Class Notes

Charles Erma McFarland of Roswell died Sunday, May 31, 2015 at the age of 79. Born in Meridian, MS he was the son of the late Harris G. and Franke Brown McFarland. He was a graduate of Heidelberg High School (1952), Maryville College (B.A., 1956) and Georgia State University (M.Ed., 1977). He joined the Marine Reserves while at Maryville College and served for a number of years. He taught high school Biology and Human Physiology in the Fulton County School system for 41 years until his retirement in 1998. Since 1960, Charles was a dedicated member of Roswell Presbyterian Church, serving as both deacon and elder. He and his loving wife, Jean, served on many church committees, taught Sunday School classes, and were cherished youth group leaders. He served as president of Roswell Kiwanis Club and the North Fulton Retired Educators Association. He was a talented woodworker and an antique car enthusiast. Gifted with a quick wit, a generous heart, a love of nature and travel, a love of storytelling, and an indomitable spirit, Charles was a man who always focused on the positive and never met a stranger. Charles was preceded in death by a sister, Faye McFarland Nelson. He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Jean Dildy McFarland ’57; two wonderful sons: Bryan Field (Diane ’85) McFarland ’83 of Greensboro, NC and Kent Erwin McFarland of Alpharetta; a cherished granddaughter: Meagan Aline McFarland. He is also survived by an “adopted” family: Robb and Lanette (Henry) McClendon and their children, Michaela, Shelly, and Alex; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. A ten-year cancer survivor, Charles had been on home dialysis for the past three years with Jean and Kent as certified assistants. Because of the home dialysis option he was able to travel and enjoy visiting family and friends. The family is deeply grateful to innumerable medical professionals over the years, including the doctors, nurses and specialists at North Fulton Hospital ICU over the past two weeks.

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

Jean Dildy McFarland, 88, of Alpharetta, GA, recently passed away on December 25, 2023.

Visitation will be held on January 9, from 1-3 pm and 6-8 pm at Northside Chapel Funeral Directors in Roswell. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will take place on January 10 at 2:00 PM at Roswell Presbyterian Church. The Committal service will follow the reception at Green Lawn Cemetery.

Jean attended Milton High School in 1953, and went on to graduate from Maryville College with a B.S. degree in 1957. She later obtained her M.Ed. from Georgia State University in 1979.

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.

Passed away Feb. 23, 2015. at Westminster Manor in Austin, Texas. He was 90 years old. Owen was raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by his parents Owen and Nellie McGarity and attended Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. He then graduated from McCormick Seminary in Chicago, Illinois. He met his wife Lois, a fellow Maryville student, in 1946. After their marriage, they moved to Ashmore, Illinois where Owen served as pastor of the Ashmore Presbyterian Church. Following Ashmore, Owen served churches in: Brighton Park, Illinois; Ossian, Indiana; Rosenberg, Texas; Port Neches, Texas; Clarendon, Texas; Memphis, Texas; and Gonzales, Texas. While living in Rosenberg, he received a Masters of Theology degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. After retiring, he continued to serve as a part-time pastor in Luling, Texas and Cheapside, Texas and as the chaplain of the Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center in Ottine, Texas. In the spare moments of his full life, Owen was an avid ham radio operator with ham friends throughout the world. Owen is survived by his wife, Lois, his children Thomas, Arthur, Elizabeth Silva, Ralph, and Mary Nell Clark, 14 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.

Thomas A. McGehee passed away April 8, 1965

Douglas B. McGruther ’68 died October 28, 2019. He was retired from a distinguished career with the New Jersey Department of Human Services where he held several Senior management positions. He leaves his wife, Linda, and a daughter and son.

