Class Notes

Asheville – Norma Lou Robinson, 82, of Asheville, died Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals.

A native of Sturgis, MI, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Jane Van Zanten Loetz.

She attended Maryville College (TN), graduated from Miami of Ohio and earned her Master’s from Vanderbilt University. Lou met Tom in 1957 in Nashville and they were married on January 9, 1960. She retired in 1998 from the VA Medical Center in Oteen after 25 years of service. She was a dedicated and caring speech pathologist, who worked with veterans who had lost their voice to cancer and taught them a new way to speak. She organized The New Voice Club for the veterans and their families.

Lou was an active member of Arden Presbyterian Church, of which she sang in the choir for over 30 years. She loved music, writing poetry, volunteering and interacting with others.

Lou is survived by her husband of nearly 54 years, Tom M. Robinson, III; two daughters, Lynn Womble and her husband, Eddie, of Fletcher, Ellen Robinson of Charlotte as well as a family of dear friends.

William N. Robinson, Sr. (Bill), age 86, of Maryville, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2013, at UT Medical Center. He was a man who felt the love of God in his heart and passed it on freely and unconditionally. His life of integrity, compassion, and humility reflected his belief in the redemptive power of sacrificial love; to have been part of his life was an incalculable blessing. A U.S. Air Force Veteran and graduate of Maryville College and Union Theological Seminary in New York, he served as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church in Kingsport, Tenn., for 29 years; there he touched many lives through a music ministry of multiple choirs spanning pre-school through senior adults, handbells, string ensembles, and an orchestra. Before moving to Kingsport, he served at First Baptist Church of Clarksville, Tenn., and Smithwood Baptist Church in Knoxville. In his retirement, he loved tending his garden and enjoyed volunteer work, which included giving free violin, viola and cello lessons. He and his wife were active in the Alumni Association of Maryville College and were very generous in their support of the college’s educational mission. He was proud to have played viola in the Maryville Alcoa Community College Orchestra for many years under the baton of his oldest son, Bill. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother, he is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mildred C. Robinson and their children, Bill Robinson, Jr. (Martha), Ann Robinson-Craig (Chris Craig), Bob Robinson (Martha), Susan Hoover (Roger), Mary Dodson (Brian), and Tom “TR” Robinson (Cindy); and their Ugandan son they adopted later in life, Yebalibinga “Freddie” Robinson (Susan). He is also survived by his sister, Peggy Mobley and her husband John Mobley, as well as their daughters, Jackie Caruso and Kathy Mobley. His proudest legacy was his large and loving family, which included his grandchildren, Bailey Riddle, Sarah Craig, Carolyn Craig, Ellen Robinson Price (Geoff), Bradley Robinson (Francesca), Elizabeth Robinson, Grant Robinson, Roger William Hoover, Jacob Dodson, Matthew Dodson, Joe Robinson, Kelsey Robinson, Yeba Robinson, and Muta Robinson; and his great-grandchildren, Evey and Ella Riddle and Mary Peyton Price. Gatherings of this family were always joyous ones with laughter, music, and “family fun.” A celebration of Bill Robinson’s life will be held on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at 3 p.m. in the afternoon at First Baptist Church, Maryville, with Charles Ballard, Ron Davis, and Mitch Whisnant officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service. There will be a private family burial at Clark’s Grove Cemetery. Smith Funeral and Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, http://smithmortuary.tributes.com/show/William-N.-Robinson-97372400

Asheville – Norma Lou Robinson, 82, of Asheville, died Wednesday, November 13, 2013 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals. A native of Sturgis, MI, she was the daughter of the late Louis and Jane Van Zanten Loetz. She attended Maryville College (TN), graduated from Miami of Ohio and earned her Master’s from Vanderbilt University. Lou met Tom in 1957 in Nashville and they were married on January 9, 1960. She retired in 1998 from the VA Medical Center in Oteen after 25 years of service. She was a dedicated and caring speech pathologist, who worked with veterans who had lost their voice to cancer and taught them a new way to speak. She organized The New Voice Club for the veterans and their families. Lou was an active member of Arden Presbyterian Church, of which she sang in the choir for over 30 years. She loved music, writing poetry, volunteering and interacting with others. Lou is survived by her husband of nearly 54 years, Tom M. Robinson, III; two daughters, Lynn Womble and her husband, Eddie, of Fletcher, Ellen Robinson of Charlotte as well as a family of dear friends.

was recently inducted into the University of Tennessee’s Educators Hall of Honor! Bill, who attended MC, served as the Orchestra at Maryville College’s concertmaster from 1978-1991 and as its conductor from 1991-2013.

