Faculty and Staff
Rev. Thomas D. Noe, of Richmond, Virginia, died October 3, 2013. He was preceded in death by his wife, Alice Page Noe. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and Korea, and worked at Berea College as a physical plant administrator. He went on to be ordained in the Episcopal Church and served as a minister in Lexington, Kentucky. He is survived by his four children, John E. Noe, Thomas D. Noe Jr, Walter Page Noe, and Sallie London Noe.
1930s
David Harold Baker, Cx ’38, of Hazard, Kentucky, died on November 11, 2013. David served in World War II as a physical therapy technician while stationed at Fort McPherson. He met his future bride at a USO Dance in Atlanta in 1944 and they married a year later. He is survived by Ruth, his wife of nearly 68 years, three children, and two granddaughters.
Helen Litwiller, Cx ’39, of Peoria, Illinois, died on December 30, 2013. Helen received her teaching certificate from Berea College before teaching in Mount Olive, Kentucky and in grade schools in Illinois. She is survived by two daughters, Shirley Litwiller and Marcia Melrose, five grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
Gaynell Street Fowler, wife of the late Boyd Fowler, ’37, died on April 17, 2014. She attended Mary Washington College, where as a freshman in 1935 she was one of four women from Buchanan County, Virginia, who pursued a college degree. She and Boyd were blessed with two daughters, Pamela Fowler and Dawneda (Hoyt) Williams; two grandchildren, Lucy Williams (Joe) Bowman, and Chip (Krissy) Williams; and two great-grandchildren, Marjee Grace and Avery Nell Williams. She is survived by brothers, H.A. Street, Nicholas (Fay) Street, Dr. Russell (Connie) Street; sisters-in-law, Jacqueline W. Street, and Flora Z. Street; and many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family.
The Fowlers were among Berea’s most dedicated supporters for many years, and Gaynell continued this generosity after her husband’s death. In addition to critical scholarship support, her incredible Berea legacy includes the Boyd and Gaynell Fowler Child Development Laboratory—a facility that serves numerous children of students, faculty, and staff as they go about working and learning at Berea. She also provided “The Kitchen That Coal Built,” in the renovated Boone Tavern in Boyd’s memory, as he had worked at the Tavern during his time at Berea. Her love for Berea students, her native Buchanan County, and the Appalachian region will continue to serve as an inspiration to the Berea family.
1940s
Mary Helen McGuire, ’40, of Wilmore, Kentucky, died on January 21, 2014. Mary graduated from Berea College with a Bachelor of Arts in home economics before enlisting in the U.S. Army as a mess sergeant during World War II in the European Campaign. Following her service, in which she received multiple medals, she spent 40 years working as head dietician for the U.S. Veterans Administration, now known as U.S. Veterans Affairs. She is survived by her nephews Darrell Jennings, David Jennings, ’77, Russell McGuire, and Michael McGuire, ’75, a niece, Pat Farrel, and several great nieces and nephews.
Alice Cecilia Wesley, of La Grange, Kentucky, died on January 31, 2014. She is the wife of Guy Wesley Sr., ’41, and was a World War II Navy veteran. She is survived by her children Diane Wesley, Elaine Wesley, and Allan Wesley, five grandchildren, and one great-grandson.
Ruby Allen Bays, Acad ’38, ’42, of Lexington, Kentucky, died on January 2, 2014. Ruby graduated from the Berea Academy in 1938, before graduating from Berea College in 1942. She is survived by her sister Rhoda Allen Miller, ’51, her children, Pamela, Claud, Robert, and John, ten grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren.
Mary Katherine “Katie” Frye, ’42, of Woodstock, Virginia, died on December 14, 2013. She is survived by her husband of 70 years, J. Kenneth “Dutch” Frye, ’43, two sons, two daughters, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Carolyn L. Lambert, ’42, of Oak Brook, Illinois, died on November 18, 2013. Known as the “Mother of Swimming in Illinois,” Carolyn devoted many years to the sport. She is survived by her husband of nearly 72 years, Riley Lambert, ’42, three children, and four grandchildren.
