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Old School

• Children of Pete and Walternine Wilson establish scholarship to honor parents
• 21st Scholarship Banquet to feature MercyMe
• Save the Date for Homecoming 2018
• Memoriam: David Blackstock
• Alumni News | Marriages | Births | Memoriam

Alumni News

60’s Sixties

Gayle Alexander (’62) and John Adams (’63) have co-written the book Who is in Control of the Church? A Guide to Unity and Peace within the Church. The book is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

John R. Hamilton (’62) of Hamilton, Laughlin, Barker, Johnson & Jones was honored in Best Lawyers in America’s section on Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law. He is a member of the Topeka, Kansas, and American Bar Associations and Owner’s Counsel of America. He is also on the Washburn Law School Foundation Board.

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70’s Seventies

Mike U. Smith (’72) retired from Mercer University School of Medicine after 32 years of teaching human genetics and development. He has served on the editorial boards of major journals in science education and was the primary developer of Native STAND, a sexual risk and AIDS reduction program. In 2008 he was elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Mike Jernigan (’74) retired June 30, 2017, after 24 years teaching in elementary schools in the United States and Germany and 18 years as Educational Technology Specialist at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri.

Ginger Diamond (’77, ’82) has been appointed to the Coalition Against Childhood Cancer Board, an organization that advocates for children with cancer. Diamond has been involved with childhood cancer advocacy for 12 years after losing her nephew to the disease. She currently lives in Douglas, Georgia.

Randall Phillips (’77), a former 91������ trustee, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tennessee Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.

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80’s Eighties

David Samples (’85) and his wife, Tina Samples, published their latest book, Messed Up Men of the Bible, in 2016. It has been named a finalist for the ECPA Christian Book Awards for Best Bible Study of the Year. The book previously won a Golden Scroll Merit Award from the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.

Mike Oliver (‘88) has been awarded the Global Ambassador Award by the Cambridge, Massachusetts, biopharmaceutical company Novelion Therapeutics, formerly Aegerion Pharmaceuticals. The award is given annually to the individual who best exemplifies the core values of the organization and commitment to patients with rare diseases. Mike is the Southeast Regional Orphan/Rare Disease Manager for Novelion.

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90’s Nineties

Lauren Cummings, daughter of Tricia Cummings (‘92) and John Cummings (’92) will attend 91������ as an undergraduate in the fall of 2018.

PJ Godwin (’93) began her 20th year teaching chemistry and other upper-level science classes at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham. She was made chair of the chemistry department in 2008.

Klay Aspinwall (‘96) was endorsed by the North American Mission Board as a military chaplain and accepted a commission with the U.S. Army. He is now serving as a battalion chaplain with the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Scott Lamb (‘96) began serving as Vice President of Special Literary Projects for Liberty University. His fourth book, The Faith of Donald J. Trump, co-authored with CBN journalist David Brody, released in February. It explores the worldview background of the president and his relationship with evangelicals in America.

Jay Watson (’99) published his book By Design: How the Bible Fits Together. The book’s 12 chapters explain how God planned salvation for the world since before time began.

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00’s Two Thousands

Michael Slaughter (’00) was named assistant principal at Wylie High School in Wylie, Texas. He holds a bachelor’s degree from 91������, a master’s from Lamar University and is in the process of completing his doctorate from Grand Canyon University.

Jennifer Fry Yates (’02, ’04, ’06) was named assistant principal at Milan High School in Milan, Tennessee.

Jen Bourbonais (’05) was named a Grammy Music Educator Award 2018 quarterfinalist. She teaches music at Overpark Elementary School in Olive Branch, Mississippi.

April Houston (’05) graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health degrees and began a new position at CARE, an international organization dedicated to ending poverty, in Atlanta.

Kelley McCall (’06) was appointed as interim executive director of Columbia Power & Water Systems in Columbia, Tennessee. She has served there as director of finance and administration for seven years.

Joshua J. Wilkinson (’07) was appointed associate director of admissions for communications at Bucknell University. He was previously associate director of admissions at Widener University Commonwealth Law School.

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10’s Twenty Tens

Florence Jones (’12), who received a Doctor of Nursing Practice from 91������, was selected as a 2018 recipient of the Murray State University Distinguished Alumni Award. Jones received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Murray State in 1975.

Leigh Andrews Talley (’12) earned her Doctor of Education degree from Carson Newman University in May 2017. She is a kindergarten teacher for North Carolina Virtual Academy and is married to Scott Talley (’07).

Births

Dakota Leigh Poston was born June 18, 2016, to Natalie Poston (’12) and Cory Poston (’11).

Malachi James Williams was born April 26, 2017, to Bethany Williams (’99) and Dan Williams.