Anna Coe Keitt McIlwain, 83, of Talladega, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at her daughter’s home in Daphne, Alabama. Visitation will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Talladega at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2022. Funeral services will be held at noon on Saturday, February 26, 2022, with the Rev. Leeann Scarbrough of First Presbyterian Church officiating. Anna was born in Newberry, South Carolina to Joseph Lawrence Keitt and Margaret Kinard Keitt on September 14, 1938. At age eight, she professed her faith in Jesus Christ and joined Aveleigh Presbyterian Church in Newberry. She attended Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee and received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of South Carolina. Anna received a Master of Arts degree in Bible from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, and a Master of Science degree in library science from Jacksonville State University. Anna taught in South Carolina, Mississippi, and Alabama for 21 years. She also worked as a Field Advisor for the Girl Scouts and a Director of Christian Education at Steele Creek Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, N.C. Anna was a member of the Highland City Club and a board member of the Heritage Hall Art Museum. She was an active member and elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Talladega and commissioner to the Presbyterian Church USA General Assembly in 2004. Anna also served as Moderator of Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley as well as a member of the Congo Missions Team. Anna is preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Kinard Keitt, and her father, Joseph Lawrence Keitt. Her beautiful life will forever be cherished in the lives of her family. She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 53 years, James Wade McIlwain; son, James Wade McIlwain, Jr. (Holly) of Hoover; daughters Margaret McIlwain Trammell (Stoney) of Prattville; Mary McIlwain Hadley (Blake) of Daphne; sister, Margaret Keitt Smith of Lexington, South Carolina, five grandchildren, Shelton McIlwain Taylor (Reece) of Oxford; Keitt Caroline Trammell of Montgomery; Trent Jason Trammell of Troy; Anna Sellers Hadley and Samuel McIlwain “Mac” Hadley of Daphne; one great-grandchild, Maeleigh Anne Taylor of Oxford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Eunice Margaret “Peggy” Halsey McIntire, 89, of Shelbyville, Mich., passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Jan. 26 at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville. Peggy is survived by sons, Michael McIntire and wife Carla of Holladay, Utah, Bruce McIntire and wife Barbara of Huntsville, and Thomas McIntire of Alexandria, Va.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren; along with a host of friends all over the world. She was preceded in death by her husband, Philip, and son, Roger McIntire. Peggy had spent the winter months in Huntsville for the past five years and enjoyed the fellowship of Calvary Bible Church, where she was the pianist for her Sunday school class. Funeral services were held at Shelbyville United Methodist Church in Shelbyville Monday with Pastor Dave Selleck officiating. Interment was in Elmwood Cemetery, Wayland Township, Mich. A memorial service to celebrate her life with her Huntsville family and friends is planned for early in February at Calvary Bible Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Archer, Hampel & Kubiak Funeral Home, 312 N. Main St., Wayland, MI, 49348.

age 102, born in Vonore, TN, late of Chicago for over 62 years. Beloved wife of the late Otis S. McInturff (1958). Loving mother of Don (Barbara) McInturff, James McInturff, Otis McInturff and the late Joseph McInturff. Cherished grandmother of 10, great-grandmother of seven, and great-great-grandmother of seven. Fond sister of Robert (Ailene) Marshall and the late Harry (Leah) Marshall, Joseph B. (Bertie) Marshall, and Charlotte (late Ted) Pinkston. Graveside Service at Williamson Chapel Cemetery in Blount County, Tennessee. Express your thoughts and condolences at www.colonialchapel.com 708-532-5400.

