Faculty and Staff
Glyndon Alexander of Berea, Kentucky, passed away June 8, 2015. He was a former employee of Berea College and a lifelong farmer. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Mandy, two daughters, one grandson, two great-granddaughters, one brother and two sisters.
Billy P. Cass, ’07, of Brodhead, Kentucky, passed away May 29, 2015. He was a self-employed machinist who was owner of Cass’ Machine Shop and was a manager for Clow Manufacturing. Billy was an educator at Berea College and also taught at the Harry Sparks Vocational School. He was an Air Force veteran and served his country during the Korean War. Billy is survived by his wife of 31 years, Ann, a daughter, seven stepchildren, a brother and a host of step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Dr. Martha Joyce “Joy” Hager, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away August 6, 2015. She was a graduate of Prestonsburg High School, earned a bachelor’s degree at Eastern Kentucky University, a master’s degree at MacMurray College, and a doctorate degree at the University of Kentucky. Joy was a retired professor of physical education at Berea College, where she taught for 49 years. During that time she served in a variety of positions, including chair of the physical education department and both women’s and men’s athletic director. Joy provided leadership in the early organization of women’s sports in Kentucky, holding key offices in the state Women’s Intercollegiate Conference. She also served on the Executive Board of Citizens for Sports Equity in Kentucky for many years. In 1996 Joy served as the president of the Kentucky Association of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (KAHPERD). In 1989 she received the KAHPERD Distinguished Service Award. Joy was a leading defender of gender equality, working for women’s full participation in a broad range of sports at all levels. She was recognized nationally for efforts to improve sports opportunities for women when she received the Pathfinders Award of the National Association for Girls and Women in Sports, which honors a person from each state who has been a strong continuous advocate for the advancement of women’s athletics. Joy is survived by her husband of 56 years, Paul Hager, Hon ’98, two children, Rev. Julie Love, ’87 and Edward Lee Hager, ‘95, a son-in-law, Dr. George Coe Love, ’87 and two grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. David C. Hester, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away May 8, 2015. He served as an assistant professor of religion at Berea College from 1979 to 1985 before he joined Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s faculty as associate professor of Christian education. David served as dean there from 2005 to 2012 and also was a professor of pastoral theology. He earned a doctorate in Old Testament studies from Duke University, a Master of Divinity from Bangor Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine. He was ordained to the Presbyterian ministry. David is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gale, four children, David Lee Hester, ‘85, Dr. Paul Hester, ’86, Michelle Stillwagon and Jason Hester, eight grandchildren and a brother.
Jacquelyn Michelle Tooley, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away May 26, 2015. In 1975, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and English education from Northwestern State University of Louisiana, a master’s of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1982, and a doctorate in Christian social ethics from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1995. Michelle completed additional graduate work at the Kroc Institute for Peace Studies at the University of Notre Dame and at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University. She taught in the religion department at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, and then began teaching at Berea College in 2003 until her death. She was the Eli Lilly Chair of Religion, associate professor of religion, and chair of the Peace and Social Justice Studies Program. She served on the national boards of Bread for the World and Witness for Peace. Michelle’s teaching, scholarship and personal life demonstrated particular commitments to exploring the connectedness of local actions and global issues, providing opportunities for others to explore those connections with her and empowering others to take on leadership and advocacy roles that they may never have imagined possible. Her scholarly publications focused on Christian ethics and the intersections of belief and social action, particularly through the experiences of marginalized people. Michelle is survived by three brothers and a sister and their families, and a multitude of current and former students, colleagues and friends.
1930s
Martha E. Reed, ’37, of Raleigh, North Carolina, passed away December 10, 2007.
Mildred Catron Dickison, ’39, of Falmouth, Kentucky, passed away June 15, 2015. She was formerly employed by the Pulaski County Board of Health as its public nurse before serving as the Pendleton County public nurse for more than 27 years. She is survived by her daughter, Barbara and a sister.
1940s
Anna Chirico Kirkpatrick, ’40, of Salisbury, North Carolina, passed away July 2, 2015. She was a graduate of Bulls Gap High School in Tennessee, Berea College School of Nursing, and then received her public health certificate from Vanderbilt University. During World War II, she was a public health nurse for the Tennessee Valley Authority and later was a public health nurse in Cincinnati, Ohio, and New York City. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, and is survived by her children, Nicholas and Linda, and four grandchildren.
Leona Braswell Moldenhauer, ’41, of Crossnore, North Carolina, passed away August 11, 2015. She attended Newland High School, Crossnore Business School, Berea College and Catawba College. She retired from the public school system after serving as a teacher for many years. Leona was a member of the Crossnore Presbyterian Church and enjoyed piano, sewing, cooking, gardening, reading and decorative needlework. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, and is survived by her children, Paul and Mary, and two grandsons.
