Class Notes

I work at a sticker company called Pipsticks and design a monthly subscription of Hello Kitty & Friends stickers! I am the lead designer and design each monthly collection on my own which consists of 15 sticker sheets. This is a DREAM job, and my time at MC made it possible!

Elizabeth Proffitt Bell passed away on November 24, 2023, at the age of 99. She was born in Maryville, Tennessee on July 29, 1924, to the late; Harry H. Proffitt Sr. and late; Lelia Graham Proffitt. Elizabeth graduated in 1946 with her bachelor’s degree in education, from Maryville College in Tennessee. She worked for University of Tennessee extension service and Cannon County school district. She was also a dedicated member of First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 57 years, Winfred Dean Bell; her six siblings: Dr. James N. Proffitt (Ruth), Harry H. Proffitt Jr. (Margaret), Mary Proffitt Wright (Dr. Robert C. ), Margaret Proffitt Cunningham (Ben), twin brother; William F. Proffitt (Vera), and Dr. Robert D. Proffitt. She is survived by her son; Marlon Dean Bell (Beth), grandchildren: James Michael Bell (Claire), and Emily Elizabeth Brooks (Edward), great-grandchildren: Eliza, Evelyn, Edison, and Cameron. Elizabeth is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Joseph Michael Bender died at Asbury Place in Kingsport, Tennessee on March 18th. Joe was born in Milford, NJ on March 20th, 1931, and graduated with degrees from Maryville College and the University of Tennessee. At Maryville he worked various jobs, played varsity football, joined the Marine Corps, and met his wife of 68 years Carolyn Marshall Bender.
After service during the Korean War, Joe worked in Human Resources at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He then moved to Kingsport in 1973 where he worked in Personnel, among other jobs, at Eastman Kodak. Joe also served in the active Marine Corps Reserve and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 27 years combined service.
Joe was an active member of Colonial Heights UMC and a leader in various civic clubs.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, children Lise, Michael, and Joanna and his grandchildren Adam and Angela Bender. The family thanks Smoky Mountain Hospice nurse Carey Young and the nurses of Asbury Healthcare Center for kind, compassionate care.

has retired from teaching in Fairfax County Public Schools Virginia and is substituting frequesntly in the elementary schools there. Happy Days!

Is working on a new novel.

Ilda Mosby Bennett, 89, of Maryville, wife of the late Duncan C. Bennett, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2015. Ilda graduated from Maryville College in 1949 and worked for many years in the Maryville College bookstore and post office. She leaves four children, Rosalind Magnuson, Rebecca Bennett, Geoffrey Bennett and Adrienne Bennett; three grandchildren, Emily Lancaster, Sara Pope and Duncan Bennett; and close friends, Carol Luther and Al Baker.

Col. (Ret.) Robert A. Bennett, age 93, died on Nov. 9, 2015, at Asbury Place in Maryville. Bob was a 30-year career pilot and commander in the Air Force. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart, in addition to other honors. Several magazine and newspaper articles have been written on his accomplishments. He attended Maryville College until WW II, then completed his college degree at the Univ. of Nebraska Omaha. Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman. Bob’s parents, James W. and Noreen Bennett, and brother Dr. James Bennett of the University of Tennessee preceded him in death. His survivors are his wife of 71 years, Freda; his daughter, Lee Sherry; his son, Bob; and two grandchildren, Jason Sherry and Tara Bennett. Bob Bennett was a long-time resident of Maryville and many people will remember the tall, slender, and distinguished figure. He will be missed. Arrangements are being made for a ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia with full military honors.

has been accepted into the Hult International School of Business’ Master of Finance program in Boston, MA where he will study for seven months. The remaining 4 months of the program he will study abroad at one of Hult’s international locations.