Jane Elizabeth Rusk Robinson, of Maryville, TN, died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, April 24, 2018. She was born May 29, 1935, in Knoxville Tennessee. She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in Mathematics from the University of Tennessee and taught math at the high school and college levels for 33 years. She was known for her hospitality and partnership in ministry with her husband, Ray, in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. World travel, sewing, quilting, cooking, and missions were her passions. She was always busy and productive. Jane is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, The Reverend Ray E. Robinson and her parents Roger and Ruth Blake Rusk. She is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law Ann and Joe Leatherwood of Maryville and Joy and Bill Shultz of Birmingham; and her brother Bob Rusk of Seymour. She is dearly loved by her grandchildren Katie Shultz, Blake and Rachel Shultz, Hannah Shultz, Michelle Leatherwood, and Christopher Leatherwood. A service to Celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018, at 4:00 pm at First United Methodist Church in Maryville, Tennessee. The Reverend Catherine Nance will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:30 and again following the service in Wesley Hall. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Missions Fund at First United Methodist Church, 804 Montvale Station Road, Maryville, Tennessee 37803 or to the Tennessee Wesleyan University Rev. Dr. Ray and Jane Robinson Scholarship Fund. McCammon-Ammons-Click Funeral Home 982-6812, www.mccammonammonsclick.com

Penny Smith Robinson '74, beloved wife and mother, passed from this life on August 14, 2018 in Lexington, KY. She was born on July 7, 1952 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL to the late Frank N. Smith, Jr. and Dorothy Rose Moore. Penny was a selfless and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. Known for her caring nature, vibrant personality, and devotion to her family, she will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was an educator at the University of Kentucky for 38 years, where she sought to make a difference and had a passion for helping her students. She was a proud graduate of Maryville College (TN) and received her Master's Degree from UK. She was a faithful and active member of Southern Hills United Methodist Church and a longtime leader and group member of Bible Study Fellowship. She is survived by her husband of forty-four years Doug; her children Grant (Molly) of Indianapolis, IN; Erin of Charlotte, NC; and Meghan of Lexington, KY; brother Frank (Debbi) Smith: sister Robin Frick, mother-in-law Marie Robinson; brother-in-law Gary Robinson; sister-in-law Nancy Ewers; and her nieces and nephew. She is preceded in death by her sister Holly Culpepper. The family expresses sincere gratitude and appreciation for the loving care Penny received from the doctors and nurses at UK Chandler Hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to a scholarship fund in Penny's memory that supports students in need at the University of Kentucky. Donate online at https://uky.networkforgood.com. In the search option, type "Penny Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund" and select "Donate to Penny Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund." Gifts by mail may be made payable to the University of Kentucky and sent to UK Philanthropy, Attention: Penny Robinson Memorial Scholarship, Sturgill Philanthropy Building, Lexington, Kentucky 40506-0015. Read more about Penny and this scholarship here: https://uknow.uky.edu/campus-news/scholarship-fund-continues-robinson-s-legacy. www.milwardfuneral.com

Rock, Walter L. “Les” Portage Passed away Monday morning, January 4, 2016. Les was born April 25, 1921 in Blue Island, IL the son of Walter J. and Henrietta (Henning) Rock. He was a resident in the Benton Harbor area before moving to Portage in 1997. Les was a veteran serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Prior to his retirement in the 1970’s he was a teacher for 30 years in the Benton Harbor Schools. Les enjoyed volunteering at the Crossroads Village, reading, fishing, playing golf, and spending time at the family cottage that he built in Ontario, Canada. On June 19, 1944 he was united in marriage to his loving wife of 72 years, the former Betty Parker, who survives. Also surviving are his children, Roxanne Rock (Edward Green), Russell Rock (Jeanne Centuori), Roger (Sally) Rock, Ruthanne Longeway; 7 grandchildren, Eric, Erin, Tracy, Rafael, Kendall, Angela, Leslie; several great-grandchildren, which include Reality and Stone Rojas; several great-great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Les was preceded in death by his parents; and a brother, Alan Rock. A memorial service to celebrate Les’ life will held at 2:00pm Saturday, January 9 at the Crossroads Village, 6600 Constitution Blvd, Portage, MI. Interment will be held at a later date in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick.

