Class Notes

Lois Collett Kester was born Oct. 30, 1923 in Pittsburgh, PA and died Feb. 1, 2017 at home in Bellevue, WA. Lois raised her family in Spokane where she worked for the YWCA for 30 years before settling at Pacific Regent in Bellevue in 1993. Lois will be remembered for her warm, welcoming and joyful spirit. She is survived by her children Sharon (Bill) Linton-Bellevue, Alan (Shelly) Kester – Silverdale, and David (Kathryn) Kester – Lopez Island, her sister Jeanne Hegel-St. Louis, former husband and friend Floyd Kester, six grandchildren, Andrew and Peter Linton, Christine and Ryan Kester, Adam and Laura Kester and many nieces and nephews. Remembrances may be made to the YWCA of Spokane or First Congregational Church, Bellevue. A memorial will be held Sunday, Feb. 12 at 1:30pm at First Congregational Church, Bellevue.

After 91 years of a happy, fulfilled life, Nancy exited the stage peacefully, in her sleep, of natural causes-just the way she wanted to go on August 14, 2015. She was looking for her last acting role, up to the very end. Nancy was born in Pittsburgh, PA to June Mintz & “Doc” Russell. Her father was a traveling salesman so Nancy attended 16 different schools in 6 states. She graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee in 1944 as a drama major and PE minor. These continued to be the guiding forces for her entire life. She fell in love with Air Cadet Raoul B Lynn while he was training at Maryville College. They married soon after Nancy’s graduation and started married life first in Mississippi, then Arkansas, then Wisconsin, back to PA, then AZ and finally to Los Gatos, CA. While Raoul completed his education as an electrical engineer, Nancy worked as a waitress and a teacher, and participated in any theater group she could find. She was a co-founder of a children’s theater in Tucson, as well as a performer in melodramas and a children’s TV puppet show. After moving to Los Gatos in 1961, Nancy continued theater, teaching, and a very active sports life. She taught Special Ed at Los Gatos High from 1970-1988 and could be seen in town riding her one speed bicycle to school every day. Nancy and Raoul were competitive tennis partners, and she was quite a ping pong champ! But swimming was her all-time favorite sport, and she continued this exercise up until the day before she died. Nancy was predeceased by her husband of 57 years. She is survived by her 4 children, all graduates of LG High: Roger, Barbara, Bruce (Beth), and Gary. Nancy’s 3 sons all excelled on Los Gatos High Sports teams (Bruce and Gary are Hall of Famers.) Nancy is also survived by 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by son in law, Edgar Sanchez. Nancy will be missed by all who knew her: including a network of close family-like friends and former students. Nancy will always be remembered for her eternal optimism and belief in the goodness in everyone, for her generosity, and her independent and adventurous spirit. She was truly an original. At Nancy’s request, there will not be a memorial. To best celebrate her life, do something a little outside of your comfort zone.

Mom (Bethel “Betsy” Burleigh McCordic), after 98 years, was released late on Monday, August 21, 2022, to dance joyfully through the gates of the City of her King. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Betsy graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee in 1945, and went on to teach French, music, art, and physical education for 38 years at Prairie High School in Three Hills, Alberta. There she met Charles McCordic (II) in 1981, a new teacher mourning the death of our mother, Mary. They married and headed off to Africa, teaching first at the Institut Biblique Evangélique in Chad, then at the Swaziland Evangelical Bible Institute, and finally at Durban Bible College. Charles and Betsy moved to Waterloo Region in 2010. Thrilled to discover that the world had invaded our Pennsylvania Dutch Mennonite country, they seized the opportunity to teach ESL and Bible studies at First Baptist Church in Waterloo.

Beverly Jackson McDaniel passed away December 29, 2022.  She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Thomas A. McGehee passed away April 8, 1965

passed away on August 3, 2010.

passed away on October 27, 2006.

John Neff, Jr. 99, Sheffield, passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. Visitation will be Friday, March 10, from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. at Morrison Funeral Home, Tuscumbia. The funeral service will immediately follow in the funeral home chapel with Jeff Abrams officiating. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Sheffield.

