will be in Prospect Hill Cemetery at 1:45 pm. Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York, is in charge of arrangements.

KuhnerAssociates.com

Published in York Daily Record & York Dispatch on Sept. 4, 2019

Shirley Wisecup Elkins ’57
July 29, 2020

Shirley Wisecup Elkins passed away on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, at the age of 85.

Shirley was born on Feb. 1, 1935, the daughter of Dorothy Sowers Wisecup and Virgil Raymond Wisecup. She attended Berea College and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Pikeville College, and then went on to obtain her Master’s and Rank I from Georgetown College and a Library Science Certification from the University of Kentucky.

She worked as a teacher and librarian in public schools in both Kentucky and West Virginia, having lived in Williamson and Beckley, West Virginia and Berea, Bardstown, and Frankfort, Kentucky.

She was a member of the Church of the Ascension and was an avid theater-goer, reader and painter.

Shirley is survived by her husband, Robert Elkins; three daughters, Kimberly Pieratt, Erin Elkins and Ellen Graff (Scott); two grandchildren, Daniel Pieratt and Kate Webb (Clark); and two great-grandchildren, Vera Layne Webb and Zelda Rone Webb. She was preceded in death by a sister, Judy Booth (Larry).

The family will hold private services at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Rogers Funeral Home, and an online tribute is available at www.rogersfrankfort.com.

Shirley Osborne Gibbs ’57
June 11, 2020

Shirley Anne Gibbs was born April 25, 1937 in Wheelwright, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Ted and Rose Jones Osborne. She was united in marriage to James A. Gibbs who survives. She is also survived by three children, Roger Gibbs and wife Teressa of London, Gary Gibbs and wife Debbie of Goshen, Kentucky, and Luther Gibbs and wife Tami of Saint Marys, Georgia; seven grandchildren, Alisha Sanford and husband Joseph, Kyle Gibbs and wife Leighanna, Jacob Gibbs and wife Alexandra, James Gibbs, Hannah Gibbs, Duncan Gibbs and Miranda, and Hadley Gibbs; three great-grandchildren, Egan Gibbs, Camilla Gibbs, and Tristen Gibbs; plus a host of other family and friends to mourn her passing. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by four siblings, James Osborne, Mildred Anderson, Madeline Ward, and Martha Julaphongs. Shirley was a Berea College graduate and received her doctorate from Oklahoma State University. She was a college professor at Western Kentucky University for 19 years, and was a member of Saint Helena Baptist Church in Beaufort, South Carolina. Shirley Anne Gibbs departed this life Thursday, June 11, 2020 being 83 years, 1 month, and 17 days of age. A private family visitation with graveside service to follow will be conducted by Bowling Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Laurel Heights Home for the Elderly, 208 West 12 th Street, London, KY 40741. Pallbearers will be her grandchildren.

Mary Atkins Johnson ’57
Aug. 18, 2020

Mary Ann Johnson, 85, originally from Krebs, West Virginia, a coal miners’ camp, was the youngest of four siblings in the Atkins family, all of whom preceded her in death. As a coal miner’s daughter, Mary Ann grew up by meager means and a desire to learn and shepherd others in learning.

Graduating from Berea College, she became a primary school teacher, teaching at Ottway Elementary until her retirement in 1995.

She and Powell, her husband who preceded her in death, adopted two children, Anna and Douglas, and she is survived by her seven grandchildren as well: Amelia, Audrey, Alice, Adelaide, Conrad, Cyrus and Aevrie.

She was an active volunteer, member and leader at Hardins Chapel United Methodist Church, Food Bank, TOPS, Retired Teachers Association and the Red Hat Society.

Even after her heart attack and triple bypass, she continued to love living in her community and sharing her grandchildren, until a fall challenged her mobility. She was able to be in her home until a second stroke recently, after which she passed away in the hospital.

The family grieves her loss and will miss her, until they see her again in heaven someday.

Visitation will be from 2-4 p.m. Thursday at Jeffers Funeral & Cremation Service, Afton chapel. Graveside Services will follow at 4:30 p.m. in Hardins Chapel Cemetery and Wade McAmis will officiate.

Ruth Alexander McDonald ’57
July 23, 2020

Ruth Alexander McDonald, 84, daughter of the late Claude Alexander and Zora Vaught Alexander, died July 23, 2020, at her home in Louisville. She was born at Bobtown in Pulaski County, Kentucky. Ruth graduated from Pulaski County High School as Valedictorian, and she graduated with honors from Berea College in 1957.

Ruth taught a few years in Fayette County and Pulaski County. She received a two-year scholarship from the University of Chicago for graduate study in social work. Following her graduation, she worked in hospitals and rehab centers.

She was married to Donald McDonald, vice president of Electronics Corp. of America, and moved to Boston. Eleven years later, she moved to New York City, then to Washington, D.C. and Louisville. In both Washington and Louisville, she did government contracts and contracts in the private sector. Throughout her life, she maintained an interest in social justice and helping people in need.

She is survived by a sister, Dorothy Alexander, Frankfort, KY, a niece, Rhonda Thomason and her family, Milford, OH, and a number of cousins.

A private graveside service will be conducted at a later date at Eden Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be given to Eden Cemetery Fund, Clinton Estep, Treasurer, 177 Heritage Avenue, Somerset, KY 40503.

Published on August 18, 2020

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Joseph R. Harner
Husband of Florence Davis Harner ’58
Nov. 5, 2018

Joseph R. Harner, 76, of Xenia, passed away Monday, November 5, 2018, at his residence. He was born July 31, 1942, in Wilmington, Ohio, the son of J. Harold and Mary L. Steed Harner. He was a 1960 graduate of Xenia High School, and attended Lindsay Wilson College (Kentucky). He was a member of Faith Community United Methodist Church, and was the former Assistant Director of Public Services for the City of Xenia (1981). He retired from UTA (Urban Transportation Associates) of Cincinnati (1997). He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Florence (Davis) Harner, whom he married, August 13, 1966, a daughter, Lisa (Gary) Trent, grandson, A.J. Trent, all of Xenia, by many cousins, numerous nieces and nephews, and by many close friends. He was preceded in death by his parents. Joe was an avid Heisey glass collector as well as a beloved husband, dad, and grandpa who will be greatly missed by his family and friends, especially by his “Little Buddy A.J.”. Services will be held at 11am, Monday, November 12, at Faith Community United Methodist Church with Rev. Ron Swiger officiating. Visitation will be held from 4-7pm Sunday at Neeld Funeral Home, 1276 N. Detroit St., Xenia. Burial will be in Woodland Cemetery, Xenia. Contributions may be made to a favorite charity in his memory. Condolences may be made to the family at www.NeeldFuneralHome.com.

Dr. Jerry Paul Perry ’58
March 24, 2020

Jerry was born In Chattanooga, Tennessee, graduated from Berea College and received a PhD from Syracuse University. Living and raising a family in Richmond, KY since 1974, he retired from EKU as a professor of Mass Communications. Jerry was an extremely gifted, loving and humorous man whose smile lite up any room. His faith in God was extraordinary and he served out his faith until the end of this life.

Preceded in death by his parents Jerry. W Perry & Helen H. Perry, and late wife Joan Shaw Perry, he lived in the Bradenton, FL area since 1994 and later married his current wife, Barbara Perry.

Jerry leaves behind three loving children: David Perry (Cecilia) and their three children ( Ashley, Michael & Allen); Sean Perry (Laura Wick) and their two children (Olin & Levi); Jessica McKinnon (Jason) and their three children (Katriel, Jaslynn & Martin); Two step children Gary Gamble & Gina Gretz and their children (Maya & Colton Gamble & Anna & Claire Gretz). A sister, Jane Stone (Robert) and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews & friends.

A wonderful celebration of life will take place in Richmond in the near future and plans will be announced.

Published on March 27, 2020

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Roy N. Walters Jr. Fd. ’49 ’58
Feb. 18, 2020

Roy Nathan Walters, Jr., 88, of Independence Trail, Morganton, passed peacefully from here to Glory on Tuesday, February 18, at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem, NC. Born on July 9, 1931 in Berea, Kentucky, he was the son of the late Roy N. Walters, Sr. and Lillie Mae Crouch Walters. He was a member of Burkemont Baptist Church where he was very involved, serving as a deacon, choir member, and with multiple committees over the years. If there was ever a need at the church, he always volunteered without question. Roy was born and raised in Berea, Kentucky and was a 1958 graduate of Berea College where his parents had attended, and his father had been a faculty member and dean. It was at Berea College where he met his ‘sweetie’ of 68 years, Janath Casto Walters. Roy and Jan married in December of 1951. After college, they moved to San Antonio, TX where Roy served in the United States Air Force for 45 months during the Korean Conflict with 16 months in the Far East. Upon his return they relocated to Morganton, NC where he remained in service for 12 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and 6 years in the N.C. Civil Air Patrol. In the 1960s, Roy was employed as Personnel Finance Director for the City of Morganton and was the first Business Manager for Western Piedmont Community College. He then became Purchasing Agent at Henredon Furniture where he remained until his retirement in 1993. After retiring he remained very active volunteering until joining the team at Morganton Ace Hardware where he worked until just a couple of weeks ago. Roy was very civic-minded and enjoyed being involved in his community. He was a Past President and active member of the Morganton Optimist Club and had also previously served with the Morganton Recreation Little League, Morganton Kiwanis Club, Berea College Alumni Council, Burke Hospice, and Burke United Christian Ministries Soup Kitchen. Roy was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. His life’s purpose was to help others in need and he never met a stranger. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Carol Ann Walters. Surviving are the love of his life, Jan Walters; children, Steve Walters (Nancy), Elaine Whicker (Warren), Scott Walters, and Connie Brockland (Rob); Sister, Bonnie Woodfin (James); grandchildren, Nathan Whicker (Elizabeth), Dalton Walters, Lindsi Stotts (Ryan), John Whicker, Christina Carpenter (Taylor), Rebecca Frost (Jordan), Andrew Walters, Katie Brockland and Ben Brockland; great grandchildren, Marley Johnson, Katherine Whicker, Hadley Whicker, Isabella Frost, Kinsley Frost, Taylor Stotts and Chloe Stotts; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A celebration of Roy’s wonderful life, with Military Honors, will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 22nd, at Burkemont Baptist Church with the Rev. Drs. Eddy Bunton, Luke Lane, and David Mills officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 11:00 am at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke United Christian Ministries Soup Kitchen, 305B West Union St., Morganton, NC 28655, Berea College, CPO Box 2216, Berea, KY 40404, or to Mr. & Mrs. Roy Walters Endowed Scholarship c/o WPCC, 1001 Burkemont Ave., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Robert L. Allen Fd. ’59
Oct. 8, 2015

Robert “Bobby” Lewis Allen, 74, passed away peacefully in his home on Thursday, October 8, 2015. He was born on May 23, 1941 in Lexington, KY to the late Mary Bishop. Bob was a man of many talents. He served our country in the U.S. Navy, worked as a technician at Barney Millers, toured the country as a truck driver, and in recent years, operated his own business, Allen’s Mobile Notary. He enjoyed working on cars, good conversation, and was an avid Nascar and U.K. basketball fan. Bob never met a stranger. He was a friend to everyone he met, and was always in a cheerful mood..as long as he was warm and toting his coffee in a Styrofoam cup. Bob was always the first to step up whenever anyone needed help, whether it was giving someone a ride in his white Challenger or opening up his home to someone needing a place to stay. Most days you could find him at his favorite place to mingle, Sutton’s Restaurant in Lexington. Robert is survived by his children, Melessa Curry, John Grigsby, and Kevin (Katie) Grigsby. His wife, Anna Mae Grigsby Allen and his father, Pornell Allen, preceded Bobby in death. Bob had many loving siblings, nieces, nephews and grandchildren, including Kassidee Grigsby, April Curry, Ryan Curry, Dylan Curry, Eli Grigsby and Preston Grigsby, and two great-grandchildren, Kaelyn and Hailie, all in Lexington. Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, October 13th at Milward-Man O’ War, 1509 Trent Blvd. Visitation will be Monday, October 12th from 4-7 PM also at Milward-Man O’ War. Burial will follow at Lexington Cemetery.

