Class Notes

Ralph L. Nix, “Pete”, aged 82, of Pataskala, passed peacefully at home on Sunday, April 7, 2019. Predeceased by Arthur and Lillian Nix, and sister, Cary Ellison. Pete is survived by his wife, Marsha Nix; and sons, Arthur “Pete” (Shauni) Nix, Greg (Elise) Nix, Charles Smith and Jeffrey (Elisa) Colley; and grandchildren, Natalie Nix, Ethan Nix and Brenden Colley. A long time Pataskala resident, Pete served as Principal at Watkins Memorial High School before becoming Superintendent for Southwest Licking School District. After retirement in 1988 as Superintendent of Urbana City Schools, Pete, an avid golfer, worked for 22 years at Broadview Golf Course. Pete served proudly in the United States Marine Corps, and in later years, served on the Pataskala City Council. He will be missed. A memorial service to honor Pete’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Central Ohio Hospice, 2269 Cherry Rd., Newark, OH 43055 or hospiceofcentralohio.org.

Susan J. Peairs, 86, of St. Petersburg, passed away Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022, at her home.

Sue was born in Toledo, Ohio, on March 8, 1936, and was the daughter of the late William and Florence LeValley Short.

She was a graduate of Hampton High School in Allison Park and Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., and later earned a degree in education and teaching accreditation at the University of Pittsburgh.

She was a beloved elementary and secondary art teacher, and retired from Allegheny-Clarion Valley School District in Foxburg.

For many years, Sue enjoyed teaching art classes in a variety of community settings, including a studio in Cranberry Township. She was a creative artist who enjoyed painting, sketching and teaching. Sue was an avid gardener, and enthusiastically decorated her home for various holidays throughout the year. She was an animal lover and was especially fond of her cats. Sue was a proud and loving mother and grandmother, and eagerly looked forward to her family’s gatherings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald R. “”Jerry”” Peairs, who passed away on July 2, 2020. They were married on June 13, 1959, at the First Baptist Church in Oakland, Pa. They moved to St. Petersburg in 1971, where she continued to teach and share her love of art in the community.

Sue is survived by two sons, Dr. Randall Peairs and his wife, Mary Clair, and Scott Peairs and his wife, Paula; and a daughter, Dr. Kimberly Peairs and her husband, Dr. Landon King.

Sue was affectionately “”Grammie”” to her seven grandchildren, Emily and Harrison Peairs, Eric, Doug and Aiden Peairs, and Andrew and Margaret King.

Sue and Jerry also had a surrogate son, Major Steven Spiker (wife Christina, and sons Ben and Heath); as well as a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Dean Shorts.

Passed away Tuesday November 5th. Dr. Podgorny immigrated to the United States after completing high school and then graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee. He attended Medical School at Bowman Gray School of Medicine and completed his residency in Cardiothoracic Surgery there as well. His interest in trauma surgery led him to becoming one of the pioneers of the specialty of Emergency Medicine. He served as the first President of the American Board of Emergency Medicine and was past President of the American College of Emergency Physicians. He was recently honored as one of the founders of the specialty at the Scientific Assembly of ACEP and was featured in a documentary film about the creation of Emergency Medicine. He was instrumental in developing the EMS system and First Responder Program in North Carolina. Also, he served as the Medical Examiner for Forsyth County for many years. Dr. Podgorny was a staunch advocate for medical education in North Carolina and Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University offers the George Podgorny Scholarship for highest achieving medical student pursuing Emergency Medicine. One of his varied interests was herpetology, and he became recognized as a global expert in snake bites often fielding phone calls at all hours seeking advice on the appropriate treatment of snake bites and spider bites. He was a Renaissance man who spoke seven languages, lectured around the world on the history of medicine, published prolifically throughout his life, and had a keen appreciation of the Arts. He travelled the world and recently visited his mother’s ancestral home in Armenia. He was a loving father and grandfather who devoted his life to his family. He is survived by his daughter, Adele (Keith), sons, Eman (Dianne) and George, Jr. and grandchildren Jordan and Sophia. The highlight of his later years has been doting on his grandchildren and watching them blossom into young adults. He was preceded in death by Emanuel Podgorny, Sr., Ernestine Podgorny and Gregory Podgorny.

