Class Notes

Jean Kemper Helwig, 90, died peacefully on April 1, 2023. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Russell Kemper and Hazel Doak Kemper, her husband of 66 years, David Franklin Helwig, and two sisters, Lucy Kemper Born and Eleanor Helen Kemper. She is survived by her five children: Lucy Ann Helwig of Chickamauga, GA; William “Bill” Helwig (Angie) of Bryson City, NC; Janet Helwig Fortney (David) of Winston-Salem, NC; Lois Helwig Yapp (David) of Palos Verdes Estates, CA; and Joseph “Joe” Helwig of Atlanta, GA. She is survived by eight grandchildren: Rachel Helwig (Matt Eberhart), Sarah Helwig (Lucy Strong), Virginia Yapp (Bryan Cerna), Emily Farrell (Justin), Nicholas Yapp, Caroline Lee (Matt), Margaret Luccarelli, and Samuel Helwig (Biyu). She is survived by seven great-grandchildren: Nina Eberhart, Jack Luccarelli, Theo Lee, Hannah Lee, Jonah Lee, Wyatt Farrell, and Stevie Farrell. She is also survived by a sister, Catherine Kemper Newton. Jean was born on Reymann Memorial Farm in Wardensville, West Virginia. She subsequently lived in Fairfax, Virginia, and Manassas, Virginia. Her childhood years were shaped by living on the farms where her father worked as a dairyman, and then living on her family’s farm beginning in 1945 where they had extensive gardens for growing crops and flowers to sell in the Washington, DC farmers market. Jean graduated as valedictorian of Osbourn High School in Manassas in 1950. Following two years of work at the CIA in Washington, DC, Jean entered Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee, and it was there that she met her future husband, Dave Helwig, when Jean was a freshman and Dave was a senior. Jean was a student at Maryville College for three years and had a lifelong devotion to the college, attending most of her college reunions over the years. Jean and Dave married in 1955 and settled in the Chattanooga area where Jean completed her college degree in Home Economics at the University of Chattanooga in 1956. Jean was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga for almost 68 years. She served the church in many capacities, including Moderator of the Presbyterian Women’s Association, Elder, and member of numerous committees. Additionally, she and Dave were instrumental for many years in providing transportation to and from church for other members. She served two terms as a member of the Board of the Presbyterian Campus Ministry at UTC. Jean was also involved in many community activities including the Nickajack Hills Garden Club, the PTA of her children’s schools, and the Chattanooga chapter of the Embroiderer’s Guild of America. She was a talented seamstress and embroiderer, and she loved all things in nature, especially birds, flowers, and trees. Jean’s faith was important to her, and we rejoice that she has now joined the Church Triumphant. She was a good and faithful servant, and the beautiful impact she had on her family and her many friends will be everlasting.

Meredith Thompson Henderson ’78 and husband Keith Henderson ’78 are Directors of the Haiti Deaf Academy. They live in Haiti 9 months each year. They will return to the U.S. in August, at Christmas break, and Easter break when the deaf students return home for their school breaks. She says her experience as a certified interpreter has helped prepare her for this opportunity. Read more about HDA here: www.haitideafacademy.com <http://www.haitideafacademy.com>.

When Haiti re-opens after COVID 19, Keith Henderson (’78) and I will return to begin our 4th year as Directors at the Haiti Deaf Academy. We serve 50 Deaf children. Most come to HDA with little or no language. After language acquisition, our next goal is to share the good news of the gospel and then prepare them to live productive lives in Haiti.

