Class Notes

age 89 of Maryville, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2015, at Shannondale of Maryville. In 1942, Mary Elizabeth McKnight arrived at Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee, from Kingstree, South Carolina. She graduated in 1946 from Maryville College with a BA degree in education. She met Robert C. Jackson and they were married February 15, 1947. Mary Lib taught and substituted in the city schools while her children were young. She was room mother, Girl Scout leader, Boy Scout assistant leader, as well as taught Sunday school at Maryville First United Methodist Church. She has been active in volunteer work and civic affairs for most of her adult life. She was president of the Maryville College Alumni Association, on the board of directors, as well as chairman of the National Alumni Board. Her gifts to Maryville College and the University of Tennessee supported programs benefitting international students. She was on the boards of the former Smoky Mountain Passion Play, Knoxville Opera, Blount County Children's Home, Knoxville Area Children's International Summer Villages, and American Field Service Organizations. She was named to the Chancellor's Associates, a support group at the University of Tennessee. In 1989, Mary Lib was named to the regional board of directors at the Bank of East Tennessee and named vice president of the Blount Memorial Hospital Foundation. This was formed to help the hospital, built in 1947, with contributions from citizens of Blount County. The Foundation was established as a mechanism to encourage continuing financial gifts to the hospital. The first fund-raising was the establishment of a Christmas Tree of Lights at the entrance of the hospital.After twenty-four years this is an ongoing event. At the time of her passing, she was a member of Maryville First United Methodist Church, Maryville Kiwanis Club, and Chilhowee Club, having joined as a Junior Club member in 1960. She helped begin The Investment Club. She served as president 1975 – 1976, president of District II of TWFC, and chairman of the Chilhowee Club Board of Directors. She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert Cowan Jackson; son, Robert C. Jackson, Jr.; parents, Covert Pierson McKnight and Mary DeBelle Evans McKnight; sister, Jeanette McKnight Harken. Survivors include her children, Frances Irene Jackson, Nanci Elizabeth Jackson (Patrick Rakes), Peggy Elaine Jackson, and William Andrew Jackson (Sandie Pettersen Jackson); grandchildren, Richard Dennis Gardner, Jr., Cara Marie Gardner (Brian Cowley), Lauri Elizabeth Jackson Stockman (Tim), Martin Galen Jackson, Aimee Jackson Hall, Erik Nathaniel Hall, Robert Thomas Jackson Eldridge, Laura Elizabeth Jackson Eldridge, Ashley Elizabeth Jackson and William Andrew Jackson.

On Aug. 1, 2018, Hayley Carter Jackson ’11 began a new position with Knox County Schools as a fourth grade teacher at Bonny Kate Elementary School in South Knoxville, TN. Two weeks later, she received a Master of Arts Post-Baccalaureate from Johnson University in Knoxville, TN.

In July 2018, Samuel T. Jackson ’12 started new position with University of Tennessee, Knoxville Alumni Affairs Office as Assistant Director for the Center of Student Alumni Programs.

Carter Montgomery & Christopher Douglas born 2/21/2023 to Sam (‘12) and Hayley Carter Jackson (‘11).

Carter Montgomery & Christopher Douglas born 2/21/2023 to Sam (‘12) and Hayley Carter Jackson (‘11).

