Class Notes

Brandi Michelle Self Death, Obituary in loving memory of a beloved who just passed away. It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of an incredible community leader, Brandi Self, who passed away Sunday, November 7, 2021.

She grew up in Waynesville, Ohio prior to attending Maryville College, after which she made East Tennessee her home. Brandi was a devoted wife, loving mother, and passionate educator. She has been described as being “a beloved, irreplaceable pillar of the community…. a leader, a stabilizer and a force of goodness.”
She joined Knox County Schools in 1998 as a fourth-grade teacher at Mooreland Heights Elementary. In 2016, she was appointed principal, a position she held until her unexpected passing. Brandi’s great purpose in life was being an advocate for all students. When asked, what Knox County students needed the most, she responded, “Teachers and administrators who understand the importance of forming connections with students, who continually push them to be the best they can be, and who refuse to give up on them.”
She was preceded in death by her father, Bradford Wilson; her caring grandparents, and her brother-in-law, Daniel Self.

She survived by her loving husband, Chadwick “Bryan” Self; daughter and best-friend, Kenzie Self; mother, Teri Wilson Marconette; father and mother-in-law, Chad and Patti Self; brother, Bryan (Kris) Wilson; sister, Karrie “Becca” (Jacob) Whitsel; nephews, Eli Wilson, Connor and Jackson Whitsel; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and her doodles, Knox “Pita” and Wrigley.
Brandi was a natural caregiver who enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her daughter: singing in the car, baking her Mom’s grasshopper pie and telling stories on the way to school. Her legacy of love will carry on through the many students and educators that she has impacted in her lifetime.

After 34 years in public education, Steve Serotte, has retired. As a teacher, head football coach, then an assistant principal, Steve began his career as a teacher in Miami, FL. In the mid 80’s Steve transitioned to Louisville, KY where he continued to teach, became a head football coach then earned a principal’s certificate from the University of Louisville. He then completed his career as an assistant principal for the school district in Louisville, KY.

age, 42, was joyously welcomed into Heaven in Jesus’ loving embrace following a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Molly exhibited grace throughout her earthly life, and leaves behind many loved ones and friends whose lives she touched, who will miss her dearly. Molly was born November 23, 1970, in Arlington Heights, IL, but grew up in Kingsport (Indian Springs). She attended Sullivan Central High School and an academic scholarship took her to Maryville College, where she played soccer. Her teammates included some of her best friends, who all rallied around her during her illness. After graduation from MC, Molly continued her education at the University of Tennessee, earning an MBA and finding the love of her life, Matthew Sers. Upon graduation, Molly began a successful career with PepsiCo/Frito-Lay. Her tenure at PepsiCo/Frito-Lay included assignment in several locations, eventually leading to Frito-Lay headquarters in Plano TX. Typical of Molly, she made many friends of colleagues along the way. While in Texas, Molly and Matthew welcomed two beautiful additions to their family, daughter, Scarlett Olympia, and son, O’Hara (Harry) Hamilton, who are an inspiration and joy. Molly was a member of Stonebriar Community Church, where Pastor Chuck Swindoll and his staff were a divine support to her. We are reminded by Pastor Swindoll that “We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations,” and in this regard, Molly took on her health challenge with an immeasurable amount of grace, demonstrating Jesus’ love to all who witnessed her struggle. Molly is survived by her husband Matthew and children, Scarlett and Harry. In addition to her family, Molly leaves behind others to await a heavenly reunion, including parents, John and Lois Hewa, and maternal grandmother, Elvira Mustock, of Kingsport, TN; siblings and spouses; Bill and Lynn Hewa, Johnson City, TN, Marybeth and John Witherell, Charlottesville VA, and John (Jr.) and Laura Hewa, Austin TX; nieces and nephews, Joseph, Carleigh and Hunter Hewa, Mason Witherell and Lauren, Jonna and Ellie Hewa. Molly was preceded in death by her aunt, Suellen Mustock; maternal grandfather, William Mustock; and paternal grandparents, Joseph and Gertrude Hewa. A long list of best friends are graciously thanked for all their support during Molly’s life, including the Maryville Scots soccer team, many friends at PepsiCo/Frito-Lay, dedicated friends from all over East Tennessee and relatives and friends around the world. A Memorial Service will be held at Stonebriar Community Church on a date not yet determined. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: “The Molly Hewa Sers Fund,” Attn: Darla Kaufman, Maryville College, 502 E. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Maryville TN 37804-5709.