John was born in Sheffield in 1923. He attended Sheffield High School, Maryville College, and Auburn University. During World War II, he served with the US Army in Europe. At the conclusion of the war, he returned to the United States and married Helen I. McWilliams. John was employed for forty years with the Southern Freight Bureau, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon retirement, he and Helen returned to Sheffield.

John was a member of the Tuscumbia Church of Christ, VFW Post 4919 in Sheffield, and American Legion Post 31 in Tuscumbia. He worked with several volunteer programs in the area and was honored as Volunteer of the Year in 2007 by Colbert County Homeland Security RSVP.

John was preceded in death by his wife of seventy-six years, Helen I. Neff; his parents, Catherine Lee Neff and J.P. Neff, Jr.; son, Michael Lee Neff; sister, Rachel Lee Neff; and brother, Robert C. Neff.

He is survived by his nephews, Spencer Neff, Jon Neff, and Clay Neff.

Rev. Wallace Eugene Newman – 105, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on February 28, 2019. Rev. Newman was born September 24, 1913 in Adams County, Nebraska. He became a Methodist Minister in 1942. Rev. Newman lovingly served his Lord and shared his Love with everyone he met. Rev. Newman was preceded in death by his wife, Anna Belle McNutt Newman (August 1980). He is survived by his two daughters, Patricia Miner and Ruth Hahn; two grandchildren, Kimberly Childs and Timothy Minor; and two great grandchildren, Katharine and Benjamin Childs. Calling hours will be Monday, March 4, 2019 from 5 – 7 pm at Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37924. A Celebration of Life service for Rev. Wallace Eugene Newman will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tuesday, March 5, 2019 with Rev. David Smith and Ashley Helton officiating. The family will travel in procession immediately following the service to Woodlawn Cemetery for graveside services. Family request in lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Asbury United Methodist Church Memorial Fund. Bridges Funeral Home is handling the arrangements for the Newman family. www.bridgesfuneralhome.com 865-523-4999

Dr. William S. Ogle passed away October 1, 1988.

Martha Washington Jeane Shaw Cochrane Oldman, 91, went home to be with her Lord Jesus Christ May 24, 2015. Jeanie was born in Des Moines, IA, to Drs. C. Leslie Shaw and Honora Fleming Shaw and was raised in Norristown, PA. She graduated from Maryville College and from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine as a D.O. “Dr. Jeanie” was a medical missionary with the Africa Inland Mission for 20 years (1952-1972), serving as physician and surgeon at the Kola Ndoto Hospital, Tanzania, and teaching Bible studies whenever she could. While in Tanzania, she married Dr. Robert G. Cochrane, a world renowned specialist in leprosy. They returned to Jeanie’s parents’ home in Pennsylvania; Dr. Cochrane died in 1985. A decade later, Jeanie moved to Uplands Village in Pleasant Hill, TN. There she married Melvin E. Oldman for a wonderful 10 years of marriage before his death at the age of 99. Jeanie is predeceased also by her brother, Leslie Fleming Shaw; her sister, Patty Ruth Shaw; and a nephew, Donald Robert Shaw. She is survived by two nephews, Charles Leslie Shaw and Scott Joseph Shaw, and her niece, Barbara Shaw Schlesinger.

Katherine Bonner Painter passed away on January 6, 2003.

passed away on July 17, 2014. She traveled the world and United States as the wife of a military officer, Samuel Heywood Pemberton (Maryville College 1948) In retirement she and her husband resided in Olympia, Washington for 40 years. She and her husband supported and attended many events at Maryville College over the years since their graduation