age 80, of Westminster-Thurber Community, died on June 4, 2014. She was born in Chicago to the late Rev. Robert W. and Marion Kelow Crosby, and was married to Robert E. McKean, who predeceased her. Abby was raised in Indiana and graduated from Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee. She earned a master of arts degree in early childhood education at The Ohio State University, then spent many years as Director of the Early Childhood Center at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. She later taught several classes in child development at Columbus State Community College. Abby was also a passionate knitter. In addition to blankets, caps, booties and sweaters for every family baby, she knit several dozen caps, booties and incubator covers for the ICU babies at University Hospital. She is survived by her daughter, Mary Ellen Torok (Michael); sons, Charles (Ruth) of Mt. Vernon, Ohio, James of Arlington, Texas and Thomas of Bedford, Virginia; grandchildren, Seth McKean (Rachael), Megan (Josh) Coburn, Justin Musgrave, Nathan McKean (Lindsay), Katie (Dan) Campbell, Molly Torok and Spencer Torok; great-grandchildren, Jennifer, Isaiah, James, Zachary, Maddison, Lily, Naomi, Alexander, Adonys, Jordan and Emma; brothers, Robert (Shirley) Crosby of Columbus, Ohio, John (Susan) Crosby of Augusta, Georgia; sister-in-law, Harriet Fields of St. Petersburg, Florida; three nephews, and a niece. The family will receive guests on June 8 from 5-7 p.m. at WEIR-AREND FUNERAL HOME, 4221 N. High St., Columbus, OH 43214 (3 blocks S. of Henderson Rd.). A memorial service will be held on June 9 at 2 p.m. at Overbrook Presbyterian Church, with Rev. Bill Gause officiating. Friends, if they wish, may make a memorial contribution to Overbrook Presbyterian Church or to Maryville College, 502 East Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, Tennessee 37804. Arrangements by WEIR-AREND FUNERAL HOME. Please visit www.weirarendfuneral.com to sign the official online condolence book.

James “Jim” W. McKee, 93, of Centralia, passed away Sunday, January 17, 2021 at the Cedarhurst of Bethalto. He was born April 12, 1927 in Centralia, the son of Charles McKee and Carrie (Webster) McKee. He married Gwyneth “Gwen” Olwen Williams on August 20, 1970 and she preceded him in death on August 25, 2019. Jim is survived by his two children: Kimberly Anne Baugh and husband Russ of Edwardsville and Scott Kenneth Poland and wife Cindy of Knoxville, Tennessee; a daughter-in-law: Ada Poland of Fayetteville, Arkansas; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents: Charles and Carrie McKee, wife: Gwyneth “Gwen” McKee, two sons: Mark Alan James McKee and John Richard Poland, two sisters: Mary Elizabeth Cox and Joan Bozett; A Brother in law John Bozett. Jim served in the U.S. Navy Seabees during World War II. Jim graduated from Centralia High School. He attended SIU Carbondale, Knox College, Aberlin College, and University of North Carolina. He graduated from Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee and the University of Illinois with masters in Mathematics. Jim was the Tennis coach and assistant Football coach at Harrisburg, Centralia High School, Florida State University and at Kaskaskia College for 22 years teaching and coaching, followed by 12 years in admin after retiring. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at KC and the James McKee Scholarship at Kaskaskia College was started in his honor. Jim was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Centralia, where he served as an Elder, former Trustee, and former Sunday School Teacher. He was also a member of the Red Cross Board, CCBA Board, and the Centralia City Board of Appeals. Jim moved to Edwardsville in 2018 to live closer to his daughter, Kim. He made many new friends and was beloved by all who met him. Jim loved his family and enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Jim always had a warm smile to give and sweet spirit to share. Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded and a Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date with burial to follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the James McKee Scholarship Fund at Kaskaskia College and/or Marion Medical Mission and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home and Cremation Services at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois 62801, (618)532-3523, whom is honored to be of service to the McKee Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com

passed away on August 3, 2010.

