Class Notes

Myrtis Donaldson Miller passed May 27, 1969, at the age of 53.

Marty Miller, age 73, of Maryville, passed away on July 25, 2018, at her home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Orla A. Miller and Margaret Miller. Marty graduated from Grandview High School in Columbus, Ohio, in 1962, and from Maryville College with a degree in elementary education. She continued her education to receive a master’s degree in speech and theater from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Following graduation, Marty taught at various institutions, including the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in the Communication Department. Marty loved music, theatre, dancing, and traveling. Most recently, she was a member of the choir at First United Methodist Church in Maryville. Survivors include her husband, John Wehrmeyer; daughters, Jenny Jenkins, Julie Mayer (Jade), Katie Jenkins (Shawn); son, David Jenkins (Tara); and father of her children, Ron Jenkins; brother, Bob Miller (Judy).

Davis Miller retired after 26 years as CEO of New Ventures, Inc., a job training business for persons with disabilities and other employment barriers. Highlights include a 50th Anniversary with Judy Hannah (’69); spending time with their grandson Cameron and granddaughter, Autumn Rose, and prepping for another grandson,Charlie, to arrive latter September.

MILLER, Lora Lora Jennings “Jenn” Payne Miller died peacefully on Tuesday, 7-14-09 at the age of 81. She was a much beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and friend to many. Her gift of song was expressed beautifully and often in her church homes of First Baptist Decatur, GA and St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Canton, NC. Besides her lovely alto voice, she shared her love of cooking with her family and friends and was an avid reader. Jenn was a Girl Scout leader, PTA President, and Daughter of the King, in addition to her work as a medical secretary for Dr. Ward in Decatur and Emory Clinic. She delighted in her three daughters and their friends as well as the family pets throughout the years. Jenn was born and raised in Canton, NC by her parents Fannie and Bryan Payne who predeceased her. They moved to Decatur, GA in 1944 where she attended Agnes Scott College, earning degrees in Greek and Bible. She married William “Bill” A. Miller in 1949. Theirs was a courtship familiar to other students of Agnes Scott and Ga. Tech. They raised a loving family of three girls, Jean Elizabeth, Carol Ann (Adams) and Laurie Ruth Miller. She loved her two grandsons, William “Silas” and Connor Miller Adams, and her son-in-law William “Bill” T. Adams. Her husband Bill died 1-6-05 in Waynesville NC. “Granny” then moved to Decatur, GA where she lived near the rest of her family. Heartfelt thanks to the staffs of Regency House, Arbor Terrace, Northside Hospital and Hospice Atlanta. They all eased Jenn’s challenges with Alzheimer’s and encouraged her and the family along the way. Memorial service: Oakhurst Baptist Church, Decatur, Thursday, 7-23-09, 7:00 p.m. Interment: St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Canton, NC. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the Oakhurst Recovery Program, 222 E. Lake Dr., Decatur, GA 30030. Cremation Society of the SOUTH in Marietta is in charge of the arrangements (770) 420-5557.

D M Miller (Born October 22, 1925 – Died Wednesday, April 15, 2020) Born in Harriman, TN. He was a husband, father, athlete, coach, and teacher. Miller married Viola Marshall in 1951. They lived in the Norwood Community having three children: Elizabeth Ann (Libby), Jon and Joe. Their family joined the congregation of New Hope Presbyterian Church in 1951 where he served the church with the same ferocity that he coached. Deeply committed to family, he loved camping, working with his hands, coaching, and celebrating “the good times”. After graduating from Rule High School in 1944, Miller entered the Navy and fought in the Pacific Theater. In 1946 he entered Maryville College majoring in education, playing football (captaining the team that won the first Tangerine Bowl), and meeting his wife Viola. Upon graduation in 1950, Miller returned to Rule High School serving as coach, teacher, and principal (1965-76). He served the Rule High and Lonsdale Community for the remainder of his life, dedicating himself to the lives of his students, faculty, and staff. He was proud to be a Golden Bear, many referring to him as “Papa Bear.” As a coach and athletic director, Miller was a leader in his field. He was captain of the Rule High School football team, twice playing in the City-County All Star Game in Neyland Stadium. Along with football, Miller was active in track and field. He served the TSSAA Board of Control (1967-76) implementing Title 9 which administered the inclusion of girl’s athletics and founding the state classification system for high school athletics. He was inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame in 1994 and later inducted in the Greater Knoxville Athletic Hall of Fame (2004). Miller completed his M.S. in Administration and Supervision in 1964 and would go on to be a major force in educational leadership. A strong advocate for education and diversity, Miller administered integration of Rule High School, oversaw bussing for Knoxville City Schools, and supported legislation for the protection of students. Miller was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Knoxville City Schools and later elected to the Board of Education, serving on the Knoxville City Board (1983-87) and later serving the unified Knox County Board (1996-2004). The family extends is deepest thanks to Dr. Gerald Pritchard, Morning Pointe Assisted Living, and UT Hospice. Miller is survived by his wife Vi, children Libby, Jon, Joe, Darlene, Brett, Meg, Marla, Shelley, Joe, and Tim along with his sisters, Juanita Lindsey and Betty Jo McCarty. A private burial service will be held at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in his name to Sunshine Industries, Sertoma Center or the Knox County Education Museum. Condolences may be left at www.mynattfh.com