Pat Pruitt Dash ’59
May 7, 2020

Obituary Unavailable

Velda Sparks Potts ’59
May 14, 2020

Velda May (Sparks) Potts, 82, passed away peacefully on May 14, 2020 and was reunited with the love of her life, John, who preceded her to heaven seven months ago. John and Velda experienced a lifetime of love and adventure during their 60 years of marriage. They lived and traveled to many places, but always found home with family and friends to be what they valued most. Velda was born on the family farm outside Sandy Hook, Kentucky and later attended Berea College where her adventures with John commenced. Velda and her family required John to win them over which even included his wading the flooded creek to get to her home for his first time visit to meet Velda’s family. Of course, John later learned that there was a walk bridge that would have kept him dry! She still decided that for his efforts, she would keep him both in life and now in heaven.

Velda was the rock for her family and friends. She was proud that she used her skills and education in the workplace for many years at the Huntington Bank in Columbus, where she started as a bank teller and retired as a VP-Benefits. She provided stability and a common-sense approach to those around her; although her sharp wit and humor was well noted and experienced by many. More than anything Velda walked hand in hand with Jesus each day with her faith and her willingness to always put others before herself. She loved the many family reunions at the farm and cherished her time with family and friends above all else. She was an active volunteer especially when it involved serving others. She lived an extraordinary life filled with faith, love, and kindness.

She was preceded in death by her husband John David Potts and by her parents, Kenneth Sparks and Virgie (Slone) Sparks.  Velda is survived by her sister, Melvina Sparks Johnson. Velda cherished her children for following the values she and John instilled in them. She is survived by her children Tawnya Darlington (Rick Stover) of Dayton, Ohio; Deidre Kuck (Todd) and Judd Potts (Erin), all of Worthington, Ohio; and her grandchildren, Chelsea Darlington Umphrey (Andrew), David Darlington (Cristen), Gracyn Potts, Tyler Kuck, Delaney Kuck and Slone Potts. Velda and John also were blessed with three great grandchildren, Davin, Sienna, and Elet Darlington. Velda is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family will hold a private viewing at Shaw Davis Funeral Home on May 15, 2020 with a memorial service to be held at a later date. The family wishes to thank the loving care that Velda received from the Ohio Living Westminster Thurber Community, Comfort Keepers and the Bethel IUMC community.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Potts Memorial Fund at the Bethel International United Methodist Church, 1220 Bethel Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43220 (www.mybethel.org).

Raymond F. Spivey ’59
Aug. 13, 2020

Raymond Franklin Spivey, 83, of Danville, passed away Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Ephraim McDowell Regional Medical Center. Born Monday, July 12, 1937 in Lancaster, he was the son of the late Russell & Mattie Mae Montgomery Spivey. Raymond owned and operated SDS staffing services, he enjoyed golfing and was a member of First Christian Church in Danville. Raymond was a veteran of the United States Army. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years Jacqueline Dunn Spivey, and a brother; Ronnie Spivey. Survivors include his son, Darren Spivey, of Danville, daughter; Linda (Gary) Devine, of Harrodsburg, sister; Rita Adkinson, of Versailles, grandchildren; Hayley Spivey, Tate Spivey, John Devine & Clay Devine, great-grandchildren; Tyler Devine, Jaclyn Devine & Jack Devine. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, August 18, 2020 at Camp Nelson National Cemetery with Rev. Joey Pusateri officiating, with burial to follow. Pallbearers include; Tate Spivey, John Devine, Clay Devine, John Key & Tyler Devine, honorary pallbearers; Billy Bob Barker, Gordon Montgomery, Mike Singleton & Carol Cloud. Friends & family may share memories or leave condolences on his tribute wall at www.ramsey-young.com. Ramsey-Young Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. S. Manuchehr Alavi ’60
Sept. 17, 2020

My father, Dr. S. Manucher “Michael” Alavi, passed away last night, September 17, 2020, in Falls Church, Virginia at the age of 81. Born and raised in Iran, my father came to Berea after finishing his last semester of high school at Oneida Baptist Institute (also in Kentucky), and received his B.S. in Chemistry. He later went on to the University of Kentucky where he received his M.D. and completed his residency in radiology, going on to the University of Virginia where he completed his fellowship in Neuroradiology and later joined the faculty. While a large part of his professional and family life was spent in Richmond, Virginia, my father had a very fulfilling career that also spanned his native Iran, Florida, and more recently Maryland. He ultimately retired in McLean, Virginia close to his children. He is survived by his wife, Firouzeh (Grace), his daughters Suzanne and Elham, son Farhad, daughter-in-law Saharnaz, sister Lili, and brother Shahrokh.  My father always recalled his time in Berea and more broadly Kentucky with great affinity, particularly as the college was effectively the first place in the United States where he spent substantial time. 

Harry W. George Jr. ’60
Oct. 7, 2019

Harry W. George, Jr. of Burlington Township, passed away on Monday, October 7, 2019 at the Samaritan Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mount Holly. He was 82. Born in Camden, NJ, Mr. George grew up in Columbus and was a graduate of William MacFarland High School in Bordentown and Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. He went on to earn Masters Degrees from Trenton State College and Widener University. Harry was a longtime Business Education Teacher at Rancocas Valley Regional High School from 1965-1990. He also had his own tax practice and was a Certified Financial Planner. Harry was a former member of Mount Holly Elks, the Mount Holly Lions Club, and the Rotary Club in Bordentown. He enjoyed walking and running and had finished several marathons. Harry liked to work in the yard and gardening and was a helpful neighbor who enjoyed telling jokes. Harry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mary Lu George; a daughter Bonnie Knorr and her husband John of Westampton; a son Wayne George of Delran; and a granddaughter Erin. The brother of the late Albert & Donald, he is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services were held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church, 125 Garden St., Mount Holly. Burial was in the Columbus Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 10-11 AM at the Church. Contributions in Mr. George’s memory may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association https://www.apdaparkinson.org/ or the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance https://www.tsalliance.org/ Arrangements by the Perinchief Chapels, Mount Holly. www.perinchief.com Upcoming Events Viewing Oct 12. 10:00 AM 11:00 AM (EDT) First Presbyterian Church 125 Garden St. Mt. Holly, NJ

Joseph Jerry Klich
Husband of Thelma Miller Klich ’60
July 8, 2019

Joseph Jerry Klich native of Newport News and lately of Richmond Virginia passed away after 81 years of happiness on July 8, 2019.

He was the youngest of three brothers including race car driver Henry and rocket scientist Phil. He managed to survive past childhood despite his penchant for jumping out of windows while announcing that he was Superman and “I am the king!”

His brothers were also his best friends right up until they were separated, first by the death of Henry, then by his own. He shared a tearful goodbye with remaining brother Phil who made a long midnight trip to see him only hours before his passing.

He was a star football and track player at Warwick High school and later at University of Richmond where he graduated with the class of 1960. He has remained close friends with his teammates to this day.

He was honorably discharged as Captain from the US Army Reserves in 1968.

He met his wife of 54 years, Thelma, on a blind date. She decided she wasn’t going to go out with him again because he abandoned her to watch the big game. Then he wisely sent her a Valentine’s Day card and won her over. They married the day after Christmas 1964. Among his last words were that Thelma was the most perfect person he had ever known.

After college Jerry got a job with State Farm Insurance the excitement of which paled in comparison to his true calling of selling Christmas Trees just like his big brothers. Notably, the only time Jerry was ever seen angry was when the city forced him to remove the tree lot’s sign, possibly at the behest of a rival tree lot.

He is survived by two sons, Brent and Brock. He spent most of the waking hours of their youth delivering them and their lawn mowers to dozens of customers and to soccer games all over the East coast, without ever a complaint. The two days they got their driver’s licenses were among the happiest of his life.

For decades, he and Thelma hosted huge Christmas dinners for extended family, friends and often near strangers because that’s just what they did. His dinner blessing never left out those who had gone before us, those who could not be present, those who fought to protect and defend our great country, and a final request to bless the food so that all present could do God’s will.

Despite initial fears that his boys might never give him grandchildren, he was the proud grandfather of five: Cara, Courtney, Grace, Erin, and Grant.

Grace nearly killed her mother for the first time during her traumatic delivery. Emblematic of his concern for others, upon arriving at the hospital, Jerry went first to check on mom before going to see his new grandbaby.

He retired after 38 years from State Farm Insurance and watching Bob Barker on the Price is Right while eating Thelma’s leftovers for lunch. Every.single.day.

Jerry died after a brief battle with cancer. He never gave up hope and never stopped praying, not for himself but for everyone he was leaving behind, including his church and it’s entire congregation.

A graveside service will be held noon Friday, July 12 at Peninsula Memorial Park, 12750 Warwick Boulevard? in Newport News. A reception will follow nearby at Reformation Lutheran Church, 12750 Warwick Boulevard?, Newport News, Virginia, 23606.

A memorial service and reception will also be held in Richmond at Saint Mark’s United Methodist Church, 11551Lucks Lane, Midlothian, VA 23114 on July 21st at 4 p.m.

Please send donations in lieu of flowers in his memory to St Mark’s UMC or Reformation Lutheran at the addresses above.

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published in Daily Press on Jul. 11, 2019.

Marshall Roy Bailey
Husband of Ruth Napier Bailey ’61
Nov. 20, 2017

Obituary Unavailable

E. L. Harlow
Husband of Sandra Hamrick Harlow ’61
April 30, 2013

Edward Lyle Harlow was born in Lexington, VA on December 30, 1935, the son of the late Lyle Davis & Mary Sue Kirkpatrick Harlow. He graduated from Lexington High School and Washington & Lee University, class of ’58 and later received a Masters from JMU. Edward served in the ROTC and left the Army Reserve as the rank of Captain. Edward taught for 36 years. At Harrisonburg High School he taught English and was director of the first high school musical comedies in the Valley. He continued his teaching career at Blue Ridge Community College for 30 years before retiring. Also, he began farming as a teenager with his grandfather in Rockbridge County and continued to farm until a few years before his passing. A lover of animals, he bred fancy chickens, canaries, Cairn terriers, and purebred sheep and cattle at different times over the course of his life. He was an avid gardener and loved trees and flowers. He had a love of art, theatre and opera that entailed yearly trips to Abingdon and Chicago. He was a Lutheran by faith. Edward was preceded in death by his first grandchild, Sadie Rose Harlow and brother, Michael Kirkpatrick Harlow. He is survived by his wife of 54 years Sandra Hamrick Harlow, his sons, Lyle Hamrick Harlow of Chicago IL; and Edward Lee Harlow and wife Regina Cyzick Harlow of Grottoes, VA as well as two grandchildren, Eli David Harlow and Elsie Ray Harlow. Friends may call at the home in Bridgewater at any time or at the home of Lee and Regina Harlow in Grottoes Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sadie Rose Foundation, PO Box 382, Dayton, VA 22821 or the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, PO Box 80, Weyers Cave, VA 24486. A graveside service will be held Saturday, May 4th at Stonewall Jackson Cemetery in Lexington, VA at 11 a.m. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.johnsonfs.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edward Lyle Harlow please visit our Tribute Store.

Carlos D. Lainhart Jr. Fd. ’57, ’61
Obituary Unavailable

Minnie Sue Martin Ripy ’61
Nov. 10, 2019

Minnie Sue Martin Ripy, 80, of Lawrenceburg, a longtime resident of Arlington, VA and wife of 54 years to Thomas B. Ripy, IV, passed away Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Heritage Hall at Signature Healthcare.

Born March 7, 1939 in Ironton, OH, Minnie was the daughter of the late Wesley N. Martin and Rebecca Turner Martin.

Minnie Sue received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Kentucky and her Master’s Degree in Library Science from Vanderbilt University. She work as a Law Librarian for the Chief Counsel of the Internal Revenue Service in Washington D.C. Since moving back to Lawrenceburg Minnie Sue became a member of the First Christian Church, she previously served as a member, deacon, and Sunday School Teacher at Little Falls Presbyterian Church in Arlington, VA. Minnie Sue was very church, charity and civic minded. While living in Arlington, VA she served as Past President of Taylor Elementary PTA and County Council PTA, and as coordinator of Meals on Wheels.