Matilda Pearl Housch Benton passed away Monday, April 4, 2016. She was 91. Born in Chickamauga, GA on June 27, 1924, Mrs. Benton was the daughter of the late Walter Matthew and Pearl Cunningham Housch. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Thomas F. Benton, two sisters Marion Housch Hutcheson and Florence Housch Lukeman, and two brothers, Max Housch and Edison Housch.Growing up in Chickamauga, Matilda graduated Gordon Lee High School. She attended Maryville College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. Accepting a job in Jackson County as the County Home Demonstration Agent and 4-H advisor, she moved to Jefferson in 1947, where she met and later married Thomas Frazer Benton in 1949.Thomas and Matilda lived in Commerce the rest of their lives. Matilda was a homemaker in their early years and then later worked with her husband at the JB Hardman Insurance Agency and the Commerce Building & Loan, later Athens Federal. She was a licensed insurance agent. Mrs. Benton was an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Commerce for over 60 years. She served as president of the United Methodist Women, Chairman of Worship and Membership Chairman. She served 30 continuous years on the Administrative Board. She was a member of the Church choir, Circle 2 (Hannah), Saints Alive, Alter Guild and Prayer & Care. She was also an active member in Pine Tree Garden Club for over 30 years, where she served as Secretary and Treasurer. She played an active role in their many gardening and nursing home projects.Matilda was an avid supporter of Girl Scouts, USA. She was a local troop leader and volunteer for 20 years. She instilled the Girl Scout motto, Be Prepared. in all her children; her three daughters received the First Class Honor Badge during her tenure. She served on the State Council and received the Thanks Award, the highest award given to volunteer adult leadership. In addition to her camping and outdoor activities, Matilda had many hobbies. She was an accomplished seamstress and baker. She also enjoyed playing the piano. She loved spending time with her family, cooking many a Sunday dinner for all to enjoy. She always looked forward to the annual family beach vacation, where she developed her video camera hobby, much to her family’s dismay. She was a competitive player of many card and board games and loved jigsaw puzzles. At 71, she joined the hospital fitness center, where she spent her mornings walking the treadmill and rowing. In later years, she enjoyed long rides, feeding the ducks and became an ardent bird watcher. Mrs. Benton is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Tommy and Karen Benton of Jefferson, daughter and son-in-law Kathleen and Jimmy Hooper of Maysville, daughter and son-in-law Matilda and Robert Wangerien of Sandy, UT and daughter Elizabeth Benton of Commerce; five grandchildren, LeighAnn Benton Allison, Thomas Housch Benton, Jr., Frances Hooper Whitlock, Wyatt Benton Hooper and John Wesley Terrell; six step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. The Housch-Benton family would like to thank her long-time caregivers, Judy Hicks, Heyward Barnett and Dorothy Haggard for all the love and support they gave to Miss Matilda and her entire family.

retired from Harrison Construction January 31, 2016, after 26 years of service.

Richard “Dick” Berg, 73, passed away peacefully on April 23rd at Cloverhill Senior Living Facility, where he has been living for the past 3 years. He was born December 28, 1949 in Dover, NJ to Raymond and Vivian Berg.

He met Donna Hemenway during their undergraduate studies at Maryville College. They married and graduated the same weekend in May 1971 and spent the subsequent fifty-two years building a beautiful family together.

He spent his life building and growing things, creating things wherever they were needed.  His workshop and garden were places of pride. He designed and built them their dream home in Maryville, TN.

For over 2 decades he led BSA Troop 888, out of Fairview UMC, as Scoutmaster. He helped nurture many young men into maturity and achieving the rank of Eagle. He helped instill a love of outdoors to all the youth who went through his Troop.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Karin Stracco and brother, Bryan Berg.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Donna, son Brandon (Karoline) of Norris, TN, and daughter, Heidi of Maryville, his 6 adoring grandchildren: Noah, Sarah, and Rebekah Berg, and Phillip, Joseph, and Daniel Truett. Surviving siblings include: Kathy (Bob) Still, Alan (Linda) Berg, Eric (Lisa) Berg, Glen (Judy) Berg; and a plethora of nieces and nephews.

Terry Margaret Berggren, age 54, of Sweetwater passed Tuesday, October 24, 2017. Terry was raised in the Church of God and put her faith in Our Lord Jesus Christ. Preceded in death by her father, Alden Grey Pitcock. Survived by her mother, Lilan Beatrice Duckett Pitcock, of Sweetwater Sisters and brothers-in-law, Diane Bohannan and husband James, of Athens, Tammy Smith and husband David, of Knoxville, nieces and nephews, Randy Shaw, Barbara Rowland, Andrew Smith, Amy Smith Gilman,and Adela Smith Lunsford along with several great-nieces and great-nephews.

Eric and Sue Bergman are the grandparents of 34 grandchildren ranging from age 21 down to one born in January, 2014.

Eric and Sue (Haldeman) Bergman are enjoying their new, one story home in Allentown, PA, after moving from their home of 38 years in Bethlehem. They are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their 36th grandchild (a boy, Louis) in March and two great-grandchildren, due in January (a boy, Matthias) and July, 2017. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August with a Mass celebrated by their son, Fr. Eric at their church, St. Thomas More Parish in Scranton, a member church of the Personal Ordinariate of St. Peter, and a party with friends and family.