Jonathan Settlemire, who has been with CBBC Bank since May, 2008, has been promoted to Vice President. Jonathan is the Technology Manager and Electronic Banking Manager. He is a graduate of William Blount High School, Hiwassee College, Maryville College and a master’s degree candidate at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Jonathan is a Rotary International Member and he resides in Louisville.

Martha R. “Marty” Severn died Tuesday, April 7, 2020 in Jamison. She was 78 and the wife of the late Robert Severn. Marty was born in Abington, Pa. to the late Edgar D. and Irene J. Rems. She grew up in the Glenside, Pa. area with her three brothers, Henry, Lewis and Richard. Marty was a diligent student from her earliest days, earning top grades and honors throughout high school. She was a fierce competitor on the varsity field hockey team at Abington High School. She graduated from Abington High School in 1959. Marty attended Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn., where she majored in Education. She graduated in 1963. Marty met Bob while attending church youth group socials for their respective churches when they were around 14. After a long courtship through college, they married in 1963. After college, Marty worked as a teacher. She took a break from teaching to raise her young children, Jill and Jonathan. In 1976, she returned to teaching at Wrightstown Friends Nursery School. She delighted in keeping up with her past students over the years. She retired from Wrightstown Friends Nursery School in 2009. In 1968, Marty and Bob and their two children bought an old Victorian fixer-upper in Ivyland Borough. Marty was active in many borough initiatives. She also started a Christmas card delivery project that continues to this day. Marty was a longtime member of the Ivyland Presbyterian Church, also enjoying attending Wrightstown Friends Meeting. The family would like to thank the staff of The Bridges at Warwick for their wonderful care of Marty, and all of the friends who have held Marty and her family in love and light during this difficult time. Marty is survived by her children, Jill Severn, her husband, Charles Barber, of Lexington, Ga. and Jonathan Severn, his wife, Mary, and their children, Benjamin and Emma of Doylestown, Pa., as well as her brother, Lewis, his partner, Carol Hughes of Sisters, Ore. and her brother, Bruce, his wife, Maureen Severn, of Levittown, Pa. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Henry Rems and Richard Rems, and her beloved canine companion, Rufus. The family has chosen to have a memorial service at a later date out of respect and concern for public health and safety. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Marty’s name may be made to Ivyland Presbyterian Church, 51 Gough Ave., Ivyland, PA 18974.

Paige Sevier ’12 has been hired as Watertown (TN) High’s girls’ basketball coach. Sevier spent the previous two years teaching math at her alma mater Jackson County and serving as an assistant on the Lady Devil team under Jim Brown. She was two seasons an assistant at Macon County. She played two years each at Roane State Community College and at Maryville College. Read more here: http://www.lebanondemocrat.com/Basketball/2018/06/19/Sevier-takes-over-Tigerettes.html?ci=stream&lp=1&p=

