Class Notes

Ann Harrison Avery passed away on September 25, 2022.  She had been living in Lincolnshire, England with her husband Desmond.

passed away October 7, 2014. She was born in Maryville Tennessee, daughter of the late Roy Blackburn and Alice Blackburn. In 1968 she moved to Lake County from Mountain City, Tennessee. She was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Eustis, Florida and a member of the Presbyterian Women's organization. She was active in Howey -in-the-Hills Garden and Civic Club; Lake Association for Home and Community Education and Epsilon Sigma Alpha Sorority. Before coming to Lake County, Alice was a 4-H/Home Economics' extension agent in Mountain City TN. She employed as 4-H extension agent with the University of Florida/Lake County Extension from 1968 until her retirement in 1992. She administered the 4-H youth development program serving over 5,000 youth an leaders during her career. Alice graduated from Maryville College with a Bachelor's degree in home economics and earned a master's degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She received several awards: Distinguished Service Award from National Association of Extension 4-H Agents and its 25 Year Service Award, Lake County Agriculture and Youth Fair's 1992 Roll of Honor for 20 years of service, President of the Florida Association of the 4-H Agents and registration chairman for the 1981 National Conference of 4-H service as a volunteer. The Howey Garden and Civic Club gave Alice the 2002 Blanche Hobbs Award for outstanding service. Friends appreciated her dependability and quiet steady manner. Alice enjoyed sewing, weaving, upholstery, bread making and scrapbooking. Alice is survived by her Husband of 42 years,David H. Ayres. Also surviving her brother, Charles R (Elizabeth) Blackburn of Maryville, TN; sister-in-law, Fern Blackburn of Knoxville; nephews, Richard E. (Cynthia) Blackburn, Thompson Station, TN; Timothy C. (Jean) Blackburn of Maryville; great nieces, Gracie, Jordin and Audrey; great -nephews, Joe and wife Rachel; great-great niece, Virginia Alice and Cousin, Grace Stinecipher of Standford, FL. Alice was predeceased by her brother James W. Blackburn. A memorial service will be held at 11am Thursday October 16 at the First Presbyterian Church in Eustis, Florida

Ralph E. Ayers ’60 and his wife, Kitty, moved to Las Vegas in July, 2018 to be near two of their children, Vicki (class of 2001) & Matt (with whom they are living) and who both work for Cirque Du Soleil, Michael Jackson One show. They will spend the next few months looking for a home of their own in the Vegas area as they adapt to the change from the tropics of the Texas Rio Grande Valley and the Gulf of Mexico to the altitude and desert heat of southern Nevada.

Stephen M. Ayers passed away on January 4, 2022.  He was a faculty member and director at Western Carolina University for 22 years until his retirement in 2008.

A prolific director, he mounted nearly 100 theatrical productions on campus stages during his tenure, taking several shows on the road to the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival, Southeastern Theatre Conference and New York International Fringe Festival.

He also acted in numerous motion pictures and television programs, with roles in films including “Days of Thunder,” “Mr. Brooks” and “The List” and TV shows ranging from “Matlock” and “In The Heat of the Night” to “Dawson’s Creek” and “Savannah.”

Stephen earned his bachelor’s degree in drama from Maryville College, master’s degree in drama from the University of Houston and his doctoral degree in theater history from the University of Colorado.  Arts education was his life’s work.

age 86, passed away Sunday (March 30, 2014). Arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Kingsport. Read more: Obits | Kingsport Times-News http://www.timesnews.net/obit/18649/anne-tucker-cress-babb#ixzz2xY7yYDWQ Follow us: @timesnewsonline on Twitter | timesnews on Facebook

Jeanne Howell Baccarat passed away on May 21, 2013.

was recently appointed the Director of Music & Liturgy at Prince of Peace Catholic Church (4,000 registered families) in Flowery Branch, GA.

