Class Notes

Jeannette Bennett Lafferty passed away on March 28, 2005.

Catherine LaVallee, 88, died 8/31/14, due to COPD. A loving family memorial was held in Bradenton, Florida.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Virginia Luttrell (Lexington, Kentucky), who passed away on December 16, 2019, at the age of 95, leaving to mourn family and friends. She was predeceased by : her parents, Corbett Brown and Lula Begley Brown; her husband William S. Luttrell Jr.; and her half-brother Dempsey Brown. She is survived by : her sons, David Luttrell of Winchester, KY and Ed Luttrell (Cindy) of North Carolina; her grandchildren, Corey Luttrell (Katie), Shannon Christopher, Mindy Thiele and John McIntyre; and her pet Holly. She is also survived by five great grandchildren.

Emma McInturff Martin passed away on May 7, 2014.

wrote to let the College know that she left Maryville in 1945 to attend the University of Iowa, since she had taken all the courses in her field of drama/theatre that were available at the time. Professor West was her advisor and principal teacher, and she admired her greatly. Thelma received a BFA from Iowa and a Masters in Education from Eastern Michigan University. She was hired by Eastern in the Drama department, where she retired as a professor in the late 80’s. During the 1980’s, she attended the University Of Michigan, where she completed 40 hours of graduate work in Drama/Theatre.

Harold H. McFarland passed away on January 10, 2011.

Betty Vineyard McGaha, age 97, of Johnson City, Tennessee, died Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Life Care Center of Gray.

Betty was born July 3, 1924, to the late Glenn and Nell French Vineyard in Knoxville, Tennessee. She graduated from Maryville College. She moved to Johnson City in 1951.

Betty was a longtime and faithful member of First United Methodist Church since she joined in October of 1951.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Norman E. “Mac” McGaha; daughter, Barbara Sue McGaha; brother, Glenn R. Vineyard, Jr.; and daughter-in-law, Sandra Crutcher McGaha.

She is survived by her children, Betty Ann McGaha Furches (James), David E. McGaha, and J. Michael McGaha; four grandchildren, Jeffrey S. Furches, R. Craig Furches, Cassie McGaha, and Amie McGaha Campbell (Andrew); and three great-grandchildren, Stephen C. Furches, James R. Furches, and Mackenzie P. Furches.

Verne Nesbitt, born Verne Allen Feeback in Colville, Kentucky on May 16, 1925, died peacefully at home with her two daughters, Marcia Nesbitt and M.B. Nesbitt on Aug. 21, 2016. She grew up in Cynthiana, KY, where she was an active member of the Presbyterian Church. In high school, she was an A student, a member of the cheerleading squad, and played drums in the marching band. She went to Maryville College with the support of her community, and went on to attain her nursing degree at Vanderbilt University. Following that, she helped to set up the first experimental Geriatric Unit at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore Maryland. She then became engaged in Obstetrical Nursing, where she loved delivering and caring for babies. After moving to Syracuse, New York in 1960, she committed her life to volunteerism, and became the National President of Literacy Volunteers of America. Her next passion was working as the Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Her final position was as the Director of the Foster Grandparent Program, where she paired seniors with developmentally challenged children, in order to enrich the lives of both. Verne was an active member of Park Central Presbyterian Church for 50 years, where she participated in many groups and Church associations. Her vibrant and energetic nature endeared her to those around her, who affectionately referred to her as Mama Verne. She was a beloved friend and neighbor, whose home was open to all. She was always caring, interested, and involved in the lives of those around her. Verne is survived by her two daughters, Marcia Nesbitt of San Diego, California, and M.B. Nesbitt of Wilmington, Vermont, and her four grandchildren: Travis Beeman-Nesbitt, Jesse Dallam Nesbitt, Savannah Nesbitt, and Cade Nesbitt, all of Wilmington, VT. Services were held at Park Central Presbyterian Church in Syracuse, New York. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a small donation in her name to the American Alzheimer’s Association.