William (Bill) was born and raised in the State College area of central Pennsylvania. He received his undergrad degree from Maryville College and his doctorate degree from Temple University School of Dentistry.

After graduation, he served in the USAF at Elgin AFB, and then relocated his family to West Melbourne in 1963. In 1964 he started a successful 33 year dental practice. One year he was awarded ‘Brevard’s Best Dentist’ by Florida Today newspaper! For over 50 years, Bill was very active at Wesley United Methodist Church teaching Sunday School, singing in the choir, and supporting community events.

After retirement, Bill volunteered his dental skills for humanitarian missions to Bolivia, Ecuador, and Mexico. He was a lifelong athlete and enjoyed golf, swimming, cycling and lifting weights. Bill was married to his high school sweetheart Dianne for 54 years and is survived by two sons Scott and Tim, five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

June Edwina Renner Spence passed away peacefully at her home in Sevierville, TN on March 27, 2023. Born at home on June 7, 1936 in Cleveland, TN, she spent her first 7 years on a small farm near her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. In 1944, her family moved to Pinellas Park, FL where they began a large dairy operation, Renner Dairy. Growing up with 5 siblings, there was never a dull moment on the farm with frequent baseball games and singing hymns around the piano. June was a member of the first graduating class of St Petersburg’s Boca Ciega High School (1954). With her parents encouragement, she returned to TN and attended Maryville College. June finished her undergraduate degrees in Bible, English and Spanish at the University of Florida (1958). Fluent in Spanish, she first taught school in Guatemala and Panama for the United Fruit Company. June taught in the secondary school systems of Dade County, FL and Sevier County, TN; at Cleveland State Community College, and Lee University; and ESL at Maryville College. Beloved by her students, June considered each a precious child of God and treated them as such. She was active in community work, including being a Girl Scout leader and a founding member of Save the Middle Prong, a grassroots effort that kept our river clean.

In 1972, June once again returned to East TN with her 2 young children and husband to his family’s roots in the Smoky Mountains of Sevier County. Forever in awe of God’s creation, she was thrilled to raise her daughters on a small farm along a free flowing river with many unforgettable experiences camping, horseback riding, and going on wagon trains.

June had an adventurous spirit: from climbing active volcanoes in Guatemala to horse camping on a secluded mountain with only a flashlight as defense. However, she would say her greatest adventure was embracing Christ as her Savior and growing her faith through Bible study and prayer.

Initially a Wesleyan Methodist, then a United Methodist, June’s Christian discipleship permeated all her endeavors. Her vibrant and engaging personality reflected the Love and Light of the indwelling Holy Spirit, enabling her to spread the Good News. June never met a stranger; the beauty of her soul outshined even her striking good looks. She faced life’s trials with an abundance of faith in God’s providence. A model of Mercy and Grace no matter the circumstances, June always counted her blessings, oft stating “My Cup Runneth Over” (23rd Psalm).

June was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and grandmother. Her role as mother was of utmost importance. She encouraged her daughters to embrace all of life’s opportunities. June was honored to care for her mother during her final years and felt blessed by that deepened relationship. In 1995 and 1999, June was overjoyed at the birth of her two grandsons. She relished spending time with them playing games and telling them family stories.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Luther and Edna Mae Massengill Renner; the father of her children, Homer Rule Spence, and son in law, Hoyle Rymer. She is survived by her aunt Amy Dean Pinkard, sisters Juanita Munroe and Velma Trotter, brothers Howard, Kenneth, and Arville Renner; daughters Sharon Rymer and Diana Spence; grandsons John Hoyle Rymer and Robert Atchley Rymer, and a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends, all whom she loved deeply.

Shirley Jewel Napier Robertson, born March 29, 1935, passed away peacefully on September 21, 2021, surrounded by her three children and husband of nearly 60 years. She was 86 years old.