Barbara Pettigrew Bacon, 73, of Fort Myers, FL passed away peacefully at home on March 24, 2017 after a brief illness. She was surrounded by family. Barbara was born in New York, NY on July 7, 1943 to John and Edith Pettigrew. She grew up in Morris Plains, NJ and graduated from Maryville College in 1965. After college, she joined the American Red Cross Clubmobile program (the Donut Dollies) where she presented education programs for off-duty American Servicemen. She served at Camp Pelham, South Korea and then at the ASCOM base in Seoul. After serving with the American Red Cross she lived briefly in Boston, Lansing, and Baton Rouge before moving to Nassau, Bahamas where she met and married Alan Bacon. They moved to London, England where their daughter Amanda was born. Barbara was an accomplished teacher who was loved by many students and staff during her 30 years at The Canterbury School in Fort Myers. While at Canterbury, Barbara passed on her enthusiasm and love for learning to her students through her geography and history classes as well as theater productions in the early years; she was a champion of her students and a loyal supporter of her colleagues’ interests and efforts throughout the years. Barbara was also a long-time volunteer at the Alliance of the Arts and an avid nature lover and conservationist; she also served on several boards of local non-profit organizations, focusing on ones involving preservation of natural resources. Barbara loved to travel, had a thirst for learning and wanted to experience all the world had to offer. She is survived by her daughter, Amanda Bacon Lillis and son-in-law Joe Lillis of Boston, MA; her siblings Mary Ellen Ferraro of Bridgewater, NJ, Kathie Zunich of Fort Myers, FL, Walter and Laurie Pettigrew of Cedarville, NJ, David Pettigrew of Fort Myers, FL; nieces and nephews, Stacey Ferraro and Craig Cascio, Kevin and Nicole Ferraro, Lisa Zunich, John Pettigrew and Brianna Marinitti; and great nephews and nieces, Griffin, Logan, Abigail, and Peyton. Barbara is preceded in death by her parents, John and Edith Pettigrew. A private service will be held for family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Hope Hospice of Fort Myers or The Carter Center of Atlanta.

Charles Edmund Bacon, 92, of Little Rock died Sunday, March 3, 2019 at Hospice Home Care in Little Rock. Mr. Charles was born March 7, 1926 in Des Arc to Edmund and Louise (Judson) Bacon. He accepted the Lord at age 9 and baptized at age 10 in the White River at Des Arc. He was ordained as a deacon on March 20, 1960 at First Baptist Church in Des Arc. Over the years he taught Sunday School from boys aged 6 to senior adults. He was the church treasurer in three different churches, First Baptist Church in Des Arc, First Baptist Church in Berryville, and Valley View Baptist Church in Eureka Springs. He served on the building committees of First Baptist Church in Des Arc and Berryville. After his move to Little Rock he became a member of Southern Heights Baptist Church in 2005. He was a member of Gideons International from 1979 to present. Mr. Charles served his country in the Navy during WWII aboard the U. S. Snowball. He earned his BA in Business Administration from Maryville College in 1950 and his Masters in Counseling at The University of Mississippi in 1959. He taught school for eight years and was high school counselor for 23 years at Des Arc and Berryville. His community service included Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, Tourist Center Receptionist, City Planning Board, Hospital Auxiliary, and Carroll County Retired Teachers Association. There will be a Memorial Service held in Little Rock at Presbyterian Village Chapel on Thursday March 7, 2019 at 10:00 AM with Dr. David Moore and Dr. Melvin York officiating. Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM in Des Arc at First Baptist Church with burial in Lakeside Cemetery with Dr. Melvin York officiating.