Lowell Gayley Miller passed away peacefully with family by his side on April 28, 2023, in Morristown, Tennessee at the age of 85. He was born in Blount County, Tennessee on February 14, 1938, to Len and Sarah Miller. Lowell spent his early years in Blount County before attending McCallie Military School in Chattanooga during his high school years. He began his higher education at Maryville College where he played football and basketball. After suffering a knee injury, he chose to complete his education at University of Tennessee, earning a degree in business. Following college, he began a lifelong career in law enforcement including police force, Customs Agent, and finally Special Agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration, retiring from there at age 57. Lowell is preceded in death by his parents, Len and Sarah Miller. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth Wilson Miller; son, Scott Miller and wife Susan of Maryville, children, Andrew Rouse, Sara and Emily Miller; daughter, Lisa Miller Molfetto and husband Bill of Austin, Texas, children, Cameron, Landon, and Braden Molfetto; daughter Jenda Miller-Rogers and husband John of Riverview, Florida, child, Irelyn Rogers. Additional beloved family members of Lowell’s include Jennifer Wilson and Don Quilliams; Amy and Billy Murphy; Laura and Jeff Trent and children Brandon, Matthew, Weston; Lexi and Jamie Henry; Erika and Dino Angelo and children Thomas and Alexander; Karen and Mitchell Young and family, Jody Ogle and family, and Micki and Lynn Jones and family.

Karl W. Miller (1967), previously of Dover, New Jersey, and currently of Hayes, Virginia, passed away on September 10, 2023, after a brief illness. He was a member of the band at Maryville and an alumnus with an active interest in his alma mater.

Karl Wallace Miller of Hayes died on Sunday, September 10th, 2023, surrounded by his wife, children and grandchildren. Karl grew up the son of a Presbyterian minister, between Dover, New Jersey, and Slaughter Beach, Delaware. He graduated from Maryville College and remained a lifelong supporter of the institution, with a particular zeal for reinstating the marching band there. He was also passionate about spending time on the water, fishing and crabbing. He taught children, grandchildren, and neighborhood kids to catch fish and crabs, water ski, navigate waterways, read a compass, carry out “cushion rescues”, and treat rivers, bays, and oceans with respect. 

Karl was married to his high school sweetheart, Ginny, for 55 years. Through this long, loving and loyal union, Karl and Ginny served as dedicated members of the many Methodist churches that they attended, made true and lasting friendships in every state in which they lived, and gave their children, grandchildren and community a beautiful example of a long-lasting marriage full of struggles and redemption. Through their many years, Karl and Ginny always prioritized a stable home life; the first step they took upon moving was setting up the dining room table so that the family could eat dinner together and the next was to find their church. 

Christmases with their three children and seven grandchildren were raucous, joyous affairs, and Karl took great pleasure in reciting his annual Christmas tome and delivering a comical, dramatic, and sometimes inappropriate reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Christmas Day was an epic event filled with scavenger hunts, lottery tickets, forced marches, and other inexplicable traditions which were all required before presents could be opened. 