Born in the Blue Ridge mountains of Kentucky, Shirley was the middle child among five brothers (John D. Junior, Oramus, Clif, Gordon, and Jess) and three sisters (Helen, Pat, and Vera). Her father, John D. Napier, worked as a coal miner during the day and barber in the evenings. Docia, her mother, managed their energetic nine children.

At the age of 18, Shirley left Harveyton and moved to Washington DC, where she found a job working as a secretary for the FBI. After a short period, however, a generous donor offered her a full scholarship to attend Maryville College. Shirley majored in elementary education – one of the few programs open and welcoming to women at the time. After graduation, she returned to the Washington DC area where she found teaching opportunities, developed a boisterous group of friends, and eventually met and married the handsome Texan Scotty Robertson.

In less than a year, Scotty and Shirley welcomed their first child, Sharon Jennifer, born in Washington DC in 1963. Soon after, the West beckoned and the young family moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where Scotty began a new job with Motorola and they soon welcomed two new babies: Stacey Marie in 1965 and Scott Thomas in 1968.

Busy with three children, Shirley blossomed in the Arizona sun. She and Scotty built a vibrant group of friends who loved to square dance and socialize. The family drove a camper on many vacations, including to the beaches of Mexico. Shirley regularly and emphatically instructed Scotty on his driving, though he rarely accepted her advice. She was perhaps the most nervous person to ever ride in a car. As a passenger, she became quite skillful at pressing an invisible brake with her foot, pointing out the obvious to the driver, and generally making everyone in the car a bit crazy. Thankfully, she only passed this trait on to her oldest daughter.

In 1974, Scotty accepted a position with National Semiconductor in San Jose, California, and the family made another move. Once all the kids started elementary school, Shirley returned to teaching and successfully juggled home responsibilities and work. She endured yet another move in 1981 when Scotty, who had fallen in love with Arizona, had the opportunity to transfer to a new plant in Tucson. This would be the last move, insisted a frustrated Shirley. But life is unpredictable and after all three kids had left for college, they made one final move to Fort Walton Beach. This would be their last transition and Shirley’s favorite home.

After some grumbling about humidity, traffic, and the occasional hurricane, Shirley eventually found happiness in Fort Walton Beach through good friends, a welcoming church, and the regular visits of her children and, eventually, her grandchildren.

Shirley had a strong artistic voice. She loved to create macramé, quilts, stained glass, hand-sewn clothes, and much more. She enjoyed bluegrass music and she insisted that her children experience the wonder of playing the piano. Only Sharon, as it turns out, had any skill at that instrument.

Shirley was a Presbyterian her whole life. Her faith never wavered. She taught Sunday School to children and enjoyed the opportunity for fellowship through her church.

Shirley will be missed by many, but especially her loving husband Scotty; her sister Vera Stacy; and her children and their families: Sharon, David, Gemma, and Rider; Stacey, Stephen, Evan, and Isaac; and Scott, Michelle, Andrew, Megan, and Alex.

For those wishing to honor Shirley’s memory, please make a donation to Maryville College in her honor.

age 76 of Bradenton, FL, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, June 12, 2013. She was a devoted wife, mother, stepmother, and grandmother to her family. She approached all things with energy, passion, and discipline and had many hobbies and enjoyed many activities—but the true love of her life was her husband, Jim. She valued education and graduated from Clinton (TN) High School and received a B.S. in Education from the University of Tennessee. She continued her education with a Masters in Library Science from Peabody College, and then completed her law degree. Her enthusiasm for education continued late in life as she was proud to help remodel and dramatically improve the library at First Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, FL. She tried to better herself at each of her many hobbies, including tennis, golf, daily exercise, prolific reading, educational travel, and she enjoyed the symphony and the theater. She had a lifelong love for music and was recently learning to master playing the hammered dulcimer. She was preceded in death by her parents, Horace Vinson Wells, Jr. and Dorothy Overall Wells, as well as her sister Nancy Wells Townsend. She is survived by her loving husband, James R (Jim) Smith, her children, Bill Wiesehuegel and wife, Renee, Susan Cress and her husband, Dan, and Robert Wiesehuegel as well as her sisters, Katrina Counts and Dorothy Cunningham and stepchildren, Kim Smith, Greg Smith, and Kyri Smith, along with six grandchildren