Jean Cobb Rock, 92, passed away on September 22, in the care of her three daughters and the excellent staff of Dominion Senior Living, Sevierville and Smoky Mountain Hospice. Jean was born September 11, 1927 at Langley Field, VA where her father was in service with the Air Corps of the U.S. Army. As a girl her homes were non-comm officer quarters in Virginia, the Panama Canal Zone, and Alabama before her family returned to a family farm in Cliffside, North Carolina. She attended Maryville College to study Home Economics, where she met her husband Alan Everett Rock of Blue Island, IL. He was a returning World War II vet, handsome and confident, and co-captain of the football team-leading to love and marriage lasting 59 years until his death in 2008. After college Jean trained to become a certified dietician, leading to professional work in hospitals, schools and the private sector. She and Alan raised three daughters, predetermining that they, too, would graduate from church-related liberal arts colleges. Jean will be remembered as an independent, self-reliant, opinionated lady. As a homemaker, she could cook wonderful Sunday dinners, sew Barbie doll and prom dresses, embroider, quilt, cross-stitch, braid wool rugs, strip wallpaper and furniture, snap beans in summer and shovel snow in winter. After retiring, she volunteered as a docent at the “rubber baron” mansion Stan Hywett in Akron, Ohio. This led to travel in Europe and the British Isles, and to a series of study and travel programs with Elder Hostel. Jean leaves behind daughters Leslie Zelenka of Columbia, SC; Allison Rock of San Carlos, CA; and Janet Rock of Pittman Center, TN, along with sons-in-laws Don Zelenka, Toph Wuthmann, and Steve Kemp. She also leaves grandchildren John Zelenka and his wife Kate (Ft. Lauderdale, FL); and Walter Wuthmann and Raina Wuthmann (Boston, MA). Jean specifically asked her family to forego a funeral or memorial gathering in her memory. She knew they would remember her stories and apt sayings for all occasions at family gatherings to come. Arrangements by Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com

Andrea Roddy age 49, passed on to Heaven Friday January 19th, 2017. She was born to Bob and Judy Maxson on July 19th, 1968. Andrea is survived by her husband Mark, her daughter Katherine, and son Max. She also leaves behind numerous loving relatives and friends. Those who were blessed to know Andrea were graced with someone who was loving, caring and always a shoulder to lean on and to share their life struggles. She was a wonderful mother and devoted wife who dedicated herself to her family, her friends, and to making this world a better place. Family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 AM at Our Lady of Fatima. Interment will follow at New Providence Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.

Deputy at Blount County Sheriff’s Office, receives Lifesaving Award. Deputy Patrolman Rodgers was awarded for helping to save the life of a man who was trapped inside a vehicle that had become submerged upside down in the water on the night of April 21. Deputy Rodgers, along with a citizen, Mr. Scott Snipp, entered the water and freed the victim. Their actions likely saved the victims life. Rodgers and his brother, Reuben are MC alumni and they both played football for the College.

Alice Marie Rodriguez, 75, of Marietta, Georgia, passed away on Monday, June 21, 2022.

passed away on 10-27-1998 No other information is known

passed away on March 21, 2015, after a short illness. A lifelong resident of Knoxville, Tennessee, she retired with over thirty years of service to the Knox County school system, where she worked as a teacher and a librarian. Leila was a graduate of Maryville College. Leila shared her love of reading, gardening, quilting, and crocheting with her family. She was preceded in death by her husband, of forty-seven years, Ed Rogers; and her sister, Evelyn Herman. Leila is survived by a large extended family: brother, Orion Ambrister; sister, Beatrice Rogers; children, Lawrence DeForrest, John (Patty) DeForrest, Jeannine (Tim) Pickrell; grandchildren, Matthew DeForrest, Alex DeForrest, Holly Braid, Jessica McAfee, and Megan Huffaker; great-grandchildren, Laila McAfee, Kolbie McAfee, and Leilah Huffaker; and extended family, Mary LeQuire, Garrett Wells, and Breanna Smith. Memorials may be sent to: Maryville College.

Charles Clanton Rogers was born May 18, 1934 and passed away April 1, 2016.