of Granby, CT, born on December 21, 1924, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. Juanita (Nita) loved her life. When she reminisced about her youth, she’d frequently tell two stories: that when she first discovered books she decided it was her job to read as many of the good ones as possible, and that in college she made a conscious decision to be a happy person. Nita was raised in St. Augustine, Florida, went to Maryville College in Tennessee, then took a job with the Daughters of the American Revolution in Washington, DC. She met her soon-to-be-husband and love-of-her-life, William Alfred Percival, on a double-date in DC. After they married, the couple settled in Granby, CT, where they raised their three children. Later in life, Nita would tell the kids she was never overly interested in having children, but that once she had them, she was so glad, and she worked hard at encouraging the kids to always love and support each other. Nita was a child of the Depression and abhorred waste. She recycled before there was recycling. She was not rugged, but she happily camped with her outdoorsman husband and the kids, hiking parts of the Appalachian Trail and spending weeks in the woods with the family. Nita was a member of the First Congregational Church of Granby, attended Bible classes and participated in Women’s Fellowship there. She obtained her English as a Second Language certificate, and for many years helped church-sponsored refugees (all of whom became her friends) learn to speak English, obtain their citizenships, and adjust to life in the U.S. She was active in the Granby Civic Club, serving as its president as recently as 2010. She participated in the ‘Granby Players’ drama club, played Bridge, played piano, and tried her hand at painting and drawing. She loved literature, the theater, the symphony, and art. She was close to the women in her book group and the ‘Wednesday Walkers,’ who quickly grew bored of walking for exercise and began to “walk” through museums, public gardens and historical sites instead. She had a ‘can do’ attitude and always was supportive and resourceful, driving kids to myriad lessons, sports and clubs and helping with homework. Christmas was always a special occasion; in the early years, the house was ‘magically’ transformed on Christmas Eve while the children slept. She was a wonderful cook and a loving grandmother, treating grandchildren like royalty on their birthdays. She passed on many important lessons, including: cherish your spouse, stay in touch with your friends, put yourself in the other person’s shoes, always keep learning, and believe in yourself. She had a wonderful sense of humor, a beautiful smile, and never spoke a negative word about anyone. She generously supported many causes, including the American Indians and the Wounded Warriors. She is sorely missed. Nita is survived by her three children and their spouses: Deb Percival and Dan Wilson of Avon; Bill Percival and Maggie Percival of Granby; and Trish Percival and Rick Orluk of West Granby. She was known as Mom Perce by her six grandchildren: Will, Dan and Emma Percival of Granby; and Nate, Zach and Chas Orluk of West Granby. She also is survived by her sister Myrtie Powers and brother Daniel Hinson. She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, William A. Percival, and by her sister Ruth Douglas. Her family will receive friends on Friday, October 2, from 4-7 PM at the Hayes-Huling & Carmon Funeral Home, 364 Salmon Brook St. in Granby. A celebration of Juanita’s life was held at the First Congregational Church of Granby, 219 North Granby Rd., Granby on Saturday, October 3. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Congregational Church of Granby or to the Granby Education Foundation, P.O. Box 351, Granby, CT 06035

Carol Titus Pickering passed away on 23 April 2017 aged 92 years. She was born in Naini Tal India in 1924 the only child of American Methodist Missionaries. She enrolled at Maryville in September 1943 and left in December 1945 to return to India and marry Donald Hardy a member of the Indian Civil Service (British Raj) working in the United Provinces. The first year and a half of their life together was unsettled as they awaited the date of Independence and Partition of the sub-continent, which occurred on August 15 1947. Subsequently, they went to the Gold Coast (now Ghana) where her husband held various administrative posts in government service. In 1955, he was appointed Admissions Tutor at Selwyn College, Cambridge. While there, he was ordained a priest in The Church of England and served in two parishes near Cambridge. He died in 1977. She later married Bill Pickering a priest and academic. She is survived by her four sons from her first marriage.

Jane C. Proctor, born in 1924 to Walter and Delle Callahan in Erwin, TN, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on February 7, 2017, while under the compassionate care of the staff at Givens Highland Farms Retirement Community and CarePartners Hospice Services. She was pre-deceased by Harris, her loving husband of 67 years. She is survived by her three sons, Edward of Durham, NC, Thom and his wife Pam of Black Mountain, NC, and Ken and his wife Sandy of St. Petersburg, FL. In addition, she is survived by Helen Callahan, widow of her brother George, and Rich Proctor, widow of her brother-in-law Fletcher. After graduating from Maryville College in 1946, Jane went to work at the libraries of Duke University, Harvard, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She raised her boys in Boston, Durham, and Davidson, in addition to establishing households for the family in such faraway places as the West Indies, England, Egypt, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Scotland, and India. After traveling the world, Jane was perhaps most happy in her final years with Harris at Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain, where she enjoyed the beauty of the mountains, the company of other residents, and the kindness of the staff. A service of remembrance for Jane was held in the Assembly Room at Highland Farms on Saturday, February 11, 2017. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CarePartners Hospice Services, 68 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803. www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com