Sexton to be inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame on July 26, 2016 By Dave Link of the Knoxville News Sentinel Lynn Sexton won’t forget a low point of his first year as the Farragut High School boys basketball coach. It was late in the 1961-62 season, and the Admirals had not won a game. They returned to campus after another humbling defeat on the road. “We came back, and the kids were upset,” Sexton said. “We were so bad the cheerleaders were fussing at us.” Perhaps that was the turning point. Farragut beat Karns for its only win of the season – avenging a 53-point loss earlier in the year – and finished with a 1-26 record. Sexton had started a run of 30 seasons as Farragut’s head coach, and during his career won 544 games, 18 district championships, and made three state tournament appearances. His career began in a tiny gym at the old high school and ended in the current school, where the Lynn E. Sexton Gymnasium is named for him. “We were in an old cracker box gym, and it was about 84 feet long,” Sexton said of his start. “It had permanent wooden bleachers, probably seated about 300 to 400 people. We were in that for 15 years, and then we moved to the new school. What a difference.” Sexton certainly made a difference at Farragut, and for his coaching contributions will be inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame on July 26 at the Knoxville Convention Center. It’s the latest of Sexton’s numerous inductions, including the Farragut High School Sports Hall of Fame, the Blount County Sports Hall of Fame and the Maryville College Wall of Fame. “Lynn Sexton is Farragut basketball,” said Farragut athletic director Donald Dodgen, who coached the Admirals basketball team from 1996-2010. “He built the program to where it’s been. We’ve all just tried to maintain it. He set the bar. He’s just a true gentleman’s gentleman.” Sexton, 82, was born in Friendsville in the home of his parents, Lucille and Benton, and grew up with a brother and two sisters. His athletic career had humble beginnings. “I was into sports 12 to 14 hours a day,” he said. “It might not pass for sports. I built a golf course on a pasture field we had.” Sexton attended Friendsville Academy, which began as a private school and competed athletically against Friendsville High School. Friendsville Academy only had teams in baseball and basketball. Sexton played both and graduated in 1951. After a brief stint driving a dry cleaning truck, Sexton enrolled at Maryville College. He played baseball all four years, played basketball his last two years (starting both years) and played football one year. “I was a 155-pound scat back, not too scat,” Sexton said. “I caught a touchdown at Centre College that won the ballgame. That was my moment of glory in football.” Sexton graduated Maryville College in December of 1955 and spent two years in the Army. While in the Army’s active reserve, Sexton taught one year at Mount Olive Elementary before landing a job as a dorm proctor at Maryville College. He took a job as a physical education teacher at Farragut High School and coached the baseball team before taking over as basketball coach. After that one-win season, Sexton posted consecutive 12-win seasons and Farragut basketball was on track. His first winning season was 1966-67 when the Admirals went 13-11. Sexton won co-district championships in 1971 and ’72, and in 1978 coached the Admirals to the Class AAA state semifinals where they lost to Memphis Melrose and finished 29-7. Farragut went 32-2 in 1981-82 and was eliminated by Austin-East 70-58 in the Region 2-AAA tournament at Central. The next year, the Admirals won 36 consecutive games with the lineup of 7-foot center Mike Carpenter, guards Bo Creech and Jack Williams, and forwards Bill Clements and Danny Martin. Their season ended with a 72-70 loss to Memphis East in the Class AAA state quarterfinals. “They were pretty good,” Sexton said of the 1982-83 team. “I didn’t have to do much. We had a 7-foot post. That gave people trouble.” Sexton announced his retirement after the 1990-91 season. He plays golf once or twice a week and spends much of his time with his wife, Patricia. They have four children, 12 grandchildren, and five great grandchildren. And there are many great basketball memories. “I say this with all honesty, my players won all those games,” Sexton said. “I didn’t.” Spoken like a gentleman’s gentleman. From: http://www.knoxnews.com/sports/high-school/lynn-sexton-built-farragut-basketball–339c1e38-e4da-2af6-e053-0100007f8988-381261471.html

Edgar Patton Shackelford Knoxville – The Reverend Edgar “Sonny” Patton Shackelford, 86, died on March 28, 2020, in Knoxville, TN. He was born in Spartanburg, SC, and grew up in Oak Ridge, TN. He was a 1952 graduate of Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge, TN; a 1956 graduate of Maryville College, Maryville, TN, where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in English; a graduate of Georgia State University, where he received his Master’s Degree in Counseling; and a graduate of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Louisville, KY, where he received his Bachelor of Divinity Degree. He was a retired Chaplain and Lt. Colonel in the United States Army. He served in Vietnam, Korea, and Germany along with many stateside assignments. He was an accomplished athlete and enjoyed walking and hiking mountain trails and reading. He had a deep appreciation for drama and music. He loved spending time at “The Cabin” in Pisgah Forest, NC, and had very fond memories of family trips to the beach, Montana, and Switzerland. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Nancy Jones Shackelford; son William “Randy” Randolph Shackelford (Cathie) of Johnson City, TN; son Anthony “Tony” Patton Shackelford (Jennifer) of Yonges Island, SC; daughter Becky Patton Shackelford Marambio (Henry) of Knoxville, TN; grandson Jason Allen Shackelford of Yonges Island, SC; and three special nieces and a special nephew. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Adelaide Patton Shackelford (who died during childbirth); father, Macfarland Shackelford, Sr.; stepmother, Frances Cleaveland Shackelford; brother, Macfarland Shackelford, Jr.; sister, Carol Easler Hayworth; and guardians, Margaret Patton Easler and Carroll Easler. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, 213 Colonial Heights Road, Kingsport, TN 37663 or Habitat for Humanity. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Click Funeral Home, 9020 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN, is serving the family. www.clickfh.com