Many people knew Karl in his later years from his epic bike travels all over Gloucester County. On travels through Gloucester County, you may have seen him pedaling his bike along local roads, in some cases lying on the side of the road, or even catching a ride in an ambulance after a spill along Route 17. Despite continuous cuts, scrapes, and bruises as a result of his biking hobby, he rode daily clad in an orange vest, aiming to cover at least 300 miles a month.  

When not on his bike, Karl could be found in his garage workshop, listening to NPR News and muzak while handcrafting wooden puzzles. Although his custom name puzzles were highly sought after by toddlers and newborns alike, he also created more complicated puzzles of maps, biblical parables, and brainteasers. His license plate, PUZLMAN, advertised his small business and occasionally drew questions (and those questions ALWAYS led to a puzzle sale).    

Karl was an elder in the community of Susanna Wesley United Methodist Church, serving in many capacities over 28 years of membership. Among his many roles was as adult Sunday school teacher, shepherding his flock through a rigorous study of the Bible; correct answers to obscure Bible trivia were rewarded with chocolate and, if someone in the class were to get the extra-hard bonus question, the whole class got ice cream. With his wife by his side managing the technology, he managed to persist even throughout COVID in this community study of “the God book”. Karl was also a strong supporter of the church’s Fred Meyer Scholarship Fund, which provides financial support to those pursuing education beyond high school.  

In his younger years, Karl served in the US Navy for 26 years, retiring as a Captain in 1994. His career took him on multiple deployments to the Mediterranean Sea, as he served on the USS Shadwell, USS Casa Grande, USS Vulcan, and the USS Forrestall. The Navy moved him and his family coast to coast every two to three years, and he did tours of duty in Norfolk, Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Mayport, Florida; Newport, Rhode Island; San Francisco, California; Baltimore, Maryland; San Diego, California; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Williamsburg, Virginia. His three children went to a collective 21 schools during their elementary and high school careers. Over the years, his children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren were thrilled and terrified by the ghost stories he shared of serving on a haunted ship and fascinated by campfire tales of his time on aircraft carriers and in foreign ports during the Cold War.

During their many cross-country moves, Karl and Ginny road tripped with whatever children and pets were part of the family at that time and used trucker-style CB radios to communicate back and forth between the family’s two cars. Each day, they would put in a full day of driving, and each night they would camp (for many years in tents). In later years, Karl and Ginny upgraded to a pull behind camper and enjoyed many family reunions with grandchildren, often staying in state or national parks around the country, or traveling on their own enjoying time together.  

Karl is predeceased by his parents, Hugh and Minerva Miller, and his elder brother, Byard Miller.  He leaves behind his wife of 55 years, Ginny Miller, three children, and seven grandchildren ranging in age from 9 to 22. They are daughter Rachel Schiera (Tony), son Ian Miller (Christine), and daughter Abi Healey,and grandchildren Tian, Silas, Tehva, Levi, McHenry, Emmett and Theodore. Karl was one of seven children and is survived by sisters Cathy Roth and Dixie Johnson, brothers James (Rose), Tim (Barbara), and Sam (Lisa) Miller, sister-in-law Lynn and many nieces and nephews.  

Karl had a stroke days before his death and was tenderly cared for by the competent and compassionate staff at Riverside Hospital in Newport News. His children and grandchildren gathered around him during his last days, sharing stories, singing songs, and laughing together.

of Bay Harbor’s Island passed away Friday February 7th, 2014 at the Suwannee Valley Care Center after an extended illness. She was the daughter of the late George A.L. and Elizabeth Engle Roberts Sr. She was preceded in death by George A.L. Roberts Jr.,her brother. She was a member of the United Church of Christ and a kindergarten teacher for 25 years. She enjoyed china painting, traveling and spending time with her family. Mary was survived by her husband of sixty three years, The Reverend A. Bertram Miller of Bay Harbor, Florida; one daughter, Elizabeth Ann Nestler (Peter) Lebanon, NH; one brother, William Roberts (Barbara) Lancaster, NH; one Grandson, Michael H. Nestler, two sister in laws Martha Jean Roberts and Julia Merrill and numerous nieces and nephews.