MARENGO – James, Karen Gayl, passed away at her home in Marengo, IN, on the evening of Monday, May 20, 2013. Karen was perhaps best known as the Head Children’s Librarian for the Louisville Free Public Library system, for whom she worked for many years until her retirement. At the time she retired, she was the Head of Collection Development. The Library community, unwilling to let her leave, asked her to work with the Library Foundation for whom she wrote grants. During her career, she occasionally taught classes in Children’s Literature at Spalding University, as well as, at the University of Louisville. A member of the American Library Association and the Kentucky Library Association, she was a frequent presenter at conferences. She also twice served as a judge for the Caldecott and Newbery Book Awards, and she wrote book reviews for Library Journal. During her work with children she demonstrated her talents as a fine puppeteer, and as a masterly story teller. She was an inexhaustible reader, and she was a member of an on-going book discussion group for 24 years. Trained in Art History and Painting in her early years in college, she was a fine artist in oils and she created beautiful collages. She was also a founding member and a board member of the Lost River Market and Deli, a food cooperative, which is located in Paoli, IN. Karen is survived by her husband, Timothy James Hellner, with whom she shared a truly remarkable companionship for 37 years. She lived with her spouse and her beloved cats on their rural acreage, surrounded by trees, in a home that they built themselves. She was a wonderfully attractive, refined and intelligent person who invariably impressed all who knew her. She was deeply admired by many, friends and acquaintances, alike. It is trivial to say that she will be greatly missed. Although raised as a Presbyterian, a Mass will be said for her at the Abbey of Gethsemani in Bardstown, KY. A celebration of Karen’s life will be held at a later date. –

Marian A. James of Maple Hill, NC passed gently from her earthly life on Tuesday, January 8, 2019 at Ashe Gardens Memory Care in Burgaw. She was born September 14, 1935 in Maple Hill, daughter of the late Joshua Stuart and Lalage Shull James. Also remembered is her brother, Richard S. James and brother-in-law, James Burroughs, Sr., both who preceded Marian in death. Surviving family include her sister and brother-in-law, Genevieve and Lloyd Bostian of Madison, WI; sister, Jeanne Stuart Burroughs of Raleigh; nieces, Marilyn Bostian Webster and husband Mark, Susan Bostian Young and husband Jim, and Melinda Burroughs Lovick; nephews, Brian Bostian, Steven Bostian, David Bostian and wife Gail, and James D. Burroughs, Jr. and wife Beth; and ten grand nieces and nephews. Marian was an elder in Maple Hill Presbyterian Church and served as a Commissioned Lay Preacher of Coastal Carolina Presbytery in the Presbyterian Church USA from 1991 until 1997. She was a charter member of the Board of Trustees for the Maple Hill Medical Center. Marian graduated from Needham Broughton High School in Raleigh, NC and from Maryville College in Maryville, TN. She worked for American Airlines in Washington, DC and Hartford, CT. After returning to Maple Hill, she was employed as assistant librarian at the Pender County Public Library from 1985 to 1995. Graveside service will be conducted in the James Family Cemetery at a later date. Following the graveside, friends and family will be welcomed at Sycamore Springs (family home place) in Maple Hill for a time of fellowship. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund of Maple Hill Presbyterian Church, C/O William Marshburn, 14171 NC Hwy 53 E, Maple Hill, NC 28454 or to Friends of the Pender County Library, PO Box 879, Burgaw, NC 28425. Condolences may be sent to www.quinnmcgowen.com Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home of Burgaw.

is the recipient if the 2015 AACR Women in Cancer Research Award. She has been doing research on CDK4/6 Breast Cancer.

M.D., Ph.D., a third-year medical oncology fellow, recently received several national awards and grants, as well as a Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center fellowship, in recognition of her translational cancer research. Jansen received an American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) 2015 Women in Cancer Research Scholars Award. The awards are given to members of the Women in Cancer Research group of AACR who are scientists in training and presenters of highly meritorious, top-scoring research papers submitted for the AACR Annual Meeting, which was held April 18-22 in Philadelphia. Jansen gave an oral presentation on mechanisms of resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. CDK4 and CDK6 are proteins involved in the regulation of the cell cycle pathway. Inhibition of CDK4 and CDK6 results in cell cycle arrest, thus preventing the proliferation of cancer cells. She has also been recognized by the Tennessee Oncology Practice Society (TOPS), a chapter member of the Association of Community Cancer Centers. Jansen received a TOPS award in conjunction with a presentation at the ACCC conference in Nashville.