Including her husband, Minnie Sue is survived by her son, Thomas B. Ripy, V and his wife Quy Nguyen); five grandchildren, Billette A. Ripy (John Stephenson), Harley A. (Alana) Ripy, Wesley LeRoy Ripy, Curran E. Ripy, and Valentina M. Ripy; and her brother, Joe David Martin of Lexington.

Visitation will be held 12 noon – 3 pm Friday, Nov 15th followed by the service at 3:00 pm Friday at the Lawrenceburg First Christian Church. Rev. Jim Wheeler will officiate the service. Burial will follow in the Lawrenceburg Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to First Christian Church, 300 S. Main St., Lawrenceburg, KY 40342, Bluegrass Hospice Care, 643 Teton Trail, Frankfort, KY 40601 or Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County Kentucky, P.O. Box 375, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342.

DeWitt F. VanArsdale Fd. ’57, ’61
May 27, 2020

Dewitt F. VanArsdale, 80, a native of Powell County, KY, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at the Sentara Halifax Regional Hospital in South Boston, VA, after a brief battle with lung cancer.

Dewitt met his wife in Berea, Kentucky, where they both attended high school and college. He spent most of his married life in Greensboro, NC, where he worked as an IT manager with Burlington Industries for 38 years. After retiring in 2003, he and his wife enjoyed retirement living at Kerr Lake in Clarksville, VA. Dewitt was an avid fisherman and enjoyed all things lake related.

Dewitt is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Virginia G. VanArsdale, and his parents Dewitt French and Captolia VanArsdale. Dewitt is survived by his son, James D. VanArsdale (Nolan) of Belmont, NC; daughter, Kelly A. Longacre (Brad) of Chesterfield, VA; grandchildren, Carson B. Longacre, Brody D. Longacre, and Hayden C. Longacre, also of Chesterfield, VA; his sisters, Jane VanArsdale of Florence, KY, and Elizabeth A. Cornett (Aaron) of Stanton, KY; and his companion, Edna Neese of Clarksville, VA. He is also survived by four nieces, and four great nieces and great nephews.

Graveside services will be held Monday, June 1, 2020, at 2 p.m. in Oakhurst Cemetery with the Reverend Joey Tucker officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider donations to Berea College, CPO 2216, Berea, KY 40404 (www.berea.edu/give).

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at http://www.wclfh.com.

Wallace Cantrell Jr. ’62
Aug. 15, 2020

Wallace (Wally) Cantrell Jr., 81, was born January 24, 1939 in West Liberty, KY and passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2020 at Our Hospice of South Central Indiana, Columbus, IN, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease with Lewy Body dementia. After graduation from Morgan County High School in Morgan County, KY, Wally received a degree in Elementary Education from Berea College, Berea, KY. He completed his master’s degree in Elementary Education at St. Catherine’s Catholic University in Louisville, KY. Wally taught elementary school for eight years in Kentucky and then joined the local Uniserv Association as a staff member for two years. Wally moved to Indiana in 1972 and accepted the position of Director for the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA). In 1997 Wally was promoted to the Uniserv Manager for ISTA in Kokomo, IN and in 2000 he accepted the role of Assistant Executive Director of the ISTA. Wally retired in 2006 to spend time with his family and grandchildren. However, he continued his lifelong passion for education by serving in a consultant role for ISTA for years was involved in his church, community, education, and other activities. His servant heart was recognized when he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash and appointed a Kentucky Colonel. Wally and his wife, Sandy, enjoyed traveling and watching or attending events of his favorite teams, the Cincinnati Reds, Indianapolis Colts, Indianapolis Pacers, University of Kentucky Basketball and the Indy 500. He was united in marriage to Sandra (Speer) Kirts on January 16, 1999, who survives. He is also survived by his two sons Randy (Denise) and Matthew, both of Chino Hills, CA and two step-daughters Stephanie (Kirts) Johnson (Randy, Columbus, IN and Shannon (Kirts) Hickey (Sam), Morgantown, IN and nine grandsons: Corey Wallace Knapp (Josh), Corona, CA; Kalen Cantrell, San Diego, CA; Quinlan Cantrell, Keeton Cantrell, Chino Hills, CA; Joshua Johnson and Jordan Johnson, Columbus, IN; Caleb Hickey, Connor Hickey and Corban Wallace Hickey, Morgantown, IN. Wally is also survived by the two of his seven siblings, sisters Thelma Dulin (John), Troy, OH and Lois Jones (Bill), West Liberty, KY; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and the mother of his children Diane (Wyatt) Cantrell, Nashville, IN. Wally was proceeded in death by his parents, John and Minnie (Wright) Cantrell, brothers, Ronnie Hershel Cantrell, Bonnie Hargis Cantrell and Vonnie Woodrow Cantrell and 2 infant siblings. A private family memorial service will be conducted on Saturday August 22nd at Myers-Reed Chapel, 3729 25th St, Columbus, IN 47203. Memorials, in lieu of flowers, may be directed to the funeral home for Our Hospice of South Central Indiana or Parkinson’s Foundation. Online condolences may be left at www.myers-reed.com. Myers~Reed Chapel is serving the Cantrell family.

Jack M. Gay
Husband of Eleanor Gibson Gay ’62
Feb. 20, 2020

Jack Moore Gay, (faculty, Agriculture Department 1961-1962) passed away suddenly February 20,2020. For 57 and until his death, Jack was married to Eleanor Gibson, FD 1958, And college 1962. Eleanor and Jack resided at the Gay family Farm in Pocahontas County, WV where Eleanor still lives.

C. Edwin Matheson ’62
April 23, 2020

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Charles Edwin Matheson (Manchester, Tennessee), who passed away on April 23, 2020, at the age of 79, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends can light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Charles Edwin Matheson to show support.

He was predeceased by his parents, Earl Matheson and Beatrice Matheson; his former wife Mary Matheson; and his sister Margie Ann Watson. He is survived by his wife Martha Matheson; his son Jeremy; his daughter-in-law Huiyon Matheson; and his granddaughter Ellie Matheson.

Sandra Jeanne Wayman ’62
July 26, 2020

Sandra Jean Wayman passed away on July 26th at home in Ojai, California after a courageous battle with cancer. Sandy was born June 1st, 1940 in Covington, Kentucky to Jasper Russell (JR) and Una Wayman. After her father’s untimely death, Sandy was raised from the age of five in Berea, Kentucky with her mother and step father, Dewey Hoskins. Here she graduated as the valedictorian from Berea High and went on to graduate in history from Berea College. Throughout her life, Sandy loved all sports and while at Berea College played on the basketball, tennis, and field hockey teams. She earned her master’s degree in 1964 from University of Kentucky and became a lifelong Kentucky Wildcat. After beginning her teaching career in Centerville, Ohio, she moved to California in 1969. Sandy taught at Carpinteria High School, where she initiated the first girls tennis team. She then taught history and physical education at Fillmore High School, where she continued to coach both tennis and basketball. She finished her career as a beloved teacher and tutor at Besant Hill School of Happy Valley in Ojai, California. Sandy loved the sun and the beach, snorkeling in Hawaii, playing tennis and golf and watching her beloved Kentucky Wildcats play basketball. Sandy is survived by her wife, Tina Leslie. She was preceded in death by her father, JR Wayman, her mother, Una Hoskins and her stepfather, Dewey Hoskins. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Sandy’s name to the cancer charity or the ocean environmental group of your choice. A celebration of Sandy’s life will be held at a later date.

Ahmad Baharestan ’63
Aug. 3, 2020

Ahmad Baharestan, 88, passed away Monday morning, August 3, 2020 at his home in White Pine. He is survived by his daughter Dr. Zhalet Baharestan, his son Kaveh Baharestan, his grandchildren Navarre and Zhalet Claire. Born and raised in Kermanshah, Iran. Ahmad began contributing to his family’s income at the tender age of 10 and graduated from High School with high marks. After a few years of work, he taught himself to read, write, and speak English then came to the states for his secondary education, graduating from Berea College in 1963 with a BS in Agricultural Science followed by a Masters in Forestry from SUNY School of Forestry. During his college years he met Leta Ann McCoig. They married on June 9th 1963. A funeral service will be held on August 6th, 11:00am in White Pine Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Norris officiating. Funeral Home strongly encourages all CDC guidelines be followed, including the use of face masks. Upcoming Events Graveside Funeral Service Aug 06. 11:00 AM (EST) White Pine Cemetery White Pine, TN, 37890

Phillip Haney ’63
Sept. 22, 2020

Obituary Unavailable

Mary Tudor Pennycuff ’63
Sept. 2, 2020

Mary Jane Pennycuff, 78, of Forest Park, OH died September 2, 2020. Mary was born in the Buckeye Community of Garrard County, KY to the late William Robert Tudor and Clara Calico Tudor. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years John Pennycuff; her loving children Kevin (Gina) Pennycuff, Maineville, OH and Laura (Sander Glick) Pennycuff, Vienna, VA; her four grandchildren Maren, Ethan, & Aidan Pennycuff and Nina Glick. She was predeceased by her sister Forrest Ann Hinojosa.

Mary earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Berea College (KY). She did graduate work in musicology at the University of Redlands (CA), studied voice with professional tenor David Johnston in Oxford, England and did graduate work in vocal pedagogy at Southeast Missouri State University. She taught music at schools in Kentucky, Texas, California, Mississippi, as well as in England at the USAF Dependent’s School RAF Upper Heyford, Our Lady’s Convent in Abingdon, and finally at the University of Southeast Missouri State, Model School.

Mary later managed the piano and keyboard department at Mannerino’s Sheet Music, where she worked until retirement in 2003. She was a soprano soloist, directed church choral and handbell choirs at Epworth United Methodist Church (UMC), Heritage UMC, Forest Chapel UMC, Glendale Presbyterian, Mt. Auburn Presbyterian, and Sycamore Presbyterian. Mary authored a series of talks entitled “Hymns to Live By”, “Hymns for the Journey”, and “The Hymns of Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley” that she presented at area churches.

She studied voice well into her 70’s and was still performing soprano and coloratura repertoire. She studied locally with Martha Moore Crabtree, Karl Resnick, Blythe Walker, and Mary Southworth Shaffer. Mary was a member and leader in the former Woman’s Clef Music Club and Clifton Music Club, serving as President of the newly merged Clifton Clef Music Club at her passing. She was also a life member of Delta Omicron Music Fraternity and was still active in Matinee Musicale. Previous musical experiences included performing with the Riverside (CA) Choral, the Harmonia Society and the Bach Passion Choir in Oxford, England, the Cincinnati May Festival, the Cincinnati Choral Society, and the Cincinnati Camerata. She formed a women’s trio called “Second Wind” and arranged their repertoire.

Having grown up in rural Eastern Kentucky, Mary was proud to share her heritage through presentations of programs on Appalachian music, including the song “Appalachian Love Songs, Tales and Truth” for clarinet and piano based on Appalachian text. The Chorister’s Guild published her children’s choral music, and the Cincinnati Camerata commissioned her to compose a choral suite entitled “The Seeds of Love.” She also composed “The Day is Past and Gone” for the October Festival Choir, which was premiered under the direction of Philip Brunelle in 2002.

As an Air Force spouse for six years, Mary lived in many places in the U.S. and in England before settling in the Cincinnati area. She used her experiences of living and traveling widely abroad to engage with local school students as a steadfast tutor and mentor. Mary was also a supportive and loyal friend whose many kindnesses will not soon be forgotten.

Memorials may made be made to the Winton Woods Educational Foundation, 825 Waycross Road, Suite A, Cincinnati, Ohio 45240. A private service has been held. A copy of the livestreaming of the service can be viewed at the Spring Grove Funeral Home website starting on Friday, September 11, 2020 at 5:30PM.

Ruth Hygema Wilson ’63
June 19, 2019

Ruth H. Wilson, April 24, 1919 to June 19, 2019, was born in Wakarusa, Indiana, the third of five children of Elmer and Emma Nettrouer Hygema.

In 1938, she graduated from Batavia High School in Cincinnati, then went south for college at Eastern State Teacher’s College where she met and married Jess D. Wilson. After a break to raise children, she resumed her education at Berea College, graduating in 1963, and later, receiving an M.A, at University of Kentucky in 1970. She was a dedicated educator and completed her career as a reading specialist for the Jackson County Schools where each school under her supervision showed improvement in scores.