Ceredo “Cyd” Reed Mullins, ’41, of College Station, Texas, passed away June 3, 2015. She was the widow of Dr. Chad Mullins, ’41. After leaving Berea, Cyd taught elementary school for two years and raised their daughter in Clarksdale, Mississippi for 20 years. Chad and Cyd moved to College Station in 1993 to be closer to their daughter and grandsons. She is survived by her daughter, Cherry Hickson, three grandsons and 21 great-grandchildren.
James Thomas Prewitt, ’41, of Shelbyville, Kentucky, passed away May 24, 2015. After graduating from Berea College, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky. James was a WWII Navy veteran, served in active combat in the Pacific, and was a plank owner of the USS Indiana. He participated in the Honor Flight program, which is dedicated to transporting as many veterans as possible, at no cost to them, to see the Washington D.C. memorials built in their honor. James served as the county agricultural agent in Green, Spencer and Henry counties, was a member of the National Association of County Agents, served as a director of the Kentucky Farm Bureau and was a member of the Eminence Rotary Club. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Eileen McDaniel Prewitt, ’41, one son, two granddaughters and a great-grandson.
Grace Itah Sparks Dutil, ’42, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, passed away November 10, 2014. She and her sister, Corinne Lockhart, ’45, were born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands and left to attend Berea College. Grace studied at Berea for a year, but continued her education in Washington, D.C. and began working for the U.S. government’s War Production Board. She returned home to St. Thomas after being offered a job at the Office of Price Administration. Grace was a founding member of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Tega Cay, South Carolina and enjoyed her family, sewing, knitting and reading. Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph, and is survived by three children, Joseph, Marie and Corrine, one sister, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Eva Mullins Anderson, Acad ’43, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away July 7, 2015. Following graduation from Berea College Academy, she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio and worked as a teletypist for Western Union. After WWII, she returned to Berea where she married, raised her family and lived the rest of her life. She retired from Parker Seal Company with more than 30 years of service. Eva and her husband Buck loved to dance and performed many years with the Renfro Valley Square Dancers at the Renfro Valley Saturday Night Barn Dance. They also enjoyed other types of dances, including clogging, which she continued to do after her husband’s death until she had a stroke in 2006. Eva belonged to a basket weaving class at Eastern Kentucky University and took great pleasure in giving the baskets she made to family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, and is survived by her daughter, Marsha, two granddaughters, three great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, two brothers, one sister and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Vida Ilene Davis Harris, Acad ’43, of Hamilton, Ohio, passed away June 22, 2015. She was born March 19, 1924 in Clinton County, Kentucky, the daughter of the late William W. and Stella C. (Conner) Davis. Vida was preceded in death by her husband of more than 65 years, Robert, and is survived by her daughter, Jean, a stepdaughter, Carolyn, four siblings, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Dr. James Sanderson, Navy V-12 ’44-‘45 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, passed away June 10, 2015. He served in the Navy in 1944-46 and 1952-53 when he was honorably discharged as a lieutenant. James earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. He joined the English department at Rutgers University in 1960 and taught Shakespeare and English Renaissance literature until his retirement in 1993, as professor emeritus. He was preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Rosamond, and is survived by two sons, Stuart and Scott.
Gabriel P. Becker, Navy V-12, ’43-’44, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away March 15, 2014. After officer training at Berea College, he served as an ensign in the Navy during WWII. Gabriel later graduated from the University of Louisville and retired from Abbott Laboratories. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Mary, one son, four daughters, 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
William Hancock “Bill” Breeze, Navy V-12 ’43-’44, of Danville, Kentucky, passed away June 26, 2015. After attending Bracken County public schools, he enrolled at Centre College in September 1941. In 1942 he enlisted in the Navy, was called to active duty in 1943, reported for training at Berea College and at Columbia University, and served as a junior officer on a minesweeper in the Pacific. After the war he earned a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Kentucky. In 1948 he joined the Ohio National Life Insurance Company in Cincinnati. Following the death of his first wife, Joanne Watson Breeze, and after 38 years at Ohio National, he took early retirement December 31, 1986. The next day, January 1, 1987, he began what became a legendary 28-year second career at Centre. His first role was vice president for external affairs, but within a year and a half he was named interim president. Until he turned 90, he worked virtually every day as a special assistant to the Centre president. In presenting him with the Presidential Award in 2013, Centre President John A. Roush called him “one who represents the heart of this place.” He is survived by his wife, Barbara and his daughter, Nancy.
Dr. Walter Lee Cawood, ’44, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away June 27, 2012. After attending Berea College, he attended the University of Kentucky and earned his medical degree from the University of Louisville. Walter completed his radiology residency at Johns Hopkins University. During WWII, he served in the Army Medical Corps in Pasadena, California, and aboard a hospital ship in the South Pacific. In 1958, Walter moved to Ashland, Kentucky. He was dedicated to improving health care for the people of Kentucky. Walter worked tirelessly on the state Certificate of Need and Licensure Board, served as president of the Kentucky chapter of the American College of Radiology and president of the medical staffs of King’s Daughters Medical Center and Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital in Ashland. He served as chairman of the board of the Kentucky Medical Association and was elected president in 1969. Walter’s professional career will be remembered for his guidance to the many students of the King’s Daughters Medical Center Radiologic Technology School as well as his compassion and generosity to patients who could not afford medical care. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Virginia, and is survived by his children, Constance, Donald and Drusilla, and three grandchildren.