Eric Llewellyn Bergman formerly of Bethlehem, PA passed away at home on May 16, 2019. He had suffered from Parkinson's Disease since being diagnosed in 2011. He was the husband of Sylvia Sue Bergman with whom he shared almost 53 years of marriage. Born in Bloomington, Illinois to Kathleen and Allen Bergman on July 25, 1944, he was raised in Champaign, Illinois. He graduated from Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee in 1966 and received a MA in history from the University of Tennessee in 1971. Eric and Sue moved to Pennsylvania in 1972 and raised their five children in Bethlehem. Eric retired from the Commonwealth of PA Department of Public Welfare in 2002 and continued working as a teacher's aide in Southern Lehigh School District and at Stabler Arena as an usher. A 2005 convert to Catholicism, Eric was a founding member of St. Thomas More Parish in Scranton.SURVIVORS: In addition to his wife, Eric is survived by his children Christine Duryea (Robert), Eric II (Kristina), Rebecca Huffman (Philip), David (Jane), Sarah Kaczor, thirty-six grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brothers Kenneth (Champaign, IL) and James (Louisville, KY). He was pre-deceased by his parents and brothers, Kenneth Eric, Carl, and David.SERVICES: A Solemn High Requiem Mass will be offered at 9 A.M. on Saturday May 25, 2019 at St. Thomas More Catholic Parish, 116 Theodore Street, Scranton, PA 18508. Calling hours will be held on Friday evening from 6 to 8 P.M. at the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 and also on Saturday morning from 8:30 A.M. until time of the Mass in the church. Burial will follow at Holy Saviour Cemetery in Bethlehem. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.CONTRIBUTIONS: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church.

received an honor for her work as Resident Services Employee of the Year at Home Forward (formerly the Housing Authority of Portland, OR). Sarah has been a Resident and Community Services Coordinator for 4 1/2 years, serving low-income public housing residents in Multnomah County, Oregon. Sarah and her husband, Jesús, and daughter Aurelia (3) also got the joy of traveling to visit Jesús’ family and celebrate 10 years of marriage in Merida, Venezuela in January of 2015. Sarah and Jesus met in Merida in September 2002, when Sarah accompanied Jamey Cook (MC class of 2004) as a Mobility Assistant on her study abroad experience. It was a wonderful experience to go back and be able to introduce the next generation to the culture and people Sarah and Jamey came to love 13 years ago!

of Lexington passed away Friday (November 21, 2014) after years of declining health. She celebrated a lifelong goal on July 9, 2014 as she reached her hundredth birthday. A celebration of her life will be held 11:00 am Tuesday (November 25, 2014) at Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church with Rev. Karen Roberts officiating. A private interment at Mt. Olivet will precede the service. The family will receive friends at Davidson Funeral Home-Hickory Tree from 6:00 until 8:00 pm Monday night. Annie was born in Davidson County, July 9, 1914 to David Madison and Flora Bell Craver Raper, the ninth of ten children. She was a graduate of Arcadia High School and Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee. On June 27, 1940 she married Ernest Paul Berrier and lived most of her life in Arcadia. Anne was an active lifetime member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church where she served as church librarian and chairman of the Paul Evans Scholarship Fund. She was a member of the Women’s Society of Christian Service and the Suzanna Wesley Bible Sunday School Class. She enjoyed being a member of the Davidson County Extension Club and Margaret Ripple’s various arts and craft classes. She spent most of her career in the Davidson County Schools teaching at Midway and North Davidson Junior High School, retiring in 1976. Mrs. Berrier was an avid gardener of both flowers and vegetables, other hobbies included crafts, needlework, painting, traveling and reading. When Mr. Berrier went to the coast on his many fishing trips, she always accompanied him bringing a good book, not a fishing rod. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ernest Paul Berrier in 1987, her sisters, Mary and Pearl, brothers, Grady, Austin, Ira, Paul and Charles. Surviving are her children, Barbara Teal (Wilson), Becky Lewis (Mike), David Berrier all of Lexington and Phil Berrier of Santa Barbara, CA; grandchildren, CW5 Myke Lewis, Jr. (Sherrie) of the US Army, Lori Weaver (Robert) of Lexington, Randall Teal (Lisa) of Carrboro, Jeff Teal (Tracy) of Creedmoor, Rebecca Mabe (Jeremy) of Lexington, Chris Berrier (Kristin) of Lewisville and Christina Thomas of Tulum, Mexico, great-grandchildren, Benton and Anna-Jane Lewis, Kaytlyn and Avery Hester, Colson and Chase Teal, Charlie Teal, Olivia and Justin Mabe, Emma Eggers and Luca Thomas Maza, and 1 great-great-grandchild, Kyndal Leonard; sister, Margaret Hemingway of Charlottesville, VA; sister-in-law, Rachel Sink of Thomasville; many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