Ralph “Dusty” Edward Miller, Jr., age 82, passed away peacefully on August 5th, 2020. He was born on July 18, 1938 in Baltimore, Maryland to Ralph E. Miller, Sr. and Alice B. Crumbacker. After graduating from West Nottingham Academy, he was awarded a baseball scholarship to the University of Maryland. His desire to be a Marine led him to leave college and join the United States Marine Corp. After completing Special Ops training, he was part of the first combat unit deployed to Viet Nam where he completed two tours of duty. He was then recruited by the National Security Agency, resigning after two years to complete a B.S. from Maryville College in Tennessee. He returned to West Nottingham Academy as faculty in 1972 where he coached three sports. He joined the Army Special Forces National Guard Green Beret in 1979 and was on the A-Team until 1981. At age 48, Mr. Miller completed jump school and was the Communications Team Sergeant until the unit’s deactivation in 1994. He was recruited by the Central Intelligence Agency in 1982 and remained with them until his retirement in 2003, completing 27 years of federal service. Mr. Miller was passionate about the Boy Scouts of America where he held positions of Scoutmaster and Order of the Arrow Chapter Advisor. He has mentored countless young men to Eagle Scout and beyond. He also served as Emergency Medical Technician for Maryland City Volunteer Fire Department, Station 27 in Laurel, MD where he oversaw their Cadet Training program. Mr. Miller is survived by his nephew Garry M. Pace and wife, Patricia; nephew Brian D. Rigell; great nephews Matthew R. Pace and wife, Shelby, Timothy B. Pace, and great niece Caroline P. Rudacille and husband, Scott; great great nephews Jackson Rudacille and Luke and Wyatt Pace, and great great niece Mollie Rudacille and the countless friends and young men and women he has mentored. Also predeceased by his sister, Sandra L. Miller. A private interment with full military honors is planned.

passed away on October 27, 2006.

Carolyn Balch Milligan, 90, recently of Millbrook NY, formerly a longtime resident of Freeport in The Bahamas and Asheville NC, passed away on Monday, May 18, 2020 at MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie NY. Born August 27, 1929 in Hickory NC, she was the daughter of the late Hiram S. and Lizzie Kate (Foard) Balch. She graduated from Maryville College and earned her MA from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. In October 1954, she married Barton Milligan who predeceased her in 2018. Carolyn was an active volunteer for causes she believed in including The Nature Conservancy, Planned Parenthood, the Bahamas National Trust and the League of Women Voters. Mrs. Milligan is survived by her son Charles H. Milligan and his husband Dr. Henry H. Westmoreland of Wingdale, NY, niece Elizabeth Bennett of Rabat Morocco, and nephews Edward Bennett of Eagle River, AK and Jonathan Bennett of Austin, TX. Funeral services will be private. Memorial contributions might be made to The Nature Conservancy, 4245 North Fairfax Drive, Suite 100, Arlington, Virginia 22203 or at nature.org. Condolences can be expressed by visiting www.hufcutfuneralhome.com

passed away May 14, 2014. WAITING ON OBITUARY

Winifred Walton Mills, 86, of East Orange, New Jersey, died October 4th 2013. “Winnie” Mills, daughter of William Carlisle and Irma E. Mills, and loving wife of Harold Kenneth Mills, Jr., passed away suddenly on October 4th at Renown Medical Center, Reno, Nevada from congestive heart failure. She is survived by her daughter Betsy, son Ken, and by her granddaughter Emily. Emily, Ken and his wife Lauren all live in the Portland Oregon area. Betsy lives locally in Reno. Winnie worked for many years as an executive assistant at College of Saint Elizabeth in Madison, New Jersey before retiring in 1993. She was a highly valued employee and a favorite of the Sisters whom she worked with. Winifred served the community, for over 25 years, as an Avon representative, and enjoyed reading and spending time with her beloved daughter. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.

Olivia Carlyle Vawter Mills, age 89 of Maryville, TN, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2023, after a brief illness. She was born and raised in Maryville, the youngest of four girls. She graduated from Maryville High School and Maryville College, where she majored in Biology. She worked in the library at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, in administration for Royer Realty in Atlanta, Georgia, and as a homemaker raising her two children before retiring to Inverness, FL with her husband. She returned to Maryville in 2018 to be closer to her children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Margaret Vawter, her husband, Snell Mills Jr., her sisters Hettie Vawter, Dorothy (Dan) Winter, and Sara (Charles, Mark) Barnes Lyons, and her son-in-law Ed Hensley.