Margaret Jane Jones Mahood, ’44, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away April 17, 2015. She earned a nursing degree from Berea College, where she met her husband of 58 years, Judge Chester R. Mahood Sr., ’44, who preceded her in death. After WWII, the couple settled in Knoxville where Margaret worked as a surgical nurse for an oral surgeon until switching to a career as a full-time homemaker. She also served in various volunteer positions and her quilts and cross-stitch are treasured by family. She is survived by her children, Kathleen, Ramona, Chester and Amy, four grandchildren, five siblings and numerous nieces and nephews.
Nina Eleanora Steiner, of Los Altos Hills, California, passed away June 15, 2015. She enjoyed involvement in many groups including the Presbyterian Women, The Hills Club, Glass Club, Mariners and Lions Club and gave her time freely volunteering. Nina was preceded in death by her husband, James W. Steiner, Navy V-12 ’44-’45, and is survived by her three children, Doug, Leslie and Karen, and two grandchildren.
Corinne Lockhart, ’45, of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, passed away July 23, 2015. She worked for the former A.H. Lockhart Department Store as an assistant manager and then served as an administrative assistant to the president of Lockhart Companies until her retirement in 1988. Corinne was known throughout the community for her volunteer work and her dedication to improving the quality of life of her beloved St. Thomas. She began her involvement with the Girl Scouts in 1951, serving in various capacities. Corinne served as the first council president and was honored by the council when the Girl Scout camp on St. Thomas was named in her honor in 1981. She also served on the board of the American Red Cross. Corrine was a founding member of the Gypsy carnival troupe and continued to participate in Carnival until 2012. She is survived by her children, Dale, Catherine, Herbert, Ronald and Henrik, one son-in-law, three daughters-in-law, four grandchildren, a sister and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rev. C. Eugene Stollings, ’45, of Uniontown, Pennsylvania, passed away June 21, 2015. After graduating from high school at age 16, he earned a degree at Berea College at age 19 and then attended Union Seminary in New York City, where he earned a Master of Divinity in 1949. Gene was a pastor for 66 years in the Methodist tradition and served several churches in western Pennsylvania. Upon retirement in 1991 and moving to Uniontown, he served as pastor of the Walnut Hill United Methodist Church. Gene believed strongly in social justice and racial equality and participated in the March on Washington in 1963. Family summer vacations were always spent camping in national and state parks, and Gene and his wife Sharon, who survives him, eventually visited 49 of the 50 states. He and Sharon eventually traveled to five continents. Gene is also survived by his two sons, Bruce and Luke.
Joan Sturma Roberts, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away July 31, 2015. She was the widow of Rudolph “Rudy” Sturma, ’45, who was her husband for 51 years. Joan was a graduate of Henry Clay High School and the University of Kentucky, where she obtained her master’s degree in education. She was retired from Fayette County Schools where she taught first grade at Ashland Elementary School and was a life-long member of Park United Methodist Church. She is survived by her children, Michael, Susan and Barbara, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Bette Allison Todd, ’45, of Newark, Delaware, passed away January 4, 2015. After earning a degree at Berea College, she earned a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 1956, Bette accepted a teaching position at the University of Delaware where she taught home economics, apparel design and fashion until her retirement in 1985. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, John, one son, two grandchildren and one nephew.
Blanche Broz, ’46, of Bellevue, Washington, passed away June 13, 2015. After attending Berea College, she moved to Washington, D.C. where she worked as an administrative assistant for Senator John McClellan, who served on the Senate Appropriations Committee. It was there that she met Richard F. Broz, to whom she was married for 50 years until his death in 2002. Richard and Blanche moved to Mercer Island in 1953, where Blanche enjoyed many years as a devoted wife and mother. Always placing family first, she supported Richard’s legal career and raised two sons. Blanche was active in the Seattle Assistance League, serving in several capacities, including president. She is survived by a son, William, two daughters-in-law and a sister.
Bobby Carolyn Coyle Crosswhite, Acad ’40, ’46, of Frankfort, Kentucky, passed away April 17, 2015. After earning a degree in music from Berea College, she served three governors through 1955 and retired from the Department of Education in 1983. Bobby enjoyed reading, was an avid quilter and she and her husband of 69 years, Glenn Crosswhite, Navy V-12, ’45-’46, traveled in every state in the U.S. She is survived by her husband.
James Nelson, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away July 2, 2012. He was a WWII veteran and served as a church planter and pastor in Alabama, Montana, New Mexico and the Panama Canal Zone. James is survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 66 years, Annis Dodd Nelson, ’47, as well as six adult children and their families.