William M. Robarts, 93, of Summer Street, died Thursday July 6, 2017 at the Country Village Health Care, in Lancaster. Born August 28, 1923 in Lake City Florida, he was the son of George Andrew Lites and Elizabeth (Engle) Robarts. He graduated from Lake City High School and went on to graduate from Maryville College in Maryville Tennessee with a bachelor’s degree and received his Masters in Library Science from Columbia University in New York City. For many years he served as the Assistant Librarian for Union Theological Seminary in New York City. On July 18, 1976 he married Barbara Reed in St. Johnsbury, VT, and they have made Lancaster their home since 1979. An active member of the Lancaster Congregational Church, William sang in the choir and served many years as the church historian. Gardening, especially african violets, stamp collecting and photography were special pastimes for him. Besides his wife Barbara, he is survived by three children; Margaret Turner and her husband, Michael of Northfield, VT, Daniel Robarts and his wife, Claire of Brunswick, ME and Jonathan Robarts and his wife, Emily of Guildhall, VT. Along with six grandchildren, Ellie Turner, James Robarts, William Robarts, Victoria Whitcomb, Madison Robarts and Liem Robarts and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by a sister Mary Margaret Miller and a brother George A.L. Robarts Jr. Services will be conducted by the family at a later date.

Barbara Jean (Babs) Burnett Roseborough passed away at age 97 on May 1, 2022 in Jacksonville, FL. Born in Lonoke, Arkansas to Fred and Mary McIntosh Burnett she resided in Jacksonville from 1955 until her death. While attending Maryville College (TN) she met her future husband, Navy LT JG Douglas DeVault Roseborough, whom she married on July 15, 1945. A devoted wife and loving mother, her family was always her number one priority. Friends and family knew Babs as a fun-loving, witty and kind person who had an infectiously positive personality. Some of her many interests included travel, gardening, bird watching, reading, playing bridge and tennis, a love of which she passed on to her three children. A lifelong Presbyterian, she most recently was a member of Peace Presbyterian Church, after having raised her family at South Jacksonville Presbyterian. Barbara is survived by her daughter Jenny (Noah), her son Doug (Jane), 5 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, her brother Jim Burnett (Sabina) of Batesville, Arkansas and two nieces. She was preceded in death by her dear husband, Douglas DeVault Roseborough Sr. and her beloved daughter, Mary Lee Roseborough Thrall.

Rullman Laura Jane Trotter, died on Saturday, December 3, 2011, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Jane was born on September 18, 1922 in Maryville, Tennessee. She was a graduate of Maryville High School, and attended Maryville College for two-and-one-half-years. She then was selected to train at Purdue for a year in aeronautical engineering, followed by a year of work as a Curtiss-Wright Cadette in Columbus, Ohio, a three year program during WWII, which trained women from around the country who excelled in math and science, to fill engineering jobs to help with the production of thousands of planes under government contract, enabling men to serve their country overseas and to help keep the war from dragging on. Jane returned to Maryville College, where she graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s Degree in English in 1946. She was employed by the University of Tennessee Library, during which she was asked to set up the Oak Ridge Institute of Nuclear Studies’, Library in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, for the Atomic Energy Commission. Jane went on to Columbia University in New York City, where she received her Master’,s Degree in Library Science. After obtaining her graduate degree, she went to work as a cataloger at The Purdue University Library in West Lafayette, Indiana, where she met Louis Rullman, who was just completing his Master’,s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. They married, and shared fifty-one wonderful years in the College Hill Community of Cincinnati, Ohio, until his death in August of 2004. Jane was the daughter of the late Tennessee State Senator John Thaddeus and Ollie Lee Matthews Trotter of Maryville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Louis Schockel Rullman of Aurora, Indiana, brothers Hugh (Naomi) Trotter and Earl (Emma) Trotter of Maryville, Tennessee, and sisters Ona (Ben) Ray of Newport, Tennessee, Jonnie (Henry) Robinson of Shandon, Ohio, Louise (Comer) Johnson, Mary (Victor) Davies, and Margaret (Kenneth) Abbott of Maryville, Tennessee, and Helen (William) Miller of Athens, Tennessee. She is survived by sister Barbara Trotter Engel of Hamilton, Ohio, three children, Laura Jane (Steven) Dowers of Hamilton, Ohio, Megan Lou Rullman Ball of Atlanta, Georgia, and Thaddeus Christian (Lynn) Rullman of Cincinnati, Ohio. She leaves behind grandchildren Adam (Maria) Dowers of Asheville, North Carolina, Bethany Dowers (Chris) Martin of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, Tyler Trotter Ball of Atlanta, Georgia, Weston and Jordan Rullman of Cincinnati, Ohio, Zachary Laurie of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and great grandchildren Abigail, Melanie Jane, and Kimberly Dowers of Asheville, North Carolina, and Olivia Laura Martin of Signal Mountain, Tennessee. She also leaves behind treasured nieces and nephews, and was grateful for the love and support of her friends, and of the staff of the Dialysis Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2011 from 5:00-8:00pm at the Spring Grove Funeral Homes located at Spring Grove Cemetery. The funeral service and burial will begin Friday, December 9, 2011 at 11:00 am, followed by a luncheon for family and friends at the Gwen Mooney reception area. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Dialysis Unit Fund at Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, 375 Dixmyth Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45220.

