PASSAGES
Faculty and Staff
Alice K. Batson Ph.D., of Conway, Arkansas, passed away September 23, 2015. She was a professor of nursing at Berea College for many years and a member of Woodland Heights Baptist Church. Alice is survived by her husband of 64 years, Francis, three sons, eight grandchildren, one great-grandchild and a host of extended family and friends.
Dr. Robert “Dr. Bob” Joseph Chabora, of Raymond, Maine, passed away September 19, 2015. He was a classical pianist and music professor at Berea College, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, Concordia College (Minnesota) and Regional School Unit 14 middle schools in Maine. A respected writer and biographer, Robert’s “legacy” project, “Search and Celebration: The Life and Art of Malcolm Frager,” (forthcoming in 2016 from Cambria Publishers, Amherst, New York) and the PBS documentary film, “Malcolm Frager: American Pianist” (forthcoming in 2016 from Prairie Public Broadcasting in Fargo, North Dakota) are currently being completed posthumously. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Pamela Dawn Chabora, ’78, a son, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and two brothers.
Dr. Everett William Schaeffer, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away September 23, 2015. He served as an U.S. Army doctor at the end of WWII. After serving his country, Everett worked as a missionary doctor at the Red Bird Mission in Beverly, Kentucky. The Mission’s Schaeffer Clinic is named in his honor. After his retirement from Red Bird in 1984, Everett and his wife, Roberta, moved to Berea, where he was a doctor for Berea College Health Services until his retirement in 1994. He is survived by his children, Rev. Robert Schaeffer, ’71, Ruth Walker, ’73, Margery Justice and Pastor David Schaeffer, ’77, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
1930s
Fred Arms, Acad ’38, of Danville, Kentucky, passed away September 25, 2015. He was a WWII U.S. Army veteran, a member of First Christian Church in Danville and worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He is survived by two children, Eric and Laura, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
1940s
Graham Watson Somers, ’40, of Charlotte, North Carolina, passed away September 14, 2015. From 1942 to 1946, he served in WWII as a first lieutenant field officer and anti-aircraft artillery specialist. He was in the Coast Artillery Corps, fought in Normandy, France and in the Battle of the Bulge. Graham received a Medal of Honor from the French government for his role in the liberation of Paris. In addition to Berea College, he attended Mars Hill University in North Carolina and earned a master’s degree from Duke University. He retired after teaching 40 years in the North Carolina public school system. Graham is survived by his daughter, Mary Lynn, two sisters and many nieces and nephews.
Alice Stevens Burgess, ’41, of Benicia, California, passed away July 26, 2015. Alice and her twin sister, Lois, were the first in their family to attend college, during which Alice served as president of the national collegiate YWCA. After graduating from Berea, she enrolled at Union Theological Seminary in New York, but left when she married fellow student David Burgess. In the 1940s, she worked alongside her husband as part of his ministry in migrant labor camps. Her husband’s diplomatic work kept them moving around the world, as well as giving them the chance to meet famous people, such as Indira Gandhi and Marlon Brando. Alice is survived by her brother, Arlin, four children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Glenn H. Shoun, ’41, of Bronson, Michigan, passed away August 28, 2015. After graduating from Berea, he enrolled in a master’s program at the University of Kentucky, but was drafted after completing one semester. After returning from military service, Glenn earned a Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Oberlin School of Theology in 1949. He served as a pastor and retired from the Bronson Plating Company in Glenn is survived by his wife Ellen, five children, eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Capt. Fred M. Taylor, ’42, of Capay, California, passed away April 18, 2015. At age 20, during WWII, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and attended advanced flying school. Stationed in England, Fred flew 32 missions from May 1944 to August 1944, including a bombing mission in support of the amphibious landings on D-Day. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak-leaf clusters and two battle stars for his service in the Western European theatre. After the war, Fred joined Pan American Airways, from which he retired after 36 years. During the Vietnam War, he volunteered to fly government rest and recreation (R&R) flights for U.S. servicemen out of Da Nang. Fred was preceded in death by his wife, Bernice Taylor, ’41. He is survived by his children, Mike and Pat, four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, six great-great-grandchildren and three siblings.