Emily Beth McLemore, 40, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly at her workplace on July 5, 2018. Emily was employed at Marriott International/Accenture for 17 years, where she had many friends and was described by her managers as a model employee. Emily was a graduate of Maryville High School and Maryville College. She was an environmentalist who loved nature, respected Mother Earth, and was a devoted cat mom. Emily very much loved spending time with her immediate and extended family. She was a wonderful, funny, and caring daughter, sister, and friend who cannot be defined in words. She is preceded in death by: grandparents, Willis & Ethel McLemore and Paul Kenneth Teffeteller and Jewel Sands Teffeteller Shamblin Cline. She is sadly missed by parents, Ronnie and Paula (Ms. Paula of JS Adventure Club) McLemore; sister and brother-in-law, Angela (McLemore) & Brian Lora. Our hearts are broken. We appreciate the love and support from our extended family, friends, and Emily’s coworkers, who will also greatly miss her. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: Save the Manatee Club, 500 N. Maitland Ave., Suite 210, Maitland, FL 32751, Attn: Donations or The Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410. A gathering and reception will be held to share time with family and friends on Tuesday, July 10, 2018, from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at the Life Event Center, 1404 Tuckaleechee Pike, Maryville, TN 37803. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.

Robert Lee McLeod of North Branch a retired Presbyterian Minister died Friday October 29, 2021 in Scranton, PA. He was 85. Robert was born October 10, 1936 in Jacksonville, Florida to parents the late Robert and Alice McGhee McLeod.

Robert was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Florida; Maryville College in Maryville, TN; and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He served as a Presbyterian Minister in Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. In his later years he enjoyed interim ministries in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois and New York. Most recently he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello.

He is survived by his Wife Margaret McLeod of North Branch; his sons Robert Bruce McLeod (Josephine) of Needham, MA; William Andrew McLeod of Oklahoma City, OK; his granddaughters Tristen Black (Seth); Erin, Devon, and Abigail McLeod; his grandson Cameron McLeod; his great granddaughter Joy Black; and stepsons Charles Sommer (Maria) and Douglas Sommer (Laura).

Bob fondly reflected on a family lake house vacation with all the grandkids, he lived his 85 years in peace, tolerance and acceptance and in joy of the presence of his Lord and Savior. Among his hobbies were music, golf, travel, hunting and he always enjoyed the company of a pet cat.

He spent his retirement years in Sullivan County New York and passed unto his Lord after some health deterioration and COVID 19 over came him.

Marian McLiverty passed away at the age of 98 on Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, in Charlottesville, VA.

Marian grew up in Mt. Airy, NC and Bethesda, MD. She graduated from Maryville College, Maryville, TN in 1944 and went to Johns Hopkins Hospital and University as a part of the nurse cadet corps where she received her RN and BSRN in 1948. She worked as a nurse at the Veterans Hospital in Washington D.C. and later in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, where she met her future husband, John McLiverty. They were married in Beirut, Lebanon on May 4, 1951, at the American Community Church. In 1953 they returned to the USA, living in Bethesda, MD and later in Salinas and Fremont, CA. For many years Marian did transcript work for her husband, who was a court reporter. After her husband’s death, she moved to Charlottesville, Va. in 2007 to be closer to her sister.

She was a committed follower of Jesus Christ and an active member in her church where she served as elder, president of the Women’s Association and chairman of a missions committee. In her spare time, she would swim one mile, five times a week, and do needlework that included knitting, tatting, and counted cross stitch.

Marian is predeceased by brothers, Robert, James, and her husband John. She is survived by her sister Louise, and many nieces and nephews. Private burial will be at Oakwood Memorial Park in Santa Cruz, California. HOME WITH JESUS

If you could see who I am with, The glory of His face, You wouldn’t sorrow so for me, You’d feel His sweet embrace.

He is the one who loved us so, And died then in our stead. Before He died, He prayed for us, And this is what He said:

“Oh Father let them be with me, All who’ll be in the fold. That glory that you’ve given me, I want them to behold.”

If you could see who I am with, His splendor yet untold. You’d see it is just as He said. What glory to behold!

I wish I could explain to you How beautiful He is. But words, they don’t begin to tell The glory that is His.

But one day, dear ones, you’ll be here, You’ll see then what I mean. It’s Oh so thrilling to me now! Such glory never seen!