She is survived by her daughter Sharon Mills, her son Snell Mills, III, and daughter-in-law Carrie Eby Mills, as well as beloved nieces and nephews.

Thomas Douglas “Touchdown” Mincy passed peacefully Tuesday, August 18, 2020, with his granddaughter, Amanda, and loving wife, Carolyn Dailey Mincy, by his side, as she had been since 1978. Their love for one another inspired everyone that knew them and can only be described as the greatest story of partnership, respect, and devotion. Doug was born October 25, 1939 in Maryville to parents, David and Loretta, and was the loving brother of sister, Modean. An excellent academic, Doug also dominated on the gridiron, where he earned the nickname “TD,” short for both “Thomas Douglas” and “Touchdown”. Known for his speed, agility, and leadership, Doug created countless fond memories and lifelong friendships during his time at Friendsville High and later Maryville College, where he studied coaching, accounting, and various advanced mathematics disciplines before joining his father at The Aluminum Company of America. It was his professional move to Greenback Industries where his path would cross with that of his soulmate, Carolyn, and lead to her joining him and his beloved children: Allen, Deana, and Mark. Doug’s aspiration to be an independent proprietor led to his purchase of a dump truck, which would be the beginning of the legacy that he would leave for his family. The trucking company – which would later be named “MDM Trucking” after the untimely passing of his youngest son, Mark Douglas – still operates today and is run by Doug’s surviving children, Allen and Deana; his wife, Carolyn; his honorary son, Joe Hylwa; and longtime employees, Ed Lale, Tom Keir, Johnny Miller. Doug had a joy for life, people, gardening with “Uncle Harold” Yates, and storytelling – whether it was lively stories from his youth, his endless knowledge of the Duke and old Westerns, or tales of his travels. He meant the world to countless people for countless reasons. He saw the best in everyone and was gracious and forgiving. Doug was proud while humble, tough while kind, and hard-working while playful. His willingness to empower people with hand-ups and opportunities illustrated his caring heart, and the extent of his selfless acts of generosity were far-reaching. The lessons he taught with how he lived will forever impact those that knew him, and he is greatly missed. Doug is preceded in death by parents, David Thomas and Loretta Leonard Mincy; son, Mark Douglas Mincy; father-in-law, Horton Dailey; brotherin- law, B.C. Burchfiel; nephew, David Burchfiel; and many dearly missed friends. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Dailey Mincy; son, Allen David Mincy; daughter, Modeana Lenee “Deana” Mincy (Tom Keir); honorary son, Joe Hylwa (Julie); sister, Modean Burchfiel; grandchildren, Amanda “G-1” Carter (Joel Segona), Kari “G-2” Mincy, Marcus Carter, Matthew Carter, Bud Mincy (Tosha), Cassi Hylwa, and Ty Hylwa; great-grandchildren, Bryce Mincy, Brylee Butler, Caden Carter, Lane Mincy, and Brooklyn Mincy; mother-in-law, Wanda Dailey; siblings-in-law, Evelyn Johnson (Donnie) and James Horton Dailey (Denise); nieces and nephews, Michael Burchfiel, Jason Johnson, Trent Dailey, and Katelyn Keck (Cameron and Harper); and a multitude of friends whom he loved like family. Per Doug’s wishes, there will be no traditional service. In celebration of his life, a chili cook-off planned for his 81st birthday will still take place this fall, and details will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, food, or other kind gestures; please make donations in Doug’s name to one of the causes he supported: Greenback Rescue Squad (PO Box 129, Greenback, TN 37742) or Kerbela Shrine Circus (Attn: Nick Seagle, PO Box 2691, Knoxville, TN 37901).