Ruth also believed in good health practices, exercise, and Vitamin C. In 1981, she and Jess retired to a Clay County farm, Possum Trot, which became, with the help and labor of many friends, a loved camp and retreat representing the best of local history and culture.

After 73 years of marriage, Jess proceeded her in death.

As the great-grandchild of Dutch immigrants, Ruth, at 96, fulfilled a life-long dream of traveling to the Netherlands to explore and meet relatives.

She leaves three daughters, E. Gail Chandler, T. Sammie Wakefield, and Rebecca Joy Wilson, two sons-in-law, Curtis Chandler and Richard Wakefield, three granddaughters, (Tom) Tana Allen, (Kristin) Tara Chandler and Esther Wakefield, and two great- grandsons, Bryce and Logan, a great-granddaughter, Ava, and a wealth of friends, nieces and nephews, and not to be forgotten, those children of her spirit who know who they are.

Donations may be given to the Sand Gap Elementary Family Resource Center, 6783 Highway 421 North, Sand Gap, KY. 40481.

Visitation 10:00 am Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Lakes Funeral Home#2, Bradshaw Chapel. Funeral service will be held 1:00 pm Saturday, June 22, 2019 at Lakes Funeral Home #2, Bradshaw Chapel with Bro. Roger Williams and Bro. Sam Grigsby officiating. Burial will follow in the Wilson Cemetery in Clay County.

Judith Sharon Bussey ’64
Dec. 17, 2019

Judith Sharon (Judy) Bussey age 76, born and raised in Eastern Kentucky, passed away on December 17th in Lexington, KY.  She is survived by daughter Sandy Smith Batchelor, son Thomas Benton (Tommy) Smith, granddaughter Savannah Massey and grandson Dawson Smith, all from Lexington, KY. Also, her siblings- Toby Bussey Howard (Bruce), Rodney Bussey (Helen), Karen O’Rourke (Tom) & John R. Bussey (Eda), and several nieces & nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Nova Hicks Oberle and Dawson E. Bussey and sister Peggy Bussey.

For the past 20 years, Judy worked as an adjunct professor for University of Kentucky and BCTC.  She was a writer, a scholar, an entrepreneur, and an activist.

Join us to celebrate Judy’s amazing life on Saturday, January 11, at  Celebration Center of Lexington, 1509 Trent Blvd., Lexington, Ky.  The public is welcome from 4-7pm.  Family only from 3-4pm.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to Saint Jude’s Children’s Hospital.  Childhood cancer is a cause that was close to her heart.

Thomas Coomer Fd. ’60, ’64
Sept. 6, 2020

Thomas “Tom” Coomer, age 82, of Versailles, KY, passed away on Sunday, September 6, 2020 at Home Place at Midway.

Thomas was born on May 30, 1938 in Jabez, KY to the late Willie N. Coomer and Grace Baker Coomer.  He was born and raised in Pulaski County, one of thirteen children.  Tom attended Berea College and Berea Foundation.  He was a Social worker for the V.A. Medical Center.  He loved taking care of his family and his veterans families.  Tom knew no strangers, was a jovial soul, and kind and generous.  He attended Journey Church in Versailles.

He is survived by a daughter, Kristen (and Adam) Ross of Versailles; one brother, Paul (and Zula) Coomer of Berea, KY; and two sisters, Helen Walters of Somerset and Pauline Hopper of Somerset.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Sue Moore, who preceded him on February 5, 2019; one daughter, Stacie Coomer; five brothers, Leonard, Herbert, Walter, Clay and Jerry; and four sisters, Kate, Shirley, Elizabeth and Brenda.

A private family graveside service will be held on Friday, September 11, 2020 at Stacie-Coomer Cemetery in Jabez.  Bro. Randy Nation will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Stacie-Coomer Scholarship Church Camp Fund in c/o Howells Mill Christian Assembly, 99 Christian Camp Road, Ona, WV 25545 or you may go online at www.easytithe.com/HMCA

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.  If you wish to attend the service, you may notify Lake Cumberland Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1441, Somerset, KY 42502.

You are welcome to view the obituary and send condolences to the family at our website:  www.LakeCumberlandFuneralService.com

Lake Cumberland Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Tom Coomer.

To send a flower arrangement to the family of Tom Coomer, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

William E. Druell Jr. ’64
Sept. 1, 2020

William Edward Druell September 07, 1940 September 01, 2020 Spartanburg, SCWilliam Edward Druell, 79, husband of Donna LeMaster Druell, died Tuesday, September 1, 2020 at Spartanburg Medical Center. Born September 7, 1940 in Jacksonville, FL, William was the son of the late William Edward and Marjorie Burgess Druell. He was a graduate of Berea College in Berea, KY and honorable served his country in the Air Force Reserves. William worked with Glidden Aeromatics in Jacksonville, FL, Aeromatics International in Marietta, GA, and Michelin Tire Corporation, in both Anderson and Spartanburg, SC. He was an active member of First Baptist Church Spartanburg, where he was a Deacon, served in the Sanctuary Choir, and helped with Ladies First Thursday, and his Sunday School class. William had a heart for missions and had been a volunteer with the Good News Club at EP Todd Elementary School. In addition to his wife of 55 years, William is survived by his two children, Staci Druell Gardin (George) and Colonel Tim Druell (Judith); six grandchildren, Ayden and Alyssa Gardin, Makenna, Rileigh, Gavin, and Charley Elizabeth Druell; a sister, Diana Haley; and multiple nieces and nephews. Graveside services with military honors will be held Saturday, September 5 th, 10:00AM in Heritage Memorial Gardens, officiated by Reverend Dr. Don Wilton. The family kindly requests all guests to wear masks and social distance. The family will be at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Bridge at Green Street, The Encouraging Word, or MPACT Ministries, c/o First Baptist Church Spartanburg, attn: Finance Office, 250 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29306. To send a flower arrangement to the family of William Edward Druell.

Kollen Karr ’64
May 14, 2011

Kollen C. Karr, 69, of Corbin, passed away Saturday, May 14, 2011, at Baptist Regional Medical Center. The son of the late Edwin P. and Ruth Elle Johnson Karr, he was born April 10, 1942, in Corbin. He was a minister and a retired school teacher of the Laurel County School System. He was also a member of the Level Green Christian Church. He was preceded in death by his father, Edwin P. Karr; mother, Ruth Elle Johnson Karr; and sister, Judy McLeod. Survivors include his wife, Bill Jean Couch Karr of Corbin; son, Joseph Casey Karr of Corbin; three grandchildren Casey Jo Karr, Molly Karr and Christopher Casey Karr; and a host of family and friends who mourn his passing. To the Kollen C. Karr family, the staff of the Corbin Funeral Home would like to offer our heartfelt sympathy during your time of bereavement. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. today (Monday) at Corbin Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Marion Parkey and Bro. Owen Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Locust Grove Cemetery in Keavy. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers. The family of Kollen C. Karre received friends Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 6-9 p.m. at the Corbin Funeral Home. Corbin Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements, Byron L. Schiesz, director.

Doris Reece Smith Leissing ’64
July 15, 2020

Doris Reece Leissing, 77, passed away on July 15, 2020, at Elizabeth House in Hendersonville, North Carolina after a brief but intense battle with cancer. An only child, Doris Ann Reece was born on July 20, 1942, to Pauline Robinson Reece and Mark Twain Reece in Banner Elk, North Carolina. Doris grew up in Mountain City, Tennessee, received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Berea College and her master’s degree from Duke University. She served two years in India as a Peace Corps volunteer along with her first husband, Tom Bates, from whom she was widowed. She later married Pastor Bob Smith and relocated to Hendersonville in 1980 to start a church together. Doris actively lobbied for the legalization of homeschooling in the state of North Carolina. In 1997, she found herself widowed once more. Nevertheless, she pressed on to build a highly successful career in direct sales, touching thousands of lives as a coach, mentor, and ambassador for Reliv International. In 2002, she married Henry Leissing and they enjoyed 18 beautiful years of adventures together, making memories with their children and grandchildren. Doris was a dynamic, fully-engaged person with a vibrant love of learning, and her passing is a shock for all who knew her invincible spirit. She possessed a wide range of talents, but her deep faith, her loyalty as a friend and mentor, and her loving heart for her family will be most remembered and missed. Doris leaves behind a husband, Henry Leissing of Hendersonville, and three children: daughter Heather Bates of Hendersonville, son Christopher Bates of Oregon, and daughter Rebecca Smith of California. Also left to cherish her memory are eight grandchildren, each of whom she loved dearly: Dylan Barton, Gabriel Bishop, Annabelle Bishop, Anneliza Bates, Thomas Bates, Caleb Bates, Andrew Bates, and Katharine Bates. A visitation will be held at Upward Christian Fellowship on Wednesday, July 22 at 9:00 AM, with a memorial service to follow at 11:00 AM that morning.

Tonita Booher Preston ’64
Aug. 2, 2020

Tonita Booher Preston, 95, of St. Petersburg, passed away August 2, 2020. Tonita was born in Monroe, Tennessee and had resided in St. Petersburg since moving here from Jacksonville in 1991. She spent many of her working years as a teacher after earning a bachelor’s degree in Christian education from Berea College in Kentucky and later a master’s degree in reading. During her years in Jacksonville, Tonita worked as a realtor associate for Watson Realty Corp. Tonita was preceded in death by her husband, Gus E. Preston; sister, Lurine Little of Nebraska and brother, Artice Booher of Tennessee. She is survived by loving daughters Toni DeGregory of St. Petersburg, FL; Gussie Flynn of Miami, FL; and, grandson Ian Flynn of Houston, Texas. Tonita enjoyed painting and drawing as well as a devote Christian of the Methodist faith.  No services are scheduled at this time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in her name to Community Health Foundation, 10300 SW 216th Street, Miami, FL 33190 to be used towards a Children’s Crisis Center for children in need of immediate crisis intervention.

Gilbert M. Chard
Husband of June Cleek Chard ’65
March 10, 2019

Fire Chaplain Gilbert Madison “Gil” Chard, 75, of Kingsport, TN passed away Sunday afternoon, March 10, 2019 at Holston Valley Medical Center due to complications from chemo and radiation treatments for recently diagnosed small cell lung cancer. Born August 31, 1943, in Kenton County, Kentucky, to William M. and Charlene Steidle Chard, he graduated from Ludlow High School in 1962 (Ludlow, Ky). Gil served honorably in the United States Air Force (1962-1966). He was proud to be a third-generation Chard to retire from Norfolk Southern Railroad, retiring in August 2003 as an engineer.

Gil was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Joyce A. McMillen Chard, who died suddenly and unexpectedly in 1981, both younger brothers William and Ronald Chard, and tragically an infant grandson Andrew Chard.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 36 years, June Carol Cleek Amburgey Chard of Kingsport, two sons, William M. Chard (Sherry L.) of Lake Jackson, Texas, Thomas C. Chard of Morristown, Tennessee, one daughter, Christine Chard McBroom (Frank C. V.) of Grayson Kentucky, one step-daughter, Judith C. Amburgey Peters (Scott E.) of Ashland, Ohio, one step-son, John C. Amburgey of Florence, Kentucky, four grandsons, one granddaughter, and one great-grandson.