Virginia Piland Ferrill, ’43, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away October 25, 2014. She is survived by daughters, Tracy and Lindsey, sister, Ruth Luthringer, ’46 and several nieces and nephews.
Audra Osborn Smith, Acad ’39, ’43, of Danville, Kentucky, passed away September 8, 2015. After graduating from Berea, she completed postgraduate work at the University of Kentucky. Audra taught home economics at Louise, Mount Vernon and Junction City high schools. In 1963, she became a librarian at Boyle County High School and retired in 1986 after 37 years of teaching. Audra is survived by two children, Gene and Sheryl, and three grandchildren.
Andrew R. Hawkins, Navy V-12 ’43-’44, of Norfolk, Virginia, passed away July 24, 2014. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 22 years of service. Andy later worked as a civil servant for the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, where he retired after 21 years of service. He is survived by his children, Richard, Timothy and Mary Ann, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Billie Marie Whitsitt, ’44, of Madison, Wisconsin, passed away October 4, 2015. While at Berea College, she met Robert Edgin Whitsitt, ’44, who would be her husband for 30 years and preceded her in death. When the U.S. Navy sent Robert to Okinawa, Japan, Billie and the couple’s two children lived with him there until they returned to Rockford, Illinois, where Robert practiced medicine and they had a third child. Billie then became a first-grade teacher, earned a master’s degree in education at Rockford College, and taught for the next 20 years. Billie is survived by her children, Robert, Richard and Jill, eight grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, brother, Paul Nestor, ’42, several nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
Allan K. Honkanen, Navy V-12 ’45-’46, of Gilbert, Minnesota, passed away October 24, 2015. He attended Eveleth Jr. College, then served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, during which he was enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corp program and attended Berea College and Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Allan was employed for 35 years by U.S. Steel in the accounting department. He is survived by two sons, Rodney and David, two granddaughters, a brother and several nieces and nephews.
Carl Louis Tillstrom, Navy V-12 ’44-’45, of Shreveport, Louisiana, passed away September 4, He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1948. Carl worked as an engineer with Phillips Petroleum Co. and at Lion Oil Co. He was a member of the American Petroleum Institute, National Petroleum Refiners Association and American Society of Mechanical Engineers. In his retirement, he became an accomplished artisan in stained glass and wood turning. He is survived by two sons, Eric and Lee, four grandchildren, a sister and two nieces.
Glenn Crosswhite, Navy V-12/V-5, ’43-’44, ’46, of Frankfort, Kentucky, passed away November 20, He studied chemistry and mathematics at Berea and then attended Northwestern University, where he achieved the rank of ensign in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Glenn served as a captain on a sub chaser in the Pacific. His first job was with the National Distillers Co. as a chemist. He later served as superintendent of the Old Crow plant for 36 years before retirement. Glenn is survived by his sister-in-law, Nell, and several nieces and nephews.
Patricia Allen Morgan, ’46, of South Burlington, Vermont, passed away October 10, 2015. Despite being hearing impaired from age 2, she graduated from Pikeville High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in home economics from Berea, and in 1947, earned a master’s degree in religious education from Boston University School of Theology. Pat went to Africa in 1948 and taught science in Mount Salinda and the Rhodesian Forest Reserve until moving back to the U.S. in 1965. She taught English for nine years at Baptist College at Charleston while earning a master’s degree in English from the University of South Carolina. Pat is survived by her children, Charlotte and Noel, stepdaughters, Diana and Susan, and numerous family and friends.