Catharine Elizabeth Pond Minear, age 96, of Athens, passed away at St. Mary’s Hospice House on Wednesday, August 21, 2013, following complications resulting from a fall earlier in the month. She was a resident at Morningside of Athens, and attended Green Acres Baptist Church. Born in Tenafly, N.J., on August 4, 1917, Catharine was the daughter of the late Henry Otis Pond and Winifred Margaret Semple Pond. She was married to the late Marvin Downer Minear, and was predeceased by her siblings, Henry O. Pond Jr., Edward F. Pond, Donald S. Pond, and Caroline P. Mackey; as well as by her daughter, Margaret M. Nettles, of Athens. She is survived by her other children, John D. Minear, of Nellysford, Va.; David B. Minear, of Hanau, Germany; Kenneth E. Minear, of Portland, Ore.; Winifred A. Minear, of San Pedro Sula, Honduras; and Dorothy J. Minear, of Pensacola, Fla. She is also survived by five grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Catharine received her baccalaureate degree from Maryville College, in Tennessee, and worked for many years for a medical group in Vero Beach, Fla., and then as a social worker for the State of Florida. Upon retirement, she moved to the mountains of North Carolina and then finally to Athens. Catharine lived a long and active life, filled with her love of God, her family and friends, and the beauty of a world filled with flowers, birds, and song.

I served in Honduras for 34 years as a missionary with CAM International later named Camino Global and now Avant Ministries. I retired in 2019 and now live in the Richmond, VA area. I am involved in my local church and Community Bible Study. I also hope to teach Bible studies with some of the Hispanic ladies in my area.

Margaret Fain Mize, 96, died Friday, January 27th 2017 in Charlotte, NC where she had been living for the past two years. She was born in Chattanooga, Tennessee July 29, 1920 to Charles Meek Fain and Jessie Calhoun Fain. As a student at Maryville College she earned a bachelor’s degree and met her future husband, Dr. John Thomas Mize. They were married in 1943 while he was a dental student at Emory University in Atlanta. In 1947, Margaret and Tom moved to Tryon where he practiced dentistry and Margaret raised 6 children and countless dogs and was very active in the Tryon community. Margaret was a founding member of the Gay Blades Garden Club, active in the Congregational Church, and a busy community volunteer. After the birth of the last child, Margaret attended graduate school to earn an MAT degree which qualified her to teach science and home economics at Tryon High School for over 20 years. Following the death of her husband in 1993, she continued to live in Tryon and Columbus until 2015 when she moved to the Pavilion Health Care in Charlotte for rehabilitation and nursing care following a debilitating fall. She was close to family in Charlotte including one daughter, two granddaughters and three great-grandchildren. Her surviving family includes 6 adult children, twelve grandchildren and five great grandchildren, one sister, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was a woman of irrepressible spirit, loved and respected by all who knew her, and truly a mother in the grand sense of the word. All who were part of her life benefited from her very special gifts of compassion, joy, kindness, and unconditional love for all. A memorial service was held Saturday, February 4 at the Tryon Congregational Church. Memorials may be made to the Congregational Church, 210 Melrose Avenue, Tryon, North Carolina 28782 or to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 1420 East Seventh Street, Charlotte, NC 28204 (hpccr.org).

Beth Chamberlin Mizelle, age 85, passed away peacefully this week surrounded by family. In her last years, she had many health challenges and was an inspiration to all. But Beth’s story is not about battles but about love. As a middle daughter of 3 girls, the sisters grew up singing together and drawing on newsprint that their Editor father brought home. After high school in Sioux City, Iowa where Beth was May Queen and played clarinet in the marching band, she went to Tennessee’s Maryville College. There she met the love of her life, Bob Mizelle, a handsome upperclassman, and won his heart. Bob and Beth courted and then were married in Sioux City on January 1st, 1955 as Bob had joined the Navy and had the day off. They were stationed in Norfolk, VA and enjoyed the officer’s club dances and living the Naval life. Bob was out on the Admiral’s ship when their firstborn arrived, Laura Beth. When Bob went into civilian life, they moved to Massachusetts where Beth had their second daughter Claire Anne. Soon after, they moved to Woodstock, NY (before the concert) where Beth designed their dream home. After a few years, IBM moved the family to Stamford, Connecticut where they made lifelong friends and Beth found a large artist community for her passion for art. For her family, she would make Halloween and school play costumes, create comforters and make memorable birthday cakes and parties. For her friends, she loved having theme dinners transforming their house each time. Beth painted in oil, acrylic and watercolor and she sculpted in wood, stone and clay. She became a professional artist selling her art to collectors here and abroad. Beth was a member of the Stamford Art Association (where she was a board member and President for many years), the New Canaan Society for the Arts and was a member of the Uncommon Chiselers, a group of professional women sculptors, for 20+ years. Bob’s job relocated the family to Paris, France for 3 years where Beth found another group of artists to paint with and hosted in-home life drawing classes. Paris helped feed Beth’s artistic fire and she thrived. One of her paintings hung in Paris’ Grand Palais for a time and she was inspired by the family’s sidetrips through Europe. When they moved back to Connecticut and bought a cruising sailboat, Beth and Both joined the Stamford Yacht Club and enjoyed the beauty of Long Island Sound. When Bob retired, they traveled to many exotic locations including Africa, Peru, Turkey, Egypt and Costa Rica. Being immersed in other cultures captivated Beth’s imagination and helped shape her art. In addition, Beth was very active in the North Stamford Congregational Church. Beth and Bob were members for 49 years and enjoyed the strong church family including choir, potlucks, rummage sales, talent shows and Haunted Houses. She painted objects for sale and enjoyed encouraging others to use their creativity too. To know Beth, was to love her. Her easygoing attitude and kind disposition was evident in all she did. She always put everyone in front of herself and was a friend to all. Whether she was camping, sailing, drinking wine or travelling the world with Bob, she was at home. She loved adventure, challenges and living life to its fullest. We should all learn from her example. Beth is survived by her loving husband, Bob, her two daughters, Laura and Claire and their husbands Sylain and Matthew. She loved her four granddaughters, Olivia, Elise, Cecilia and Deirdre and Beth’s youngest sister, Ardath, husband Earl and the extended family. Come celebrate Beth’s life on Saturday, August 10th, 2019 at 12pm at the North Stamford Congregational Church on Cascade Road in Stamford, CT. A small reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the local chapter or Hospice of Cincinnati who cared for Beth at the end and continues to minister to the family.