95, of Lexington, passed away Thursday, January 08, 2015. She was born to the late John Kirby and L. Norah Dixon Thornbury in Pikeville, KY on February 7, 1919. She was a member of Arlington Christian Church. She graduated with a B.A. from Pikeville College and later earned a medical technologist degree from Maryville College (TN). She served as a medical technologist at Tripler Air Force Base Hospital in Honolulu, HI during WWII. Returning to Lexington, she worked at Good Samaritan, Central Baptist and UK Medical Center, before retiring as chief medical technologist from the Lexington Veterans Administration Medical Center in Lexington. She is survived by her son Emerson Grant Shackelford (partner Rick Hurst) of Daphne, AL and daughter Shirley Ann (Richard) Hudson of Lexington. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 33 years Ulysses Grant Shackelford and her son Gary Alan Shackelford of Lexington, and by her older brother John Kirby Thornbury, Jr. of Pikeville.

Rev. Shakley was a resident of Ohio at the time of passing. Born in Manorville, Pa. Nov. 8, 1928, to Charles and Mary (Wylie) Shakley, he graduated from Ford City High School, Ford City, Pa. in 1946; Maryville College in Maryville Tenn. in 1951; and Western (Pittsburgh) Theological Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. in 1955. In lieu of flowers, material tributes may be made in his name to The Rescue Mission of the Mahoning Valley, 962 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Youngstown, OH 44510, or to a charity of your choice.

announced the birth of their daughter Annie Ruth Shankles who was born on February 18, 2014

Elinor Armstrong Shaver passed on July 16, 2007, at the age of 88. She was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She taught Science and Home Economics in Rossville, GA and Hamilton County, TN school systems. Parents; Howard Thomas and Margaret Ault Armstrong. Sisters; Mildred Armstrong, Mary Rachel Armstrong and Margaret Ellen Armstrong. Husband; Stanley M. Shaver. Daughter; Sandra Stanford. Son; Steven Shaver. Granddaughters; Teresa McCarthy, Annette Scott, Dana Rich. Grandsons; Stanford Shaver, Scott Shaver.

Catherine Ottilie Loesch Shaw, age 96, of Elizabeth City, NC died Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Brookdale Elizabeth City. She was born October 16, 1924 in Baltimore, MD to the late George Loesch and Nathlie Sperber Loesch. Prior to his death, she was married to William B. Shaw for sixty-two years. She was a homemaker, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She was an accomplished artist, very involved in church activities and she lettered in several sports during college. She loved gardening and enjoyed gymnastics. Before marriage, she was an occupational therapist, dedicated to helping her patients. Catherine is survived by two sons, Stephen Shaw (Joan) of Elizabeth City, NC, and Robert A. Shaw (Carla) of New Orleans, LA; two grandchildren, Ray V. Shaw (Launa Dixon) of Parkville, MD, and Owen D. Shaw (Catherine) of Carney, MD; and one step great-grandchild, Claudia. Out of concern for everyone’s safety at this time, a private memorial service will be held later. Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC is assisting the Shaw family.