Mr. William Fred Rogers of Concord, N.C., passed away Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, at the Tucker Hospice House. Fred was born June 30, 1925, in Sevierville to the late Leonard M. Rogers and Nancy Davis Rogers. Following graduation from Porter High School in 1943, Fred joined the U.S. Navy serving in the South Pacific during World War II until his honorable discharge in 1947. He married Eleanor Frances Frye on Nov. 13, 1948, and enrolled in Maryville College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1952. He worked as a laboratory technologist for Oak Ridge National Laboratories at the Y-12 division, retiring in 1990 after 38 years of service. Fred is survived by his wife, Eleanor Frye Rogers; daughter, Mary Rogers White and husband Steven of Harrisburg, N.C.; son, William F. Bill Rogers, Jr. and wife Nanda of Concord, N.C.; grandchildren, Seth Rogers, Hannah Efird and husband Brian, Sarah White, Sam White and wife Erin; great-grandchild, Erica Efird; sisters, Jimmie Owenby of Chattanooga, Jean Pryor and Doris Badgett, both of Maryville; brother, J.M. Tom Rogers of Maryville; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Beatrice Hunter Rogers passed away on December 2, 2015.

writes in to share that she is still enjoying being the organist and handbell director of New Providence Presbyterian in Maryville, TN. She has enjoyed this position since March, 1974.

Laura Pritchett Rogers, 91 of Atlanta died January 4, 2023.  Mrs. Rogers was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Dr. Charles Glore Rogers, and is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Charles G. and Dr. Dana Rogers, Stephen R. and Mary Rogers; grandchildren, Blake Rogers and his wife, Darla, Jeff Rogers, Will Rogers, Stephanie Rogers; and great granddaughter, Holland Rogers. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The family will receive friends at 1 o’clock with a funeral service at 2 o’clock on Monday, January 9, 2023 at H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, 173 Allen Rd., NE, Sandy Springs, GA 30328. Interment will follow at Arlington Memorial Park.

Laura was born in Spring Place, Murray County, Georgia. She was her high school valedictorian and went on to get a Bachelors Degree in Education from Maryville College. After college she moved to Atlanta to start a career as an elementary school teacher. She met an Emory medical student at Morningside Baptist Church. They married in 1954 and she worked while her husband, Charlie, finished med school. They briefly moved to Oklahoma City for Charlie to do his internship, to Rockmart, GA for Charlie to have a general practice as payback for his state funded grant, then back to Atlanta. Once back in Atlanta, Laura began teaching again at Bolton Elementary where she taught until 1964.

Church was very important to Charlie and Laura and they were active church participants in each city. When they returned to Atlanta in 1962 they settled at Wieuca Road Baptist Church (WRBC). Laura was active in the church, teaching and participating in Sunday School, participating in WMU, and dragging two boys to church twice on Sunday and also on Wednesday evenings. When Charlie died in 1987 she needed to be productive and became a church secretary for one of the ministers. She participated in the life of the church until she could no longer drive and remained a member of WRBC until her death.

Laura was very active in the Women’s Auxiliary of the Atlanta Medical Association and made many lifelong friends there. She enjoyed book clubs and bridge clubs. She was an avid walker and hiker. She loved to travel. Among her most exciting trips were visiting Antarctica, and helicopter hiking in Canada.

Eleanor Jane McCulley Rogers passed away on Friday, June 2, 2023, at the age of 97 in her hometown of Maryville, Tennessee. Her burial is with her family at the historic Mt. Tabor Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Maryville.

Jane graduated from Maryville High School in 1943 and attended Maryville College. Born and raised on the McCulley family farm in the Mt. Tabor community, she thrived in her role as a farm wife and mother. She loved caring for the animals, horseback riding and doting on a variety of pets over the years.

An accomplished seamstress, Jane created clothing and home fashion designs throughout her life. She was a DIY expert before it was cool, wallpapering the walls of her historic farmhouse with newspapers and then painting over them.

She enjoyed her friends with an engaging smile and quick wit, participating in the Rook club and card parties. She loved to dance, frequenting square dances and other events with dear friends. An avid sports fan, Jane especially loved basketball and participated loudly at the games of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her quiet time, Jane loved crosswords and sudoku.

Jane is preceded in death by her husband, James H. (Jay) Rogers, her father William Homer McCulley, Sr., her mother Nellie Brown McCulley, her brother William Homer McCulley, Jr., and sisters, Marjorie McCulley, Frances McCulley Bond, Ernestine McCulley Peery, and Patsy McCulley.

She is survived by her son, Randy Rogers, her daughter, Amy Rogers Ridge (Neil) Roach, grandsons Jay Rogers and Brent (Nikki) Ridge, great granddaughters Brenna and Macie Ridge, brother J. E. (June) McCulley, sister Barbara McCulley Wheeler, nieces, and nephews Mike, Butch, Sistie, Kerma, Debbie, Paul, Robin, Leslie, and Emily.