Gil was involved in volunteer firefighting more than 55 years, starting at just 17 and staying involved throughout his life everywhere he lived.  In the 90’s, Gil, with June’s support, helped establish the North Jessamine County Volunteer Fire Department (Ky).  Within a year of moving to Tennessee in 2003, he served endless hours at Warriors Path Volunteer Fire Department, where he was also the acting chaplain and his family away from home.  Gil was a tireless community servant and volunteer for so many causes it could fill a book.  But to name a few: early on he was very active with leading Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts and coaching sports team.  In the early 90’s Gil served Jessamine County (Ky) Hospice where he and June did everything asked of them from mowing hospice clients’ grass to doing eleventh hour sitting to running a hospice thrift store.  During this time, Gil also served as a counselor for Camp ECHO, a camp for youngsters affected by the loss of a sibling or parent or other person important in their life.  Gil worked at a Fayette County (Ky) Cemetery doing everything from digging graves to singing at grave side services.  He was part of King’s Disciples, a singing group that visited churches and nursing homes, including a trip to Maryland.  Gil continued to sing at every opportunity; up to, and including, singing to employees at the Cancer Center at Indian Path while receiving radiation treatment.  In 1992, Gil and June were instrumental in organizing the Ky Chapter of Campers on Mission (C.O.M) of which he was president for 2 years.  Gil and June traveled annually to N.C. to work in missions at the N.C. State Fair with the N.C. C.O.M. group for 20 years.  Gil regularly traveled to national C.O.M. rallies and worked with the Tennessee C.O.M. completing building projects or structural repairs to Christian Schools and Bible Camps.  Gil traveled the entire United States for various charitable efforts, as well as serving in the capacity of a Chaplain, often using his talented singing voice for many of the services in which he participated and/or conducted.  He traveled to various disaster sites for American Red Cross Disaster Relief including the Nashville Floods, East Tennessee Tornados, the Sevier County Wildland Fires, and all but a couple of the Line-of-Duty Deaths in Tennessee since 2007.  He earned his Master Chaplain certification in 2017 and was named 2018 Chaplain of the Year by the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains.  Gil often assisted June with efforts in her favorite cause F.R.A.N.K. (Feline Rescue and No Kill).  Gil is described by friends from the decades as “one of the most unselfish people I’ve ever met” and “he saved my life.”

Services are at Fordtown Baptist Church, 444 Old Fordtown Road, Kingsport, TN where he and June are members, on Thursday March 14.  The Receiving of Friends will be from 12-2 pm, with Memorial Services following immediately at the church, and Interment Services immediately following at the Fordtown Baptist Church Cemetery.  Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes will coordinate with the Warriors Path Volunteer Fire Department and Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains, who are honored to provide pallbearers, and will coordinate honoring his military service.

Gil’s PASSIONATE wishes are for NO floral arrangements.  Gil requested memorial donations be given to Warriors Path Volunteer Department, PO Box 5343, Kingsport, TN 37663.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Gilbert M. “Gil” Chard, please visit our floral store.

Edward Seldon Sears ’65
Sept. 1, 2020

Edward Seldon Sears died on the first day of September and Shawsville is a smaller sadder place.

He grew up in Somerset, Kentucky, graduated from Berea College with a degree in Physics, and earned a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Notre Dame. Ed took early retirement from his Defense Intelligence job in the Pentagon to come home to Shawsville because “his baby child was growing up without him.” He was proud dad to three daughters: Vicki Pris Sears (Knic Umstead), Edie Seldon Sears, and Anderson Djuric (Steva).

Ed was a dedicated runner and competed in hundreds of races, including the Boston Marathon. He loved books and wrote the book on running, Running Through the Ages, first published in 2001 by McFarland, with a second edition in 2015. He loved coaching cross-country and track and never forgot his runners. He spent many happy retirement years working among the books at the Meadowbrook Public Library in Shawsville.

In addition to Pris, Edie, and Andee, he leaves behind his college sweetheart of 57 years, Rebecca Anderson Sears, and his beloved sisters Beverly, Mark, and Sherri.

He chose to have no public services. Anyone wishing to remember him could make a donation in his honor to Meadowbrook Public Library, 267 Alleghany Springs Rd., Shawsville, VA 24162

Carol Meadows Wilcox ’65
Feb. 1, 2019

Carol Raye Meadows Wilcox, 75 went to sleep in the Lord on February 1, 2019 after an extended illness at her home in Richmond, VA. She was born March 22, 1943 in Liberty, KY, to the late Vesker and Mildred Meadows. Carol grew up in Jumping Branch, WV and graduated from Hinton High School, in Hinton, WV. She then received her BS RN degree from Berea College in Berea, KY. Carol worked half of her nursing career in public health in Oregon and Hawaii. While in Hawaii, she and her husband Pat, were on staff as missionaries with Youth With a Mission. She did family counseling and discipleship training. They led teams doing outreach ministries in Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Japan. After moving to Virginia, Carol worked as school nurse in the Richmond City school system until she retired. She was also active for many years with her husband in the Prison Fellowship ministry as a volunteer. She trained volunteers on the state and national level, and was the coordinator for the Angel Tree Project, in VA and southern WV. Carol genuinely love the Lord and was a fervent prayer warrior. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vesker and Mildred Meadows and her step-mother, Garnet Waddell Meadows. Those left to cherish her memory are her high-school sweetheart and husband of 55 years, Pat Wilcox, and two sons, Nathan of Richmond, VA and Loren and wife Kim in the Richmond area and grandson, Canon. The memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Pivont Funeral Home Chapel, Hinton, WV. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Services will be conducted by Preacher James Volpe. Interment will follow in Restwood Memorial Gardens, Hinton, WV Donations in memory of Carol may be made to; Beckley Area Foundation, 129 Main St., Suite 301, Beckley, WV 25802, for the John L. and Virginia Wilcox Scholarship Fund. This is a fund to help young people in the southern mountain area with their educational pursuits.

Henry Lair
Husband of Ruth Lyons Lair ’66
Feb. 8, 1998

(aged 70)

BURIAL: Camp Nelson National Cemetery

Nicholasville, Jessamine County, Kentucky, USA

PLOT    A, 0, 2-I

MILITARY        S1C, US NAVY

James Irvine Wright ’66
Jan. 15, 2019

James Irvine “Jimbo” Wright age 74 passed away at his home in Tujunga, California on January 15, 2019. He was born on April 17, 1944 in Harrodsburg, KY to James Estil Wright and Martha Dean Lucas Wright. Jim was a 1962 graduate of Dorton High School and a 1966 graduate of Berea College. Jim loved his work and had a successful career as a chemist and a biologist for Goodyear Industries and Baxter Pharmaceuticals and also enjoyed establishing and running his own independent consulting business. Besides his parents, Jim was preceded in death by two brothers; William Clay Wright and Dwight David Wright.

Jim is survived by one son; James Irvine Wright II of Tujunga, CA, one daughter; Amelia Anne David of Lumberton, TX, and one granddaughter; Alyssa Marie David of Lumberton, TX, two sisters; Barbara Good of Dixon, TN, Lana Bachman of Riverview, MI, four brothers; Richard Wright of San Antonio, Tx, Michael Wright of Manchester, TN, Matthew Wright of Brookwood, AL and John Wright of Alexandria, TN. Jim was a source of encouragement, pride and love to those he left behind and will be greatly missed by all.

Elaine Hampton Carrig ‘67
Obituary Unavailable

Nancy Nickell Wiles ’67
May 6, 2020

Nancy Elizabeth Wiles, loving wife of David A. Wiles of Bowling Green and formerly of Shady Grove, Kentucky, passed away on May 6th, 2020. Nancy and David were blessed with three sons, Doug (Amy), Kevin (Joanna), and Todd (Dawn) of Bowling Green as well as eight loving grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Nancy was a nurse and nurse educator at Eastern Kentucky University and Somerset Community College. She was a member of Bays Fork Baptist Church and a life-long Christian who loved the Lord with all her heart. She will be sadly missed by her family and friends.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Vincent Chandis Nickell, and survived by two sisters, Lillian Walker of Louisville and Maurine Critoph of Lexington in addition to David and their children, and grandchildren.

There will be a private graveside service with burial at Bays Fork Baptist Cemetery with arrangements by Hardy and Son Funeral Home, Bowling Green Chapel.

Paul Wallace Chappell ’68
Obituary Unavailable

Cum Paul Mutiva ’68
May 10, 2020

Cum Paul MutivaTeaneck Born in Maseno, Kenya on November 27, 1939, he passed away suddenly on May 10, 2020, as a long time resident of New Jersey. A graduate of Berea College, he worked as an accomplished educator, a fervent entrepreneur, and owner of multiple residential and commercial real estate properties. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth and a large immediate and extended family. Arrangements are made through Volk Leber Funeral Home, Teaneck. A traditional burial will be held at the family home in Kenya at a later date. www.volkleber.com.

Virginia Pugh Owens ’68
June 8, 2017

Mrs. Virginia “Ginny” P. Owens, age 70 of Irvine, Ky. passed away Thursday, June 8, 2017 at the Irvine Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility in Irvine, Ky.

She was born on September 25, 1946 in Colorado, a daughter of the late Thomas Buford and Eva Marie Pugh. She was a member of First Christian Church in Irvine, Ky; an Eastern Star and the Estill Arts Guild. She also had been a Clark County Librarian. She found great joy in reading, gardening, sewing, watching movies and cooking.  On August 11, 1968 she was united in marriage to Philip Martin Owens, who preceded her in death, from that union came two sons-Thomas Byron and Philip Daniel.

Those left to celebrate her life are her children: Thomas Byron Owens of Portland, Oregon and Philip Daniel (Tracy) Owens of Irvine, Ky.; her grandchildren: Brianna Hacker and Brooklyn Owens; her great grandchild: Ryleigh Paige Watson; her brothers: Thomas & Pat Pugh; her brother-in-law’s: Byron M. (Peggy) Owens of Somerset, KY., and Stephen (Ona Kay) Owens of Brodhead, KY.; as well as a host of friends and neighbors.

Besides her parents and husband, Philip M. Owens, she was preceded in death by an infant sister: Rebecca Pugh.

A Memorial service for Mrs. Ginny Owens will be held from 6pm-9pm at the First Christian Church in Irvine, KY.

Condolences to the family may be made at www.marvineowensfuneralhome.com.

Deborah Ann Trusty Rumble ’68
Oct. 17, 2020

Deborah Ann Trusty Rumble passed on Saturday, October 17, 2020, at her home in Jacksonville, Florida.

Deborah Ann Trusty was born to Milton and Olga Trusty on October 4, 1946.  After graduating from Garrett High School in 1964, Deborah graduated from Berea College in 1968, with her undergraduate degree in Psychology.  During college, she met her first husband Ronald Bates. Ron and Deborah had four beautiful and brilliant children: Nathan, Ronda, Elizabeth, and Julia.  

Deborah was baptized by Brother Ralph Denham at Point Pleasant Church of Christ in Hebron, Kentucky.  Deborah earned a Master’s in Education from Northern Kentucky University and taught elementary and middle school social studies in the Northern Kentucky region.  Deborah moved to Jacksonville, Florida and was a member of The Church of Eleven22.  She often volunteered her time at Hope’s Closet, a local thrift store associated with her church.  Deborah also volunteered at the Jacksonville Humane Society. 

Deborah is preceded in death by her late husband Harry “Skip” Rumble.  Survivors include: her first husband, Ron Bates (Amy); four children, Dr. Nathan Bates (Dr. Paige), Dr. Ronda Garcia (Beto), Elizabeth Bates Shelton (Tom), and Julia Green (Raymond); three step-children, Allison Wilker (Tom), Shannon Derenge (Larry), and Millinda Fowles (Jacob); ten grandchildren, Edie, Ava, Reece, Lucy, Nate, Bruce, Sammy, Azie, Elena, and Luke; fourteen step-grandchildren, Clayton, Courtney, Calvin, Elijah, Madison, Stella, Lila Jane, Blair, Lauren, Elliot, Cecilia, Andrew, and Lindsey; one brother, John Richard Trusty (Debbie); one niece Isabel Deffry (Ray); one nephew John David Trusty; three great nephews, Ray, John Chris, and David; and two sister-in laws, Reina Tarquino and Debbie Trusty.

The funeral will be held in Martin, KY.  Due to the pandemic, the funeral will be restricted to immediate family only.  Deborah will be laid to rest alongside her parents, Milton and Olga, at Allen Cemetery in Eastern, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, the family requests to please donate to The Humane Society in her name.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Deborah Ann (Trusty) Rumble, please visit our floral store.