On November 5, 2018, (https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/margaret-scruggs-obituary?pid=190686817) Margaret Scruggs, a woman of faith, purpose and passion left this earth for her next journey. The daughter of a minister and granddaughter of missionaries, Margaret grew up in the Presbyterian Church first in California, had adventures with younger sister Ruth, and older brother Luther, who she collaborated with, writing adventure stories that he illustrated. The family moved to Alabama where she spent her high school years as a majorette for the band then home coming queen. Margaret attended Maryville College, in Maryville, TN, earning her way by sewing nurses' uniforms for the armed forces in the College Maid Shop. She spent her summers volunteering at a Sioux Indian reservation in South Dakota. She was given the Indian name that translates "She whose light shines on her path." Margaret graduated cum laude, and said "yes" to a veteran who wanted to practice proposing in a Marriage in the Family class. As the wife of Richard Scruggs, she attended McCormick Seminary while Richard went to graduate school at Northwestern. Soon, Margaret was to get her second degree: M-A-M-A. Richard and Margaret moved to West Memphis, Arkansas in 1950 where Richard was to be the founding administrator of Crittenden Memorial Hospital. They raised four children there: Ana, Rich, Robert, and David. While Richard breathed life into the fledging hospital, Margaret volunteered in the hospital auxiliary then threw herself into creative parenting as a Scout leader, and Sunday School teacher. Margaret's creativity flourished as a mother. She loved organizing puppet shows, circuses, spook houses, and camping trips. She also loved to sew, using her seamstress skills to sew school clothes, little boy's suits for Sunday School, Barbie doll clothes, costumes for Halloween, Ana's career, and the West Memphis Little Theater and even costumes that transformed sweet little dogs into magical creatures for a wizard party. Margaret returned to school to get her teaching degree. She taught first grade, then became a reading specialist for elementary students through high school. Teaching reading became her passion. Adults as well as children learned to read with Margaret's tutoring. She even developed her own reading system and self-published a book as an aid for teaching her system. An ardent fan of Dr. Seuss, she wrote children's stories with the hopes of publishing. Margaret never lost her love for reading, and treasured Mark Twain, Will Rogers, Frank Baum (The Oz books,) and later, J.K.Rowling. Richard and Margaret enjoyed multi-cultural opportunities. They hosted 10 foreign exchange students in their home, and were regional coordinators of the exchange program for the state of Arkansas. They then traveled the world reuniting with their adopted exchange students and met their families. Margaret took pride in supporting other women to follow their dreams. She sponsored a Philippine child named Lily from first grade through college, then flew to the Philippines to meet her in person while working in a summer mission program. She also supported a Congolese woman, an American woman, and a niece enrolled in seminary. Margaret was a faithful member of the church choir, a sometimes director of children's choirs, an ardent gardener of prolific produce, and varied flower beds which provided the setting for various gnomes, bunnies, and ceramic children re-enacting nursery rhymes. She loved musical theater and Prairie Home Companion with Garrison Keiller who dedicated an audience hymn-sing to her on her birthday. Margaret stayed busy all the time, crocheting over 1,500 baby caps for babies born at Forsyth Hospital. When husband Richard developed Lewy's bodies dementia, Margaret cared for him at home. She participated in a support group organized by Jan Sawyer ("Saint Jan.") Margaret's devotion and unconditional love during this time inspired many. After his death death, Margaret still sought opportunities to develop herself and expand her horizons. She participated in a Toastmaster's Club, won a humorous speech contest, and traveled to China with her daughter, Ana, to locate the Shanghai community where her mother was born and raised. She made greeting cards with rhyming verses for everyone's birthday at both Salemtowne and church and sent every single family a sympathy card whenever a Salemtown resident died. She also took line dancing and clogging, performed at the fair and in talent shows. She even tap danced while playing her harmonica, enthralling participants at the church retreat. Margaret's generosity continued through her eighties. As a resident of Salemtowne, she made earrings for everyone whether they had pierced ears or not. Any nurse or staff member having a baby could expect a crocheted baby cap. She visited people in healthcare daily, taking them magazines, filling their bird feeders, or reading to them. She was relentless in this mission until she herself became a resident of health care. She loved her daily devotions and was a regular at church. She insisted that everyone at Parkway United Church of Christ call her "Grandma," then gave them earrings. She adopted gay couples who reminded her of her son and his husband, and she was thrilled whenever she got to play "Jesus Loves Me" on her harmonica for an infant baptism. She was a devoted fan of Pastor Craig. In lieu of flowers, for those wishing to honor Margaret's legacy in some way, the family suggests donating to the memorial fund at Parkway United Church of Christ OR to Old Town Elementary School in Winston-Salem, a title one school where Margaret taught Hispanic children to read as a volunteer for many years.