Betty Jane Petterson, retired teacher at Monroe Township School, passed away May 31, 2015. She was born in 1923 in Elizabeth, her family moved to Cranbury when she was 2. On June 10 she would have been 92 years old. She was the daughter of Lillian and Herman Meyer, Sr. She was educated in Cranbury schools, graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee, and attended Middlebury College for Spanish. She taught high school Spanish in Egg Harbor and Atlantic Highlands, NJ.
She married Einar A. Petterson in the early 1950's and moved away. When she was left a widow with with three young children she moved back to raise her family in Cranbury. Then she became a 5th grade teacher in Monroe. She was interested in American History, especially New Jersey history and she was fond of music.
She adored children and kept abreast of all the activities and interests of the children in her family. In retirement she was a docent for the Cranbury historical society, and a member of the Cranbury Swim Club. She swam laps there in her 80's. She traveled to Norway and Hawaii to visit her sons, and went to Spain, England and Alaska on travel vacations.
She is survived by sons, Einar R. (Kari) and Erik (Debbie); daughter, Randi Fretague (Matthew); and two grandchildren, Christian and Athena. She leaves one brother, Robert Meyer, many nieces and nephews, and great nieces and great nephews.

Beatrice Hunter Rogers passed away on December 2, 2015.

Ethel Marie Rosenfeld passed away Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013 at the home of her son, Peter Rosenfeld and his wife, Ann Babb, who cared for Ethel during the past few years with great love and thoughtfulness. Her granddaughter, Leah and Martha, her caretaker, were by her bedside when she passed away in the early morning. Born in Trenton, N.J., Ethel’s father, George Washington Hanners, was a Methodist minister, and religion was a great comfort to Ethel throughout her life. Although she was comfortable with all denominations, Ethel later converted to the Episcopal Church, and enjoyed the ceremony and theology associated with it. Born with a great zest for living, Ethel participated in field hockey, equestrian competitions, basketball and any activity that allowed her to be active and outdoors. Ethel attended Maryville College and Johns Hopkins University, and proved to be an independent thinker early in life. Although Ethel’s initial educational goal was to attend medical school, she changed her academic pursuit to Nursing School while her first husband, George O. Beall, served in WWII as a Navy Pilot. As highest ranking officer, George was first to fly over a small island in Japan. His plane was destroyed by Japanese gunfire, and he was found and buried by the island natives, who graced his grave with flowers. Ethel continued her studies at Johns Hopkins University as a young widow and graduated in 1948. It was during her tenure at Johns Hopkins that Ethel met fellow student, Jerome Rosenfeld, who was pursuing his doctorate in Bacteriology. Post their marriage, they had five children and eventually settled down in Little Rock, Ark., where Jerome (Jerry) served on the staff at the University of Arkansas Medical Center. Ethel went on the raise her five children, while completing a Master’s Degree at Arkansas State College of Nursing in 1971, receiving the Faculty Award for Academic Excellence. She continued her passion for psychiatric nursing as a Clinical Practitioner and Clinical Instructor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, in addition to serving as an Assoc. Professor in Nursing at the University of Central Arkansas Graduate Program. During her career, Ethel was Co-Chair of the Joint Practice Committee of Arkansas Medical Society and Arkansas State Nurses Association, was in Who’s Who of American Nursing and produced a plethora of articles and presentations. Ethel will be remembered by the many people she supported and helped with kindness and patience, both in her psychiatric nursing practice and with family and friends. She was an intelligent, fearless, progressive, and kind person, who also had a ‘sense of humor,’ which attracted others. Ethel was the epitome of the mother and grandmother every child and grandchild would wish to have. Jerome Rosenfeld predeceased Ethel as did her daughter, Rachel Ann Rosenfeld of Chapel Hill, N.C. Her other living children are Deborah Kohls and spouse, Jamie Kohls of Chapel Hill, N.C., Diana Rosenfeld and spouse, Dr. Jim Pang of Cordova, Tenn., Peter Rosenfeld and spouse, Ann Babb of Collingswood, N.J., and George Rosenfeld of Collingswood, N.J.; Ethel is grandmother to Rachel ‘Shay’ Crow of Denver, Colo. (husband Mike Crow), Nathan Pang of Bartlett, Tenn. (wife Jennifer Fossett Pang), Leah Babb Rosenfeld of Manhattan, N.Y., Jessica Kohls of Raleigh, N.C., Josh Pang of Memphis, Tenn. and Reid Kohls of Carrboro, N.C.; and great-grandmother to Vivian Rose Crow, Jerome Fossett Pang and Vaughn George Crow. The family is forever appreciative of the love provided by caretakers Tenoa, Martha and Carla.