On Thursday, October 15, 2020, Stephen Henderson, loving and good-humored brother and uncle, passed away at age 79. Stephen was born on August 21, 1941. He graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee, and then from Iowa State University with a graduate degree in counseling. Thus began a long and productive life that, by Steve’s own admission, seemed highly unlikely-at least by modern medical standards. His life, and his remarkable story, filled countless people with joy and hope. As a child in the 1940s, Steve suffered a bout of strep throat. Owing to the unavailability of penicillin from war-time shortages, his kidneys began to fail during his college years. While in graduate school in the 1960s, he needed a kidney transplant. His father provided the first kidney; 21 years later, in 1987, his brother, Bill Henderson, provided the second. Referred to as a “medical miracle” by more than one doctor, Steve was one of the nation’s longest surviving transplant patients, with 54 years since his first transplant. As he was fond of saying, both transplants allowed him to live a full life, and he was a strong advocate for organ donation. His professional life, informed by his own experience, included work with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, who developed the five stages of grief in her book On Death and Dying. This association resulted in his own book on Living with Life-Threatening Illness. Driving with his wife Morgan Henderson across the country in their Winnebago, he offered workshops on managing grief, death, and dying, finally settling in an old “castle” in Staunton, Virginia. There, Steve continued his love of teaching as a therapist for high school students and for patients in hospice care. In addition to his passion for helping people deal with loss, he had a deep appreciation for Mexican art, from jewelry to ceramics to paintings. At various points in his life he owned and operated successful jewelry stores which prominently displayed items he had purchased during many trips to Oaxaca. In his later years he gave away countless pieces of folk art to family members. Steve was known for his sharp wit, his joy, and a zest for life that he felt was a gift. You could always turn to him for a consoling word, a funny story, and of course amazing balloon animals, flowers, and hats. His resemblance to Santa Claus was not lost on anyone… particularly him, and he enjoyed playing the role. Stephen was preceded in his death by his parents, Bill and Kathleen, his brother, David, and his wife, Morgan. He is survived by his brother, Bill and sister, Marjorie and six nieces and nephews as well as ten grand nieces and nephews. He will be missed, though his spirit lives on. Donations can be sent to www.sharefoodprogram.org or checks can be sent to Share Food Program, 2901 West Hunting Park Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19129, attention George Matysik. Every gift supports fighting hunger during this critically important time.

writes in to share that she is still enjoying life. Living and well, but finally retired from both public health nursing and teaching.

Shirley Montgomery Henley passed away on Nov. 21, 2022, at the age of 99.
She was born November 5, 1923, in Fairfield, Alabama to Grace and Glenn Montgomery. Shirley graduated from Endsley High School in 1940. She then furthered her education at Maryville College, Tennessee from 1940-1943, where she received a BA in Education.

She then went to Yale University from 1944-1947 (near the end of WWII) where she received a master’s degree in Nursing. Over the summers of 1957-1958 and 1963, Shirley attended UAF where she received another master’s degree in Education. She moved from Alabama in 1949, took a train to Seattle where she boarded an Alaska steamship to Anchorage. From Anchorage, she flew to Seldovia where she was stationed as a public health nurse. She covered the Cook Inlet region from Port Graham to Tyonek via the M.V. Hygiene.

Shirley began teaching in 1959 at the Tustumena Elementary School. In 1960, she went to KCHS where she taught chemistry, physics, earth science, and ESP. Shirley retired in 1980 and then went back to public health nursing. She married Sam Henley in 1982 and decided to become a pilot. At the age of 65, she became a licensed private pilot.

During her lifetime, Shirley helped many people here on the Kenai Peninsula with her medical knowledge, especially in the days before a resident doctor set up a practice in Kenai. She was an avid hiker who traversed the Resurrection Trail several times. In addition, Shirley loved swimming, quilting, snow machining, and dogs.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, Joseph D. Denison; sister, Harriet Cowser; husband, William A. Wilson; and husband, Samuel C. Henley.

She is survived by her brother, Dr. Glenn Montgomery; daughters, Ruth Denison, Ginger Kaona, and Glenda Grawe; son-n-laws, Winston Grawe, and Edward Kaona; 6 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Earned M.A. in Experimental psychology from UT-Knoxville in May 2013. Currently enrolled in the Ph.D. program with an anticipated graduation date of summer 2015. Also involved with AKC dog shows and owner of nationally ranked Bernese Mountain Dog Bear-Acres The Wonder of Glory, CGC, TDI. Wonder is a recent Working Group 4 winner and is currently the #12 Bernese in America in all-breed points.

Elaine received a Ph.D. in Experimental psychology (biological concentration) from UTK in August 2016. Her dissertation explored the effects of using certified therapy dogs to reduce stress and anxiety and increase learning in Spanish second language classes. Elaine’s Bernese Mountain Dog, Wonder, was integral to the study and to all of her doctoral and master’s research. Additionally, Wonder is an AKC show dog who won a 5 point major in July 2016 and was previously ranked as the #15 Bernese in America. A new Bernese puppy, Icelyn, joined Elaine and Wonder’s home in May 2018.

Clifford H. “Bo” Henry, age 93, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2021, at Sacred Ground Hospice House. Bo was born in Rockford, TN on July 15, 1928. He graduated from Everett High School and Maryville College with a B.S. in Economics. While at Maryville College he served as president of his senior class and earned athletic letters in swimming, football, and basketball.

Bo’s work experience included being a teacher and principal for Blount County Schools. He served in the United States Army Counter Intelligence Division. The majority of his career was spent as a stockbroker with Paine Webber.