Passed away May 13, 2014. In II Timothy 4:7 the words of the Apostle Paul may provide an apt metaphor for the life of Bert McMahon; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”. Bert has worked very hard to serve God, provide for his family and to make a significant contribution to his community through many years of teaching and coaching young people. Bert was born in Marion, N.C. on June 19, 1927, the third child of Rev. Albert E.S. McMahon and Dorothy C. King McMahon. The family soon moved to Ashtabula, OH. where Bert spent his school years, graduating from Edgewood High School in 1945. In addition to enjoying his years as a high school athlete in football, basketball, track and baseball, he coached high school Summer League baseball teams. Service to his nation intervened right after graduation in 1945. He spent two years in the U.S. Navy just as World War II was winding down. He returned to work for a short time in Ashtabula before entering college. He graduated from Maryville College, TN in 1952, and spent a few years working as an assistant manager for S.H. Cress Co. in Lakeland, Tampa and Key West, FL. His training and love of coaching called him into teaching and coaching in his home state of Ohio in the small town of LaGrange for one year. Bert then moved to Michigan to begin his Master’s studies at The University of Michigan and a position as teacher-coach at Cranbrook Schools, Bloomfield Hills, MI from 1955-1960. He received his Master’s Degree in February 1958. On December 15, 1957 he married Rita C. Pelton in LaGrange, OH and she survives. The majority of his teaching and coaching years were served at Lincoln Consolidated Schools, Ypsilanti, MI where he also served as Director of Recreation for many years. He retired from full time teaching in January of 1988. After retiring he continued to teach Driver Education part time, and enjoyed keeping up his home, lawn and garden, participating in church activities, enjoying his grandchildren and traveling with his wife Rita. In addition to his wife he is survived by sons David A. McMahon, Ypsilanti, Steven K. (Anne) of South Lyon, MI, Brian E. (Diane) of Ypsilanti, and daughter Carol S. (Kevin) Bingel of Gregory, MI. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and one great grandchild. The grandchildren are: Danny and Sarah Bingel, Christopher (Megan) McMahon, and Brian Michael, Brandon and Mollie McMahon, and Kayla and Steven Schaefer. The great grandchild is Rorrie Rose McMahon. Other surviving relatives include two brothers: George T. McMahon of Knoxville, TN and Joseph F. (Christine) McMahon of Green Valley AZ. Bert is also remembered by many nieces, nephews and cousins. Bert was predeceased by his parents, two sisters and their husbands: Dorothy (John) Robinson, and Beverly (Harry) Regas.

George T. McMahon passed away September 23, 2017. George was born to Rev. Albert E. S. and Dorothy Chase King McMahon on June 18th 1925 in Ashtabula Ohio. Preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Dorothy (John) Robinson, Beverly (Harry) Regas, and Bert (Rita) McMahon. He is survived by his brother Joe (Christine) McMahon, his Children, Sharon (Steve) Schaab, Kenneth McMahon, Robert (Teresa) McMahon, and Margaret (Cary) Finn, and nine Grandchildren. Veteran of WII, 1943-1946, US Navy Seabees, rank Coxswain. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Maryville College. He retired from Y-12 after 34 years as an Engineer.

York – Mark W. McMaster, 72, entered into rest on Thursday November 21, 2019 at his residence surrounded by his family. Mark and his wife, Joy A. (Eichhorn) McMaster, recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. He was born May 30, 1947 in Johnstown. The son of the late Wilbert and Beatrice (Holsinger) McMaster, he was preceded in death by a sister, Doris L. Saylor. Mark was a graduate of Eastern High School and Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. His desire for knowledge led him to enjoy the fields of carpentry, computers, photography, tropical fish, wildflowers, orchids, fly fishing, and fly tying. He was a member of the Donegal Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Susquehanna Orchid Society, Nature Conservancy, and Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, A visitation will be January 4, 2020 at 1 PM at the John W. Keffer Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc. 902 Mt. Rose Ave. York. A Memorial Service will follow on January 4, 2020 at 2 PM with Pastor Marion Haynes Weller officiating. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Hospice and Community Care 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, Pa. 17604, Donegal Trout Unlimited PO Box 8001, Lancaster, Pa. 17604, or to a charity of your choice in Mark’s name.