James McKenzie Baird, Jr. Brandon – "Dear People…." If James McKenzie Baird, Jr., was delivering his obituary, that is how he would begin. Many will recognize the familiar opening to his sermons, and the powerful voice that helped lead friends and family to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jim went to be with his Heavenly Father on January 31, at age 91. He lived a remarkable life, marked with service, humility and a sense of purpose. Born in 1928 to Scottish immigrant parents in New Jersey, his family moved to Chicago when he was 10. Following high school graduation, Jim traveled south to Maryville College in Tennessee to play football. It was there that he met the love of his life, Jane McMillan, on a blind date. A Southern belle from North Georgia, Jane remarked that it was the first time she had ever seen a young man in an overcoat. After college, Jim was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the infantry branch of the U.S. Army, where he served during the Korean War. In 1952 he married Jane and began work for the New York Life Insurance Company. At the age of 28, Jim became a Christian and was called to his life's work of full-time ministry. In 1957, he graduated from Columbia Theological Seminary in Georgia. Jim's ministry spanned almost 40 years in Presbyterian churches across the Southeast: he shepherded congregations in Clinton, MS, Brewton, AL, Gadsden, AL, Macon, GA, and Coral Gables, FL, before retiring after 12 years as the Senior Minister of First Presbyterian Church in Jackson, MS, in 1995. He was a "Preacher of the People," with a ministry accentuated by personal relationships and his anecdotal teaching. He was a Founding Father of his beloved denomination, The Presbyterian Church of America (PCA), founded in 1973. He served as the 12th moderator of the PCA. He was gifted with a clear vision and a strong work ethic, and even after retirement he was an able preacher of the Word. He continued to spread the Gospel – in homes, in churches, and at Bible, mission and marriage conferences across the world – and in one year alone, at the age of 75, he delivered over 100 sermons throughout the North American continent. Dr. Baird preached his last homily at age 91 at The Orchard, a retirement home where he shared monthly duties for the last five years. Jim believed in the importance of Christian education. During his ministry, he was involved in Christian schools in Gadsden, AL, Macon, GA, and Jackson, MS – and we're sure many will remember his Sunday night "children's sermons" and the humorous stick figures that accompanied them. Dr. Baird also served on the board of Reformed Theological Seminary, Belhaven University and African Bible Colleges. Additionally, he worked closely with pastors and laymen to help form Mission Mississippi, an organization formed to encourage and demonstrate grace in the Body of Christ across racial lines. He and his beloved wife Jane loved to travel the world, especially after retirement, and were purposeful in encouraging missionaries and pastors along the way. They visited six continents, and never left a country without sending a postcard to the family back home. His greatest earthly joy, next to his relationship with the Lord, was his marriage and his family. He leaves his adored wife of 67 years, Jane, and their four sons, Jim Baird III (Susan), Knox Baird (Debra), David Baird (Pat) and Mark Baird (Rhonda); and his 11 grandchildren Megan, Andrew (Anna), and Grayson Baird; Alexandria, Knox and Hannah Jane Baird; Grace and Mac Baird; Macey B. Benton (Matt), Betsy B. Gardner (Seth), and Richard Baird. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Christina Baird, his older sister, Ina Arnold, and his infant son Daniel. Family gatherings were always a reason to thank God for His Son, for Jim's beloved America, and for his family. The Baird clan will especially remember his legacy of rich storytelling, his devotion to and admiration for his wife, and his leave-taking of them in their adult lives: "I'm proud of you, girl," or "I'm proud of you, son," would carry them for days. "Papa Jim" will be remembered as a man of great integrity – as well as for his homemade birthday and Valentine's cards, the love of his New York Yankees, his prowess on the golf course, his weakness for ice cream, and particularly for his favorite benediction: (Jude 1:24-25) "Now to Him who is able to keep you from falling, to Him who is able, at your death, to present you blameless before His throne of grace with exceeding great joy. To the only wise God, our Savior, let there be glory, majesty, dominion and power, now and forever more. AMEN." A private family burial will be followed by a Memorial Service at 6:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, Jackson, MS, on Tuesday, February 4. There will be no formal visitation. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be sent to African Bible Colleges, Belhaven University, French Camp Academy and Reformed Theological Seminary. "Well done, Good and Faithful Servant."

is enrolled in UT’s School of Information Science. She is in the scholarship program called ITRL2 for rural librarians. She also recently was promoted to Youth Services Manager at the Blount County Library.

Martha Helen Rawlings Baker, 94, beloved mother and wife, of Winter Haven, passed away on Saturday, February 6, 2016 at Winter Haven Hospital resulting from a stroke. Born October 12, 1921, to Fred P and Mattie Fox Rawlings in Sevierville, TN, she attended Maryville College before transferring to the University of Tennessee. After graduating from the University of Tennessee in 1942, she moved to Winter Haven, where she taught history at Winter Haven High School. She married local businessman, Cecil Baker on December 16, 1945. They just celebrated 70 years of marriage this past December. She was an active member at Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church for over 70 years. She was preceded in death by a son, Mike Baker and a brother, Dr. Frederick Rawlings. She is survived by her husband, Cecil Baker, 2 sons, Stephen Baker and his wife Jeanette of Winter Haven and Dr. Robin A. Baker and his wife Kathryn of Winter Haven, FL; a daughter Jane Ann Baker of Raleigh, NC; 8 grandchildren, William (Jennifer) Baker, Constance (Seth) Jones C.K. Baker, Henry Baker, Patrick Baker, Kevin Baker, Christopher Baker and Ian McKillop; and 4 great grandchildren. A funeral service was held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church in Winter Haven. Interment followed at Lakeside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers please make memorial donations in her name to Beymer Memorial United Methodist Church. Condolences may be sent at www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.

