Class Notes

Sidney Hamilton Tedford, age 91 years, a resident of Elkins, WV departed this life Saturday morning, March 3, 2018 at the Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center at Elkins, WV. He was born Tuesday, August 13, 1926 at Pittsburgh, PA a son of the late Albert and Mary Elizabeth Mathers Tedford. He sang in choirs and studied violin as a child. Later he studied voice privately and played violin and viola in community orchestras in Pittsburgh, while employed as a banker at South Hills Trust. He sang in the Mendelssohn choir and at East Liberty Presbyterian Church before enrolling in Maryville College, Maryville, Tennessee, where he received a Presser Music Scholarship in 1953. He was a tenor soloist with the Vesper Choir, directed by Harry Harter, and was also a member of the College orchestra. He received the B.A. in voice in 1957. His graduate work includes the M.A. in musicology from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio (1960), where he was a graduate assistant, and graduate work at West Virginia University and the University of Pittsburgh, where he was an Andrew Mellon Fellow. He also studied violin at WVU and Carnegie Mellon University. He was a professor of music at Davis & Elkins College 1959-1970 and was adjunct instructor of music at Robert Morris College, Glenville State College, and Salem College. He directed choral groups at each college, church choirs in Indiana, Elkins, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, and college-community choruses that performed Handel’s “Messiah” (1961-1969 and 1974) in Elkins. His Davis & Elkins College A Cappella Choir toured annually in West Virginia and eastern states. He was a former choir director of Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church and Grace Episcopal Church, Elkins as well as of Christ Episcopal Church, Clarksburg. Among the instrumental groups in which he played were the Elkins Baroque Trio (violin, flute, and piano) in the 1960’s with Walter and Sandra Hartley and the Tanner Trio (oboe, violin, and flute) in the 1980’s and 1990’s. He sang for a time with the Clarksburg Madrigal Singers, developed madrigal singing groups in Elkins, and taught Elderhostel courses and gave programs to senior citizens groups in WV. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dr. Barbara W. Tedford, a retired English professor, of Elkins; a sister, Peggie Tedford Watson, of Pitcairn, PA; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Jack and Albert Tedford, and a nephew, Ronnie Tedford.

David Harold Templin, age 81, passed away on Thursday, February 16, 2017. He was a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. David was born August 19, 1935, in Sevier County, Tennessee, to Wilbur and Pearl Houk Templin. He retired from State Auto Insurance Co. and was a graduate of Porter High School and Maryville College. He is survived by: Wife, Joan; Daughters, Holly Kenner (Mark) and Melinda (Roger) Shipwash; Grandchildren, Kelly, Nathan, Sam and Ben Kenner, Joshua and Emmalea Shipwash; Brother-in-law, Mark Hughes; Cousins, Cindy Epps and John Creel. Interment at Grandview Cemetery with Pastor Raymond Burnett officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in David’s honor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to a favorite charity of your choice. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.

has been hired as an admissions completer for 2tor, a company that partners with preeminent institutions of higher education to deliver rigorous, selective degree programs online to students globally. Previously, she worked as an ethnographical researcher for Howard University’s Center of Urban Progress. She earned a master’s degree from Howard in 2011.

Joshua Terry ’11 was named the 12th head coach in the history of the Scott County High School Highlanders in Scott County, Tenn. He has spend the last six years on the Highlander’s staff and is also a social studies teacher at the school. Read more here: http://ihoneida.com/2018/03/06/terry-named-football-coach-at-scott-high/

TESTA, CHRISTINE (HOLSCHER) 89, died on December 31, 2010, at Epoch Senior Living in Providence, Rhode Island. Born in Johnston, she was the daughter of the late Herman R. and Elizabeth (Drees) Holscher. Formerly of Laurelmead in Providence. Christine married Michael Testa on June 30, 1942.

Kenneth was born on September 28, 1934 and passed away on Thursday, August 12, 2010. Kenneth was a resident of Bristol, Tennessee.

Mary Sue Waters Thames, 4 days before her 101st birthday, passed away peacefully at her life long home in Wildwood. She was a member of Logan’s Chapel United Methodist Church and a retired Blount County School Teacher for 34 years. During her century of life she enjoyed visiting her relatives, flowers, birds and traveling. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clarence W. Thames, daughter, Eugenia Sue Thames Carnes and parents, Joseph and Lula Yearout Waters. She is survived by her daughters, Elizabeth Thames Holland and Virginia Thames Dodson and husband Richard; 4 grandchildren, Jessica Lloyd Maurer and husband Thom, Saundra Wilson Pitt and husband Matt, William Dodson, Alexander Dodson; great grandchildren, Henry and Mae Maurer and Maddie Pitt. Funeral services were April 15, at Logan’s Chapel United Methodist Church with Dr. Charles Ledger officiating. The interment followed in the Church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Logan’s Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 4626 Logan’s Chapel Road, Maryville, TN 37804.