Bob Mizelle passed away in November at the age of 88 from heart failure. Though he had been battling health issues for years, his family believes that his heart lost its spark four months earlier when Beth, his love and wife of 64 years, left this earthly life. Bob was surrounded by family when he passed and we know that he joined Beth in Heaven that day. Bob was the second of seven children born into a large loving family in New Jersey. He was close to his parents and siblings and he kept that connection throughout his life. As a teen, Bob was active in their church youth group and enjoyed ski trips and all the social opportunities of a large family. As a young man, he went to Maryville College in Tennessee for Business Administration. In his senior year, he met a beautiful freshman, Beth Chamberlain, who agreed to type his papers. When Bob graduated college and enlisted in the Navy as an officer, he proposed to Beth and they were married during a snowstorm in Iowa on New Years Day, 1955. Beth and Bob enjoyed a Naval officer’s life and their first child, Laura, was born while he was out at sea. Soon afterwards, Bob began his civilian career at Ratheon in Massachusetts for a few years, where they had a second daughter, Claire. He accepted a job with IBM and moved the family to Woodstock, NY (before the concert), Stamford, Connecticut, Paris, France and then back to Stamford before he retired from the company after 27 years. Bob concluded his career with Rolm before he finally retired and focused on his lifelong passion – sailing. Bob had always loved the water. As a child, he and a friend “bought” a rowboat to use on the Passaic River that he named Corky. Sadly, Corky was in Bob’s life for only a few days before it was reclaimed – but he was hooked. Decades later, when their family moved to Stamford, he bought a 19′ Lightning, a wooden sailboat called Mystery, that had to be caulked, sanded and sealed every year. It was part of the fun, he would say. When the family relocated to Paris for 3 years, the boat was sold and Bob resorted to organizing weekend trips about Europe – usually around towns near water and boats. When they moved back to the States, a 30′ C&C, Encounter, was purchased and the family joined the Stamford Yacht Club. Bob always had a strong competitive spirit and he enjoyed the camaraderie and challenge of racing sailboats regularly on Long Island Sound. He also joined the Halloween Yacht Club so that he could compete in their races as well. Bob sailed with friends up and down the East Coast and competed in the race to Bermuda several times. Many years later, they upgraded to a Hood 38′ cruising sailboat, Fantasia, that he and Beth loved to sail and even took down to the Bahamas for a spell. Bob loved to be out on the water and especially enjoyed sharing his passion with family and friends. Bob was an adventurer and modern day explorer. With his wife and friends, they rented a sailboat off Turkey, skied the Alps, rode camels in Egypt, went on a photo safari in Africa, ziplined in the rainforest, climbed the ruins in Peru and many other trips where they could experience new cultures. Bob loved people and he was always quick to smile and friendly to all. He taught those around him to work hard in their pursuits; whether for work or hobby, be kind to others, look for the positive and to enjoy life. Bob and Beth loved their family, extended family and friends. They enjoyed camping, perusing museums and art galleries, gathering at reunions, swapping stories at boat raft-ups or sharing an outdoor concert with friends. They used to host theme parties that transformed their house regularly. The North Stamford Community Church was a big part of their lives for 49 years and Bob was instrumental in the building of the memorial garden where Beth’s ashes are and Bob’s will be placed later this year. Together again…always. Bob is survived by his two daughters, Laura and Claire and their husbands Sylvain and Matthew. He loved but leaves his four granddaughters, Olivia (Otis), Elise, Cecilia (Alec) and Deirdre, his sisters, Lorraine and Carol (Dan) and his brother, Roy (Geri) and their families. Unfortunately due to the restraints caused by the current health crisis, the family will not be able to hold the memorial service for Bob that was planned for this weekend. We are grateful for all who shared Bob and Beth’s lives and gave them great joy and wonderful memories. We should all carry on their example of living and loving to the fullest.