In 2016 Evelyn and Gareth (both from the Class of 1954) were asked to form and chair a committee in Bristol Village to raise funds from Bristol Village residents to help build a new Pike County Public Library in Waverly, Ohio. Bristol Village is a retirement community in Waverly, Ohio and they have in their own independent house for 18 years. The couple is still in good health and are very active in their church and community. They realized this was a historical undertaking and would benefit all ages of people in Pike County for the next 100 years. It was predicted the building will cost over $3,500,000 and it would take at least five years to raise the necessary funds and to build. Gareth and Evelyn gathered a committee and together they set a goal of $250,000 just for Bristol Village residents. That goal was exceeded in cash and pledges in just over six months. On June 29, 2017 the Pike County Rotary Club honored the couple for their community service along with another couple who worked closely with them. Currently, $259,653 has been raised from BV residents.

In 2016 Evelyn and Gareth (both from the Class of 1954) were asked to form and chair a committee in Bristol Village to raise funds from Bristol Village residents to help build a new Pike County Public Library in Waverly, Ohio. Bristol Village is a retirement community in Waverly, Ohio and they have in their own independent house for 18 years. The couple is still in good health and are very active in their church and community. They realized this was a historical undertaking and would benefit all ages of people in Pike County for the next 100 years. It was predicted the building will cost over $3,500,000 and it would take at least five years to raise the necessary funds and to build. Gareth and Evelyn gathered a committee and together they set a goal of $250,000 just for Bristol Village residents. That goal was exceeded in cash and pledges in just over six months. On June 29, 2017 the Pike County Rotary Club honored the couple for their community service along with another couple who worked closely with them. Currently, $259,653 has been raised from BV residents.

Alvin “Al” C. Baker died at his home in Maryville, Tenn., Sunday, January 30, 2022, surrounded by family and friends. Al was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur C. and Juanita Baker. He is survived by his brother Dennis, sister-in-law Pamela, nephews Brandon and Dustin Baker, Monica Chron “Aunt Nicka” and beloved friends Rusty and Sharon Kirkpatrick.

Al will be remembered for his generosity, dedication, and unfailing optimism. A graduate of Harriman High School (’68) and of Maryville College (’72), Al continued to serve his college alma mater with leadership positions in the Blount County Alumni Association and Executive Board of the National Alumni Association and a 26-year membership in the President’s Circle. As general manager of National School Products for over 40 years, Al was fond of saying he could do, “generally, anything.”

A proud Highlander, generous philanthropist, and successful manager, Al once wanted to build things. And indeed, his legacy will be the people, organizations, and even buildings he helped form and shape with his gifts and talents—building an enduring business; mentoring employees; developing alumni relationships through indefatigable volunteerism; cultivating future alumni through the establishment of a scholarship fund; and supporting the construction of buildings such as the Clayton Center for the Arts. But perhaps most of all, Al built tremendous, lasting, lifelong friends, who will continue to celebrate and share his legacy.

A graveside service will be held Saturday, February 5 at 2:00 at Roane Memorial Gardens (Rockwood, Tenn.); a celebration of life service will be held Saturday, February 12 at 2:00 at Clayton Center for the Arts at Maryville College (Maryville, Tenn.).

In Lieu of flowers please make memorial contributions to the Alvin C Baker Endowment Scholarship at Maryville College.

“So the memory fresh shall linger, through life’s smiles and tears.” —Maryville College Alma Mater

Evelyn Alice Baker, 90, of Waverly, Ohio, died in her sleep on Saturday morning, August 6, 2022 at her home.
Evelyn was born July 31, 1932 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, the daughter of the late Carl Boughton and Jean (Mulholland) Reilly. On August 28, 1954, she was united in marriage to Gareth D. Baker, who survives. Also surviving is a son, Dean Fredrick Baker, daughter, Lynette (Tom) Eileen Grimaldi, and three grandsons. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandson, Terrance Baker, and daughter-in-law, Sheila Baker.