William Judson “Judd” Shaw, died suddenly on August 4, 2021 in a car accident. He was 67 years old. He is survived by three daughters, Erin Buckingham (Travis) Carlsbad, California; Mollie Davis (Justin) Tampa, Florida; Ana Shaw, Atlanta, Georgia, and a granddaughter, Haley Davis and grandson, Henry Davis. Also left to grieve are a brother, Jeff Shaw (Holly) Dallas, Texas and a sister, Becky Shaw, Louisville, Kentucky and many cousins from coast to coast. He was born to Martha Jane and Jerry Shaw in New Orleans, Louisiana and was raised in Louisville, Kentucky. Judd made many life-long friends in Louisville and was fortunate to graduate from Ballard High School’s first graduation class. To the chagrin of his Knoxville friends, Judd attended the University of Kentucky. At graduation, Judd was presented the Algernon Sidney Sullivan Award given to individuals based on “such characteristics of heart, mind, and conduct as evince a spirt of love for and helpfulness to other men and women.” In true fashion, Judd deflected this recognition to his Sigma Chi brothers and his sister, Becky, for signing him up for everything they were involved with. Judd followed his call to honor Christ by attending Columbia Presbyterian Seminary and graduating with a Master’s of Divinity in 1980. Judd and his wife, Joy, began their ministry at First Presbyterian Church in Ripley, Tennessee. His family then moved to a larger congregation at Farragut Presbyterian in Farragut, Tennessee. He loved and cherished the people of this church and they reciprocated by serving God together for 20 years. God moved Judd to the Presbytery of New Harmony as Presbyterian Executive in Florence, South Carolina. Judd treasured the people, chocolate covered pecans, and low country food, but returned to Knoxville, his Smokies, the opportunity to wear UK Blue at UT games, fishing buddies, and being a pastor to the pastors of The Presbytery of East Tennessee. Judd found immense joy in helping and encouraging others, mentoring, laughing, eating, his new hobby photography, his children and grandchildren. The family has been deeply moved by those that have offered kind words and who have shared remembrances of their time with Judd. Thanks be to God for Judd’s life on Earth and his new life in heaven, where he is now in the loving arms of Christ Jesus – a love that never gives up and that comes to those who don’t deserve it, no matter who we are or what we’ve done. A celebration of Judd’s life will be held at Farragut Presbyterian Church, at 4pm on Sunday, August 15, 2021, with a visitation beginning at 2:30pm. Contributions in Judd’s memory may be made to John Knox Center, 591 West Rockwood Ferry Road, Ten Mile, Tennessee 37880.

and her family moved from central NC, where she has lived since graduation from MC, to Central NY, near the Adirondack Mountains in 2012. They are developing a small, sustainable farm. Leigh graduated from Culinary School in 2005, and now works as a Baker for Sodexo on the campus of SUNYIT.

Leigh has written a children’s historical fiction book entitled John Bloom and the Victory Garden: Digging In. It was published January 22, 2016. Leigh earned a B.A. degree in Studio Art at Maryville College and worked as a graphic artist before earning an ASS degree in Culinary Art. She has worked as a chef, baker and culinary arts instructor. Most recently, she and her husband bought rural land and are developing Winter’Rest, a small farm in central New York. Through all this, Leigh wrote stories and poems – some published; some tucked away. She is happiest living off the land and is an ardent supporter of local and sustainable farms, farmers and practices. Seasonal fresh produce from Winter’Rest Farm is even on the menus of some Farm-to-Fork restaurants in the Central New York. Leigh is also an accomplished photographer, working in Fine Art Photography from age 20, under the name M. Leigh Emery. Leigh writes fiction stories for middle-grade readers. Along with illustrator Kate Shearin, Leigh spins tales of self-sufficiency and independence, along with gentle agriculture education. Since historical fiction is also a lifetime interest, Leigh uses true stories of the past to bring inspiration and joy to modern-day children. From: http://www.javajohnz.com/2016/06/john-bloom-and-victory-garden-digging.html