Elizabeth June Smith, 87, went home to be with her precious Lord and Savior on Friday, April 5, 2024. She was greeted at the gates by her beloved husband, John Smith; her brother, Dale Keeney; and her parents, Lillard and Edna Keeney who all passed before her. We are sure that it was quite a happy reunion. Heaven is a much brighter place with this new angel!

Elizabeth June Smith was born on May 29, 1936, in Clinton, Tn. She always went by her middle name of June which would sometimes become June Bug or Juney. Growing up, June loved sports and music. She was head majorette at both Clinton High School and Maryville College where she majored in Music.

After college June moved to Annapolis, Md., to teach and to, in her words, “marry a Navy man.” Shortly after she arrived in Annapolis she walked into a church and saw a tall handsome man singing in the choir. She immediately announced to her friend, “That is the man I am going to marry!” and she did! On June 10, 1961, June married the love of her life John Byron Smith. June and John eventually settled in Chattanooga, and had three children – Crystal, Jonathan, and Suzanna.

Life was quite busy with these three, but June was not one to sit around and do nothing. While carting her three children to all of their many, many activities she honored her love of music by teaching piano to multiple children and adults throughout Chattanooga and Pikeville. She also taught music at Dupont Elementary School and was the children’s choir director at St Luke’s Methodist Church. June loved performing and was in several musicals at the Little Theatre in Chattanooga. To show her love and support for her children, June was either the PTA president or an officer and attended every event they were in. And there were many! June was a staunch supporter of Bethel Bible Village and helped in the coordination of the Pat Boone Celebrity Golf Tournament for years. She also loved to play tennis and played in several tennis leagues.

June’s faith was always what drove her and led her to become the president of Chattanooga Christian Women’s Club for many years. Later, she was elected as president of the Chattanooga District of the United Methodist Women and then vice president of the Holston Conference United Methodist Women.

June excelled at everything she did.

June and John “retired” and moved to Pikeville, so that John could be a pastor of Mt. Crest United Methodist Church. Of course, June became the choir director as well as the Bible teacher.

Elizabeth June Keeney Smith was best known for her beautiful blue eyes, her pretty smile, her kind spirit mixed with a little feistiness. She will be greatly missed here on earth, but we know that she is in a much better place. We love you a bushel and a peck!

She is survived by her three loving children – Crystal Hall, Jonathan Smith (Joyce), and Suzanna Ellis (Tom) – her grandchildren – Hunter Hall, Kalli Hall, Connor Ellis, Beth Demonbruen, Laura Ferebee, Robin Harrington, and Andrew Ellis- and her bonus great-grandchildren- Kailey, Kassidy, Cody, Trenton, Preston, Carmen, Michael, Paul, and Luc.

received a 2014 Spirit of Good Neighbors lifetime achievement award for her work with Blount County Good Neighbors, which she started in 1996 and served as director for nine years.