Ernest C. Venable, Acad ’46, of Eaton, Ohio, passed away July 5, 2015. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served at sea during WWII and retired after 33 years at General Electric Company, where he worked as a field/area engineer. Ernest was commissioned a “Kentucky Colonel” in 1970, was listed in the 2001-02 edition of “Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals,” was a member of the King Hiram Masonic Lodge in West Alexandria, Ohio, a member of the Eaton Farm Bureau and a member of the Memorial Baptist Church in Eaton, Ohio. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Martha, three sons, eight grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, three siblings, a sister-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
Kier M. Finlayson, of New Holland, Pennsylvania, passed away January 27, 2015. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Keener Finlayson, Acad ’43, ’47. He earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and completed graduate studies in physics at the University of Missouri. Kier worked as an analytical physicist until his retirement in 1986, after which he kept busy as an editor of several scientific journals at Technomics. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three daughters, nine grandchildren, one great-grandson, a sister and a niece.
Alice Franklin Baker, ’48, of Madison, Alabama, passed away September 26, 2015. After graduating from Berea, she attended the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, and earned a registered nurse degree through Ft. Sanders Regional Medical Center, Knoxville. Although she intended to be a missionary, Alice fell in love and raised a family instead. Over the years, she used her nursing skills to help family and friends with special duty nursing care. Alice is survived by four children – Mary, Patty, Joanna and Keith, a son-in-law, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, five siblings and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Nancy Winston Hurst Crouch, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away July 26, 2015. She is survived by her husband, William Jerome Crouch, Acad ’45, ’49. Nancy worked in the acquisitions department of the University of Kentucky’s Margaret I. King Library and later at the Morris Book Shop on East Main Street. In 1979, she started working in the circulation department at the Lexington Public Library and remained for 21 years until her retirement. In addition to her husband, Nancy is survived by two sons.
Ernest Graham, Acad ’46, ’49, of Vernon Hills, Illinois, passed away November 1, 2015. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps, serving in the South West Pacific Theater and Japan in WWII and eventually earning the rank of captain. Ernest was on the Berea College Alumni Executive Council from 2000 to 2004 and served as its president from 2002 to 2003. He worked for the Scott Paper Co. for 23 years, was the general manager of Menominee Paper Company for 10 years and worked as a consultant after retirement. Ernest is survived by three children – Margaret, Nona and Bruce, three grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Ellis W. Hauser, ’49, of Jasper, Georgia, passed away September 7, 2015. He was the husband of Constance Hauser, ’47, who preceded him in death on December 2, 2002. Ellis attended Brevard College before enlisting in the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Pacific theater during WWII. After returning from the war, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Berea College, a master’s degree from North Carolina State University and a doctoral degree in plant physiology from Iowa State University. Ellis had a distinguished career as a research scientist with the USDA and was the author or co-author of more than 20 scholarly research articles. He is survived by three children – Karen, Steven and David, six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and a sister.
French Earl Rogers Jr., ’49, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, passed away November 9, 2015. After graduating from Berea, he earned a master’s degree from the University of Illinois. French was a beloved high school teacher in Henderson County for many years and his students fondly called him “Pop Rogers.” He was a WWII U.S. Navy veteran and a member of Hendersonville United Methodist Church. French was preceded in death by his wife, Barbrea Rogers, ’49. He is survived by his son, Ray, a grandson, siblings JC Rogers, ’52, Doyle and Virginia, a grandson, a brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and students.
1950s
Charles Stratton Little, Acad, ’46, ’50, of Beavercreek, Ohio, passed away April 17, 2015. He attended Berea Academy until age 18 and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he received electrical training. Charles was assigned to the USS Miami, which was active in the Asiatic Pacific area and in the liberation of the Philippines. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to school at Berea, where he fell in love with his English tutor and wife of 67 years, Hazel Graff Little, Fd ’47. Charles earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Kentucky in 1950 and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Dayton in 1988. He worked for Western Electric in Columbus, Ohio, for 35 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, seven grandsons and one granddaughter.
Mildred “Millie” Mary Green Redman, ’50, of Hot Springs, Virginia, passed away August 26, 2015. She worked at Gerber Baby Foods as a research technician, was a home economics teacher and was an active member of the Hot Springs Baptist Church for many years. Millie is survived by her daughter, Josephine, eight grandchildren, numerous great and great-great grandchildren, three siblings, a daughter-in-law and numerous nieces and nephews.