Bo served as a Tennessee State Representative for four terms and the Tennessee Board of Regents for fifteen years.

He served on numerous boards throughout his life and was passionate about Maryville College and the Smoky Mountain Boy Scout Council. He was a member of Broadway United Methodist Church and taught Sunday School for forty-two years.

Because of his many years of service in his community, a section of US Highway 411 is named in his honor.

Bo was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Shirley Brown Henry. Bo is survived by Stephen “Bo” Henry of Maryville, TN, Julie Henry Cabot of Fernandina Beach, FL, Jodi Henry Walker and husband, John, of Maryville, TN, Holly Henry Burkett and husband, Lee of Clermont, FL, and sister, June Henry Kinkaid of Lenoir City, TN. He was a devoted grandfather to eight grandchildren and one great-grandson who called him “Bo-Dad”!

Bo will always be remembered for his zest for life!!

George B. Henry, educator, coach and Friendsville historian, died Jan. 30 at his home in Friendsville. He was 88. Henry was a graduate of Friendsville Academy, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Maryville College, and earned a master’s degree in curriculum from Union College in Barbersville, Ky. He was a retired teacher and coach from the Blount County Schools, teaching history, geography and civics for 35 years at Friendsville before retirement.

He shared the history of Friendsville, a small town settled by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), with an emphasis on the role played by the Friends and the community in the Civil War. He and his wife, the late Betty Henry, would often dress in traditional Quaker garb and present programs to schools and other groups. In 2011, he co-authored the book, “Images of America: Friendsville,” published by Arcadia Publishing Company. Henry was a 2009 recipient of the Blount County Historic Trust’s Champion Award, which was given to individuals who contributed substantially over a period of years to historic preservation in Blount County. In 2013, he was recognized as one of the Blount County Historical Museum’s Historic Treasures, and in 2021, he was named to the Blount County Schools Educator Hall of Fame.

Henry was preceded in death by wife, Betty Lones Henry, to whom he was married 64 years; parents, Obie and Carrie Henry; siblings, Tom Henry, Betty Jo Henry McDowell, Blanche Henry; son-in-law Stan Rowland. He is survived by daughter Suzanne Henry Rowland; son Steve and daughter-in-law Kim Henry; granddaughter Leslie Rowland, granddaughter and her husband, Shannon and Jesse Cochran; beloved great-granddaughters, Andi Elizabeth Parker and Shelby Gwen Lindahl; special nieces, Katie and Missy

Jack Baker Henry Sr. passed away peaceably at his home in Sevierville, TN on Friday, July 28, 2023, at the age of 94.

“Big Jack” is survived by Nancy Hayes Henry, his loving wife of 67 years, his sister Kay H. Gill and by their 3 children, Jack Jr., David and his wife Cindy, Mary Ellen and her husband Jack Showers; grandchildren Taylor Hayes and her husband Jesse Philips; Mary Chase and her husband Lane Thomas and their soon to be born son in November and great-grandson Hayes Philips. Also surviving are his sister-in-law Maggie Webb, niece Page and husband James Jackson, nephew John Webb and his wife Allison and nephew Stanley Webb and his wife Geri.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Herman Henry and his brother Sam, his brother-in-law Roger Gill, his nephews Gray Henry and Cambell Webb.

Jack lived his life in and around Sevier County. He graduated from Sevier County High School where he played football. He received his business degree from Maryville College while also playing football there. After college Jack served in the U.S. Army during the Korean war where he was mainly stationed in Germany.

Post Army, Jack moved back to East Tennessee where he met Nancy Jo Hayes and married in Roan Mountain, TN. They returned to Gatlinburg and then on to Sevierville where he lived for over 60 years.

Jack worked at Cherokee Textile Mill for 42 years and was one of the founding members of the SCHS Booster club to help raise money to support the Smoky Bears football and basketball programs. He was also a member of the Elks Club and was the Exalted Ruler in 1962. He was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church and was an Elder.

After retiring from Cherokee in the late 1990’s, Jack loved following the Bears wherever they played and watching the Atlanta Braves baseball games. Recently he also started cheering for the Washington Nationals where Chase’s husband Lane plays.

Pap, as the kids fondly called him, loved us unconditionally which instilled solid confidence in us. He taught us to respect everyone and instilled a stellar work ethic among many life lessons.