currently of Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, received a research grant award during the 2015 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), held May 29 – June 2 in Chicago. The grant, designed to boost the recipients’ research careers, were awarded by ASCO’s Conquer Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization working to conquer the disease by funding breakthrough cancer research and sharing cutting-edge knowledge with patients and physicians worldwide. Third-year medical oncology fellow Valerie Jansen, M.D., Ph.D., received a Young Investigator Award which provides $50,000 in funding for cancer research projects. Jansen is researching breast cancer and works in the laboratory of Carlos Arteaga, M.D., director of the Center for Cancer Targeted Therapies and director of the Breast Cancer Program. Read more: http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2015/06/vicc-investigators-asco/

passed away May 10, 2012.

Jeanne West, 95, went to be with Jesus peacefully in her sleep Thursday morning. She was born and reared in Justus, Ohio, by her mom Hazel Conkle. She moved to Maryville to attend Maryville College where she met and married Lonnie B. West Jr., who died in 1986. They and their children attended Alcoa FUMC for many years. Both of them were long time scout leaders, and Jeanne was a member a Women’s Aglow. Jeanne is survived by her children: Betty Haas-West (Sue), Lonnie Bert III (Caroline), Glynn Raymond (Donna), Becky Todt (Bill), Pat Sise (Randy, deceased), Pam McLemore (Philip), 16 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Interment of ashes will be at Sherwood Memorial Gardens on April 22, 2023, at 3:00 pm. Everyone Welcome.

Mary V. Jefferson ’63 passed away on March 11, 2018.

Dakota Jenkins is completing the MAcc (Masters of Accountancy) Program at UT Knoxville in August 2016.

Maryville College Baseball has added a familiar face to the 2017-18 baseball squad. Logan Jenkins has joined the Scots’ staff as an assistant coach. More here: http://www.mcscots.com/sports/bsb/2017-18/releases/20170807luaaoa

Dr. Larry P. Jenkins, M.D. 81, of Albemarle, passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at Atrium Health Pineville in Charlotte.

Dr. Jenkins was born May 21, 1940, in Knoxville, Tennessee, to the late Astor Layfette and Elisabeth Spahr Jenkins. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife, Doris Glenz Jenkins; son, Stephen Glenz Jenkins; grandson, Jacob Joseph Austin and brother, Jim Jenkins.

Dr. Jenkins practiced ophthalmology in Albemarle for 50 years.  He was a dedicated member of Albemarle First Assembly for 40 years, where he served as a board member, usher, and choir member. One of his favorite ministries was playing on the floor with the children in the nursery. Larry was also a 50 year member of Rotary. He loved spending time with his family and enjoyed watching University of Tennessee football and golfing. He enjoyed playing the trumpet in the Stanly County Concert Band.

Larry is survived by his wife, Karen Jenkins; daughter, Laura J. (Russ) Stevwing; son, Paul E. (Wendy) Jenkins; daughter, Sissy J. (Dale) Austin, daughter, Mary J. (Ryan) Story; stepson, Mike Banta; stepdaughter, Carole Banta; grandchildren, Garrett, Seth, Parker, Will, Sydney, Vance, Olivia, Eli, Kiley; great-grandchildren, Bayley, Micah; brother, Alvin (Marjorie) Jenkins; sister, Sylvia Harlow; sister-in-law, Barbara Jenkins.

Through his nonprofit charity, First Foundations Inc., Dick Jensen plans to donate new Spanish and English language books to libraries in Cuba during 2016. For more information contact Dick at ffi113@bellsouth.net.