Former Sweetwater High School football coach King Berrong passed away this week, according to the school. Coach Berrong began his football career as a player at Everett High School in Blount County. He then earned a scholarship to Maryville College. While there, he and his teammates were selected to play in the first Tangerine Bowl. Berrong then secured a position as head football coach at Sweetwater High, leading the team to two consecutive state titles in 1971 and 1972. Two of his most recognizable players are Kippie Brown, who currently coaches with the Seattle Seahawks, and Gerald Brown who coaches with the Atlanta Falcons. Coach Berrong was a member of the Blount County Hall of Fame, the Maryville College Wall of Fame, the Monroe County Hall of Fame, and the TSSAA Hall of Fame.

Lynn Lambert Berrong, age 84, of Maryville, passed away Monday, January 16, 2017, at home with her loving family. Mrs. Berrong was a longtime member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and Maryville 1st Baptist for many years. She was an owner of Lambert Acres Golf Club and was preceded in death by her husband, Leon Berrong; parents, Lee and Ethel Lambert; brothers, Robert “Bob” Lambert and Lee Vern Lambert; sisters, Ann Waters and Martha Smith; and sister-in-law, Shirley Lambert. She is survived by her sons, James Lee Berrong and Nick Berrong; daughter-in-law, Gale Berrong; grandchildren, Chad and Brandie Berrong, and Caroline Berrong; great-granddaughter, Camden Lynn Berrong; several nieces, nephews and other family also survive. A private family service will be held at the Berrong Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Parks & Recreation Leon Berrong Scholarship Fund or to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Arrangements by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 983-1000.

Lois Roberts Berry passed away on September 19, 2016.

Kenneth Lee Berry (Ken) passed away in his family home on Wednesday, July 19 in the evening surrounded by loved ones. He was preceded in death by his parents, CK and Madge Berry and beloved brother, Charles Berry. His surviving family includes his wife of 60 ½ years, Dottie, and sons and daughters-in-law Mike and Audrey Berry and Tony and Karla Berry. Grandchildren; Chelsea and Brennan Berry, Anthony Berry, and Alex and Ben Cash. Great-grandchildren; Maddux Cash and Sawyer Berry. He also leaves brothers-in-law William (Susan) Byrd and Bobby Byrd.

He was a valued educator for over 40 years, serving at Gatlinburg Pittman High School, Everett School, and he spent the majority of those years with Alcoa City Schools. His tough love and compassion for his students was always evident and was his life’s mission. He influenced the lives of so many young people and their families over the years. As a football coach at Alcoa Junior High School for over 30 years, he portrayed strength, a hard work ethic, and fierce spirit of competition. He believed in always expecting the best, providing the best, and simply doing your best.

Family was also of the utmost importance to him. His valued respect for his extended family members, who helped mold him as a young child into the strong leader he became, was ever present. His appreciation and pride for his family was his legacy.

is now Summer Law Clerk at Blount County District Attorney General’s Office.

recently moved to Northwest Arkansas to pursue careers at the Walmart Home Office. Matthew was recently hired as a Planning Analyst for Hardlines within the Home Office, while Myranda works within the Global People Division as a Program Manager for Women’s Development Initiatives.

Was recently promoted to a new role within the Walmart Global Talent Management team. In her former role she was integral in the communication and assessment measures of a new Walmart up-skilling training program called Pathways. She is now a Senior Manager on the Global Talent team leading the Corporate Intern Program. She has responsibility for all programmatic and communication efforts for approximately 300 interns that come into Northwest Arkansas each summer to get the full Walmart experience.

Myranda Bertrand was recently promoted to Senior Talent Manager II at the Sam’s Club Home Office in Bentonville, Arkansas. In this role she will have oversight and responsibility for talent and succession planning, performance metrics, talent programming and culture and diversity initiatives.