Evelyn was the Director of Christian Education at Garden City Presbyterian Church in Garden City, MI and Moderator of Presbyterian Women of Miami Presbytery, Ohio and Detroit Presbytery, Michigan. She was also very active in the Bristol Village community including her membership in Bristol’s Women’s Group, their potlucks, and checking in with other residents who were ill. She was the Chair of Executive Council from 2012-2014, Chair of Vesper Committee, and received the President’s Life Time Achievement Award for volunteerism in 2016.

and wife Camille, a girl, Emilia Coley Ball born May 11, 2016.

Charles retired from the UT Austin Butler School of Music on December 31, 2019 after 40 years of service as Head Piano Technician. His husband, Steve Cannon (Strawberry Plains/UT Knoxville), & Charles now live in retirement in Austin, Texas, although he still freelances as a piano technician and works for arts organizations such as the Van Cliburn Foundation in Fort Worth, the Seattle Chamber Music Society, the Seattle Symphony, the Austin Symphony Orchestra, etc. Charles sang in the MC choir and took care of the pianos on campus until they moved to Texas in 1980.

Debra Lynn Ballantyne, 50, of Frisco, Texas passed away on May 11, 2020. She was born on July 10, 1969 to Martin Allen and Judith Helen (Agee) Washington in Chicago, Illinois. Debra spent most of her childhood years in Miami, FL and graduated from Miami Palmetto High School.  She attended Maryville College in Maryville, TN for her bachelor’s degree.  After college she moved to Dallas and there met Eric Ballantyne.  Debra and Eric were married in Highlands, NC on May 21, 2001.  She was employed at EXL as a Special Projects Manager. Debra was also on the Board of Trustees for the Texas Ford Aquatics Booster Club supporting the swim team in Frisco, TX.

Debra is survived by her husband, Eric Ballantyne of Frisco, Texas; her two children, Emma and Joshua Ballantyne; her sister, Caren Coffel and her husband, Robert of Dallas, Texas.

Debra was preceded in death by her parents.

John P. Baptist, 100, of Morehead City, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Friday, April 26­, 2019, at his home. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 2, 2019, at Gethsemane Memorial Park, officiated by Rev. Patrick Whaley. Mr. Baptist proudly served our country in the United States Army where he earned numerous commendations. He was a longtime member of Parkview Baptist Church and in his later years, he enjoyed playing in the senior games with his friends. He is survived by his daughter, Judy Moran and husband Philip of Morehead City; sons, Garry Baptist and wife Cathy of New Bern, David Baptist and wife Susan of Swansboro; grandchildren, Phillip Moran, Matthew Moran; great-grandchildren, Sidney, Sarah, Kelsey and Matthew; many loving nieces and nephews; and longtime furry friend, Bogey. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy G. Baptist; parents, Donato and Catherina Baptist; sister, Lillian Flannelly; and brothers, Anthony Baptist and Frank Baptist. A special thanks to Christine Matthews and his dedicated caregivers. Flowers are welcome, or memorial donations may be sent to the Alzheimer's Association at 8180 Greensboro Dr., Ste. 400, McLean, VA 22102.

of Apollo Beach, died May 15, 2014. Survived by wife, Gail; children, Michael, Gary & Lyn; 3 grands; 2 great-grands; brothers, Jack & Jim. Dobies Funeral Home, Tarpon

His wife, Barbara nee: Godshalk ’58 died after an illness on May 16, 2015. He wrote to say, “We would have been married 57 years in August of 2015. We had a good life together. We met in Anderson Hall in 1954 in Mrs. Margaret Cummings Bible Class. Barbara taught pre-school and third grade. I served 4 pastorates from 1961 – 1999.”