Mary Moates ’14 is engaged to Jordan Tarwater ’13.

Mary Moates ’14 has been named Associate Director of Publicity at Crown Publishing, a high profile imprint of Penguin Random House that has published bestselling books by the Obamas, Volodymyr Zelensky, and many more esteemed world voices. She is married to Dr. Rev. Jordan Tarwater ’13. They live in New York City.

Virginia F. Mock, (“Ginni”), 89, of Macomb, Illinois, passed away at 8:15 pm Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Bickford Cottage in Macomb. She was born Dec. 11, 1928, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Mary Emily Fisler Schwarz. They preceded her in death, as did a sister, Betsy Van Hekle. She is survived by her children, Douglas Frederick (Debra) Mock of Wylie, Texas, Sarah Novak of Westmont, Illinois, a granddaughter, Ivy Mock of Richardson, Texas, and a sister, Judy Nagle of Spring Hill, Florida. After graduating from Maryville College in eastern Tennessee, she traveled to Greece in 1951-52 to teach English at the United States Military School. Upon returning, she enrolled in a graduate Remedial Reading program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, where she met Gordon Duane Mock, her future husband. They were married February 4, 1954, in Abington, Pennsylvania. He preceded her in death on Dec. 21, 2014. They moved to Macomb in 1960, and Ginni soon returned teaching remedial reading at Western Illinois University’s Lab School, Monmouth, V.I.T. and Cuba grade schools, Volunteerism was very important to Ginni. She was passionate about education and was a life-long learner and explorer. She helped start the Learning Is Forever (L.I.F.E.) organization at WIU, volunteered for hospice, Baby Talk at McDonough District Hospital, and Meals-on-Wheels. She also tutored children with reading difficulties. Ginni also possessed a delightful pragmatic side. After surgery (for a hip replacement) she started a group with friends who also had major surgery that she called The “Crips,” (for “cripples,” not a west side gang, as she would hasten to explain). The idea was to have a venue for complaining to one another about rehab and other issues so that families were spared such conversations. She will be missed very much by the rest of the group.

Steve Moffett, 62, died Thursday, January 16, 2020 at Erlanger Medical Center. A lifetime resident of Spring City, Steve was born on May 9, 1957 to the late Glenn E. and Mary June Oakley Moffett. He was a graduate of Rhea County High School and attended Maryville College and Tennessee Tech. Steve was a world class athlete playing both football and softball. He recently played in the Senior Olympics Softball Tournament. He was a man of integrity and loved his family. Steve was a member of the Wolf Creek Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife Lois G. Moffett of Spring City, sons Jacob (Laura) Moffett of Dayton, Joshua Moffett of Spring City and Jeremy (Kady) Moffett of Cookeville, stepdaughter Krystal (Chris) Fielden of Dayton, sister Judith “Judy” Moffett of Chattanooga, brothers Bobby (Kim) Moffett and Larry (Jessica) Moffett both of Spring City and grandchildren Blakey, Isla, Paxton, River and Billy. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 4:00 pm at the Wolf Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Paul Forgey officiating. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the church.