Schaller, Agnes, 93, died Aug. 20. Memorial services 11 a.m. Thursday, Brill Chapel at Epworth Villa (Smith & Kernke N May, Oklahoma City). Agnes Woods Peterson was born on February 28, 1924 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Many of her happiest memories took place in the Great Smoky Mountains near her home. Family trips, church camps and Girl Scouts provided frequent times of hiking and camping in her beloved mountains. Agnes graduated with a BA from Maryville College in Tennessee in 1945. She continued as a graduate student at Vanderbilt University. On July 4th, 1945 she met a handsome young man in uniform at a picnic in the park. Just over a year later, Agnes and Lyle Schaller were married and moved to Lyle’s home state of Wisconsin. She taught at the University of Wisconsin in order to support her new husband as he went to school on the GI Bill. She received her Masters in physiology from the U of W in 1949. Their first child was born that year and by 1964 their family had increased to six children. They moved to Naperville, Illinois in 1968, their home for 44 years. Her volunteer history included many years as a creative Sunday School teacher and superintendent. For over two decades, she volunteered at Katherine Manor, an apartment complex for physically disabled people, and started a volunteer program there that continued long after she retired. Drawing on her volunteer experiences, she co-authored the book Never Too Old to Have Fun: Seasonal Parties for Seasoned Citizens. In 2012, Agnes and Lyle moved to Oklahoma City to be near their daughter and son-in-law. Lyle preceded Agnes in death in 2015. A longtime friend summarized her life with these words; Agnes was the truest person, the most dedicated Christian woman we ever knew. Agnes is survived by her brother Arthur (Brazil), sons Walter (Lubbock, Texas), Sasha Alyson (Luang Prabang, Laos); Bruce (Brooklyn); and David (St. Paul, Minn.); and daughters Rebecca and Elia Woods (both of Oklahoma City); and five grandchildren.

Robert E. Seel passed away September 11, 2021, after 97 years of service to our Lord and Savior.

Catherine Ottilie Loesch Shaw, age 96, of Elizabeth City, NC died Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Brookdale Elizabeth City. She was born October 16, 1924 in Baltimore, MD to the late George Loesch and Nathlie Sperber Loesch. Prior to his death, she was married to William B. Shaw for sixty-two years. She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an accomplished artist, very involved in church activities and she lettered in several sports during college. She loved gardening and enjoyed gymnastics. Before marriage, she was an occupational therapist, dedicated to helping her patients. Catherine is survived by two sons, Stephen Shaw (Joan) of Elizabeth City, NC, and Robert A. Shaw (Carla) of New Orleans, LA; two grandchildren, Ray V. Shaw (Launa Dixon) of Parkville, MD, and Owen D. Shaw (Catherine) of Carney, MD; and one step great-grandchild, Claudia. Out of concern for everyone’s safety at this time, a private memorial service will be held later. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Shaw family.

Virginia Smith Spurlock, age 89, passed away May 29, 2015 at the Tri-Star Summit Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Virginia was born March 3, 1926 in Louisville, Tennessee to parents Summers Smith and Polly Smith. She was married December 23, 1950 in Maryville, Tennessee to Charles Hughes Spurlock. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from The University of Georgia and a Master’s Degree in Psychology from Tennessee State University. She was employed as a school psychologist with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) from 1965-1989. She owned homes in Nashville, Tennessee and in Clifton, Tennessee. She was an avid reader, an author of several books, and a world traveler. She loved spending time with family and friends. Virginia is survived by her children, Dianne Spurlock Winstead and her husband John Neal Winstead of Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Jefferson Tarter Spurlock and his wife Amy Lynne Spurlock of Enterprise, Alabama, Stacy Spurlock Robbins and her husband John Kevin Robbins of Frankfort, Kentucky and John Summers Spurlock and his wife Julie Hughes Spurlock of Thousand Oaks, California. She is also survived by her daughter-in-law Phyllis Spurlock and grandchildren Stephanie Renee Spurlock Baze, Jan Fulford Davis, Joseph Ethan Blaine Sharp, John Hooper Hughes Winstead, William Crossfield Jones, Robert Vincent Augustus Sharp, Chessman Hall Robbins, Charles Samuel Conly Sharp, and great-grandchildren, Phillip Davis and Shelby Davis. She was predeceased by her husband, Charles Hughes Spurlock; her sons, Charles Hughes Spurlock, Jr. and Clay Smith Spurlock; and granddaughters, Sarah Elizabeth Spurlock and Katharine Smith Winstead. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any charity in Virginia Smith Spurlock’s memory.