Rev. Benjamin E. Sheldon of Elverson The Rev. Benjamin E. Sheldon, 83, on Sept. 18, 2012, passed away peacefully at his home in Elverson, surrounded by his family. He was born in Milwaukee, Wis. on Oct. 31, 1928, to Rex Donald and Gertrude Bracker Sheldon. At age 16, he became a Christian and later earned a master’s of divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as a missionary to South Korea from 1953 to 1964 before returning to the United States to pastor churches in Washington D.C., Pikeville, Ky., Havertown and Glenmoore. Throughout his life, he was active in the Presbyterian Church as a missionary and pastor, Presbyterians Pro-Life, and Messianic Jewish ministry. He enjoyed visiting with his grandchildren and is fondly remembered for his love of peeled grapes and joyful singing, if a bit off-key. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Amy; his children (and spouses), Rex (wife Susan) Sheldon of Warrenton, Va., John (wife Laurie) Sheldon of Ocean City, N,J,, Janet (husband Paul) Crikelair of East Stroudsburg, Robert (wife Sunmi) Sheldon of Huntsville, Ala., Daniel (wife Debbie) Sheldon of Barto, Pa., Susan (husband Dan) Obenschain of Elverson and Sarah ( husband Dave) Feiser of Havertown; 37 grandchildren and four grandchildren-in-law; four great-grandchildren; and his siblings, the Rev. Louis P. Sheldon and Mrs. Betty J. Wright. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Anna S. Dowa and Janet S. Stover.

89, of Conway, Ark., died Aug. 30, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Dr. John Robert Shell; a son, John Robert Shell, Jr.; and her brother, Trevor William Rees-Jones of Dallas, Texas. She was born March 10, 1926 in Miami, Okla., to the Reverend David and Etna (King) Rees-Jones. She graduated from Forest Avenue High School in Dallas, Texas. She attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and she graduated in 1947 from Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn. She was a life and spiritual partner with her husband, who served as pastor at Dermott Presbyterian Church in Dermott, Ark., and First Presbyterian Church in Conway. Following his retirement from the Conway church, she and Dr. Shell also served interim pastor calls at many Presbyterian churches across Arkansas. These included Beebe, Benton, Dermott, Mena, Mountainburg, Stuttgart and Walnut Ridge. Mrs. Shell was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Conway, where she also served as an ordained elder and member of the church’s session. She was a lifelong member of the church choir, and also served as a Sunday school teacher and occasional organist and pianist. She and her husband also were leaders in the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment, now known as the Better Marriages organization. Mrs. Shell is survived by her four children, Elizabeth Jane Shell Hanschu (Dan) of Neosho, Mo.; Martin William Shell (Lee Ann) of Los Altos, Calif.; Paul Calvin Shell of North Little Rock, Ark. and Philip Andrew Shell (Leah) of Little Rock; 10 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Throughout her life, Mrs. Shell was known as a sweet, warm and caring individual. She loved playing the piano and was an avid knitter. She also embraced the Will Rogers quote and never met a stranger. She had a wonderful ability to make personal connections and then build upon those relationships to connect people to each other. Together, her partnership with her husband throughout their ministry built communities, churches and lifelong friendships. Her family and friends will miss her loving smile, warm hug, sweet heart and gentle touch. But her spirit of grace, care and compassion will continue to live on in the many hundreds of lives she touched.

Wayne Shelton passed from this life Saturday, May 6, 2017 after a long illness. Wayne is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Sonja? sons Robert (Tara) & David (Linda) of Colorado? 5 grandchildren: Benjamin, Andrew, Jessica, Anna and Madeline? sister Helen Knight? brother Robert (Fran)Shelton? and many nieces and nephews. Wayne earned his Masters Degree in Music from The Eastman School in 1955 and began his career by teaching for 9 years in Illinois. He retired from the Brighton Central Schools, having taught music there for 27 years. Wayne also was organist and choir director at All Saints Episcopal Church for 29 years. His memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to Alzheimers Assoc., 435 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14620 or Friends of Music at Christ Church 141 East Avenue Rochester, N.Y. 14604.