William Everett “Bill” Arrowood, Fd ’47, ’51, of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, passed away September 7, 2015. During his time at Berea, he was an accomplished high diver on the varsity diving team. Upon graduation, Bill was employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a civilian geologist. After completing post-graduate work at the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, he became the owner of Arrowood Surveying, P.A. and also worked as a consultant geologist. Bill was a pilot and a long-time member of the Board of Trustees for Mayland Community College. He is survived by a daughter, Mary Elizabeth, a son-in-law, a granddaughter and a special friend.
Dr. William M. Waller, ’51, of Verona, Kentucky, passed away September 20, 2015. He was a retired physician, after having served his hometown community for many years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, a deacon at New Bethel Baptist Church in Verona, and a cattle and tobacco farmer. Dr. Waller served on numerous boards and committees throughout his life. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Leola Jo, three daughters, one son, 10 grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
James W. Hale, ’52, of Bowling Green, Kentucky, passed away September 10, 2015. After graduating from Berea, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1956, James married his wife of 59 years, Virginia Dorton Hale, ’53, and began working for General Electric Appliance Park in Louisville. After retiring in 1988, he volunteered for more than two decades with Service Corps of Retired Executives, preparing income tax returns for AARP and coordinating drivers for cancer patients for the American Cancer Society. He was a competitive USTA tennis player until age 80. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two children, a daughter-in-law, four sisters-in-law and 20 nieces and nephews.
Jerry Leon Harrison, Fd ’52, of Richmond, Kentucky, passed away November 13, 2015. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, a member of White’s Memorial Presbyterian Church, a Mason and a Shriner. After leaving the military, Jerry was a cowboy in Oklahoma and returned home to operate the family farm at Whites Station. He devoted many years to raising Belgian and Percheron draft horses. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Patricia, five children, eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and three special caregivers.
John Billy Few, ’54, of Lilburn, Georgia, passed away May 12, 2015. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean War. He worked at AT&T and retired after 30 years of service. John loved to spend time with his grandchildren and had a passion for golf, singing and his pets. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Martha, two children, three grandchildren, two great-grandsons, one brother, and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and loving friends.
Russell Mack Pressley, ’54, of Belmont, North Carolina, passed away November 8, 2015. He attended Mars Hill Junior College, Berea College and then Southern Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. While in college, “Preacher Mack” began his ministry at Pilot Knob Baptist Church in Berea. Russell pastored several churches during his life and worked as the director of missions for Upper Cumberland Association and later, Boone’s Creek Baptist Association. Much of his ministry was devoted to youth, which led him to build Camp Howard, or “Happy Top,” in Wallins Creek, Kentucky. Russell is survived by his wife of 60 years, Christean, three daughters, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Betty P. Bond, Fd ’56, of Marlton, New Jersey, passed away May 22, 2015. She worked for 24 years at the Cherry Hill Clover store and several years at Kohl’s of Marlton. Betty also was a member of Heritage Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband, John W. Bond, ’56, two daughters, six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and five sisters.
William B. Wharton, D.M.D, of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away April 4, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Dorothy Sue Vanhorn Wharton, ’57. Dr. Wharton attended Union College and graduated from the University of Louisville College of Dentistry in 1958. He opened a dental practice in Lexington in 1965 and enjoyed a long and successful career in general dentistry. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter.
Wayne Sebastian of Lexington, Kentucky, passed away August 26, 2015. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Frances (Stephens) Sebastian, ’58. Wayne was a U.S. Army veteran and served during the Korean War. He worked for 42 years at Standard Products Company in Lexington. In addition to his wife, Wayne is survived by three sons and seven grandchildren.
Dr. Joshua Rieff Boyd Jr., ’59, of Plano, Texas, passed away November 11, 2015. He earned degrees from Berea, the University of Illinois, the University of the Incarnate Word, the University of Texas, San Antonio, and a doctorate in education from Texas A&M University. Joshua served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps, worked for the United States Information Agency in Brazil, was a high school counselor for 27 years and taught English as a Second Language at various colleges. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Shirley Ann Boyd, ’60, three children, three siblings and three grandchildren.