Jane Threlkeld Richmond, ’47, of Richmond, Kentucky, passed away March 26, 2015. She taught history at Madison Central High School and was a life-long learner who loved reading and debating current events with friends and family. Jane was past president of the Pattie A. Clay Hospital Auxiliary and received its Volunteer of the Year award. She also served on the board of directors of Pattie A. Clay Hospital (now Baptist Health-Richmond) and the McCready-Telford Foundation. After her late husband, Porter, retired from his dental practice, he and Jane, along with close friends, founded and operated Cardinal Travel Agency for 15 years. The couple traveled extensively. Jane is survived by three sons, Tip, John and Porter, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Betty Louise Seller Ballenger, of Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away March 25, 2015. She was the widow of Gene E. Ballenger, ’48, who passed away May 17, 2013. Gene served in the Navy during the Korean War and was a retired teacher. Betty was a former Arkansas state employee and retired after 23 years of service. She is survived by two children, Betty and Danny, four grandchildren and many other relatives from Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana and Kentucky.
Eunice VanWinkle Brown, ’48, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, passed away April 25, 2015. She was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church. Eunice is survived by her children, Carol and Barry, her sister, Marian Presnell, ’48, granddaughters, two grandsons and two great-grandchildren.
Mary Frances Shafer Holt, ’48, of San Diego, California, passed away July 26, 2015. She attended Berea College for two years and then went to West Virginia University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics. Mary Frances taught home economics at Clay Battelle High School in Blacksville, West Virginia for a couple of years and then worked on her master’s degree in 1951 and 1952 at Purdue University. It was during her time at West Virginia University that she met Bob Holt, a fellow student, while traveling home by bus after the spring semester. After marrying in 1950, Bob and Mary Frances moved to San Diego, California. They enjoyed traveling and sightseeing. Their travels included trips to Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, and “home” to West Virginia. Mary Frances is preceded in death by her husband and is survived by her children and their families.
Ernest R. Raines, ’48, of Breaks, Virginia, passed away June 14, 2014. He was a WWII veteran and former prisoner-of-war who earned degrees from both Berea College and East Tennessee State University. Ernest spent 37 years in the Buchanan County Public Schools in Virginia and retired as a superintendent. In his retirement, he wrote his life story in a book titled “One Man’s Journey” and was inducted into the Buchanan County Hall of Fame. Ernie is survived by his wife of 68 years, Shirley, four children, Dr. E. Gary Raines, ’68, James H. Raines, ’72, David Greg Raines and Lisa Carol Miller, nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, a sister, Marcella Morrow, ’57, a brother, a sister-in-law, a brother-in-law and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mary Ruth Smith Grant, ’49, of Winchester, Tennessee, passed away July 22, 2015. In 1949, she began a long and fulfilling career as a registered nurse (RN) after graduating from Berea College School of Nursing. Mary Ruth spent 42 years working as an RN in Sewanee and Winchester hospitals, where she helped deliver many Franklin County babies and acted as charge nurse for many years. Her hobbies included baking decorative cookies and flavorful breads, many of which were delivered to family, friends and doctors’ offices. Mary Ruth also shared her love with family and friends throughout her life by crafting gifts of lovely knitted afghans, dish cloths, doll clothes, hats and Christmas stockings. She was known for her spirited love of animals, especially cats, and leaves behind her special cat companion, Jewel. Mary Ruth is survived by her husband, Everett, and a host of
nieces and nephews, great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
Evelyn Pennington Burkle, ’49, of Sharpley, Delaware, passed away May 28, 2015. After graduating from Berea in 1949, she worked as a physical education teacher at Wilmington Friends School in the early 1960s before devoting her remaining years to volunteer work, primarily with the American Cancer Society (ACS). Evelyn served as a facilitator for the ACS smoking cessation program, FreshStart, and was active in the Great American Smokeout. She also was a member of the IMPACT Delaware Coalition, which was successful in passing anti-smoking legislation in Delaware in 1996. She served with several boards focused on wellness and through her public speaking, television appearances, radio shows and educational programs, she reached thousands of Delawareans about the hazards of smoking. In 1990, Evelyn received the Governor’s Outstanding Volunteer Award, among other honors. In 1999, she was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Delaware Women. She is survived by her daughter, Rebecca, two granddaughters, six great-granddaughters and two brothers.
Peter Alexander Smellie, ’49, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, passed away April 20, 2015. He immigrated to the United States from Cuba in 1945 and attended Berea College. Peter was well known in the decorating community of Spartanburg as a longtime employee of Sherwin-Williams Company, and a partner in Hillcrest Decorating Center, This Decorating and Spray USA. He is survived by a daughter, Meg, four grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his fiancée.
1950s
Maria Burris, ’50, of Henderson, Nevada, passed away March 18, 2015. She was a native of Guam, a loving wife and devoted mother. Maria is survived by four children, 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, three sisters and two brothers.