S. Lewis Guthrie Jr., Navy V12 ’43-’44, of Owensboro, Kentucky, died on December 30, 2013. After officer training at Berea College, he served as an ensign in the Navy during World War II. He later graduated from the University of Louisville and worked for the IRS. He was preceded in death by Bettie Gordon Guthrie, his wife of 51 years. He is survived by one son, three daughters, and four grandchildren.
Margaret Atchley Phillips, ’44, of Macon, Georgia, died on December 28, 2013. After earning degrees
from Berea College and the University of Alabama, she served as an assistant chemist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and proudly served her country during World War II. She is survived by her sons, George, Roger, and Mark Phillips, a daughter, Bronwyn Phillips Young, five grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Betty E. Wagner, Acad ’44, of Bastrop, Texas, died on August 4, 2012.
Madge Sparks Strong Buehler, ’46, of Punta Gorda, Florida, died on January 9, 2014. She graduated from Berea College before receiving her master’s in education from Eastern Michigan University. She is survived by her sister, Eloise, children, Charles, Rebecca, Daniel, William, and Sue, and nine grandchildren. Marien Bentzel Herring, Cx ’46, of Old Bridge, New Jersey, died on November 16, 2013. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from West Virginia Tech and a master’s in library science from Rutgers University. She is survived by her children, Alison, David, Carolyn, and Jennifer.
Alexandria Mary Stylos Mohidin, ’47, of Rochester, Massachusetts, died on December 23, 2013. She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years, Gulam Mohidin. She is survived by her two daughters, Mumtaz and Halima.
Joanne “Jo” Hogue, ’48, of Cumberland, Kentucky, died on December 17, 2013. Jo met her loving husband of 65 years, Loyal R. “Buddy” Hogue, ’49, at Berea College. After completing her undergraduate degree, she attained her M.B.A from Indiana University. She is survived by her sister, Nancy, four children, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Elizabeth Tally Anderson, Cx ’49, of San Carlos, California, died on November 1, 2013.
Louis L. Garber, ’49, of Staunton, Virginia, died on January 24, 2014. He attended Berea College until his sophomore year when he was drafted. He entered the Civilian Public Service Camp, in Pennsylvania, after the war, then returned to Berea College, and graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in biology. He is survived by nephews, Dennis and Paul.
Anna “Ann” Laura Bray Webb, ’49, of Kettering, Ohio, died on December 24, 2013. Ann is survived by her husband of 62 years, William Webb, Cx ’50, two sons, and one granddaughter.
1950s
Harry Samuel Shaw ’50, of Memphis, Tennessee, died on January 15, 2014. He was a retired forecaster for the U.S. Weather Service and a veteran of the United States Air Force. He is survived by his two sons, Dr. H. Sam Shaw IV and Edward Eldon Shaw, five grandchildren, and multiple cousins and nephews.
Fontaine Banks, Jr ’51, of Frankfort, Kentucky, died on November 22, 2013. He was a graduate of Belfry High School, Berea College, and did graduate work at University of Kentucky, University of Alabama, University of Tennessee, and Cornell University. He was a retired colonel in the United States Marine Corp Reserves and served in the U.S. Marine Corp during the Korean Conflict. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Barbara A. Williamson Banks, and two sons, Fontaine Banks and Robert P. Banks.
Lloyd Collier ’52, of Phoenix, Arizona, died on November 17, 2013. He graduated with a degree in mathematics. He is survived by his wife, Virginia Alberta Collier, ’50, children, Lynda Ann Favorite and Glen Alan Collier, six grandchildren, four sisters, two brothers, and several nieces and nephews.
Olga Octavia Moles Hampton, Cx ’53, of Beaver, Ohio, died on December 2, 2013. She was employed as registered nurse for many years after earning her LPN accreditation from Berea College and her RN accreditation from the East Tennessee St. University. She is survived by her three sons, two daughters, six grandchildren, five great grandchildren, two brothers, and four sisters.
Gwen Rector, ’54, of Annapolis, Maryland, died on December 7, 2013. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in history, and later went on to obtain a Master of Arts in dance education from George Washington University, and a master’s of library science from the University of Maryland. She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Charles W. Rector, two children, four grandchildren, and three siblings.