J. Gordon “Buddy” Tuell, ’59, of Marion, Virginia, passed away September 5, 2015. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he attended Berea College and graduated from Emory & Henry College in 1977. Buddy was a lifelong educator who dedicated his life to community service. In addition to serving on various education boards and Democratic campaigns, he lobbied for higher pay for teachers and was the first director for the Neighborhood Youth Corps (now Mountain Cap). He retired from Smyth County Schools as a high school teacher. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Peggy, one daughter, one granddaughter, two great-grandchildren, a sister, special cousins and friends.
1960s
Christine R. Godsey, ’60, of Hamilton, Ohio, passed away October 22, 2015. For 30 years, she enjoyed a career as an English teacher for Fairfield High School. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Maurice A. Godsey, ’60, two children, five grandchildren, four siblings, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Harold Bruce Martin, ’62, of Pawleys Island, South Carolina, passed away April 1, 2015. He was born in Bath County, Kentucky, the son of the late Everett Auxier Martin and Sallie Lee Jones Martin. Bruce was a member of St. Paul’s Waccamaw United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Sue Ella, a daughter-in-law, a brother, six grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
Barbara Anne McCoury Ward, ’63, of Fayetteville, North Carolina, passed away February 12, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, Delmar Ward, ’61. Barbara loved her time at Berea and spoke often of it throughout her life. A loving homemaker and devout Roman Catholic, she actively supported numerous charitable organizations. Barbara enjoyed reading, working in her yard and word puzzles. She especially excelled at being Supergrandma.” She is survived by five children – James, John, Timothy, Barbara and Annedda, four sisters and eight grandchildren. Doyal M. Wynn, of Rutledge, Tennessee, passed away April 25, 2013. He is survived by his wife of 26 years, Kate Wynn, ’63. Doyal served on the Grainger County School Board for 25 years, as a county commissioner for six years and as a school bus driver for 30 years. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one son, a daughter-in-law and three grandchildren.
Molane Arnett, ’64, of Waynesburg, Kentucky, passed away November 3, 2015. She was an English teacher at Jefferson County Schools. Molane was a talented painter, an avid reader and an animal lover. She loved Native American history and culture and was proud of her distant Cherokee heritage. Molane was preceded in death by her husband, William Gleason Arnett, ’63, and is survived by one daughter, Angela, and one grandchild.
Merlin R. Kindel, Fd ’60, ’64, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away October 11, 2015. He lived in Kenya with his parents, who were Quaker missionaries there from 1948 to 1952. During his return flight from Nairobi to New York, Merlin discovered his passion for flying. He worked a paper route and in Illinois pea fields to pay for flying lessons. After graduating from Berea with a degree in industrial arts, Merlin got his first job with Ford Motor Company. In 1966, he became a pilot for Trans World Airlines. He retired as a captain in 2000. Merlin is survived by his wife of 19 years, Dorothy Kindel, Fd ’61, his sisters, Marilyn Kindel Powell, ’65, Arlene Kindel, ’72, and Garnet Kindel Chrisman, ’77, two children, three step-children, five grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and his faithful dog, Skipper.
Gregory Montgomery “Mont” Quesenberry, ’65, of Draper, Virginia, passed away August 19, 2015. After graduating from Berea, he earned a master’s degree in music from Radford University. Mont was choir director at Dublin High School and Pulaski County High School until his retirement in 1991. He is survived by a brother, David, a sister, Brenda, one sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law, numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Fredonna Carolyn Slone Ritchie, ’66, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away October 2, 2015. She was a graduate of both Berea College and Eastern Kentucky University. Fredonna was a CPA who retired from Jones & Ritchie CPAs and was a member of Silver Creek Baptist Church. She is survived by three children – John, David and Shannon, stepsons Brian and Michael, two brothers and a sister.