Zachary Campbell Robus was born July 3, 2017, to John Campbell Robus (’03) and Leslie Nicole Robus (’04).

Lily Grace Wilson was born Aug. 11, 2017, to Claire Wilson (’11) and Hunter Wilson.

Lydia Joy Duchek was born Sept. 1, 2017, to Mary Alisa Duchek (’11) and Matthew Duchek.

Lincoln Isaac Meeks was born Sept. 23, 2017, to Sydney Meeks (’08) and Ben Meeks.

Weston James Barnes was born Oct. 4, 2017, to Ashley Barnes (’06) and Joel Barnes.

Kathryn Violet “Katy” Yates was born Oct. 13, 2017, to Melissa Yates (’03) and Mark Yates.

Graham Franklin McKelvey was born Jan. 3, 2018, to Cooper McKelvery (’10) and Meredyth McKelvey (’09). They are also proud parents of Charlotte Ann, age 2.

Margo McAuley Brown was born Feb. 12, 2018, to Mark Brown (‘13) and Hannah Brown.

Marriages

Nathan Handley (’15) married Anna Isbell (’15) in Jackson, Tennessee, April 14, 2018.

Cassaundra Harris (’07) married Andrew Lindberg on June 11, 2016, in Amherst, New Hampshire. They live in mid-coast Maine with their dog, Ranger.

Memoriam

Sandra Currin died July 23, 2017, at the age of 60. Currin served for eight years as the academic secretary for 91������’s Department of Music. She loved working with students at 91������ and was an active Sunday school teacher and choir member at First Baptist Church in Jackson. Currin is survived by her husband, Hal Currin, her son, Michael Currin, and her daughter, Tricia Martin. To donate: uu.edu/giving/sandycurrin

Edna E. Rice (’39) died Aug. 13, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee. She is survived by her two children, 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

Elise Griffin (’40) died Mar. 31, 2018.

Mable G. Stevens (’42) died Feb. 15, 2018. Stevens worked as a secretary for the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials.

Isinell Newbill (’42) died March 1, 2018, in Jackson, Tennessee. During World War II, Newbill taught Air Force cadets at 91������.

Wilma Nelle Safley (’42) died April 6, 2018, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Safley spent 28 years as a classroom teacher in Robertson County, Tennessee.

Jerry L. Glisson (’45) died July 11, 2017. Glisson served as pastor of Leawood Baptist Church in Memphis for 36 years.

Elizabeth P. Vann (‘45) died Aug. 7, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee.

Frances Kolb (’45) died Sept. 4, 2017.

Ernest P. Guy (’47) died Sept. 5, 2017.

Charlotte McFarland Beck (’47) died Jan. 21, 2018. She had a long career in health care office management in Jackson, Tennessee.

James P. McLemore Jr. (’47) died Feb. 4, 2018, in Jackson, Tennessee. McLemore practiced dentistry in Jackson for 48 years before retiring in 2000.

Roland M. Porter died Feb. 8, 2018, at his home in Medon, Tennessee. Porter was a longtime pastor and educator in Jackson, Tennessee, and had served as associate professor of business, assistant to the president for community relations and director of the Center for Racial Reconciliation at 91������. He was the founding pastor of Agape Christian Fellowship in Jackson.

Ted. E Jones (’48) died Dec. 9, 2017. He was a World War II veteran who served in the Navy in the South Pacific. He was also president of the USS Appalachian veterans’ group for many years.

Dolly Brandon (’48) died June 17, 2017. She is survived by her five children, 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Emily Evans Byrd (’49) died Mar. 6, 2018. Byrd worked as a social worker for the Tennessee Department of Human Services for more than 30 years.

Will Roberts (’50) died Sept. 15, 2017.

Francis Willard “Vick” Vickey (’50) died June 21, 2017, at his home in Tallahassee, Florida. Vickey served for nearly 40 years with the Boy Scouts of America.

Betty Ruth “BB” Hilliard (’50) died Sept. 25, 2017. She taught elementary school for 34 years and Sunday school for more than 60 years.

David A. Goodman (’50) died Nov. 1, 2017. He worked most of his life as a surveyor and mapper in California.

Mary C. Martindale (’51) died Sept. 11, 2017.

Charles Steven Arendall died Sept. 13, 2017, at his home in Memphis. Arendall was professor of management and MBA program director at 91������. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Memphis State University and Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee. Arendall spent 35 years in academics, 27 of which were at 91������. He is survived by his wife, Belinda Arendall, and four children. To donate: uu.edu/giving/arendall

Billy Fowler (’52) died Oct. 27, 2017. He was the music minister at Corydon Missionary Baptist Church in Kentucky.

Alisa Faye Melton (’53) died Sept. 12, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee.