Rev. Wayne Edward Sova ’68
June 10, 2020

Reverend Wayne E. Age 73, an avid reader who loved his family, passed away at his home on Wednesday, June 10, 2020. He was born in Syracuse, NY, on June 4, 1947. Wayne graduated from Berea College in Berea, KY. He received a Master of Divinity from Eden Theological Seminary and later received a Master of Arts in Theology from Christ the King Seminary. He pastored St. Paul’s U.C.C. on Indian Church Road in Buffalo, NY for 22 years until his retirement. On August 22, 1970, Wayne married Cheri Stull. They had two daughters, Noelle (Jon) Lammers and Lynelle (Brian) Nowakowski. He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren, Brenna, Connor, Paige, and Jack Lammers, and Emma Nowakowski. A private Memorial Service will be held at the Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., 2607 Buffalo Road. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Homer D. Gassett ’69
June 6, 2020

Homer D. Gassett, 73, of Rockford, passed away suddenly, Saturday, June 6, 2020 at Swedish American. He was born April 6, 1947 in Berea, KY, the son of Virgil and Susie (Gibbs) Gassett. Homer worked at Chrysler for 52 years, and was a member of the UAW. He enjoyed watching sports, and was a body builder in his younger years. Homer is loved and missed by his wife, Diane; daughter, Alisa Gassett; step-daughters, Jackie Riley and Faye Riley; grandchildren, Desirae Gassett, Andrea Solovic, Jackquilynn Solovic, Luis Riley, Mathew Riley, Diana Fe’ Riley, and Xavier Riley; a host of great-grandchildren; brother, Lawrence (Ruth) Gassett; sisters, Brenda and Linda Gassett, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a nephew. Per Homer’s wishes, no services will take place. Cremation rites have taken place.

Michael Douglas Hassler ’69
Aug. 18, 2020

Michael Douglas Michael Douglas Hassler, 73, of Middletown, passed away on Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at Spring Hills Middletown. He was born in Cincinnati on March 17, 1947, to Frank and Marcella Beasley Hassler. A graduate of Princeton High School, Mike earned his degree in math education at Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. He married his classmate, Helen Austin, after graduation in 1969. Mike’s first teaching job was at the former Freshman School in Middletown, where he also coached wrestling and cross country. His working life changed when he became interested in police work by working as a reserve officer with the Franklin Police Department, taking the necessary training, and joining the department in 1977. In 1984, he started teaching at Berry Middle School in Lebanon, earned the school district’s Excellence in Teaching award in 1988, and retired in 1999. Post-retirement, he taught part-time at St. Columbian School in Loveland, Precious Blood School in Trotwood, and John 23 School in Middletown as well as a number of other jobs. Mike greatly enjoyed playing chess and poker and telling jokes. Survivors include his wife Helen, his sister, Pat Bingham of Vernal, Utah, and his brother, Chris of Atlanta, Georgia. Three grandchildren complete the family group, his daughter, Sarah Davis; and his grandsons, Samuel Walters and Michael Taurianen; and his granddaughter, Grace Davis. Mike had arranged to have his body donated to the medical school at the University of Cincinnati. To make a reservation for the 10 a.m. memorial service at Zion Lutheran Church, 10 North Breiel Boulevard in Middletown on Saturday, August 22, please call 513-423-8675. Prior to the service which will be led by Pastor Jen Rue, the family will greet guests outside the church. Masks are required and social distancing will be practiced. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association/Greater Cincinnati Chapter, 644 Lind Street, Suite 1026, Cincinnati, OH 45203. Please sign the guestbook.

Wayne Honaker ’70
June 17, 2020

Jack “Wayne” Honaker, age 72, of Marysville, died Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at Doctor’s Hospital in Columbus following a short illness. An educator for 32 years, Wayne taught in the Marysville School System from 1970 to 2002. He was a mathematics and computer science teacher at Marysville High School where he was the math department chair from 1992 until retirement. Instrumental in the introduction of computers at the high school, he also taught computers at the Marysville satellite campus for Columbus State Community College. As the MHS Cross Country head coach for many years, his teams won numerous league and district championships. He also was a coach for MHS wrestling and baseball. Coach Honaker was inducted into the Marysville High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006. A graduate and athlete of Honaker High School in Honaker, Virginia, he received a bachelor’s degree from Berea College in 1970 and shortly after graduation, took his first teaching position in Marysville. He received a master’s degree in education from Xavier University. An avid golfer, he was an associate of Liberty Hills Golf Club in Bellefontaine and had a close affiliation with Mill Creek Golf Club in Ostrander. He attended First Presbyterian Church of Marysville, was a volunteer at the Memorial Hospital Wellness Center for 14 years and was active with the Union County Retired Teachers Association. He was one of the “good guys.” Above all, he was a dedicated and supportive husband, father and “Papa.” He was born February 25, 1948 in Richlands, Virginia and was preceded in death by his father, James L. Honaker, his mother, Opal Honaker Altizer, his step-father, Charles Altizer and his brother, James “David” Honaker. He is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Linda Sue Hollon Honaker, whom he married June 6, 1971 in Berea, Kentucky; two daughters, Sarah Brooks of Galion and Erin (James Brueshaber) Crouso of Bellefontaine; five grandchildren, Darren, Caldonia and Lukas Brooks and Aidan and Jake Crouso; a brother, Will “Roger” (Shirley) Honaker of Gardner, Virginia; his sisters-in-law, Barbara Honaker, Doris Farmer and Lois Hollon; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends. Due to the COVID situation, the family will hold a private gathering, but friends may pay their respects 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, 2020 at Underwood Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the MHS Athletic Hall of Fame or the MHS Alumni Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.underwoodfuneralhome.com.

Donald Paul Slatkin ’70
July 7, 2019

Obituary Unavailable

Wayne R. Jones
Husband of Sue Hairston Jones ’71
July 28, 2008

Wayne R. Jones, 59, returned to his heavenly Father, Monday, July 28, 2008. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Survivors are his wife of 33 years, Eleanor Sue Hairston Jones; children, Susan, Amy, Wayne; brothers and sisters: Fannie B. English, Ann Shelby (Charles), Robert (Alma), Bishop Albert (Elsie); and a host of other family. Funeral: 1 p.m. Saturday at Original Church of God, 617 So. Clay Street. Burial in Belmont, N.C. Visitation: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at the church. Arrangements by G.C. Williams.

To plant trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published by Courier-Journal on Jul. 31, 2008.

Edith Combs McCreary ’72
May 15, 2020

Edie Combs McCreary, age 69, of Rockwood Tennessee, died on May 15, 2020 after a battle with cancer.  Born on June 20, 1950, she was the daughter of the late Elvin and Bette Combs.  Edie grew up in Berea Kentucky, graduated from Madison Central High School and Berea College.  As a lover of children, she chose teaching as her career and made a difference in the lives of many students.  She began her teaching career in Richmond Kentucky at Madison Central High School then a short time at East LaFollette Elementary but most of her teaching career was at Ridgeview Elementary in Rockwood Tennessee.  She took a break from teaching to raise her children, E.T. and Emily. When they became school age she returned to the classroom.  Edie loved teaching and as her teaching cohorts will attest, she was always up for a good, clean and safe practical joke.  She always stood up for her students.  Edie was a wonderful wife having been married to and put up with Earl McCreary for 49 wonderful years.  She was magical in the kitchen.  No matter what ingredients she had at hand, she could whip up the most delightful and delicious dishes and meals.  Truly that was a gift her mother gave to her.  The gift her father gave to her was her great love for animals.  She took in every stray that came around and her family enjoyed just about every animal that could be considered an indoor pet except for snakes, although in later years she did grow the courage to handle them!  She never saw a child or animal she didn’t like and was rarely seen without a smile.  Edie was a lover of athletics.  A high school and college cheerleader, she introduced, coached, and participated as the world’s best fan to her children in all manner of sports.  She gave her life to Christ at an early age and never strayed from the Lord, being a great influence and example to those around her.  She was an active member of the Rockwood church of Christ and always tried to use her talents to honor the Lord.  Her beautiful alto voice will be remembered by all.  Always a loving, caring and giving person she lived by the principle of others first.  For that reason she wished in lieu of flowers any remembrances be sent to the Smokerise Memorial Park  c/o Doug Cloud 216 Darrell Lane, Rockwood, TN 37854.

Edie was preceded in death by her parents, Elvin and Bette Combs, and her brother Jerry Combs.  She is survived by her husband Earl McCreary, Jr., son E.T. McCreary, daughter Emily Ashton Arp and one very special granddaughter,  Launa Ashton Arp.  She also leaves a sister and brother in law Jane and Ray Brandenburg, brothers John Combs and Larry Combs, and special ‘sisters’ Dulce Combs and Becky Reynolds, brothers in law and sisters in law David and Betty Lou Alspaugh,  John and Diana McCreary, Steve and Julie McCreary, Marti McCreary Bailey, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Edie’s funeral will be held on Thursday May 21, 2020 at 6:30 pm at the Rockwood Church of Christ; 129 S. Chamberlain Avenue; Rockwood, TN 37854 with Minister Todd Houston officiating.  Visitation will follow at 7:30 p.m. at the church. Edie will be buried in the Combs Family Cemetery; 2820 Combs Lane, Berea, Kentucky with graveside services on Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. with Minister Jack Hall officiating. https://evansmortuary.biz/edie-combs-mccreary/

Kenneth Lane White Fd. ’68, ’72
June 6, 2020

Kenneth Lane White, age 71, husband to Cecilia Faye Duncan White, passed away Saturday June 6, 2020 at U.K. Good Samaritan in Lexington, KY. Mr. White was born in Berea, KY February 19. 1949 to the late Walker White, Sr., and Glendon Reynolds White. Mr. White was a member of the First Baptist Church of Berea at Middletown. He accepted Christ and was baptized there in October of 1962.

Other than his parents Mr. White was preceded in death by one sister, Dolores Rice, and three brothers, Walker White, Jr., George White, and Monte White.

Mr. White is survived by his wife of 46 years, one daughter, Kimberly Faye White of Berea, KY, four sisters, Elizabeth Denney of Berea, KY Juanita Huguely and her husband Lucian of Berea, Ky, Jacqueline Walker and her husband John S. Walker, Jr. of Berea, Ky, Shirley Jackson and her husband Jack of Dayton, OH, brother-in-law James Johnson of Rogersville, TN, five nieces, seven nephews and several great nieces and nephews.

Mr. White graduated from Berea College, with advanced degrees from Western Kentucky and Eastern Kentucky Universities. He taught in Bullitt County, Louisville/Jefferson County and Clark County, retiring as principal of Clark County Alternative School. He was respected and loved by his coworkers and students.

Mr. White was a lover of nature, He loved fishing, hunting, woodworking, photography, and was a master gardener. Mr. White was respected by all who knew him. He especially looked forward to and loved to visit his oldest sister every Sunday evening.

Funeral Services will be private, you may join the family via livestream on our website at 1:00 PM Thursday, June 11, 2020 at www.davisandpowellfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers Mr. White wanted donations to, Shriners Hospital for Children, 110 Con Terrace, Lexington, KY 40508

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Kenneth Lane White, please visit our Tribute Store.

Marshall Thomas McFee ’76
July 30, 2020

Marshall Thomas McFee, age 66, passed away unexpectedly early on Thursday morning, July 30, 2020, at his home in Kingston.

Marshall was a founding member of Wednesday LLC, and Kingston United Methodist Church. He was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time on the lake, water sports, boating, lounging on the dock with family and friends and Kayaking and fishing the Hiwassee and Ocoee with his sister. He enjoyed spending fall and winter days in the woods with hunting buddies. He spent many hours on Watts Bar Lake with wife and daughter and spent hours tubing daughter and friends behind boat. He loved music, concerts, and a good Vol ballgame. Although, his favorite sport had to be watching his pride and joy, Emily play softball. While it was not his best sport, he always enjoyed a round of golf with his friends. He was a member of First Families of Tennessee, The Elmer Fudd Hunting Club.

He was a 1972 graduate of Farragut High school and was proud to be an Admiral. After high school he attended Berea College, Kentucky for 2 years. Wanting to pursue mechanical engineering he enrolled and graduated with honors from Pellissippi State in Knoxville. He was employed with Oak Ridge National Lab, where he worked for 31 years until retirement, working on several wide-ranging technologies.

He is preceded in death by his father, Thomas Russell McFee and mother, Mary Nell Sharp McFee,

Marshall is survived by his wife of 21 years, Wendy Fay McFee of Kingston; daughter, Emily Faye McFee: sister, Mary Ellen McFee Alton; brothers-in-law, Gerald Alton, Walter Jahn and Andy Herrod,; sisters-in-law, Heidi Jahn, Holly Jahn Saunders, Katrina Jahn; 4 wonderful nephews; and numerous cousins and lifelong friends.

Due to Covid-19 and the Knox County Health Regulations, friends may call at their convenience on Tuesday August 4 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Click Funeral Home, 11915 Kingston Pike.