Jenean Marie Sias Fulton Enz Stone, of Black Mountain, North Carolina, passed away September 3, 2014. She was the wife of Pablo Stone, ’50, who survives her. Jenean graduated from Phillips University in Oklahoma and served as the director of Christian education in Arkansas City, Kansas and Covington, Kentucky. She traveled the world with her first husband, John Fulton, and continued her travels after his death. In addition to her husband, she is survived by three children, three stepchildren, six grandchildren, a sister and several nieces.
Mary Louise Corsi Kelley, ’51, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, passed away May 9, 2015. She studied history and political science at Berea College, earned a master’s degree in social and technical assistance at Haverford College (Pennsylvania) in 1953, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan in 1958. For nine years, Mary was a child welfare worker for the Michigan Children’s Institute as well as the Washtenaw County Protective Service Unit. For another 23 years, she served as a school social worker for the Ann Arbor Public Schools, primarily Huron High School. In June 1990, Mary retired on the same day as her husband of 37 years, Doug Kelley, ’51, who retired from the University of Michigan-Flint and survives her. Doug and Mary met while attending Berea College. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two nieces, one nephew, a sister-in-law and a step-son.
Thelma Ruby Worley, ’51, of Niceville, Florida, passed away May 31, 2015. She lived through the Great Depression, World War II and at age 23, was the first woman in her family to graduate from Berea College, where she met and married classmate Foster Burgess, Acad ’46, ‘50. Later, she met and married Air Force staff sergeant Daniel Worley. Thelma was a kindergarten and first-grade teacher at Edge Elementary. She enjoyed good friends, gardening, folk and square dancing, quilting, ceramics and listening to Elvis. She is survived by four daughters and five grandchildren.
Robert Newton Coggins Sr., ’52, of Hopkinton, Iowa, passed away May 5, 2015. After graduating from Spartanburg High School, he earned a degree in agriculture from Berea College, where he worked in the dairy. In 1952, Bob accepted a job at the Mental Health Institute dairy in Independence, Iowa, where he met his wife, Jacquelyn, who was a nurse there. The couple farmed in several cities in Iowa before moving to South Dakota in 2013. Bob also ran a construction business from the late 1970s to the mid 1990s, and worked seasonally for Crop Production Services. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, five grandchildren and two sisters.
Paul Noland, ’53, of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, passed away August 19, 2015. He met and married his wife, Billie Jean Hurt Noland, ’54, at Berea College. While a student at Berea, he was active in sports and was captain of both the basketball and golf teams. After graduation, he entered the Navy and served as an explosives ordinance disposal frogman during the Korean conflict. Paul left the Navy as a lieutenant and earned a master’s degree in public administration at the University of New Mexico. He was a fellow with the universities of Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky. Paul worked as a city manager in Abernathy, Texas, Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Bernalillo County, New Mexico. He then became water resources director for the city of Albuquerque and received several awards for innovative solutions to city management organizations and programs. In retirement, Paul became an avid golfer and won the New Mexico Senior Golf Championship. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a sister, two sisters-in-law, two sons, three grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Mattie Powell, ’53, of Arvada, Colorado, passed away March 9, 2015. She is survived by her husband, Doug Powell, ’54, and an extended community of family and friends.
Jeanne Saylor, ’53, of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away January 7, 2012. She was a homemaker and loving mother. Jeanne was preceded in death by her husband, CJ Saylor, ’61, and is survived by her children, William, John, Anna, Robie, Beverly and Cecil, five brothers and sisters-in-law, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Alda Jean Young, ’53, of Mars Hill, North Carolina, passed away May 23, 2015. After graduating from Mars Hill High School in 1949, she attended Mars Hill College and then Berea College, where she majored in music and English. After two years of teaching, Alda earned a master’s degree in English at Appalachian State University. She began her career in education as a music teacher in Macon, Georgia, and then came back to Mars Hill where she taught English, humanities and music at North Buncombe and Madison high schools until her retirement in 1993. Alda is survived by her husband of 61 years,
Gerald, two children, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren.
Margaret Stokes, ’54, of Elkton, Kentucky, passed away July 13, 2015. She was retired from Western State Hospital in Hopkinsville where she worked as a registered nurse. Margaret also was employed by Lifeline as a nurse. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don F. Hall, ’55. Margaret is survived by her children, Pat, Perry, Lee Ann, Paula, Felicia and Phyllis, her brothers, Sam, Richard and Donnie, her sisters, Anna Lou McNeill, ’52, Jane and Julia, 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Sally Austin, of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed away June 2, 2015. She earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Duke University, where she met her husband of 56 years, Ledford Austin, ’55, who survives her. Sally worked as a registered nurse in various locations and positions in psychiatric health until her retirement from Guilford Psychiatric Associates in 1997 as office manager. She was a volunteer for several organizations. In addition to her husband, Sally is survived by a brother, two sons and four grandchildren.