Sherrillyn Ann Taylor,79, of Fairbury, IL, formerly of Normal, IL, passed away at 2:30 a.m. on Monday, September 12, 2016 at her residence with her daughters by her side. Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2016 at St. Luke Union Church, Bloomington, IL. Rev. Dr. Andrew Gifford will be officiating. Burial will be at Park Hill Cemetery, Bloomington, IL. Visitation will be 5-8p.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to St. Luke Union Church or Home Sweet Home Mission both of Bloomington, IL. Please mail your memorials to daughter Susan Popejoy 203 S. Tenth Street, Fairbury, IL 61739. Sherrillyn was born November 19,1936 in Bloomington, IL, the daughter of Alvin Joseph and Maretta M. Mapes Martin. She married Roger P. Taylor on August 9, 1958 in Bloomington, IL. He passed away April 12, 2015. Surviving are her daughters, Kathy L. (Kirk) Boyer, Jefferson City, MO; and Susan T. (Ray) Popejoy, Fairbury, IL; two grandchildren, Joshua Boyer, Towson, MD; Michelle Boyer, Jefferson City, MO; two step-grandchildren, Dustin (Tess) Popejoy, Fairbury, IL; Beau (Jodi) Popejoy, Fairbury, IL; Four step-great grandchildren; one sister, Sandra (John) Edwards, Cushing, Texas; one brother, Stephen (Georgia) Martin, Bloomington, IL; sister-in-law, Juanita “Skeet” Taylor, St. Charles, MO. She is preceded in death by her parents, one brother in-law, Barry Taylor; two sister in-laws’, Janet Gasser, and Nancy Hanawalt. She was a graduate Bloomington High School in 1954. She received a degree in Business Education from Illinois State University, Normal in 1971 after raising her daughters. Sherrie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She loved gardening and traveling. Sherrie was the secretary and bookkeeper for her husband Roger Taylor Plumbing & Heating for 38 years. Sherrie was the Children’s Choir Director for the First Presbyterian Church, Normal and Girl Scout Leader both for 6 years. She will be deeply missed.

David Harold Templin, age 81, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017. He was a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. David was born August 19, 1935, in Sevier County, Tennessee, to Wilbur and Pearl Houk Templin. He retired from State Auto Insurance Co. and was a graduate of Porter High School and Maryville College. He is survived by: Wife, Joan; Daughters, Holly Kenner (Mark) and Melinda (Roger) Shipwash; Grandchildren, Kelly, Nathan, Sam and Ben Kenner, Joshua and Emmalea Shipwash; Brother-in-law, Mark Hughes; Cousins, Cindy Epps and John Creel. Interment at Grandview Cemetery with Pastor Raymond Burnett officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a favorite charity of your choice. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.

of Maryville passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at Blount Memorial Hospital. Richard was a 32nd Degree Mason. He adored his grandchildren. The family would like to thank Dr. McCarty and his staff, and all the wonderful nurses that took care of him. Survivors include: Wife, Dicia Tipton; Son & Daughter-in-law, Craig & Penny Tipton; Daughter, Pam Roberson; Grandchildren, Dustin, Tina, Bill & Rick; Great-Grandson, Andrew; Three Step-Grandchildren; Brother & Sister-in-law, Wayne & Sandy Tipton; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law, Twila & Bill Baker, Wanda Jeffries, Mable Wilson, Walter & Grace Wilson; one aunt and one uncle; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special friends, Roger, Wayne Oliver, Joe, Billy & Diane, T.J. & Lola.

Jack Edward Truett of Suntree, Melbourne, passed away on April 4, 2019. He was born in Thomasville, Ga., on October 20, 1930 to Ethel and Burl Truett. A 1949 graduate of Seabreeze H.S., Daytona Beach, he was a standout football player and received a scholarship to The Citadel. He was a Korean War Veteran serving from 1951-1955 as a Mine Sweep and electrician. He received his BS from Maryville College, Maryville, TN, and his MBA from Rollins College, Winter Park, FL. He and his wife of 53 years lived in Kissimmee for more than 30 years where he was V.P., Tupperware Home Parties. They enjoyed traveling all over the world with Tupperware. After retiring from Tupperware, he joined his wife, Louise Brooks, at Truett Properties LLC where he developed Eagle Trace and Aultman Island in Kissimmee. He served on many Boards, including Florida Hospital, First Florida Bank and Valencia College. He was a member of Suntree United Methodist Church and Suntree Country Club where he loved his golf groups and also organizing weekly card games. He was formerly a member of First United Methodist Church, Kissimmee, FL where he served as Chairman, Staff Parish and Revelation teacher. Jack is survived by wife, Louise Brooks Truett; son, Jack Truett, Jr. of Atlanta; brother, Bob Truett of Titusville (Bonnie), granddaughter, Amelia Brooks Balch (father Jackson) of Gulfport, MS,; many nieces and nephews. He was pre- deceased by daughter, Kimberly Truett Balch; sisters, Dorothy Kleysteuber, Becky Knudsen, Mary Spence; and brother, Buddy Truett. In Lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Jack’s name. The service is to be held at Suntree United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, April 23, 2019.