Charles “Chuck” Williams (’53) died Jan. 25, 2018. He worked for 40 years as an educator in Nashville, Tennessee.

Walter E. Coleman Jr. (‘54) died Aug. 21, 2017.

Billy Smith (’55) died July 11, 2017. Smith played and coached basketball his entire life.

Fred Fiddler (’57) died Nov. 1, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Fiddler taught at Lexington High School for almost 30 years and was a plant chemist at Lexington Metal Products.

Evelyn J. McCampbell (’57) died Dec. 1, 2017, in Clarksville, Tennessee.

Pat Wellons (’58) died April 7, 2018. Wellons was one of the first women in the state of Kentucky to be licensed in private practice counseling and social work. She practiced counseling for more than 40 years until the day of her death.

Leon Cox (’59) died Aug. 26, 2017. Cox served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan and later worked as a chemical engineer for 38 years.

William “Billy” Henderson (’60), a native of Covington, Tennessee, died March 21, 2017, in Mobile, Alabama. He served as minister of education and church administrator in churches across the South for 41 years.

Nina Thomas Maroney (’60) died July 11, 2017, after a long illness.

William D. Sheppard (’60) died Oct. 9, 2017. He worked for SC Johnson for 40 years before retiring in 2002.

Janice Hill (’61) died Mar. 12, 2018, in Oklahoma.

Sylvia Shaw (’62) died Dec. 18, 2017.

Daniel Tickle (’63) died Jan. 1, 2018.

David Blackstock ('64), 91������’s athletic director for 34 years and women’s basketball coach for 18 years, died Nov. 1 at age 75 after a lengthy illness. read more »

Dolores Moore (’64) died Jan. 31, 2018, surrounded by her family. She worked as a nursing director and was vice president of Jackson General Hospital until her retirement in 1988.

Freida Deaton (’67) died Oct. 12, 2017. She taught physical education at Jackson Junior High for 26 years.

Sue Blass (’68) died Dec. 31, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee. She served as director of the art program for Jackson-Madison County schools for many years.

Kenneth Flippo (’68) died Jan. 7, 2018. Flippo served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Biddle in Vietnam. He later received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree and worked as a pharmacist until 2012.

Marilyn Dismuke (’70) passed away in her sleep Nov. 28, 2017, in Katy, Texas.

Phyllis Farmer (’74) died Feb. 2, 2018.

Jerry Smith (’76) died Nov. 27, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Smith practiced dentistry in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Doris Annette Huckabee Kennon (’76) died July 19, 2017. She served as a missionary in Coast Rica, Chile and Colombia before incurring a disability and retiring from full-time work.

Mitchell Ambrose (’76) died Jan. 17, 2018.

Betty J. Johnson (’79) died June 27, 2017.

Dalton “Jack” Peircey (’80) died June 25, 2017. A former Navy officer, firefighter and quality control manager, he was recognized by Regional Hospital of Jackson for more than 20 years of service.

Kenneth Butler (’80) died Oct. 24, 2017. He was executive assistant to the president and the board of directors at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Donna Jo Pecoraro Woodson Thornton (’80) died March 10, 2018, after a battle with brain cancer. She taught in special education in Tennessee for 20 years.

Donna McKissack (’81) died Jan. 3, 2018.

Alison McDonald-Spakes (’84) died Oct. 4, 2017.

Carol Crunk (’85) died Aug. 9, 2017.

Dana L. Kirk (’86) died Aug. 19, 2017. She worked for many years for the U.S. Postal Service in Chester County, Tennessee.

Sherri Austin (’86) died Dec. 30, 2017.

Robert Ivy (’87) died March 9, 2018.

Lynn A. Jacks (’93) died June 17, 2017.

Richard Lee Moore (’94) died Oct. 17, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee, after a long period of ill health. He was the founder and operator of RLM Financial Consultants in Jackson.

Mildred Boone (’94) died Oct. 24, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee.

Jessie Cogbill English (’97) died March 14, 2018.

Ricky Murchison (’98) died Sept. 10, 2017.

William Pevahouse (’03) died July 1, 2017.

Krystal Copeland Hendrix (’12) died March 10, 2017. She was a palliative care registered nurse at the Veteran’s Hospital in Memphis and a member of the Deliverance Team at World Overcomers Church.

L.G. Hansen (’12) died Jan. 6, 2018.

James “Sonny” Melton (’15) died Oct. 2, 2017, in a Las Vegas shooting. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Nursing Accelerated degree from 91������ and was president of his BSNA class. He worked in the emergency department at Henry County Medical Center and was attending the country music festival in Las Vegas with his wife, Heather Gulish Melton. To donate: uu.edu/giving/sonnymelton