R. Dean Short, age 81 years, of Archbold, passed away Sunday evening, July 7, 2013, at the Toledo Hospital. He was born August 30, 1931, at Wauseon, the son of Clarence and Mary (Schmucker) Short, and married Esther Yoder on March 10, 1956. A lifelong resident of the Archbold area, he farmed and worked at the former Dinner Bell in Archbold and Defiance for 38 years. He enjoyed singing in the Overcomers Quartet for 21 years. He attended the Lockport Mennonite Church, rural Stryker. He is survived by his wife, Esther; one son, Sam D. (Janna) Short of Archbold; five grandchildren, Estherlynn (Chad) Dale of Napoleon, David Short, Ethan Short, Seth Short and Rachel Short all of Archbold; one great-granddaughter, Maelynn Dale; one brother, Dale (Patty) Short of Archbold; a brother-in-law, Lawrence King of Wauseon, and a sister-in-law, Mary Short of Alvordton. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Benjamin Short; and two sisters, Lillian Aeschliman, and Berneda King. Services will be held on Thursday at 10:30 AM at Lockport Mennonite Church with Pastor Steven Heatwole officiating. Interment will follow in the Lockport Cemetery. Friends may call at Lockport Mennonite Church from 3-8 PM on Wednesday.

Hubert Dean Stone, age 92, of Maryville, passed away Monday, October 10, 2016, at the home of his only son, Neal. For more than of half of its existence, there was one constant human resource serving Blount County at its community newspaper: H. Dean Stone, the longtime Daily Times editor with the trademark red cap. When Stone was born – Sept. 23, 1924, to A.H. and Annie Cupp Stone at 1809 Sevierville Road, Maryville – his hometown newspaper carried the nameplate of The Maryville Times. It was a semi-weekly, published on Mondays and Thursdays, with a circulation probably around 4,500. Stone would go on to attend Everett Elementary and High School for 12 years, serving as co-sports editor of the school’s newspaper, The Blue and Gray, and was on the undefeated 1941 football squad. Upon graduating, he began attending Maryville College, but by then the nation was embroiled in World War II. Stone was in the Army Reserve, and at the end of his freshman year in college, he went on active duty. On July 4, 1944, the year The Maryville Times became The Maryville-Alcoa Daily Times, Stone found himself in combat south of Pisa, Italy. In early May 1945, Germany surrendered, ending the war in Europe; on Sept. 2, 1945, Japan surrendered in a ceremonial signing aboard the USS Missouri. By then, Stone and his unit were already en route to the U.S. for leave – but Stone would not be home long. In 1946, he enrolled at the University of Oklahoma, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in journalism, serving as the assistant sports editor of the 13,000-circulation daily campus newspaper. Later, he would work part time for The Associated Press as campus correspondent. He spent the summers of 1947 and 1948 (his official start date as a part-timer being June 19, 1948) working at The Maryville-Alcoa Daily Times. The next year, owner Clyde Bright Emert decided to take a run at publishing a Sunday edition and chose the young college graduate to lead that effort, naming him to the full-time position of Sunday editor on Feb. 1, 1949. The Sunday product was short-lived, surviving only five months, but Emert must have been impressed: He named Stone managing editor of the daily newspaper – of course, he was also sports editor. The newsroom must have felt like home, because for more than six decades he could be found there all hours of the day – for 66 years – and crafting stories under a variety of nameplates. During that time, the newspaper was transformed from The Maryville-Alcoa Daily Times, with the marketing underline of “The Best Little Metropolitan Newspaper in the South”; The Morning Daily Times, “The Best Little Metropolitan Newspaper in the Nation, Serving Maryville, Alcoa and Blount County”; to the seven-day publication that is now The Daily Times, alternately “Your Life. Your Times.” and “Blount County’s Newspaper of Record Since 1883.” But whenever Stone