Dr. James Oliver Wise Sr., ’54, of Bogart, Georgia, died on November 16, 2013. A native of McDowell County, North Carolina, Dr. Wise joined the U.S. army after high school graduation. He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in agriculture from Berea College, a master’s in agricultural economics from the University of Georgia, and a doctorate in agricultural economics from North Carolina State University. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Bonnie Pauley Wise, FD ’53, ’57, four daughters, one son, and eleven grandchildren.
Donald L. Morton. ’55, of Pacific Palisades, California, died on January 10, 2014. Considered to be one of the world’s foremost authorities on skin cancer (melanoma), Dr. Morton graduated from Berea College in 1955, and proceeded to obtain his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco in 1958. He is survived by his second wife, Lorraine, four daughters, one son, eight grandchildren, one brother, and one sister.
Gene Baird, husband of Ann Dotson Baird, ’59, of Watseka, Illinois, died on December 2, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Ann, two sons and five grandchildren.
Philip R. Caudill Sr., ’59, of Lexington, Kentucky, died on January 26, 2014. He worked as chief chemical engineer and technical director for Holm Industries in Scottsburg for 20 years. He is survived by two daughters, Elizabeth Matthews and Cheryl LaMar, one son, Philip Reed Caudill Jr., one brother, five grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter.
Glenn McClanan, husband of Reba McClanan, ’59, of Virginia Beach, Virginia, died on January 26, 2012. Glenn built a reputation advocating consumer and environmental causes as a legislator. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Reba, his three children, and three grandchildren.
Shirley Joyce Harth Robertson, ’59, of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, died on January 19, 2014. She attended Berea College, Marshall University, and Jacksonville University, receiving bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Shirley taught in the public school systems of Duval and Clay Counties for 15 years. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Bill Robertson, one son, two grandchildren, one sister, and one brother.
Ernest W. Cunningham, Cx ’60, of Los Angeles, California, died on November 11, 2013. He was in advertising having worked for NBC in New York and CBS in Los Angeles. Ernest is survived by four sisters, Shirley, Margaret, Mildred, and Linda, and a special friend, Valerie Weich.
1960s
Betty Jean (Burchett) Price, ’62, of Bardstown, Kentucky, died on November 4, 2013. She retired after many years as a librarian for Washington County School. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Joseph T. Price, ’62, daughter, Gwynn Gant, son, Joe Price, and two grandsons, Lucas and Jared Gant.
Charles A. Venters, ’62, of Upper Marlboro, Maryland, died on December 20, 2013. He was the husband of Gene Venters, ’64, father of Andrew and Neil Venters, son of Ola Venters, and brother of Ron Venters. He is also survived by four grandchildren.
William Gleason Arnett, ’63, of Waynesburg, Kentucky, died on November 7, 2013. He taught industrial arts and computer science for many years in the Louisville-Jefferson County School System. William was given the honor of Teacher of the Year for his excellence in teaching industrial arts. He is survived by his wife, Molane Delk, ’64, his daughter, Angela M. Arnett, and grandson, William David Arnett II.
Ann D. Creighton, ’63, of Bedford, Kentucky, died on October 29, 2013. Her grandson, Landry, called her “Dirt” (as in older than) and she became known by that name to all her friends and her family. She worked as an occupational therapist in home health field until 2012 where she retired to a home she designed herself, which was happily nicknamed the “Dirt Coop” on her daughter Tara’s farm.
Patricia Ann Ascough Watts, ’65, of Morehead, Kentucky, died on January 9, 2014. She attended Berea College and graduated with a bachelor’s degree. Patty continued her education at Morehead State University, where she received a master’s degree. Patty served for several years as coordinator of graduate programs for Morehead State University. Patty was a member of the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association. She is survived by two sons, Vinson Alan Jr. and Patrick Watts, two grandsons, and three great grandchildren. Additional survivors include two brothers along with nieces, nephews, and her devoted caregivers. Her husband, Vinson Watts, ’52, died in 2008.
Janice “Ann” Shelton Baker, of Ronceverte, West Virginia, died on June 16, 2012. She is survived by her husband, Robert C. “Bob” Baker, ’66, son, Michael T “Mike” Baker, daughter, Sharon Louderback Murphy; grandchildren, stepfather, Melvin Crookshanks, brothers, sisters, former daughter-in-law along with many nieces, nephews, uncles, aunts and cousins.