Robert Harold Bates, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away July 5, 2015. He was a graduate of Muskingum College in Ohio, and served in the Air Force during the Korean War. Bob retired after 34 years as a civil service employee with the U.S. Air Force and the Defense Department. He was an active member of Union Church in Berea, where he served as a deacon for many years and was very supportive of the church’s programs, activities and missions. Bob’s interest included traveling with his wife, Joan, spending time with his family and friends, sports, volunteering and especially taking care of his lovely yard. His neighbors lovingly teased him about his yard making theirs look bad. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joan Coy Bates, ’55, three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dr. Cheng-Yin Cheng, ’55, of Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, passed away June 8, 2015. He was born in Shinpu, Taiwan, and was one of the few students from Taiwan to be selected to attend Berea College in 1953. Dr. Cheng earned a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He was a lifelong educator who taught chemistry at Wilson College, Shippensburg State College, Ithaca College and spent the last 27 years at East Stroudsburg University before his retirement in 1995. Throughout his career, Dr. Cheng conducted research projects and published academic papers that contributed to the fields of analytical chemistry and environmental sciences. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Hui-Tzu Kay Cheng, a brother, nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and great-grandnieces and great-grandnephews.
Wallace Halcomb, ’55, of Williamsburg, Kentucky, passed away May 8, 2015. He earned a degree in agriculture from Berea College and then was drafted into the Army, where he served for two years, mostly in the intelligence department in Paris, France. In 1957, Wallace accepted a job as a Whitley County Extension 4-H agent with the University of Kentucky, where he served Whitley County youth for 18 years. From 1975 to 1989, he worked as the Whitley County agriculture agent and during that time organized the Whitley County Beef Cattle Association and the Whitley County Bee Keeper Association. Wallace loved fishing with his wife, Imogene Halcomb, ’57, who survives him. He also is
survived by a daughter, a son-in-law, a grandson and granddaughter.
Betty Cloyd Bond, Fd ’56, of Marlton, New Jersey, passed away May 22, 2015. She graduated from Foundation School during the same ceremony in which her husband of nearly 58 years, John W. Bond, ’56, graduated from the College. However, the two did not meet each other until both of their families moved from Kentucky to Indiana where Betty got a job working with John’s sister. His sister introduced the couple through a blind date and the couple got engaged in June 1957 on a bench behind Lincoln Hall during a return visit to Berea. They married August 17, 1957 and soon moved to Bloomington, Indiana. In addition to her husband, Betty is survived by two daughters, Beverly and Jonna, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Dr. Thomas M. Holladay, ’56, of Webster, New York, passed away June 8, 2015. After earning a degree from Berea College, he earned his doctorate from the University of Tennessee. He retired from Xerox in 1998 after 29 years of service as a research physicist and is known worldwide for his work on digital halftones. Tom enjoyed square dancing, windsurfing and tinkering. Tom and his late wife, Janice Holladay, ’58, hosted many Vietnamese teenage refugees. Per Tom’s wishes his body was donated to the Anatomical Society of the University of Rochester to further medical learning. He is survived by his wife, Fran Aloi Olivette, a daughter, a son, two grandsons, seven stepchildren and a step-granddaughter.
Hugh F. Sutherland, ’56, of Pleasant Hill, Illinois, passed away July 8, 2015. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilda Sutherland, ’56.
Arnold Preston Thurman, ’56, of Shelbyville, Kentucky, passed away May 30, 2015. He graduated from Eminence High School in 1950 and Berea College in 1956. He taught at Bagdad High School from 1956 to 1960, taught, coached, and was athletic director at Shelby County High School from 1961 to 1979, and worked at Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance from 1979 to 1995. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jeanette Robinson Thurman, ’53, three sons, two sisters, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Doris Rollins Cannon, ’57, of Smithfield, North Carolina, passed away August 18, 2015. After completing her freshman year at Berea College, Doris later continued her education at North Carolina State University. In 1970, she became a staff writer for The Smithfield Herald, a post she held for 20 years. During that time, she won 16 state press awards – eight presented by the North Carolina Press Association and eight by the North Carolina Press Women. Doris wrote several books during her career, as well as a script for a show with more than 250 actors. She was named 1989 Smithfield-Selma Citizen of the Year, and in early 1990 was chosen a “Tar Heel of the Week” by the Raleigh News and Observer. After she left her post at The Smithfield Herald, the Neuse Little Theatre named its acting awards “The Cannons” in tribute to her extensive coverage of theatre activities through the years. She was also named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Rotary Club of Smithfield. Doris was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd, and is survived by a brother, three children, four grandchildren, a great-granddaughter, two step-grandchildren and two step-great-grandsons.
Ruby McKinney Roach, ’57, of Greer, South Carolina, passed away April 30, 2015. She graduated from Columbia High School in 1952, earned an associate degree from Lindsey Wilson College in 1954, earned a bachelor’s degree from Berea College in 1957 and then a master’s degree and Rank 1 certification from Western Kentucky University. Ruby began her career in education in Barren County, Kentucky and then transferred in 1958 to the Adair County school system after marrying her husband, H.W., who survives her. She served as a home economics teacher and high school guidance counselor for 37 years before retiring in 1995. In 2000, she received an honorary doctorate from Lindsey Wilson College for her years of service and leadership in education. In addition to her husband, Ruby is survived by two sons, four siblings, five grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and special friends.