William M. McMaster passed away on April 25, 2014.

Sidney Jeanette Wiley McMaster, aka GG or Jeanette, was born on Friday, January 22, 1932 in Tupelo, Mississippi, the eldest child of Eugene “Gene” Fulton and Mildred “Mid” Newell Wiley. She died on Thursday, September 8, 2022 in Oak Ridge, TN. Predeceasing her were her mother and father; her brother, David Lee Wiley; and her husband, William Murry McMaster. Left to remember her are her sisters, Ann Van Hassel of Heiskell, TN and her Mary (Bill) McWhorter of Oak Ridge, TN; her children, Bruce (Karla) McMaster of Oak Ridge, TN, Jane McMaster (Dan Clemens) of Petaluma, CA, and Catherine (Paul) Pietrow of Rhinebeck, NY; her grandchildren, Lindsay (Corwin Walls) and Kasey (Ren Li) McMaster, Anne & Rachel Pietrow, and Ben Clemens. GG was beautiful and carried herself with class. (Was it just a coincidence she and Queen Elizabeth II passed away the same day?) She graduated from Maryville College and attained her Master’s in Library Science from Florida State. An avid reader and lover of books, she spent her career as a librarian. She leaves behind many memories; both those she recounted and those she made with her family. There were the regular visits to Pontotoc, MS, to visit her grandparents when she was a young girl. There was the train ride during which she and her sister, Ann, traveled together to Knoxville from Pontotoc (at the tender ages of 12 and 6) to join their parents when they first moved to East Tennessee. She reminisced about lying in bed at her Aunt Gracie’s house in Nashville, with no air conditioning, sweltering, during the regular summer stints at the Vanderbilt Divinity School Library under her aunt’s tutelage. Then there was her daring trip to Mexico City with Gracie, in the 1950s (via bus!). GG often spent time in the Smokies, and some of her other adventures include the time she made the difficult climb up the front of the Chimney Tops at the ripe age of 50, with Jane & Catherine. Another memorial hiking trip, with her family, was to Spence Field where she supported the fending off of a hungry bear that interrupted the family as they picked blueberries and sunbathed, and had to be chased away by a shoe to its nose. GG was also an accomplished pianist and a dedicated gardener. A naturally commanding presence, GG did not hesitate to “boss around” her next younger sister Ann, who was able to return the favor in the past 18 months; as Ann cared for GG at home. We recall Ann and GG watching football (or basketball) games with a glass of white wine in one hand and Cheetos in the other. GG loved to cook (just kidding), but despite that, she made delicious fried chicken and always the best of the best carrot cake for family occasions.

Natalie Prinzing McMillan class of 1955, passed away November, 2015.

Joe Drinnen McMurry, age 83 of Maryville, passed away Sunday, May 1, 2016. Survivors include several cousins. Family and friends will meet at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday at Magnolia Cemetery for a graveside service with Rev. Steve Mosher officiating.

Robert Joseph (Joe) McNeal (1937-2023), a prominent atmospheric scientist, died July 17 at his home in Charlotte, NC. The cause of death was vascular dementia. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean Pulis McNeal; two children, James Robert and Emily Christine McNeal; four grandchildren: Riley, Jay, Sydney and Nathan; a sister Linda McNeal Greer, and multiple nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joe was born in Knoxville, TN to Jack and Lera Louis Overholt McNeal. He grew up in East Tennessee with his two siblings, Jack (deceased 2012) and Linda, and attended tiny elementary schools, Beaumont and Kit Carson in Blount County, graduating in 1955 as valedictorian from Everett High School. The receipt of an Alcoa Foundation Scholarship, offered to children of Alcoa employees, was a defining moment in his life, offering him free tuition to a college of his choice. Following 2 years at Maryville (TN) College, Joe received a B.S. from Berkeley (1959), and a Ph.D. (1964) in chemical physics from Columbia University where he met his future wife, Jean, in chemistry classes. In summers of ’59 and ’60, he was a guest scientist at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratories doing high temperature chemistry.