Phyllis was born September 12, 1925 in New Bedford, MA to the late Albert and Hilda Waring. She was a Child Development Consultant with the State of North Carolina. Phyllis was a member of Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh often referred to as the “little ‘ol white haired lady in the choir”. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Rollinson, Jr. Phyllis is survived by her daughter, Joan Rollinson; son, Rick Rollinson and his wife, Barbara and two grandchildren, Philip and Will, all residents of Raleigh. Phyllis enjoyed family, fun, life and learning. She married her high school sweetheart following his return from the Service (Army Air Force) after WWII. Their lives encompassed 46 years together living through and participating in the Big Band era, owning and driving “now classic” automobiles, traveling and residing throughout the United States, from the Cape Cod area to the Midwest (Illinois) and the South (Greensboro and Raleigh). They raised, nurtured, educated and created a genuine caring family life for Joan and Rick, complete with amusement, laughter and occasional discipline. When the family moved to NC in the early 1960’s, Phyllis enrolled in graduate school at UNC-Greensboro and accomplished a Masters Degree in Child Development as well as numerous credits toward her Ph.D. Some of Phyllis’ fondest memories include transporting her grandsons to school, from preschool through middle school. She was always ready to assist with delivering them to designated baseball fields, tennis courts, golf courses and guitar lessons. Widowhood was of course challenging since, as she often reflected, “I’ always had Fred.” However, timely circumstances provided availability of her daughter to establish roommate status and since then the two have enjoyed mutual friendship – shopping, dining, conversing and more shopping! A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Tuesday, November 1, 2011 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 1701 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh, NC 27609. Burial will follow the service at Pine Forest Memorial Gardens in Wake Forest. The family will receive friends 4:00-6:00 pm Monday, October 31, 2011 at the funeral home.

Florence Rollwagen was born on April 13, 1944 and passed on Saturday, February 1, 2014. Florence was a resident of Gaithersburg, Maryland.

Betsabé Román González was awarded a 2017 UC MEXUS-CONACYT Postdoctoral Fellowship for her project “Transnational Children Returning to American Schools and Communities from Mexico” at UC San Diego. She explores an understudied trajectory of migration by returnees or retornados, young migrants who were born in the United States, lived in Mexico for a period of time and then returned to U.S. communities and schools. Román González has presented results from her research at a number of academic conferences and forums including the International Conference on Geographies of Children, Youth and Family; the UC-Mexico Initiative’s “The Students We Share”; and the International Studies Associations (both Mexican and International, AMEI and ISA). For more information: http://ucmexus.ucr.edu/spotlight/betsabe-roman-gonzalez.html

passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2014. Elizabeth was a resident of Kingsport, Tennessee at the time of her passing. She was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Roper, Jr. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, January 3, 2014, at 1 p.m. at First Broad Street Methodist Church with Rev. Jack Weikel officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church. Those who wish may make memorial gifts to First Broad Street United Methodist Church, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660; Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville, TN 37804 or to any organization of their choice.

Word has reached the Presbytery office of the death at his home in Little Rock on December 23, 2016 of Rev. John T. “Jack” Rorex, 85, an honorably retired member of Presbytery. Born in Maryville, TN, he attended school in the mining camps, completed his bachelor’s degree at Maryville College and received his M. Div. degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He pastored churches in Texarkana, AR, Midland, TX and in this Presbytery (Paragould and Little Rock) before serving as an Army chaplain during the Vietnam War. After further education, he was the director of Delta Hills Health System Agency in Batesville, administrator of The Meadowcreek Project in Fox, and manager of Heifer International Ranch in Perryville. Retiring in 2006, he assisted in his wife’s catering business and served as a chaplain with Arkansas Hospice. Jack is survived by his wife of 44 years, Nancy Leggett Rorex, two daughters, two sons, eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren. The service was at Trinity Presbyterian, Little Rock on Dec. 29, and memorials were invited for Humane Society of Pulaski County, The Stewpot-Little Rock or the Church.

ROSE, HELEN AIRHEART – age 91, of Lenoir City, Tennessee, passed away Sunday, March 10, 2013. Helen was the daughter of Rankin L. and Eva Roe McTeer Airheart and was born July 7, 1921, in Scottsboro, Alabama.