spoke of the newspaper, it was simply “The Times,” through which he had seen several generations born, married, buried, and all points in between were covered on newsprint. Stone outlasted four owners and six publishers, while seeing the news move from hot type, to computer-generated type, to the internet, all the while chronicling life in Blount County – even as he was embedded within the very organizations and community he was chronicling. While metropolitan newspapers and massive chains were struggling to find their way back into reader relevancy, community journalism seemed to come natural with Stone. For him, becoming entrenched in the community that he was chronicling was just life – whether it was serving on education foundations, establishing an ongoing service project that serves the needy at Christmas, leading the Tennessee Great Smoky Mountains Park Commission – he was a champion of the Park – or scores of other organizations. That could be why, as U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander once said of him, “No one tells the story of Blount County better than Dean Stone.” Dean was a member of Maryville First Baptist Church. Preceded in death by: parents, Archie & Annie Stone; wife, Agnes Shirley Stone; sister, Margaret Hunt. Survivors include: son & daughter-in-law, Neal & Sandy Stone; grandchildren, Derrick, Drew, Forrest, Skyler, Ashton, and Kieran; sister & brother-in-law, Barbara & Jerry Purviance. Family received friends Thursday, October 13, 2016, at Maryville First Baptist Church. Funeral were at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Charles Ballard and Rev. Greg Long officiating. Interment at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to any of the following: the Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center, www.gsmheritagecenter.org/support/donate; Little River Railroad and Lumber Company Museum, P.O. Box 211, Townsend, TN 37882; Blount County Historical Museum, P.O. Box 7051, Maryville, TN 37802; Cades Cove Preservation Association, P.O. Box 213, Alcoa, TN 37701; Sam Houston Memorial Association, http://samhoustonhistoricschoolhouse.org. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremationService.com.

Violetta Gomez Vega passed away on January 16, 2009.

Marinell Ross Waggoner completed her journey on earth on June 21, 2018, at Blount Memorial Hospital after an extended illness. Marinell was born July 6, 1925 to Nell Bell Ross and Lanty Marion Ross in Greene County, Tennessee. She graduated from Maryville College and completed her Doctor of Jurisprudence from Vanderbilt University making her the first woman attorney in Blount County. After setting up her practice of law in Maryville she met A. B. Waggoner, Jr. whom she would marry. She would later become involved in Waggoners Insurance Agency. Marinell was for most of her adult life an active speaker for conservative causes and then a Sunday School and women’s Bible teacher for Circle 1 at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, Nell Bell Ross and Lanty Marion Ross; sister, Betty Ruth Ross; husband, A.B. Waggoner, Jr. and nephew, James Marvin Lindley. She is survived by her children, Andrew B. Waggoner, III and wife Cynthia Hamil Waggoner; daughter, Nell B. Waggoner; special Japanese daughter, Hiroko Shoji; sister, Margaret Ross Lindley of Johnson City, TN and many nieces, nephews and extended family and friends. The family wishes to thank and include as family Barbara Gourley her caregiver and friend during these past almost 10 years. The family will receive friends from 1-2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 23, 2018, at McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home with the funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m. with Rev Lanty Ross Lindley officiating. The interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the Mission Fund at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, Knoxville, TN.

Mary Mell Walker, 96, passed away peacefully on September 27 in Tallahassee, following her husband Harry “Hap” Walker who died only 10 days before.