Doris W. (Wright) Stamer, 94, of Linden, passed away on Sunday, April 1, 2018. Doris was born in Alvin York, Tennessee and lived in Linden for over 70 years. She was employed by Esso Refinery as a chemist for 8 years. She was a Member of the Eastern Star-Emmaus Chapter 183 Union, a member of the United Methodist Church of Linden, served on numerous committees and was also a Sunday School Teacher. She was a former Den Mother to Cub Scout Pack 35. She enjoyed working in her garden raising beautiful flowers. Doris was predeceased by her beloved husband, Carl W. Stamer (May 1994), and her sister Frances Cloyd. She is survived by; her loving sons, James F. Stamer and his wife Helen, Joseph W. Stamer and his wife Deborah, John H. Stamer and his wife Renee; her dear sister, Billie Ruth Bowen; her precious grandchildren, Tara and her husband Jorey, Brian, Megan, Carl, John Daniel and Samantha; her cherished great grandchildren, Aiden and Noah, also many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers donations to the United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 321 North Wood Avenue, Linden, N.J. 07036 in her memory would be appreciated.

passed away on August 24, 2012.

Mary Ellen Northrop age 93 of St. Paul Passed away peacefully March 28, 2017. Born in Council Bluffs, IA to Frank and Gertrude Northrop. Graduate of Colorado College. Mary Ellen was an active member of the St. Paul Junior League, The House of Hope Presbyterian Church, and volunteer at Ramsey County Juvenile Probation Office. Preceded in death by husband, Chuck Stewart, and second husband, Art Madsen; brother, Frank Northrop, and sister Betty Ann Northrop. Survived by brother, John Northrop; children, Ann Geery (Bill), Vicky Green (Bob), Liz Crider (Chris) and Charley Stewart (Katie); eight grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

was born in Somerville, Massachusetts on April 15, 1923 to Fredrick W. Crispin and Emily Wilson Crispin. She died on May 2, 2013 at Twin Towers, Cincinnati, Ohio, where she had resided for 16 years. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Paul Stopenhagen. Nancy is survived by her four children: Carol Stopenhagen; Sarah Stopenhagen Broomfield; Judith Stopenhagen Icenhower; Kirk Stopenhagen; nieces and a nephew, eight grandchildren, two God-grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Nancy attended Maryville College in Tennessee for two years before her father lost his job during WWII and she returned to Boston where she met her husband. She worked as a Campus Minister’s wife while raising their children, opening their home to a diverse extended family of university students. Paul and Nancy served Wesley Foundations at Harvard University, Ohio State University, Purdue University and University of Cincinnati. They also served West Ohio Conference churches in Lima and Cincinnati until retirement in 1986. Nancy also worked as a teacher’s aide at Clifton Elementary, Human Resources staff member at Bethesda Hospital and at the Baptist Home & Center. Nancy was a tireless volunteer throughout her life, serving on countless church committees; as a National Parks docent on Fire Island National Seashore; on the Twin Towers Resident’s Council and the Professional Advisory Committee where she mentored student chaplains. She was a member of Clifton United Methodist Church, and a foundational member of its initiative to become a reconciling congregation, one that endeavors to create and nurture authentic human community with persons of all ages, races, genders, sexual orientations, physical and mental abilities, religions, economic classes and nationalities. Her passion for social justice spanned the local to the global, and her interest in politics was with her to the end.

Frances Stricklett was born on April 3, 1923 and passed away on Saturday, November 30, 2013. Frances was a resident of Lanham, Maryland.