William Edward “Bill” Wallace, age 82, of Maryville, passed away Monday, June 27, 2016, at Blount Memorial Hospital. He was an active member of Monte Vista Baptist Church for 55 years. He was a graduate of Townsend High School. He had a BS Degree from Maryville College, where he played basketball all four years, he received his guidance certificate from The University of Tennessee Knoxville and his MA degree from LMU. He was selected to the Blount County Sports Hall of Fame, Maryville College Wall of Fame and the first class of William Blount High School Wall of Fame. He was an avid supporter of Blount County Schools, where he served as a teacher, counselor, and coach for 38 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline Wallace; sister, Shirley Ann Werner; niece, Freda Rosner; and grandson, Brandon Wallace Ryan. He is survived by his lovely, dedicated wife, Alice Ann Rathbone Wallace, for 60 years; daughters and sons-in-laws, Alicia and Barry Lail, of Alcoa, Karen and Danny Harbin, of Louisville; grandchildren, Haley Lail, of Greenback, Cole Lail, of Alcoa, Caleb Harbin and Abbi Harbin, of Louisville; great-nephew, Mark Rosner. The funeral service was held at Monte Vista Baptist Church, with Rev. Jerry Montooth, Rev. Bob Dalton and Dr. Howard Olive officiating and Bethel Cemetery for the interment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be to made Monte Vista Baptist Church, 1735 Old Niles Ferry Road, Maryville TN 37803, or Maryville College Scots Club, c/o Randy Lambert, 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, Tn 37804.

The Reverend Alan Walter Whitelock, age 76, died November 19, 2010 at his home in Port Isabel, Texas after a prolonged battle with Multiple Myeloma. He was born in Philadelphia, PA, grew up in Delanco, NJ, attended Maryville College, TN, was a graduate of Wheaton College, IL, and of Princeton Seminary, NJ. He pastured churches in Elmer, NJ, Baltimore, MD, and Castle Rock, CO. He retired to Port Isabel, TX where he joined the First United Methodist Church. He continued his service there as a Sunday School and Vacation Bible School teacher and as a spiritual resource to its members.He is survived by Patricia, his wife of 26 years, son Paul Whitelock and his wife Mary Lou of Aurora, CO, daughter Julia Brown and her husband Dennis and their two sons Matthew and Connor of Marriottsville, MD, stepdaughter Lani Halloran and her husband Larry and their three children, Sarah, Patrick, and Joshua, of Tucson, Arizona. A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. Sue Huntsman, was held on Sunday, November 21, 2010. Memorial donations may be made to First United Methodist Church, 101 W. Adams, P.O. Box 1074, Port Isabel, TX, 78578.