A native Atlantan and graduate of Agnes Scott College, she grew up on Techwood Drive near the Georgia Tech campus and as a young woman worked at Georgia Tech for eight years, only solidifying her lifelong love of “the Institute.”

She and Hap married in late 1957, had son Daniel in 1959, and thanks to Hap’s early career lived in several states before settling in Charleston, South Carolina in 1963. Mary Mell left the stay-at-home role and re-entered the workforce in the early 1970s, having numerous secretarial and office administrative positions in Charleston and later in Atlanta into the 1990s. She particularly enjoyed assignments of “temp work,” the opportunities to meet a great variety of people

A lifelong Presbyterian who found solace in the Calvinist emphasis upon the sovereignty of God, she was an active member of North Avenue Presbyterian Church early in her life and again later, was an active member of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church in Charleston, and in her later years was blessed to be a member of Hope and then Covenant Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee.

Great friends and a love of reading shaped her life. If you were a friend, you were a friend for life; she cherished her precious friends in Atlanta, Charleston, and Tallahassee. Until the last days of her life, she loved to read – not only for entertainment, but also to unceasingly develop her Christian faith, because Christians are to love God with all one’s mind as well as heart and soul. If you read the Bible, monthly devotionals such as “Table Talk” and “Our Daily Bread,” magazines such as “Modern Reformation,” or books by R.C. Sproul, you have a kindred spirit in Mary Mell.

Mary Mell’s faith was no academic exercise. It grounded her as she persevered through numerous health challenges in her latter 50s and beyond, defeating stage 4 breast cancer in her early 80s along the way.

She is survived by her son, Daniel Walker; nieces Andrea Britt, Ellen Bradford, and Nancy Walker; and, nephews Joel Fleming and Herbert Leeming. Predeceasing her were her husband, Harry Walker; her brother, Joe Fleming; and her parents, Jimmie Johnson Fleming and Andy Fleming. Mary Mell also wished to acknowledge some of her wonderful friends of many decades, among them being Jane and Jimmy Snyder, Lenora Kirkland, Lillian Loomis, Merrile Kinard, Doris Rutherford, Minnie Whitaker, and Lucy Worthen, and those who predeceased Mary Mell, among them being Anne and Ken Long, Anne and Tom Eskew, Roger Howell, Mary and Bob Atkinson, Ralph Rutherford, Cecil Kirkland, Ray Kinard, and Will Loomis.

Ruth Freeman Webb, 91, passed away peacefully on May 23, 2016 at Blount Memorial Hospital after a brief illness, leaving behind legions of friends who treasure memories of her exuberant outlook on life, her many acts of kindness, and her irrepressible optimism and humor. She was born Ruth Lillian Freeman on October 9, 1924 in Pittsburgh, PA to Hubert Milo Freeman and Marion Leoti Freeman. After a childhood spent in Philadelphia, PA, New York, NY, and Chattanooga, TN, she came to Maryville to attend Maryville College, from which she graduated cum laude in 1946. Shortly thereafter, she met Eugene Leslie Webb, Jr., whom she married in 1948. After teaching at Maryville High School (where she was a much beloved English teacher for six years), Maryville College, and the University of Tennessee, she taught Special Reading at Sam Houston Elementary School for 14 years, retiring in 1985. She was an active member of New Providence Presbyterian Church, where she served as teacher of several Sunday school classes, as Circle Chairman, as Clerk of Session during the period 1993-1995, and as church archivist. She was an active member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, an organization that promotes the professional development of women educators, which she served in numerous capacities-as Mu Chapter President during the period 1976-78, as Beta Tau President and as Parliamentarian, and as Chair of numerous committees. Ruth was a devoted mother and grandmother, taking special delight in the growth and the accomplishments of her children and of her granddaughter. She was an avid gardener, an animal lover, and a friend to many, from her contemporaries to those a half-century younger. She was an enthusiastic participant for 63 years in the Third Friday Book Club, where she forged some close and enduring friendships. She was also a friend over many years to a number of Maryville College students, whom she invited to drop by her home without advance notice any time they needed a study break. Ruth was predeceased by her parents; and by her husband of fifty years. She is survived by her son, David Lea Webb of Hanover, NH and his wife Carolyn Gordon; by her daughter, Virginia Webb Hayden of St. Louis, MO and her husband Brian Hayden; and by her granddaughter, Annalisa Fiona Webb-Gordon of Hanover, NH. A memorial service celebrating her life was held at New Providence Presbyterian Church on Friday, May 27, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. with Rev. Dr. Emily J. Anderson and Rev. Dr. Stan Rushing officiating; she was interred at Magnolia Cemetery in Maryville. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that she be remembered in donations to New Providence Presbyterian Church, to Maryville College, to Habitat for Humanity, or to the Blount County Animal Shelter.