Chante and her husband, Matt, have adopted 5 children through foster care. They have two children through guardianship. Chante works as the Assistant Branch Directory at Bethany Christian Services in Knoxville.

writes in to share that he and Teresa are working part-time out of our motorhome, traveling the southeast. They work with RV Resorts, producing their Guest Guides for their visitors through a wonderful company, Southeast Publications. In four years time, they have gone from rookies to only the third team in company’s 30 year history to achieve their top level, the Presidents Club with $300K+ in sales. They are blessed with wonderful resorts in tremendous tourism areas across Florida, and markets like Nashville, the Smoky Mountains region, Cape May (NJ) and Hilton Head. They travel 7-8 months a year, working a few hours a day meeting local businesses, many of which are now good friends.

Carol Jeanne Herbert’s vibrant, shining life force left this world on Friday, May 19th. She was 82. Carol passed at home in the loving embrace of her spouse, Linda Lee. Carol grew up in Washington, D.C. She was the daughter of Charles and Martha Summers and the youngest of her siblings Ethel, Dott, Wes, Marv, and Betty Lou. They were a loving and fun family. Carol attended Maryville College in Tennessee for 2 years and then married Ed Herbert, a friend from home. They had five children-Colleen, Ed, Kenny, Chris, and sweet Carin, who graced their lives for a less than 3 years. Ed’s career took them through nine moves across the country. Carol completed her bachelor’s degree at Canisius College in 1979. She worked as a housing rehabilitation specialist in New York and later in Cincinnati. She was divorced in 1983 and began a wonderful life filled with love and contentment with Linda. They spent the next 25 years in the Cincinnati area, including 12 years of novel adventures and quiet peace on 28 acres of land in Adams County. Carol became an avid gardener and woodworker. This talented woman made everything that was wooden in their house, including the kitchen cabinets, and later made furniture on consignment. For the last 9 years in Cincinnati, she cared for two boys who were very special to her. Carol and Linda moved to Port Charlotte in 2007 and were married as soon as the law was established in 2015. All they ever wanted in life was to be together. Carol loved life and she loved people. She sparkled her smile, her infectious laugh, and her love over everyone she touched. She will be missed more than words can express. Services are private. Should you wish to donate something in her name, Carol loved the Harry Chapin Food Bank of SW Florida, Tidewell Hospice, and Elsie Publishing, but she would treasure any individual way you wish to remember her.

Charles M. Herbert, Jr., 84, of Coopersburg, PA passed away at his residence on September 10, 2022. Born in Philadelphia, PA., he was a son of the late Charles M. and Dorothy (Lynd) Herbert. Charles was a 1956 graduate of Cheltenham High School in N. Philadelphia, and later went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College in TN. He was a self-employed antiques dealer. Charles is survived by his daughter, Alysia M.R. Herbert, and her fiancé, Richard A. Nehf of Kempton, PA; sons, Christopher C. (Lisa) Herbert of Miami, FL, and Stephen C. (Minde) Herbert of Charleston, SC; brothers, Richard Herbert of Glenside, PA, and Paul Herbert of Oceanview, NJ; five grandchildren.

Captain of the 2009 team, will return to the Fighting Scots as an assistant coach for men’s basketball coach Randy Lambert. Hernandez earned All-Great South Athletic Conference honors as a post presence in his sophomore and junior seasons. In his senior season, he was named the GSAC Player of the Year and was named an All-American by NABC. Hernandez has been playing professionally in England the past three seasons. “It’s great to have Greg back on campus,” said Lambert, who is entering his 34th season as coach at Maryville, in a school release. “The qualities he demonstrated as a player in our program should make him a good coach. I know he will work and I know he understands the game, especially the post position. We are going to spend the summer deciding on his responsibilities. He will definitely head up our recruiting efforts, coach our big guys in practice, and serve as our video coordinator. As we move through the camp season and I have an opportunity to watch him teach and interact with young players, I will continue to give him additional responsibilities. He is a young man of high character and is extremely motivated to make it as a coach. I am glad that he has decided to join us.” Hernandez replaces Alex Bowers who was named boys’ coach at Catholic High School.

Cora Anthony Herndon, class of 1952, died December 15, 2022, in Brunswick, Georgia at the age of 92.

completed the nationally highly competitive School to Work Program at the Video Relay Interpreting Institute in spring 2014. He works as a video relay interpreter with Sorenson Video Relay in New York, previously interpreted with Knoxville Center of the Deaf, and has interpreted in a local TN school system. He moved in fall 2014 to New York state and is working interpreting for Empire Interpreting Service, A la Orden in Syracuse. He works among the languages of spoken English, Spanish, American Sign Language and English sign forms. His majors at MC were: AEI and Spanish.