The Reverend Dr. Robert M. Shelton, Jean Brown Professor Emeritus of Homiletics and Liturgics and former President (1996-2002) of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, died in Dallas, Texas, on March 4, 2018. Robert Shelton joined the Austin Seminary faculty in 1971 and was named the Jean Brown Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics in 1982. He served as academic dean for fifteen years and as president for six years until his retirement in 2002. Shelton’s presidential leadership was critical in steering the Seminary through its Centennial Celebration in 2002, in implementing a culture of institutional planning, and in guiding the Seminary’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign. He delivered the 2007 commencement address to a class in which his wife, the Reverend Frances Tilton Shelton (MDiv’93), received the Doctor of Ministry degree. “Across Bob Shelton’s long tenure at Austin Seminary, he was a steward of the Seminary’s interests, in ways both heralded and unheralded, at many critical junctures,” said Austin Seminary President Theodore J. Wardlaw. “During his years at the Seminary, he had a huge formative impact upon many grateful students and colleagues.” Ordained in the Cumberland Presbyterian tradition, Shelton came to Austin Seminary after teaching for three years at Memphis Theological Seminary and serving as pastor to Park Avenue Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. From 1963 to 1969 he served as pastor of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jackson, Tennessee, and prior to that he served other churches in New Jersey and Tennessee. He was president of the Council of Southwestern Theological Schools, treasurer of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and served on numerous committees and boards of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He served the church abroad, traveling to Germany, Asia, and Latin America to conduct and attend various seminars and retreats; in 1970 he was a delegate to the World Alliance of Reformed Churches in Nairobi, Kenya. In 1993, during the only sabbatical year he ever took while serving on the Austin Seminary faculty, Shelton was elected and served as moderator of the 163rd General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Shelton earned a BA from Maryville College, a BD from Memphis Theological Seminary, and a ThM and a PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary. He authored two books, A Changing Universe, An Unchanging God and The Use of Things, and wrote numerous articles on preaching and worship. He led workshops, seminars, and preaching missions in churches, presbyteries, and ecumenical groups. Upon his retirement from Austin Seminary, the Board of Trustees named the Seminary chapel-to which he was especially devoted-in his honor. Following retirement, Shelton served in interim pastorates for First Presbyterian Church, Shreveport, First Presbyterian Church, San Antonio, and First Presbyterian Church and Lake Highland Presbyterian Church, both in the Dallas area.

Ola Harwood Sherrill, 90, of Rogers died Sunday, Jan. 11, 2016 at Mercy Medical Center in Rogers, AR. She is survived by many loving relatives including: two nieces; Kenda Vaughn, of Rogers, and Barbara Holman, of Birmingham, Ala. No local services are planned.

Lincoln Shimomura MD, 85, of Bridgewater, NJ, died at his home on Wednesday, July 8, 2015. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Reformed Church, 100 Main Street, Somerville. Lincoln was born in Salinas, California, the fifth of eight children of Japanese parents. After internment in Poston, AZ his family moved to New Jersey where he graduated from Princeton High School. He attended Maryville College, TN and completed his medical studies at the University of Louisville, KY. After completing his internship in Galveston, TX and his residency at the University of Indiana, IN, he settled in Somerville, NJ where he practiced Anesthesia at the Somerset Medical Center for 37 years. He loved to travel, sail, ski, fish, golf and spend time with family and friends. He was active at the United Reformed Church in Somerville and during his retirement he especially enjoyed working for Habitat for Humanity. Lincoln was predeceased by his daughter, Karen in 1995. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Marianne Shimomura MD; his children, Audrey and Andrew; their spouses, Johannes Ernst and Sarah Walters; and his five grandchildren, Taro, Emma, Naomi, Lucie and Alice. Also surviving are 4 sisters and 3 brothers and many nieces and nephews. He will also be missed by his numerous friends and neighbors.