1970s
James “Jimmy” Hubert Fore, ’71, of Arden, North Carolina, passed away April 1, 2015. He retired from BorgWarner after many years of service. Jimmy enjoyed playing golf, traveling, music and playing the guitar. He is survived by four siblings – Joanne, Sharon, Danny and Brenda, and many nieces and nephews.
Joan K. Lewis, ’75, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away November 7, 2015. She is survived by her mother, Martha, her siblings Stephen and Janet, nephews Jeremy and Jonathon, niece Jessica, great-nephew Trey and great-niece Anna.
Dr. Robert “Dr. Bob” Joseph Chabora, of Raymond, Maine, passed away September 19, He was a classical pianist and music professor at Berea College, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, Concordia College in Minnesota and Regional School Unit 14 middle schools in Maine. A respected writer and biographer, Robert’s “legacy” project, “Search and Celebration: The Life and Art of Malcolm Frager” (forthcoming in 2016 from Cambria Publishers, Amherst, New York) and the PBS documentary film, “Malcolm Frager: American Pianist” (forthcoming in 2016 from Prairie Public Broadcasting in Fargo, North Dakota) are currently being completed posthumously. He is survived by his wife, Dr. Pamela Dawn Chabora, ’78, a son, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren and two brothers.
Pamela Wilson Keene, ’79, of Memphis, Tennessee, passed away June 22, 2015. After graduating from Berea, she served as a family service coordinator at the Oakland Livingston Human Resources Agency until her retirement in June 2013. Pam loved to travel, study the Bible, and was an avid sports fan and historian. She is survived by her husband Timothy, one daughter, two sons, seven siblings, an aunt, a mother-in-law, four brothers-in-law, including Dr. Robert M. Mayberry, ’76, four sisters-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
1980s
Harley “Bud” Glenroy Erwin Jr., ’84, of Hilliard, Ohio, passed away November 1, 2015. He earned a scholarship to play basketball at Oklahoma Seminole Jr. College, transferred to Eastern Kentucky University and then Berea. He served more than four years as a corporal in the Kentucky Army National Guard. Bud worked for 16 years for the United States Postal Service. He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Gail, two daughters, his mother, four siblings and a large extended family.
1990s
Tammy Yvonne Rose, ’94, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away August 29, 2015. She worked for the city of Lexington and was a member of the Church of God. Tammy is survived by her mother, Mary Ellen, two brothers, two nephews and many extended family members.
Lt. Colonel Jeffrey Dale Cole, ’98, of Berea, Kentucky, passed away September 11, 2015. After graduating from Berea College, he earned his master’s degree at Touro International University. Jeff was a commander of the 149th Infantry Battalion in Barbourville, Kentucky and is a veteran of operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (2nd award), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd award), Kentucky Distinguished Service Medal and Army Commendation Ribbon. Jeff is survived by his wife, Christy, two children, his mother, a brother, a father- and mother-in-law, a brother- and sister-in-law and a niece.
2000s
Lawrence Vincent Roark, ’04, of Oneida, Tennessee, passed away September 6, 2015. At the time of his death, he was attending Tennessee Technological University, studying to become a physician’s assistant. In addition to Berea College, Lawrence also attended Roane State Community College. He was previously employed with Schneider Transport Services, Food City, Goody’s and C&M Food Services. Lawrence is survived by his mother, Sharon, a grandmother, three siblings, four uncles, two aunts, four nephews, two nieces, a special friend, numerous cousins and other relatives.
Angela Michelle Peppers Taylor, ’07, of Clemson, South Carolina, passed away March 5, 2015. She attended Tri-County Technical College. Angela is survived by her parents, William and Johnnie Mae, and three children.
2010s
Bradley Joseph Clay, ’11, of Astoria, New York, passed away September 11, 2015. After graduating from Berea, he began his career at audit, tax and advisory firm KPMG in June 2011 and worked his way up to a tax senior accountant. Bradley was a member of the Pine Hill Baptist Church. He is survived by his parents, Stanley and Deborah, one brother, two brothers through friendship, three grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and a multitude of family and friends from Kentucky to New York.