Kelly Hertzel completed the MAcc (Masters of Accountancy) Program at UT Knoxville in May 2015 and is currently working at Ernst Young in the Nashville Office.

Deb and I are were almost empty nesters!! Our youngest has gotten her MSW from UPENN and has moved back in for a while to help kill some student debt (at what she owes, I could have gone to Maryville 3 times back in the day!!! We miss everyone and maybe, just maybe, we can get back there soon. I hear the mountains calling!

Mr. Floyd Hickman, age 89 of Ocala Florida, passed away on 29 April 2022. Floyd was raised in Waynesburg PA, his hometown. Floyd is now reunited with his wife Marilee Hickman who he married on June 20, 1963. Wearing many hats, Floyd Hickman was a vocal musician, a music director, college professor, veteran, and in his later years, a substitute teacher throughout Marion County. In Ocala, he was actively involved in the Marion Landing Landing Lights choral group as its director, the Congregational Church choir, and the First United Methodist Church choir. He was a grandfather to three children, and he is survived by his two sons, Mark and Alan Hickman. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Completed her Master’s of Business Administration from East Tennessee State University in September, 2018.

Rachel graduated in 2022 from University of Tennessee – Chattanooga with a Masters of Social Work. She is currently a video relay Sign Language Interpreter.

finished an MBA -magnum cum laude at Penn State 2013. Nathan has started a Ph.D. in business at Oklahoma State. Nathan is focusing his research of diversity acx discrimination in the workplace. His company is celebrating 10 years in 2014

In response to the tragic wildfires that affected Gatlinburg, TN and the surrounding area, Nathan Higdon participated in service efforts as documented in this Daily Times article: Posted: Tuesday, November 29, 2016 6:00 pm Before the sun rose Tuesday, Nathan Higdon of Maryville had made sausage biscuits – for some 2,000 people. That was only one of the ways Higdon helped firefighters, first responders and those who evacuated late Monday as wildfires from the Chimney Tops in Great Smoky Mountains National Park tore through Gatlinburg and down the Spur into Pigeon Forge. “I just felt compelled to go up there,” Higdon told The Daily Times after he returned home to Maryville just before noon Tuesday. “I would hope people would do this for us if it happened here.” At his housemate’s suggestion, Higdon posted an update to Facebook late Monday, telling his online friends that he would head to the store to get supplies for firefighters and evacuees. “They need bottled water, Gatorade-type drinks, energy-type bars, wool socks, lip balm, gloves and AA batteries for the firefighter helmets,” he wrote at 11:18 p.m. Monday. “If you want to help but can’t get stuff out there due to work, either drop it off on my porch or leave money for me to pick up for you.” By 3 a.m. Higdon was headed toward Sevier County with some $800 worth of supplies including 5,000 bottles of water, 300 Cliff bars (a “crowd favorite,” he said), 25 pairs of wool socks, 100 packs of baby wipes, 50 gallons of orange juice, and “lots” of batteries. Higdon stopped first at the Red Cross’ shelter at the Pigeon Forge Community Center. “There were a lot of folks getting tucked in, getting to sleep,” he said of the evacuees. “I helped give them water.” Higdon then was directed by the Red Cross to First Baptist Church in Sevierville, where he helped a crew of volunteers make sausage biscuits for the evacuees. “We just made breakfast for 2,000 people in two hours,” he posted to Facebook at 6:50 a.m. Tuesday. “We’ll start serving breakfast at 8. Most folks are just now waking up. The tourists are dazed. The locals are in shock.” Then it was off to the Red Cross shelter at LeConte Events Center. “The phones would ring, and we’d go wherever we were needed, anywhere extra hands would be helpful,” Higdon said. And it wasn’t just helping hands that the evacuees needed, he added. Higdon offered his “ear, shoulder and smile to frightened folks who just needed to talk, vent or cry,” he wrote in a Facebook update. Fresh faces were arriving to help as Higdon was heading back to Maryville on Tuesday. “I do recommend waiting to come up,” he wrote on Facebook. “These folks are going to need help for weeks to come. “Don’t forget that about now the reality of the situation has set in for some folks,” Higdon added. “I stayed until I was no longer effective because I knew I had a bed to come home to … not everyone does up there.” From The Daily Times – Maryville, Tenn: http://www.thedailytimes.com/news/maryville-man-springs-into-action-helps-evacuees-overnight/article_fbf4c55f-dd4c-5361-95b3-34387db113b5.html?_dc=985697504976.4174