86, of Salisbury, passed away Monday, July 2, 2012. Her son was by her side as she drifted off to be with the Lord. Dorothy was born Sept. 10, 1925, in Seminole, Pinellas County, Fla., to the Rev. E.H. and Mary (Kuhn) Crowson. She was christened into the Methodist Church at an early age and accompanied her parents on their missionary tenure in Calcutta, India during the late 1920s. As a young girl, it was readily apparent that Dorothy was a gifted musician and had a great curiosity that fueled a lifelong passion for learning. Dorothy graduated from Haines City (Fla.) High School in 1942. In 1948, she graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee with a B.A. She took her first teaching job in 1949 and then continued her post graduate work at the University of Florida, Gainsville, in education. She received her M.S. Ed in elementary education in 1962 from the State University of New York at Oswego on the shores of Lake Ontario. Hired in 1949 by the Haines City Consolidated Schools, she taught 4th and 5th grades at her own elementary school in Loughman, Fla. From 1954 to 1956 Dorothy taught in one of the last one-room school houses in upstate New York in Oswego – teaching all grades from 5th to 8th simultaneously. From 1959 to 1964 she taught in the Phoenix (N.Y.) Central School system and moved to the Mexico Academy and Central School in Mexico, N.Y. in 1965; retiring 20 years later in 1985. Dorothy was always active in the church blending her teaching skills in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School, and music skills at the piano and organ, and in voice, for services and events. She played violin in the Oswego City Orchestra. Dorothy sang with the North Country Music Society. She served for many years as an accompanist for music students of the Mexico school system in the New York State Soloist Competitions. In 1991, she moved to Salisbury, Md. to be close to family. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, an active supporter of Coastal Hospice, Christian Shelter and Habitat on Marylands Lower Shore. She regularly attended the concerts at Salisbury University, engaged her favorite pastimes in gardening, genealogy and theology. She was a board member of The India Mission Fund, Inc. (TIMFI). She was a member of the Jackson Military Road Chapter (in Natchez, Miss.) of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She took a small pleasure that in moving to the Eastern Shore she was completing a historical circle as her first Crowson ancestor to come to America arrived on Delmarva in 1690. Dorothy was predeceased by her parents, Rev. E.H. and Mary (Kuhn) Crowson; her eldest brother, Ellis H. Crowson of Loughman; her middle brother, David L. Crowson of Orlando; her daughter, Deborah Grace (Johnson) (Brown) Reed of Conroe, Texas; and her former husband, John G. Johnson Jr. of Scranton, Pa. She is survived by brothers, Dr. Henry L. and Betty Crowson of Potomac, Va. and Paul R. and Laurie Crowson of Hattiesburg, Miss.; her sister, Ruth (Crowson) Rishel of San Diego, Calif.; her sisters-in-law: Virginia (Snyder) Crowson of Orlando, Freida (Johnson) Lea of Scranton, Pa., and Edna (Johnson) Prestwood of Clarks Summit, Pa.; her son, John G. Johnson III and his wife, Diane of Laurel; and her four grandchildren, Katherine J. Johnson of Adelphi, Md., Margaret L. (Johnson) Belous of Newtown, Conn., Lauren (Brown) Hitzeman of West Haven, Conn. and Daniel A. Brown of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives as well as friends of the family.

Cora and her husband Mark recently relocated to Kingsport, TN. Cori is currently a Senior Account Executive over Membership with the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce. Mark and Cora recently purchased their first home and are expecting their first child in October 2015.

Has retired from teaching at Maryville Jr. High.

Virginia Johnson ’17 has been officially into the Peace Corps. and will be moving to Zambia in fall 2018. to teach English. She is currently working with AmeriCorps in San Francisco Bay area.

writes in to share that she is living living with her daughter, Mary Kathryn, and her two younger children, Benjamin and Melody. Being a member of the family keeps her active and happy.