Mildred Ruth “Millie” Smith, ’57, of Dunbar, West Virginia, passed away May 30, 2015. She graduated from Webster Springs High School in 1953, attended Berea College, and then graduated from West Virginia State College. Millie earned a master’s degree from West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, became a math teacher at John Adams Junior High School and retired after 25 years. She enjoyed vacationing at Myrtle Beach, bus trips to dinner theaters, church activities, working crossword puzzles, reading and dining out with friends. Millie is survived by her daughter, Janet, two granddaughters, a sister and three nephews.
Dr. Herndon R. Agee, ’58, of Richmond, Kentucky, passed away July 26, 2015. After earning his bachelor’s degree from Berea College. He earned his master’s degree from the University of Minnesota, and his doctoral degree from Tufts University. He was an active member of Toastmasters International for 40 years, an active member of Rotary International for 30 years and was commissioned as a member of the Honorable Order of the Kentucky Colonels. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Juanita Hensley Agee, ’56, a son, a sister, nephews, honorary grandsons and special friends.
Barbara McLain Israel, ’58, of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, passed away April 21, 2015. She was a talented cook and enjoyed entertaining friends and family, especially her grandsons. Barbara and her husband, Dr. James Ray Israel, ’59, took great pride in traveling with their grandsons to places like Alaska, Iceland, Nova Scotia and the coast. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two children, four grandsons, a daughter-in-law and four siblings, Sam McLain, Joe McLain, Phillip McLain and Dr. Patsy Davis, ’58 and brother-in-law, Dr. Arnold R. Davis, ’57.
Toby Ray Shook, ’58, of Arden, North Carolina, passed away July 3, 2015. He was an Air Force veteran who served in the Korean War. Toby worked as an instructor of mathematics at A-B Technical College from 1966 to 2000, during which time he served as chair of the math department. He was a former scout master with the Boy Scouts of America, a member of the Rhododendron Civitan Club where he was a past president and 1991 Civitan of the Year, and treasurer of the North Canton fire department. Toby is survived by his wife of 61 years, Thelma, three children, five grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, three special grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
1960s
Marguerite Reynolds, ’60, of Sanford, Florida, passed away January 14, 2015. She was a physical therapist for many years and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sanford. Marguerite is survived by her daughter, Susan, and her granddaughter, Sarah.
Nancy Lea Spencer, ’60, of Tell City, Indiana, passed away March 14, 2015. She was retired from Perry Central Community School as a music and drama teacher. Nancy enjoyed quilting, playing bridge, traveling and cooking. She was a member of St. Mark’s Catholic Church, the Indiana State Retired Teachers Association, National Education Association, Woman’s Travel Club and Lincoln Hills quilting guild. Nancy is survived by her siblings, Elaine, Annette, David, Jack and Kent, and several nieces and nephews.
Virginia Colwell Rice, ’61, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away July 17, 2015. Virginia graduated in 1957 from John’s Creek High School in Pikeville, Kentucky. She met and married Larry Rice on the Pikeville College farm when he attended Pikeville College and her family lived on and worked the farm. After Larry graduated from Pikeville in 1961, they packed up their two children and moved the family to Berea. Virginia attended Berea College for a short time and worked for the college in the development office. The family moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1969. Virginia worked several years as a typist for Kentucky Central Life Insurance and later retired from Jefferson Pilot Insurance Company. She was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, and is survived by two sisters, Genevieve and Josephine, a daughter, a son and three grandchildren.
Georgia Boatright Frison, ’63, of Greensboro, North Carolina, passed away June 5, 2015. After earning an education studies degree from Berea College, she worked as an elementary teacher for several years. Georgia married Erskine Frison Sr. and had three children. The family resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, where Georgia later attended school to earn a degree to become a medical records coder. She is survived by her children, Erskine Jr., Sonja and Ursula, grandchildren, and a host of other family including her brother, Dr. Carl H. Boatright, ’62 and friends.
Linda Sue Hagy Meadows, ’66, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, passed away May 5, 2015. She graduated from Berea College with a degree in home economics June 5, 1966. On that same day, Sue married her husband of 49 years, Robert Dean Meadows, ’66, in Danforth Chapel. The couple moved to North Carolina where Dean attended Duke Divinity School. Upon graduation, they returned to Kentucky and ministered in the United Methodist Church for 41 years. In the 1980s, Sue returned to school and earned a degree in nursing. She had a long and distinguished career in the cardiac care unit of The Medical Center in Bowling Green. In addition to her husband, Sue is survived by two children, one grandson, a brother and nieces and nephews.
Howard “Buddy” Kyle Sumner, of Mt. Airy, North Carolina, passed away June 8, 2013. He was the husband of Frances Gwynn Sumner, ’66, who survives him. After graduating from Mt. Airy High School, Buddy served two years in the Army, worked as a production supervisor for Quality Mills and then earned an accounting degree at Virginia Tech. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, a grandson and three siblings.