Wanda Neal Frye Weichel, 94, of Knoxville went to be with the Lord on Sunday April 28, 2019. She was a faithful member of Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and she taught school in Knox County for twenty five years. She was preceded in death by husband of thirty-five years, Joseph V. Frye, Jr.; second husband of nineteen years, Richard R. Weichel; and brother, James Robert Neal. She is survived by daughters, Vickie Frye Dowling (John), Gail Frye Winter (Robert), Trudy Frye Strange (Lynn); grandchildren, Aaron Dowling (Debby), Annie Watson (Tommy), Amy McCallum (Scot), Joe Winter (Julie), Leanne Conwell (Josh) Jennifer Davis (Joe), Curtis Strange (Elizabeth), Rebekah Crowe (Brandon), and Ben Strange (Hannah); great-grandchildren, Kylie Dowling, Kinzel, Cadie, and Collette McCallum, Noah, Eli, Samuel, and Tess Watson, Eliza and Spencer Winter, Cainan, Corban, and Cooper Crowe, Ava, and Nora Strange, Rori and Bridget Conwell, and Beaux, Georgia, and Porter Sharpe; sister, Jean Draper; and many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends from 5:30 until 7:00 pm Tuesday April 30, 2019, at Eastminster Presbyterian Church. A funeral service will follow with Dr. Sean White officiating. The family and friends will meet at 10:45 am Wednesday May 1, 2019, at Caledonia Cemetery for an 11:00 am interment service. Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel in charge of arrangements. Online obituary may be viewed at www.rosemortuary.com.

Elizabeth McLaren Weimer passed away on November 20, 2016.

of Phoenix, AZ, passed away peacefully on January 3, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Hyatt, TN, Neysa was the daughter of Dolph and Bea Ferguson of Maryville, TN. She worked at Alcoa Aluminum, graduated from Maryville College and married the love of her life, her darling Robert Max Willocks. She travelled the world with her family and to more than 80 countries with Max. Second to her family, Neysa’s Christian missionary work was the most important thing in her life. She treasured most the time they spent doing mission work in Africa, Asia and South America. Neysa and Max climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro in their late 70s, drank yak’s milk in a yurt in Mongolia and drove carts through treacherous mountain passes in Peru. Neysa was an extraordinarily loving woman who lived her life in the service of others. She is loved by her children: Sharon, Sam (Penny), Mark, Bob (Cindy), Kent (Bethel); her grandchildren: Colin, Megin (Mike), Braden (Adrien), Courtney (Vijay), Jess, Ben (Jenilyn), Dave and Karley; great grandchildren Amelia, Henry, Max, Spring, Mike Jr, Andrew; brother Gayle (Juanita), sister Brenda (Larry).

Jean K. Wooton, age 94 of Buckhorn, KY passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at the Greg and Noreen Wells Hospice Care Center in Hazard, KY. She enjoyed playing the piano and music, which led her to go to college and earn a music degree and was also a member of the Buckhorn Lake Area Presbyterian Church. She was born on December 9, 1924 in Buckhorn, KY to the late Crit Keen & the late Osha Begley Keen. In addition to her parents, she is also preceded in death by her husband: Dr. Clyde Darraugh Wooton; as well as four brothers: Quinten, Edwin, Robert “Bobby” & Leon Keen. She is survived by two sons: Robert D. Wooton & Dwight D. Wooton both of Buckhorn, KY; one daughter: Denise Redd of Upper Second Creek, KY; three grandchildren: Dwight D. Wooton Jr., Rebecca A. Redd & Robert A. Redd; as well as two great-grandchildren: Benjamin H. Wooton & Bryce H. Wooton. Visitation: 1-2PM Saturday, June 8, 2019 at the Buckhorn Lake Area Presbyterian Church- Buckhorn, KY Celebration of Life Service: 2PM Saturday, June 8, 2019 at the Buckhorn Lake Area Presbyterian Church with Tom & Gail Burns officiating In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Buckhorn Lake Area Presbyterian Church: 300 Buckhorn Lane Buckhorn, KY 41721