Bonnigene Stephens Shipp, age 89, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend died peacefully at her home on July 5, 2020 after recent failing health. She had spent the day enjoying her children and grandchildren. Bonnie was born 9-22-1930 to Joe Wheeler and Lois Stephens in Dallas, TX. After graduating from North Dallas High School, she attended Maryville College in Tennessee for 2 years, returned to Dallas and worked before marrying Hartsel Shipp, who she met while attending Scofield Memorial Church in high school. Bonnie and Hart shared a gift of service to others and demonstrated it through their years together at Scofield. Bonnie served at church through sewing clothes for missionary families, cooking meals on Wednesday nights, helping mail out the church newsletter, working with the Pioneer Girls, running the church nursery and serving as the cook at Camp El Har for many, many summers. Even when Bonnie returned to work after raising her family, her service spirit shown as she helped students in the Dallas Bible College Bookstore and later as she managed the Student Mail center at Dallas Theological Seminary. She retired only to stay home and care for her husband as his health declined. Bonnie had a keen and creative mind and had many interests including gardening, sewing, crochet, puzzles of all sorts, bowling, camping and traveling with friends and family, visiting art museums, reading (especially biographies and history), and watching sports. Baseball was her favorite. Through the years as she lost friends, family and health, she stayed determined to keep active and enjoy life. A glimpse of her house today would show a yard full of flowers, a puzzle on the table, books she was reading, and perhaps a program from a recent home tour or museum outing, along with collections of anything related to bluebonnets or hummingbirds. Bonnie will be remembered fondly as “Mom Shipp”, a role she truly embraced. She was Mom to her own 6 children and the many friends they brought home, and to her sons and daughters -in-law, who all became her children the minute she met them. The list also includes the hundreds of children she cared for at the Scofield nursery, the Dallas Theological Seminary students who needed a shirt button sewn on or a kind word after a tough exam, all of her friend’s children, many nieces, nephews and her beloved grandsons and step- grandchildren. Her spirit of service, kindness, patience, and unconditional love was boundless and instantly felt by anyone who met her. She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Hartsel Shipp, and her daughters, Ruth Ann Shipp and Deborah Shipp. Bonnie is survived by her children: son and daughter-in-law, Steve Shipp and Marianne Miller; daughter, Mary Jean; son, Michael; daughter-in-law, Kristy Reynolds; daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Greg Griffin; grandchildren: Jeremy Fagan, Ryan Fagan and Noah Griffin, her brother and sister- in-law, Joe and Betty Stephens; sister- in-law, Dena Tartaglia, and many nieces, nephews, and “extra” children. Due to current safety concerns, there will be a private, family-only graveside service and a plan for a celebration of Bonnie’s life at a later time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Union Gospel mission, Wycliffe Bible Translators, The Dallas Arboretum, or your favorite museum.

Paul R. Shirk, II, 66 of Elkton, MD died Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at home. Paul was born on February 11, 1949, son of Doris M. Shirk and the late Paul O. Shirk. He graduated from Maryville College in Tennessee. He worked for Johnson Controls and owned and operated Shirk’s Seafood in Chesapeake City until his employment with Cecil County Public School as a paraprofessional, retiring after 15 years of service. He enjoyed baseball, football, movies and history. Paul is survived by his mother, Doris Grant Shirk, and his sister, Nancy Campbell both of Lewes, DE; a devoted cousin, Wanda Bull and her husband, Donnie of Elkton, MD; a nephew, Robert Paul Campbell of Easton, MD and many other cousins and family members.

R. Dean Short, age 81 years, of Archbold, passed away Sunday evening, July 7, 2013, at the Toledo Hospital. He was born August 30, 1931, at Wauseon, the son of Clarence and Mary (Schmucker) Short, and married Esther Yoder on March 10, 1956. A lifelong resident of the Archbold area, he farmed and worked at the former Dinner Bell in Archbold and Defiance for 38 years. He enjoyed singing in the Overcomers Quartet for 21 years. He attended the Lockport Mennonite Church, rural Stryker. He is survived by his wife, Esther; one son, Sam D. (Janna) Short of Archbold; five grandchildren, Estherlynn (Chad) Dale of Napoleon, David Short, Ethan Short, Seth Short and Rachel Short all of Archbold; one great-granddaughter, Maelynn Dale; one brother, Dale (Patty) Short of Archbold; a brother-in-law, Lawrence King of Wauseon, and a sister-in-law, Mary Short of Alvordton. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Benjamin Short; and two sisters, Lillian Aeschliman, and Berneda King. Services will be held on Thursday at 10:30 AM at Lockport Mennonite Church with Pastor Steven Heatwole officiating. Interment will follow in the Lockport Cemetery. Friends may call at Lockport Mennonite Church from 3-8 PM on Wednesday.