Dale Winifred Durham Berns, ‘69, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, passed away July 16, 2015. After graduating from Berea College, she earned a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky and Emory University. Dale was a social worker in Kentucky and then a school librarian for many years in North Carolina. She gifted her love of reading, admiration of the natural world and altruistic demeanor to her two children and grandchildren. Maintaining her family roots, Dale returned to the Kentucky homestead every summer. She passed away in the farmhouse in which she was born during a final visit. Dale is survived by two children, Aaron and Emily, a sister, three brothers and two grandchildren.
1970s
Virgil Lee Reed Sr., of Bellingham, Washington, passed away March 18, 2015. He was the husband of Linda Sue Horton Reed, ’70, who survives him. Virgil was truly one of a kind. He was intelligent and lived an interesting life. He loved to barbecue and
enjoyed many get-togethers with neighbors and friends at the Fish Shack. In addition to his wife, Virgil is survived by his sons, Virgil and Wesley, and his faithful dog, Luke.
Henry Hood Jr., ’73, of Marshall, Texas, passed away July 24, 2015. After earning a degree from Berea College, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Arkansas and was working on a doctorate degree at the time of his death. He was an English professor at East Texas Baptist University until 2000 and then accepted a position at Jarvis University in Hawkins, Texas. He is survived by siblings, John, Kenneth, Leonard, Emilie, Marie, Bonnie, Joyce, Wanda and Kathleen, along with numerous other family members and friends.
Dr. Clara Turner, ’73, of Aiken, South Carolina, passed away October 26, 2014. She was a retired associate professor in pediatric dentistry at the University of Florida, where she also was a member of the school’s internationally recognized cranial facial team. She is survived by her husband, Anthony.
Mikel Ray Justus, ’75, of Tazewell, Virginia, passed away August 13, 2015. He worked as a heavy equipment operator and spent every free moment loving his wife and son, who were his world. Mikel was a proud American and staunch supporter of our military. Having spent a great deal of time with his son, Aaron, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center during his son’s illness, Mikel had a special respect for wounded warriors. He loved his pets, his wildlife, his garden and playing golf with his son and brother. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Marilyn, three brothers, brothers- and sisters-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
Susan “Suzi” Breen Brenner, ’75, of Clinton, North Carolina, passed away April 16, 2015. She attended Scarsdale and Rye public schools, Marymount School in London, England and Virginia, Centenary Junior College in New Jersey, and then Berea. At Berea, Suzi learned the crafts she loved so much, including the skill of rug weaving and living a simpler life. In 1984, she apprenticed to a well-known rug weaver in Kingston, New York, where she met her husband, Al, who preceded her in death. Suzi is survived by three sisters, Joan, Marcia and Loris, cousins of the Breen and Brenner families, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Pamela Wilson Keene, ’79, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away June 22, 2015. After earning a degree in early childhood education from Berea College, she worked as a family service coordinator at the Oakland Livingston Human Resources Agency and retired in June 2013. Pam accepted Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age. She never stopped loving and serving the Lord. Her service included: president of the Sisterhood, secretary of the Missionary Department and First Lady of the Eastside Church of God; Northern District Ministers’ Wives Guild president; and program chairperson for the National Ministers’ Wives Guild. Pam loved to travel, study the Bible, and was an avid sports fan and a great historian. She is survived by her husband, Timothy, three children, seven siblings including brother, Dr. Robert M. Mayberry, ’76, a mother-in-law, four brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
1980s
Jerry Whitehead, ’86, of Stoney Fork, Kentucky, passed away May 28, 2015. He was the son of Della Saylor Whitehead and the late John Whitehead.
2000s
Tamika Denise Evans, ’06, of Simpsonville, South Carolina, passed away May 3, 2015. She was a member of Lower Shady Grove Baptist Church and was an employee of Verizon Wireless. She is survived by her husband, Carey, a son, Nigel and a brother, Kendrick.
2010s
Marienette Ngambou, ’14, of Silver Spring, Maryland, passed away May 21, 2015. She was an active, almost always smiling member of the Berea College community. Among her many projects, she was a leader in the African Students’ Association, sang in the Black Music Ensemble and the Women’s Chorus, and was a student chaplain for two years. A native of Bali, Cameroon, Marienette wrote a personal profile while a contestant in the 2015 Miss Cameroon USA Pageant. She wrote that during her time at Berea, she traveled to Ghana and studied literature, art, music and dance. She also took part in the Model African Union each year at Howard University, which gave her a chance to immerse herself in other African countries’ social, security and economic predicaments and learn the true meaning of peace and diplomacy. After being diagnosed with a rare form of ovarian cancer in September 2014, Marienette wrote that she wanted to use the pageant opportunity to impact her community through her experience and highlight the need for access to gynecological screenings for women in Cameroon. Although she planned to pursue a career in pharmacy, her struggle with cancer inspired her to change her focus to cancer research.