Daniel Witherington Wiley December 12, 1936 – August 25, 2020 Resident of Pleasanton, CA Dan Wiley has always loved to travel and, when he departed this earth on August 25th, 2020, he went on the crowning journey of all. A true Southern gentleman, Dan was born in Covington, Tennessee on December 12, 1936. He lived a Mayberry-like childhood in Munford, a small town near Memphis, then traveled 500 miles away to attend Maryville College, a historic,Christian college located in the foothills of the Smokies. Dan acquired a B.S. in Biology and a wife, Gray Clarke, during his four years there. Dan and Gray moved back to Memphis where he joined Schering Plough Pharmaceutical’s (later Merck’s) sales force. He was a natural in sales and served in many corporate positions in Memphis, Omaha, and Dallas, ending his career as a national director in Danville, CA. While in Memphis, three children came along: Linda Gray of Danville, CA.; Daniel Mark. M.D., reunited with his Dad now in heaven; and James Allen of Danville, CA, who with his wife Melanie Anne (Serres) has two sons – Daniel Marc and David James. Dan retired early so that he could really go to work doing the things he enjoyed. Within a week of retirement, Dan was working on a house for Habitat for Humanity. This project inspired him to use his sales skills to raise funds for and then join in the construction of homes after Hurricane Katrina. He did the same for a complete restoration of a large, dilapidated building into a hope-giving school in the center of San Francisco’s Tenderloin. Then onto Mexico, where he worked on projects dedicated to transforming the lives of the rural poor. At his home church, Community Presbyterian Church in Danville, Dan served as Deacon, Elder and Clerk of Session. He also taught pre-K Sunday School with Gray, served on the Mission Committee, and on several building campaigns. Dan treasured his and Gray’s Small group of 30+ years. Dan’s passions were dedicated to any work which furthered God’s Kingdom here on earth. Pleasure trips international, national, and local were frequent as Dan’s thirst for travel never dimmed. One trip did not end without a plan for the next. Dan was loving, kind, wise, smart, very funny, humble, patient and friendly. He loved to whistle (you could always tell where he was); he loved to tend his plants and flowers, he loved to play golf and loved all sports, he loved Gray, he loved to gather with friends and especially family. All of this grew out of his deep love of our Lord, Who loved him in return and abundantly blessed him and his. Memorials may be sent to Plant with Purpose (San Diego, CA) or Extollo International (Pleasanton, CA). Flowers may be sent to Munford Funeral Home. Dan will be buried in his hometown of Munford, Tennessee. Friends and family are invited to a visitation on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2020 from 5-8pm at Munford Funeral Home. Private, family burial to follow at Helen Crigger Cemetery in Munford, next to his son, Mark.

How do you tell the story of a storyteller? If you knew my dad, the first response would be: repeat, repeat, repeat. Max was born May 16, 1935 in Tremont, TN, the first of 4 boys and 1 girl. His childhood was not easy from a physical or emotional standpoint, and maybe that’s a clue to how he chose his career later in life. From the simple education of the Blount County schools of Chilhowee View and Everett High, he went on to attend Maryville College and begin work for the State of Tennessee Welfare Department where he helped those children in Blount County that were poor and in difficult or dangerous home situations. He was a member of the TN Air National Guard 151st Fighter Interceptor Squadron. In 1962, he served in Germany as a mechanic for the F-104 Starfighter as part of the second Berlin Crisis. In the late 1960’s he went back to school at Vanderbilt University and received a Master’s degree in Social Work. He spent the next almost 30 years as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for both the McNabb Center and Overlook Mental Health Services. It is impossible for us to know how many lives he either saved from suicide or simply gave the ability to live better over the years, but we know that several of his patients would regularly send him updates even after he retired and a few even went into mental health services as well. As a devoted Christian, he served his Lord through the local church as a trustee, deacon, and teacher for more than 60 years as well as multiple mission trips to build churches or houses. Finally, he was a devoted husband to Frances for 62 years, father to Eric, grandfather to Daniel, Ellie, and Silas, brother, and uncle for whom the word family extended beyond just relatives to the many friends and others he impacted through the years. So again I will ask, how do you tell the story of a storyteller? In this case it seems repeat, repeat, repeat is actually the right answer. If we all repeat the story of his life over and over and over through our own, we and those we help will all be better off. Max passed away on September 7, 2021. Friends may come by the funeral home and sign the register book and pay their respects from 12:00 Noon until 5:00 PM on Friday. Family and friends will assemble for graveside service and interment at Grandview Pavilion on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11AM. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com

Ruth Wilson Woodard passed away on March 27, 2018.

Dr. Freeman T. Wyche Sr. ’58 has retired after 38 years of service as the minister of the Liberty City Church of Christ in Miami, Florida. According to the church, “Our brother has tirelessly served the Liberty City Church of Christ for the past 38 years, and his service has blessed not only the local congregation, community, and civic municipalities but has changed many lives for the better by sharing them with them the most precious gift of all, Jesus Christ.” On Feb. 11th, a gala was held in his honor to celebrate his dedication to the church. Dr. Wyche is now Minister Emeritus at the church.