James Raymond (Jim) Barber, 80, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, September 19, 2019. Jim was born in Prosser, Washington. He graduated from Prosser High School in 1957 and joined the United States Marine Corps. On May 17, 1958, he married Shirley Brumbaugh in Hernando, Mississippi. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 1961, Jim worked as an electronics technician in the aircraft industry for North American Aviation, in Anaheim, California and Boeing in Seattle, Washington. In 1964 he moved his family to Prosser while he took a two-year assignment for RCA in Thule, Greenland to work on a ballistic missile early warning system project. Upon his return to Prosser, he worked as an electronics technician on nuclear reactors at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation for General Electric and Atlantic Richfield until 1969. He left the nuclear industry at that point to join his father in farming dry land wheat on the Horse Heaven Hills above Prosser. In 1980 Jim gave up farming to return to the nuclear industry starting with Westinghouse at Hanford as an Instrument Specialist for the Fast Flux Test Facility. He left Westinghouse in 1982 to pursue contract work for nuclear plants around the United States as an Instrument & Controls (I&C) Startup Engineer. In his later years Jim switched from nuclear engineering to procedure writing that included administrative procedures detailing new integrated work management processes and preventive maintenance instructions at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. He also prepared and facilitated training on I&C basics, compressed air system basics, and integrated work management processes. Jim relocated to Arizona with his wife in 2005. He continued work as a procedure writer and trainer in the nuclear industry until 2015. During his career in the electronics and nuclear industries he held a Q Clearance with the Department of Energy and a Secret Clearance with the Department of Defense. Jim was a member of the Masons Euclid Lodge 125 in Prosser, Washington since 1967 and a Past Master of that lodge since 1974. He is preceded in death by his parents John Vern Barber and W. Berenice (Evans) Barber. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley (Brumbaugh) Barber, his three daughters, Cynthia West, Pam Goux, and Beth Ivins, sisters Patti Roberts and Nancy Dolph, and granddaughters Lindsay Ivins, Kelly Ivins, Claire Goux, and Emma West. A celebration of life event will take place at Brookdale North Chandler (2555 N Price Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224) on Sunday, October 13th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM with remarks from family and friends at 3:30 PM. Interment of ashes with military honors will take place at Valley of the Sun Cemetery in Chandler, Arizona on Friday, October 18th at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in Jim’s name be made to MDS-foundation.org. Donation acknowledgements can be entered on the site to Shirley Barber, 168 E Grove Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210.

Donald S. Barbour, 86, of Orlando, FL, passed away on August 2, 2013. He was born in Jacksonville and grew up in Riverside. He was a big Florida Gator who graduated in journalism in 1950. He and his wife Kitty ’48, whom he met at Maryville College in Tennessee, moved with their young daughter Sally to Jackson, Mississippi, where their son John was born, and where Don worked for the Clarion Ledger. He loved newspapers, journalism and advertising. The Barbours came to Orlando in 1953, where Don worked first for the Chamber of Commerce and then founded Barbour Truck Ads, and eventually Barbour Outdoor Advertising. When he sold that company, he founded Barbour and Monroe Marketing Research where he was a consultant to newspapers nationwide for a number of years. A businessman who was civic minded, he was an active member of Kiwanis Club and the YMCA, Chairman of the Board of the Salvation Army and Elder at First Presbyterian Church. He was very active in the Democratic party and a great supporter of Claude Pepper, LeRoy Collins, and Lawton Childs. He was a fun person to be around. He found funny things in everything. He liked to be in charge. He is survived by his wife Kitty, his daughter Sally, his son John and his family, wife Laurie and children Hannah and Andrew.

Passes away on March 29, 2015. As an only child born in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1926, Kitty Johnson moved with her parents to Hopkinsville, Kentucky where she spent her childhood. She attended Maryville College in Tennessee and met Don Barbour in English class. Introducing himself, he announced he was going to marry her. In 1946, they married, moved to his home state of Florida and transferred to University of Florida. Kitty received a BA in Psychology in 1948 and was proud to be in the first U of F class that graduated women. She and Don were serious Gator fans. Moving to Orlando in 1953, Don founded several businesses and Kitty worked as his secretary, accountant, and overall superior human resource. Also active in the community, she especially enjoyed serving as President of Young Women’s Community Club where she was known as “our Beloved Kitty.” Kitty was a devoted student of the Bible. A born story-teller and teacher, she delighted in leading Bible study in Women of the Church Circles at Park Lake, First Presbyterian and Grace Covenant over the years, as well as teaching Vacation Bible School and Sunday school for children of all ages. A highlight of her working life was her role as the first Activities Director at Westminster Towers. The friends she made there and during her many years in in Orlando were a source of much joy throughout her life. She loved a good joke and tried to learn one to share every day. One of her many sayings was that Laughter and Friends are good for the Soul. She is survived by her daughter, Sally Barbour, her son and his wife, John and Laurie Barbour, and their children Hannah and Andrew. Kitty will be deeply missed by her family and friends, but we carry on with love, joy and laughter as she taught us to do. A celebration of Kitty’s life will be held at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, Saturday, April 11, at 2:30pm. In keeping with her wishes, the family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to Westminster Retirement Community Foundation.