Following a NSF post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard (1962-3), Joe joined Aerospace Corporation and served as Head, Atmospheric Kinetic Department. In 1978, he became the first Atmospheric Chemistry Program Director at the NSF, later moving to NASA, where he continued his interest in atmospheric chemistry and its impact on life on earth. He held memberships in Sigma Xi, Phi Lambda Upsilon, the American Geophysical Union, and the American Physical Society. He is the author/co-author of over 100 scientific journal articles.

A major component of Joe’s professional life (1979-2000) was the NASA Global Tropospheric Experiment (GTE), a program of NASA land and aircraft-based experiments over the entire globe that was dedicated to improving knowledge of global tropospheric chemistry and its implications for the biosphere, climate, and stratosphere. GTE focused on measuring and understanding the potential impacts of human activities on Earth’s climate and on the terrestrial biosphere. Included in GTE was the Upper Atmospheric Research Satellite (UARS), launched in 1991 from the Space Shuttle Discovery; it was an orbital observatory designed to study the Earth’s atmosphere, particularly the protective ozone layer. Contributing members of the research teams included scientists from NOAA (US), Brazil, China, UK, several European countries, as well as major US universities: Harvard, Georgia Tech, MIT, VA tech, etc. The mission to the Amazon in Brazil, during both wet and dry seasons over a period of years, involved more than 80 US and 80 Brazilian scientists. Another expedition involving measuring “pollutants” in “pre-industrial” China, has served as a baseline to evaluating the environmental cost of industrialization.

Following retirement in 2000, Joe continued old loves (including movies, music, following the New York Yankees and traveling) and explored new passions such as photography, ballroom dancing, and enjoying his grandchildren. He was a “hi-fi” enthusiast and early adopter of digital communication technologies. He became a Stephens Minister at National Presbyterian Church in Washington, DC. Jean and Joe shared many happy trips to Europe, Southeast Pacific, Brazil, Alaska, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Reverend Paul Rector McNiel, 88, of Maryville, Tennessee passed away on July 30, 2016. He was born in Harrogate, Tennessee on September 12, 1927, the son of Paul Revere McNiel and Bessie Adelia (Rector) McNiel. He married his wonderful wife, Katherine Ida (Blackburn) McNiel on May 28, 1952. Paul graduated from Knoxville High School, Maryville College, and McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago. Throughout his career, he served as a Presbyterian minister, touching the lives of many in several communities in Tennessee, as well as Arizona, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Kansas, Missouri, and Ohio. In addition to serving church congregations, for decades he concurrently directed Presbyterian Church camps in Tennessee, Arizona, New Mexico, and Ohio. In his later years, he often continued to apply his skills helping church congregations in transition as an interim minister. Paul served in the US Army in the latter part of WWII, later followed by two decades in the US Air Force Reserve. Paul loved people and the outdoors. He enjoyed hiking, camping, hot springs, and travel. He was beloved by many in all walks of life for his kindness, wit, generosity, compassion, wisdom, leadership, and interest in and caring for others. He is survived by, among others, his wife of 64 years, Katherine McNiel of Maryville, Tennessee; sons, Alan McNiel of Yaak, Montana and Dale McNiel of San Francisco, California; daughter, Peggy McNiel of Oakland, California; grandchildren, Paul and Lydia McNiel, and Juliana, Sophia, and Vincent Santucci; and brother, Don McNiel of Hebron, Connecticut. A memorial service was held on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 1:00 p.m., at Hopewell Presbyterian Church, 812 Hopewell Street, Dandridge, TN 37725. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 1017 Hampshire Drive, Maryville, TN 37801, www.habitat.org/support/giftfromtheheart.aspx.