Ralph A. Johnson, formerly of New Albany, Ohio passed away at his home in Aiken, South Carolina surrounded by friends and family on October 5, 2019 from complications of ALS. Dr. Johnson is the former Superintendent of New Albany Schools and the Director of Leadership at the ESC of Central Ohio. He was born April 7, 1947 in New York City to the late Ralph A. Johnson Sr. and Grace Marion (Coggins) Johnson. He is survived by his adored wife Terry Lynn (Wise) Johnson formerly of Upper Arlington, Ohio, his sister Grace Hanser and brother Kenneth. He completed his PhD at Ohio University. He graduated from high school at The Stony Brook School in New York. He was the Co-Captain of his high school football and wrestling team. He went on to Captain his college wrestling team, and was four time state collegiate champion and two-time SEC conference champion. Until his illness Dr. Johnson was Director of Leadership at the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio where he provided executive training for practicing school superintendents as well as a variety of consulting services to school boards. Dr. Johnson has also served as the former Superintendent In Residence at The Ohio State University, College of Education. At Ohio State, he was responsible for coordinating the accelerated licensure program for Ohio Superintendents and directing the National Academy of Superintendents. He served for 13 years as Superintendent of New Albany Schools. New Albany has consistently ranked among the leading school districts in Ohio. Dr. Johnson led several funding campaigns that resulted in the successful construction of a new 200-acre campus with thirteen buildings and a new performing arts center. He is especially proud of his collaboration with fellow educator Bill Resch in the creation of a 90 acre nationally recognized nature preserve adjacent to the campus that serves as a teaching laboratory. Upon his retirement, the community established an endowment in his name with the New Albany Community Foundation to further advance art and leadership programs for students. Dr. Johnson has served as a consultant for the U.S. Department of Education. He has presented at the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) national conferences; the Ohio School Boards Association (OSBA); the Buckeye Association of School Administrators (BASA); and has served as a consultant to numerous school districts in the Midwest. Dr. Johnson served on the Executive Board of the Ohio Alliance for Adequate School funding; the Executive Board of the Franklin County Educational Council, the Executive Board of the New Albany Community Foundation, ex officio; the Metropolitan Educational Council, the Executive Board and Past President of the Ohio Franklin County Superintendents’ Association, and the Advisory Board (Kitchen Cabinet) to the State Superintendent of Public Instruction of Ohio. Dr. Johnson served on several education commissions in Ohio, as well as a Board Member of KIPP, Central Ohio. He was a founding Board member of the New Albany Community Foundation. Dr. Johnson received numerous recognitions: John G. McCoy Award, by the Founder and Past Chairman of the Board of Bank One for public service to the community in helping to develop the $18,000,000 New Albany Performing Arts Center. New Albany City Council Recognition for “Leadership in Developing the New Albany School Campus.” Ohio House of Representative Resolution and New Albany Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award for “Service to Community in Leading the School District to the designation of ‘Excellent with Distinction.” He was also awarded the Ohio Arts Council Administrator of the Year Award for “Leadership in the Arts” in developing the Alliance for the Arts and playing a leadership role in helping to develop the New Albany Performing Arts Center. The national University Council for Educational Administration recognized him for “Excellence in Educational Leadership” as New Albany’s Superintendent. Dr. Johnson has been chief consultant to numerous school districts in Ohio facilitating executive level searches. One of his most satisfying accomplishments has been to help former students and colleagues advance to leadership positions. Dr. Johnson co-authored with Charles Parsons Ohio Superintendent Evaluation System. He also authored a monograph for Treasurer evaluations, The Ohio Treasurers Evaluation System. Dr. Johnson was a member the New Albany Country Club, The Reserve Club at Woodside, Aiken S.C., and Sam’s Club. At his request, no services will be held. The Historic George Funeral Home, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements. Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com

I am currently serving in Zambia as an education Peace Corps volunteer. I’m working with my community to build a library for the use of our students and other community members. We are working hard, but we need help financially so that we can purchase all the books and materials we need. You can read more about the project on my blog here: and you can donate to the project on the official Peace Corps grant page here: Thank you for your help, ya’ll!

My husband, Mark & I welcomed our second son, Drew Russell Johnson in April 30th, 2019. We also have a four year old, Luke Edward Johnson.