Family and friends will gather for graveside services at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5 at Virtue Cemetery in Farragut.

For everyone’s health, please wear a mask. As Marshall has said, “There’s nothing political about it, it’s just common sense.”

In lieu of flowers, please consider Vanderbilt Arrhythmia Clinic, 1215 21st Avenue South, Medical Center East, Nashville, TN 37232 or to his daughter’s 529 College fund: https://gift.my529.org/Q56ELB To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marshall Thomas McFee please visit our Tribute Store.

Thomas M. Philyaw ’77
July 10, 2020

Thomas Milton Philyaw, 69, of Lenoir, passed away Friday, July 10, 2020 at Lenoir Healthcare. He was born November 19, 1950 in Caldwell County to the late Lewis and Beatrice Philyaw. In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by three brothers, Wilford Philyaw, Buck Philyaw, and Bobby Philyaw and four sisters, Mattie Ruth Bentley, Bertha Clark, Pat Moore, and Anne Craig.

Thomas attend UNC Wilmington for a short time and then transferred to Berea College in Kentucky to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering. He was an avid golfer with a big vivid sense of humor.

He is survived by his children, Alecia Faye Philyaw of Garner, NC, Thomas “Seth” Philyaw and wife Amy of Lenoir, Henry Harrison Philyaw and wife Heidi of Glen Allen, VA; grandchildren, Ashley Madden, Lauren Britton, Caitlin Madden, Catherine Philyaw, Tommy Philyaw, Rhys Philyaw, Cian Philyaw, Quin Philyaw, and Roen Philyaw; sisters, Jeanie Rowan of Deep Gap and Dollie Woods of Connelly Springs.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent to www.evansfuneralservice.com.

Evans Funeral Service is serving the Philyaw family.

Randall Pridemore ’77
June 2, 2020

Randall (Randy) Pridemore, 72 passed away Tuesday, June 2nd, at his home surrounded by family after a valiant 48year battle with diabetes. His devotion to his family and his firm belief in God supported him in his struggle and ultimately gave him peace. Randall was born to the late Arthur and Mae Pridemore on July 22nd, 1947 in Dema, KY. He was married to wife and best friend, Brenda, for 53 years. Randy was a veteran of the Vietnam War and member of the American Legion Post in Fortville, Indiana. Randy was a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University with a degree in Accounting and was employed for over twenty years as a mining controller for Cyprus Amax Coals. At the time of his passing, he was a member of Crossroads Community Church in Fishers, Indiana. Prior to moving to Indiana, Randy served as a long-time elder of Glades Christian Church in Berea, Kentucky. Randall was an avid reader of westerns and political thrillers, spending many a late evening devouring the offerings from the local library. Another passion of Randy’s was teaching, and he served as the Sunday School Teacher for the Senior Adults at Glades Christian Church for many years. However, he enjoyed being with his grandchildren the most and made the decision to leave his long-time Berea, Kentucky home to be closer to his family in Indiana. His retirement years were spent traveling with his family, maintaining an accounting service for a select list of clienteles in Kentucky and patiently taking on the many home improvement projects Brenda found such joy in doing. Randy’s biggest blessing was his family. He and Brenda were blessed with their son, Eric, daughter-in-love, Betsy, and three grandchildren, Madeline (20), Aubrey (18) and Samuel (13). Other survivors are his brother Charlie of Okeana, OH, his brother Larry (Rita) of Summerville, SC, his sister Angie of Wilkesville, OH, and his sisters-in-law, Linda Pridemore of Richmond, VA, Janie Secchi of Richmond, KY, Roberta Miller (Gary) of Lexington, KY and Bonita Hardy of Plano, TX. He is also survived by his Aunt Jo of Martin, KY and Uncle Jimmy Collins of Wilkesville, OH, his nephews, Brian, Daniel, Matthew and Nathan Pridemore, Brennan and Brett Hardy, his great nieces, Audrina Hart, Ashlyn, Ansley and Addison Pridemore and great nephews, Collins and Wyatt Pridemore and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, Clyde and Ferrall Morris, his brother David, nephew, Joel Hart, and brother-in-law, Larry Secchi. Celebrations of life will be held in both Indiana and Kentucky at a time to be determined. A private ceremony for the family will occur on June 13th at Crossroads Community Church. Interment of Randy’s ashes will be in Berea Cemetery. The family gratefully declines flowers but donations in Randy’s name may be made to Crossroads Community Church, Glades Christian Church, or the American Diabetes Association.

Marvin “Bo” Renfro ’77
June 9, 2020

Marvin “Bo” Renfro, age 65, passed away on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at his home.

Bo was born in Danville, Kentucky to the late Dallas and Virginia Palmer Renfro. He was retired from the USDA after almost 40 years. He was a member of Wallaceton Baptist Church and a member of Gideon’s International, Berea Camp.

He is survived by his loving wife Joy Renfro; two children, Kara Taylor and her husband Sam, Rodney Renfro and his wife Kacie; one sister, Rita Davis and her husband Kenny; and three grandchildren, Tahirih Joy Renfro, Tristan Renfro, and Lucille Taylor. He is also survived by a host of extended family and friends.

Public visitation will be Saturday, June 13, 2020 from 10 am- 12pm at Lakes Funeral Home. Please follow state guidelines of social distancing and face coverings. Funeral services for Bo will be private and the burial services will follow in the Robinson Cemetery. Funeral services will be live streamed and recorded for those who aren’t able to attend. The family is very conscious of the regulations and understands that some will not be able to attend, please feel free to watch the funeral services on the website. Condolences may be left for the family at www.lakesfuneralhome.com.

Active pallbearers will be Larry Woods, Kenny Noe, John Benson, Bryan Davis, Harold Eden, Heath Barnett, Nick Stump, and Kenny Davis. Honorary bearers will be Boone Stepp, his first cousins, Paul Jefferies, Paul Larson, Pierre Le’Compte, Shelia Starnes, James Taylor, Jill Barnett, Rocky Cornett, Doug Fritz, and Myles Stump.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wallaceton Baptist Church, 3121 Guynn Rd., Paint Lick, KY 40461, or Gideon’s International, Berea Camp, P.O. Box 256, Berea, KY 40403, or Robinson Cemetery, c/o Randy Ash, 749 Narrow Gap Rd., Paint Lick, KY 40461, c/o 4065 Moran Summit Rd., Paint Lick, KY 40461.

Kelva Thomas Nelson ’79
June 19, 2020

Mrs. Kelva R. Nelson, 63, of Ashland, KY entered eternal rest on Friday, June 19, 2020 at the University of Kentucky Albert B, Chandler Hospital. Mrs. Nelson was born July 30, 1956 to the late Suffragan Bishop Elzy Thomas and her surviving mother Margaret Thomas. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband Ernest Nelson.

Kelva is survived by her two sons, whom she loved dearly: Andrew (Sara) Nelson and Austin Nelson. Her sisters: Karen (Walter “Butch”) Troxler, Kristi (Gregory) Rogers, Karla Thomas, Kerry (Beach) Johnson, Kimburly (Scott) Colburn and Katrina Thomas. Her grandchildren: DeAndrew Nelson, Amiyla Nelson, Amira Nelson, Aliyah Nelson, Ke’O Nelson and Cyrus Nelson.

Kelva was a dedicated teacher for 33 years for the Ashland independent School system and taught at Crabbe Elementary School for her entire career. After retirement, she continued to serve as a substitute teacher. She was recognized in 2007 as an American Star of Teaching and was the only one in the state of Kentucky to received this distinction.

Kelva is an alumnus of Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. She is being awarded the 2020 Distinguished Alumnus for her “contributions to the community and commitments to the mission of Berea College.” The award will be given posthumously to her family.

Kelva was an active member for over 60 years at Christ Temple Church in Ashland, Kentucky. She served in many capacities such as: Sunday School Educator, Youth and Adult Choir Director, After School Tutor, Youth Theatrical Director and Praise and Worship Leader. She was also one of the Praise and Worship Leaders for the First Apostolic Council of Kentucky and Tennessee.

Homegoing Service will be at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, at Christ Temple Church, Ashland, Kentucky 41101. Entombment will follow at the Ashland Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 10:00 AM until time of service on Wednesday, June 24, 2020 at Christ Temple Church. Adherence to Covid-19 guidelines will be observed for this celebration.

Young Funeral Home has been entrusted with the care of Mrs. Nelson and her family.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kelva R. (Thomas) Nelson, please visit our floral store.

Jeffrey Paul Lorenzen ’87
May 24, 2020

Jeffrey Paul Lorenzen, 55, of Florence passed away on Sunday May 24. Preceded in death by his mother Charyn Hesselman Lonneman and nephews Jared Lorenzen and Braden Blair.

He leaves the following family members: Wife of 35 years Marsha Thrasher Lorenzen, Daughter Sara Lorenzen , Son Joseph Lorenzen and Marie Willis who is like a daughter. Father Jon Paul Lorenzen (Cecellia), Stepfather George Lonneman. His brother Joseph Lorenzen (Mary Ann), sister Chalee Engelhard(Scott), brother David Lorenzen (Julie), sister Dawn Blair(Jeff), sister Tara Baker(Brian) and brother Brett Recer (Amy) .

He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews: Jordan Lorenzen, Jennifer Lee, Joe Konen, Jeff Konen, Katie Mason, Zachary Recer , Erin Lara, B Quin Lorenzen, Walker Engelhard , Alex Engelhard, Breanna Baker , Cole Lorenzen, Nick Blair, Mia Lorenzen, Peyton Blair and family friend Austin Cantrell who is like a second son.

Jeff was a graduate Scott High School (1983) and a graduate of Berea College (1987). He retired as a Master Sergeant after 20 years in the United States Air Force. He worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Cincinnati. Jeff was a member of the Erlanger Lions Club and served in many capacities including President. He served this past year as the Governor of District 43Y. Jeff was a Melvin Jones and Finis Davis Fellow, and Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation Patron.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Kentucky Lions Club Eye Foundation, 301 East Muhammad Ali Blvd, Louisville, KY 40202.

Visitation for Jeff will be Saturday, June 6, 2020 at DOBBLING FUNERAL HOME, 106 S. Ft. Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas, Kentucky 41075 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Burial will be in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North, Williamstown, Kentucky. Please note that guests are asked to limit face to face interactions while keeping a social distance. Special condolences and memories may be sent to www.dmefuneral.com.

Lisa Ann Ashby ’89
Obituary Unavailable

Charles William “Bill” Salyer ’89
Sept. 10, 2020

Charles William “Bill” Salyer, age 56 of Bristol, VA passed away on Thursday, September 10, 2020 at his residence. He was born in Herrin, IL on January 26, 1964. He was a 1982 graduate of Gate City High School and attended Berea College. He was a huge sports fan, especially St. Louis Cardinals. Mr. Salyer was preceded in death by his father, William Fletcher Salyer.

He is survived by his, mother, Margaret Salyer; a sister, Carmen Light and husband Rick; nephew Matthew Light; several aunts, uncles and cousins.

The family will receive friends Sunday, September 13, 2020 from 5 to 7 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, Weber City, VA. Funeral service will follow at 7 PM with Rev. Bill Porter officiating.

Graveside service will be held Monday, September 14, 2020 at 1 PM in the Salyer Family Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be made to the Salyer family by visiting our website at www.colonialfhscott.com

Colonial Funeral Home, Weber City, VA is honored to serve the family of Charles William “Bill” Salyer.

Edna Amparo Viruell ’89
Aug. 23, 2020

From the Department of Latina/Latino Studies | In Memoriam: Prof. Edna Viruell-Fuentes

Statement from our friends and colleagues in the Department of Latina/Latino Studies. We join them in mourning the loss of Dr. Viruell-Fuentes.

Dear Latina/o Studies Family and Friends,

It with great sadness that we write to tell you that our dear friend and colleague Prof. Edna Viruell-Fuentes passed away yesterday morning (Sunday, August 23, 2020) in Urbana, IL. We in the Department of Latina/Latino Studies are very much in grief. Edna was an all-around wonderful person, a great colleague, and a brilliant scholar.

There will be no funeral services for Edna right now due to the pandemic. But if you wish to send condolence cards (no flowers please), these can be addressed to her husband Sunil Nepali, 2019 Boudreau Dr., Urbana, IL 61801. Also, the department will hold a forum sometime this fall or in the spring to honor her. 