Albert B. Combs, ’66, of West Alexandria, Ohio, died on January 10, 2014. He graduated from Charlestown High School in Indiana, in 1961, and received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Berea College. His wife, Sandra, survives along with their two daughters, Veronica Combs and Rebecca Combs. He also leaves two grandsons, a brother, Robert Paul Combs, and a sister, Jeanette Horton.
Dr. Austin Ahanotu, ’67, of Berkeley, California, died on January 25, 2014. He was a visiting professor in the history department at Berea during the fall semester of 2002. He is survived by his wife, Adele.
Lillie Frances Hesson, ’67, of Lavalette, West Virginia, died on November 4, 2013. She was a retired teacher with the Wayne County School System and was a member of the Laurel Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband of 29 years, Robert Dale Hesson; five brothers, two brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and a host of special nieces, nephews, and her church family.
Lewis Edward Coffey, of Mount Vernon, Kentucky died on January 3, 2014. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force, 8th Air Strategic Command during the Vietnam War. Mr. Coffey is survived by his wife, Barbara Roundtree Coffey, ’68, four daughters, Marilyn Coffey, Melanie Childress, Marcia Coffey, Melinda; four grandchildren, four sisters: Doris Wyatt, ’70, Virginia Sowder, Nancy Coffey, Tammy Clontz; a step-mother-in-law, and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, friends, and neighbors.
1970s
Larry Randall Singleton, ’74, of St. Leonard, Maryland, died on January 1, 2014. He served his country in the U.S. Navy from 1975-1981. He was employed as a field engineer with the MIL Corporation of Lexington Park, Maryland. Larry is survived by his wife of 29 years, Edie Singleton, his children, Gerald Wright, Dorina Wright and David Wright siblings, J.P. Singleton, Jr, David Wesley, Pamela “Penny” Singleton, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
Valerie Darlene Teh, ’74, of Edmond, Oklahoma, died on Friday, January 31, 2014. She received a Bachelor of Arts from Berea College, Master of Arts and Rank 1 from Eastern Kentucky University. A dedicated school teacher, she taught for over 36 years, receiving the OKC Excellent Educator Award in 2006 and Teacher of the Year several times at Linwood Elementary. She was a reading specialist and a second grade teacher that emphasized reading for learning. She is survived by her husband, Dr. Thian Hor Teh, ’76, daughters, Telena Teh Hawkins and Jelena Teh; a son-in-law, grandchildren, her mother, and her brother and sister-in-law.
Rick Miller, ’76, of Stanley, Virginia, died on July 15, 2012. He was employed at Whitesel Brothers Inc in Harrisonburg, Va. He is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kay Gaskin Miller.
Palma Jean Viars, Cx ’78, of Goldsboro, North Carolina, died on December 3, 2013. She graduated from Berea College with a degree in agriculture. Palma drove the bookmobile for the Johnson County Public Library and was loved by the patrons. Her survivors include her husband, René James Jenson, her dog, Puggie, and several cousins.
1980s
Polly Francis, ’80, of Klamath Falls, Oregon, died on March 5, 2014. She was a master weaver and quilter, teacher, dog lover, avid reader, and a woman with a deep commitment to caring and giving to others. A gifted teacher, Polly taught mathematics at high schools and community colleges, and as a graduate assistant at Southern Oregon University in Ashland. She taught at OIT from 1990 to 2009 retiring as a full professor with emeritus status. She prepared for her teaching career with a Bachelor of Arts from Berea College and a master’s degree from Southern Oregon University. Polly’s survivors include husband of 34 years, Jim Smith, ’79, sisters, Anne, Judy, and Becky, nieces and nephews, and her dogs, Charlie and Annie.
Anthony “Tony” Lewin, ’88, of Moscow, Ohio, died on January 12, 2011. Survivors include his wife, Mellisa Roller Lewin, a son, Aaron Christopher Roller, a daughter, Paige Alexandra Roller, his parents, Robert Wayne and Carolyn Parrott Lewin, and brothers, Terry Lee, Teddy Herman, and Toby Matthew Lewin.