Edna was born in Mexico City, Mexico on December 28, 1964. She was one of 4 children. She is survived by her husband, Sunil Nepali; three brothers (Edgar, Eloy, and Ernesto Viruell) and their families; and her mother, Maria Amparo Viruell.

Edna received a BA in Mathematics and Psychology from Berea College in 1989. She then went on to receive a Master’s in Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1991. Edna worked in the field of health care policy for a number of years before returning to school to work on a PhD in Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan. She received her PhD in 2005. After graduation, Edna was a Yerby Fellow and W.K. Kellogg Scholar in Health Disparities for two years at the Harvard School of Public Health. In the fall of 2007, she joined the University of Illinois and the Department of Latina/Latino Studies. She started out as an assistant professor and was subsequently promoted to associate professor with tenure. 

Edna was a stellar researcher who had developed a national and international reputation as a leading scholar of race, health, and Latina/o immigration. This reputation was due to a superb body of theoretical, quantitative, and ethnographic work she produced that challenged how scholars thought about immigration and racial inequalities in health. Specifically, she eloquently argued that researchers needed to move away from individual level explanations of health disparities and focus instead on the structural factors that shape immigrant health. Indeed, she called attention to how, in order to fully understand immigrant health patterns, one had to analyze how othering, racialization processes, discrimination, residential segregation, and immigration polices affected health.

Most recently, Edna had been working on a project that focused on the relation between health and transnationalism. This project made a case for the importance of looking not only at the health experience of migrants at the point of destination but also at how the context in the sending community affects the health of both migrants and the families left behind. Specifically, she was working on an ethnographic study of the ways in which return migration (whether voluntary or due to deportation) to a migrant-sending community in central Mexico impacted the health and well-being of returned migrants, their families, and communities. This research is not only highly innovative but timely given the growing number of deportations to Mexico (and other countries in Latin America) over the last decade. 

Our deepest condolences go out to Edna’s husband Sunil and her family. Her absence will leave a deep void in our department. We already miss her greatly.

Department of Latina/Latino Studies

Anthony Wade Girod ’91
Feb. 26, 2020

Anthony Girod age 51, passed away Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2020 at Baptist Health Hospital in Lexington, KY. Anthony was a Respiratory Therapist for Baptist Health Hospital and the VA Hospital both in Lexington, KY. Anthony was born in Vanwert, Ohio to the late Wayne and Oma Fleenor Girod, he was also preceded in death by a brother Travis Girod. Anthony is survived by his children: Tristan (Meghan) Girod, and Kaden Girod, his longtime companion Dora Ann Gilbert-Girod, his sisters Wendy (George) Key and Kim Sickles. Funeral services will be Tuesday March 3, 2020 at 11 am at Lakes Funeral Home with Rev. Chad Burdette officiating, burial will be in the Berea Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday evening from 6-9 pm at Lakes Funeral Home. Online condolences at www.lakesfuneralhome.com.

E. Doug Duerson ’93
June 29, 2018

Doug Earl Duerson, 66, of Berea died Friday, June 29, 2018 at Madison Health and Rehab Center in Richmond. He was a lifelong resident of Berea, born February 3, 1952, son of the late Earl and Bertie Browning Duerson. Doug was a December 1994 graduate of Eastern Kentucky University and received his BA in Broadcasting. He worked for the Wallingford Media Group in Richmond, KY for several years and as a Real Estate Broker with Coldwell-Banker Real Estate.

Doug loved fishing and was an avid golfer and member of the Berea Country Club. He was a former member of the Berea Kiwanis Club, the Berea Community Theater, and a former EMT for the Madison County Ambulance Service. Doug had a passion for Karate earning his green belt in Shaolin-Do under the guidance of Elder Master Bob Green, 8th Degree black belt. Doug also earned his 1st Degree black belt in Shotokan-Do under the guidance of Sensei Michael Durham, 5th Degree black belt.

Survivors include his son, Daniel Earl Duerson; dear friend and mother of his son, Brenda Duerson and her son Nathan Leonesio; sister, Debra Duerson Swinford (Ernie); as well as, special aunts, cousins, relatives, friends and golfing buddies.

Memorial Service 2:00 pm, Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at Reppert Funeral Home and Cremation Service with Bro. Jerry Browning officiating. Acceptance of friends at 1:00 pm. In accordance with Doug’s wishes he was cremated and private burial of his cremains will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice Care Plus, 208 Kidd Drive, Berea, KY 40403 or Madison County Humane Society, Catch and Release Program, P. O. Box 2094, Richmond, KY 40476

Reppert Funeral Home and Cremation Service entrusted with arrangements.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Doug Earl Duerson, please visit our Tribute Store.

Justin Will Robinson ’98
March 14, 2020

Justin Will Robinson, 44 of McDermott, died Saturday March 14 2020 at SOMC Hospice. He was born October 17, 1975 in Portsmouth to John and Reba Bean Robinson. He was a 1994 graduate of Northwest High School and was a lover of music. Along with his parents, Justin is survived by 4 brothers; John Mark Robinson of Texas, Jeffery Andrew Robinson of Louisiana, Jeremy Brookes Robinson of Texas and Joel Christopher Robinson of McDermott, a sister Jennifer Lynn Palla of McDermott along with numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Friday March 20, 2020 at the Roger W. Davis Funeral Home in West Portsmouth with Tim Palla officiating and interment in Rushtown Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home from 5 to 8:00 PM on Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday. Condolences may be sent to www.rogerwdavisfuneralhome.com

Amanda Faye Robbins-Green ’99
July 2, 2018

Amanda Faye, 43, of Loudon, formerly of Madisonville, passed away unexpectedly, Monday, July 2, 2018 at Ft. Loudoun Medical Center. Survivors: former husband of 18 years, Greg Green, of Vonore; daughter, Haven Green, age 10; son, Lake Green, age 8; parents, Roger and Faye Robbins; brother and sister-in-law, David and Misty Robbins, of Madisonville; nieces, Mackley Green, Kady Garrett Medlin, Haley Robbins Dain, Kristen Robbins, Samantha Miller, Emily Miller, Courtney Miller, Mollie Miller; nephews, Ethan Robbins, Michael Miller, Landon Green, Coy Green. Amanda’s sister and brother-in-law, Sheila Robbins Miller and Scott Miller, passed away Tuesday, July 3 in a separate automobile accident. Amanda’s funeral will be held 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Biereley-Hale Chapel, Rev. Tommy Roberts officiating. Interment 4:00 p.m. Sunday, Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Biereley-Hale Funeral Home, Madisonville.

Ravin Denise Raleigh ’04
June 10, 2020

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Ravin Denise Raleigh of Whick, Kentucky, born in Hazard, Kentucky, who passed away on June 10, 2020, at the age of 38, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family.

She was predeceased by: her father Raven Scott Raleigh; and her grandfather Ray Raleigh. She is survived by : her mother Phyllis Bush (Carl Stevens) of Whick, KY.; her siblings, Gary Raleigh (Tiffany) of Jackson, KY., Amber Dawn Allen of Grassy Creek, KY and Jessica Branch of Adrian, MI.; her grandparents, Bessie Burnett, Johnny Bush, Sr. and Yvonne Raleigh; and her nephew Avery Bryce Raleigh.

Kimberley Denise Morrison Wilson ’04
July 1, 2020

Mrs. Kimberley Denise Morrison, of Creve Coeur, Missouri has entered into eternal rest.

Graveside services were held on Friday, July 17, 2020 at 11:30 AM from the Scenic Memorial Gardens, Milledgeville, Georgia.

Mrs. Kimberley Denise Morrison was born April 20, 1981 in Newport, Rhode Island to the parentage of Mr. Kenneth Dwayne Morrison and Mrs. Mary Jean Lewis Morrison.

To know Kimberley was truly to love her.

Singing praises unto her savior was one of Kimberley’s favorites. She often used her gift in song to lift her spirits and transition throughout life. In her youth Kimberley worshipped and was a part of the Flipper Chapel AME Church and Oak Grove Baptist Church where she sang in the choirs.

Kimberley was educated in Baldwin County Public Schools where she enjoyed participating with track and field graduating with the Baldwin High School Class of 1999. She was a brilliant youngster who was destine to aspire to greatness. After high school she matriculated at Berea College, Berea Kentucky obtaining a bachelor’s degree in technology management.

Kimberley was adventurous, highly motivated and determined to complete any task. She was willing to work hard and chase her dreams causing her to excel in both her personal and her professional career goals. Her kids adored her and she loved them dearly. Her fun loving personality was admired by all that knew her especially her coworkers and close friends whom she often shared her love and devotion with.

She leaves to cherish her memory her children: Adrian Wilson, Jr., and Rachael Wilson; her parents: Mr. Kenneth and Mrs. Mary Morrison, Macon, Georgia; her brother: Mr. Michael (Cosmia) Morrison, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania; grandmother: Mrs. Augusta Morrison, Birmingham, Alabama; aunts: Mrs. Sandra (Jimmy) Moore, Birmingham, Alabama, Ms. Angela Morrison, Okinawa, Japan; several cousins: Sherelle Bonner-Scott, Harrold Bonner, Tammy Bryant, Eddie Thomas, Jr. Elroy Tolbert, Lisa Pinkston; several other family members and friends that she loved dearly.

Paula R. Wilson Montgomery ’05
July 3, 2020

Paula Rachelle Montgomery, 38, Harrodsburg, wife of Adam Montgomery, died Friday, July 3, 2020.  Born February 10, 1982, in Ashland, KY, she was the daughter of Timothy Wray and Linda Kay Carter Wilson of Adams, KY. She was a Teacher at Mercer County Middle School, a member of the KY Teacher’s Association and a member of Shakertown Baptist Church.

Other survivors include: two daughters, Claudia Faith and Meredith Paige Montgomery; one brother, Brad (Debra) Wilson of Crittenden, KY.

Memorial services will be 5 PM, Saturday, July 11, 2020, with a visitation beginning at

1 PM, at Shakertown Baptist Church, By Joe Smith.

Memorials are suggested to the Claudia & Meredith Montgomery Education Fund, C/O Shakertown Baptist Church, 2825 Lexington Rd., Harrodsburg, KY 40330.

Arrangements by Ransdell Funeral Chapel, where expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.ransdellfuneralchapel.com.

Vicki Leibeck-Owsley ’12
Sept. 16, 2020

Victoria Jayne Leibeck-Owsley, 31, of Columbia, KY died Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at her residence.  Born in Orlando, FL she is the daughter of Barbara Deniston of Columbia, KY and Jon Leibeck (Dinah) of Campbellsville, KY.

Victoria was a 2012 graduate of Berea College, where she met the love of her life Sean Owsley and she received her master’s degree from Western Kentucky University in December of 2018.

Mrs. Leibeck-Owsley was a member of the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Glasgow, KY.  She was an English and AP Language Teacher at Adair County High School and Academic Team Coach for the Adair County Middle School and Assistant Coach for the Adair County High School.  She was also a member of the KEA Teachers Union.

Victoria was named a Kentucky Colonel and was inducted into the Kentucky Association of Academic Competition Hall of Fame.  She was a Jeopardy Season 35 Teachers Tournament participant and she was named the 2020 Teacher of the Year for the Kentucky Council of Teachers of English.  She enjoyed writing, reading, music festivals, her cats, being outdoors especially at the beach and spending time with her family and friends.

In addition to her parents she is survived by her husband Sean Owsley of Columbia; a brother Jake Leibeck of Lexington; maternal grandmother Patricia Deniston of Pennsylvania; her aunts and uncles Betsy and Gary Fausnaugh of Gradyville, KY, Dale and Patricia Deniston of Colorado, Ruth and Pete Hessert of Delaware and Paul Miller of Florida; cousins Logan Fausnaugh, Garrett Fausnaugh and Holly Ebert (Shaun) and several other friends, relatives and students that she loved dearly.

Mrs. Leibeck-Owsley chose cremation and a celebration of life service will be 6:30pm Monday, September 21, 2020 at Booster Field at the Adair County Middle School.  Stotts-Phelps-McQueary Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Adair County High School Academic Team.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Victoria Jayne Leibeck-Owsley, please visit our floral store.