MISPRINT – In LAST FOCUS – Corrected Information Joseph E. Thomas, OD, age 66, of Manchester passed away on October 29, 2011. He was born in Birmingham, AL on March 29, 1945, the son of John W. and Barbera A. (Whitmore) Thomas. Joseph graduated from Maryville College, Maryville, TN, where he met his first love, Laurel Erskine. They were joined in marriage in 1968 in Manchester. He graduated from Yale Divinity School earning a Master of Divinity degree. The Reverend Joseph E. Thomas pastored for over 30 years in churches throughout New England, retiring from the First Congregational Church of Mont Vernon, NH. Joseph was an eternal student of religion and spirituality, and had just been accepted as a student at The University of Wales/St. David in Lampeter, Wales. While ministering Joseph completed his Doctor of Optometry degree at the New England School of Optometry, Boston, MA. He pursued a dual calling as an optometrist and as a minister. Joseph loved the mountains, the ocean, traveling throughout Europe and music was a family tradition which he carried on as a long time member of the choir of Grace Episcopal Church. He was passionate about parenting, he and his wife Laurel raised three children. They enjoyed 34 years together until her passing in 2002. He was joined in marriage with Linda Garish in 2004 and joyfully embraced the role of step father to her son. He is survived by his loving wife of 7 years, Linda; 3 children, Evan Thomas of Santa Monica, CA, Barbera Thomas Dooley and her husband Jason and their son Seamus of Washington, DC, and Daniel Thomas and his wife Leila of Nashua, NH; a step son, Jonathan Garrish of Portland, ME; a brother Albert Thomas and his wife Cindy of Coco Beach, FL; sisters and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; and their “sentient beings” the cats, Bowser and Princess.

THOMAS, Leah Joyce Carson, age 92, of Madisonville, died Monday, June 18, 2012 at Wood Presbyterian Home, Sweetwater. Joyce was born October 26, 1919 in Madisonville to Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Cooke Carson. Her father had a dental practice and also served as a Monroe County Judge as well as Mayor of Madisonville. She graduated from Madisonville High School in 1936. She attended Maryville College and The University of Tennessee, where she met and joyfully married the love of her life, Alfred William Thomas on February 14, 1940. Joyce was a devoted wife and mother. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Madisonville and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Joyce was also an avid UT Vols fan and rarely missed one of their football or basketball games on television. She also loved to read; particularly novels, historical books and the newspaper, always starting with the sports section first. Mrs. Thomas was also a philanthropist. She held two schools especially close to her heart, Hiwassee College and The St. Labre Indian School. She is survived by four children and their spouses: Ann Christeen Carpenter, James Alfred and Gladys Ann Harvey Thomas, Thomas Cooke and Audrey Bookout Thomas, Timothy Richards and Karen Atkins Thomas, Sister: Bobbye Carson Davies, Several grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother James Cooke Carson and her beloved husband Alfred.

Lawrence W. Thomas passed away on August 28, 2009.

John E. Thomas passed away March 11, 2001.

Nina Ruth (Gillette) Thomas passed away with her family by her side on February 18, 2020, at the age of 89. Ni was comfortable to the end, leaving peacefully into the kingdom of heaven. She loved her family, her God, and music of all sorts. Born and raised in Vineland, NJ, Ni went to Maryville College where she met her future husband, David Lee Thomas. She graduated with a degree in elementary education in 1953. Sons Timothy (1954), Joel (1957) and Arthur (1960) soon followed as David’s Presbyterian ministry led his family to churches in Ohio and Indiana. Ni and David moved to Tequesta, FL in 1981, but went their separate ways in 1988. Ni worked as an elementary school teacher in the Tequesta public school system at Jerry Thomas Elementary School for many years until her retirement and later moved to the Good Samaritan Retirement Village in Kissimmee, FL. She enjoyed her final years there with much gusto, being active in church and choir activities, and particularly the handbell choir. Ni is survived by her sons Timothy and Arthur, her beloved daughters-in-law Susan Thomas, Elizabeth Thomas, and Susan Jacoberger, her grandchildren Kyle and Shelby, her sister Josephine Reinhardt, and her brother George Gillette. She was predeceased by her parents Eugene and Eva Gillette, her sister Carol Gorton, and her son Joel. Services are pending. Please return to our website at a later time.

Noel William (Bill) Thomas, age 79, passed away October 28, 2023. Mr. Thomas was in the class of 1961 MHS. He worked for the CIA and retired from TDOT. He was preceded in death by his wife, Glendia Carol Philpott Thomas; parents, Marion Leroy (Roy) Thomas and Anna (Ann) Mae Hinton Thomas; brother, Larry Grant Thomas.

He is survived by his son, Christopher Kevin Thomas (Jennifer); grandson, Zachary Ryan Thomas; step-grandchildren, Sara Harrington (Alex), Phillip York (Jessica), Andrew York; great-grandchildren, Maeve Riley Harrington.

was a resident of New Orleans, Louisiana at the time of his passing. He was preceded in death by his wife Eileen. A wake will be held at the Schoen Funeral Home in New Orleans located at 3827 Canal Street on Thursday, August 15th from 6-8 pm. Funeral services will be held at the Colboch-Price Funeral Home located at 101 West Main Street, Rogersville, Tennessee on Saturday, August 17th .

Edward Beeler Thompson, age 88, of Knoxville, Tennessee, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday, July 29, 2015. He was born on March 11, 1927, in Knoxville and was reared in the Corryton community. His father was a dairy farmer and his parents were active in the community and Washington Presbyterian Church. Beeler graduated from Corryton Elementary School and Gibbs High School and then worked at the Knoxville Post Office to get “real world work experience” and found it easy compared to working on the dairy farm. Beeler attended Maryville College for one semester before volunteering for the U. S. Navy. He came home after the war to continue his education at the University of Tennessee, while also working at the UT Creamery. Beeler later became a dairy farmer himself and had a herd of purebred Holstein. He served on the boards of many farm related organizations. In 1957 Beeler attended Reisch School of Auctioneering in Mason City, Iowa and became a licensed auctioneer. His auction career began with auctioning dairy cattle and in 1963 he established the Thompson Realty and Auction Service offering full service in auction and real estate. During his forty year career he sold cattle, liquidations of all types, real estate, land development and estates. He possessed an inquiring mind, love of learning and zest for life. Learning occurred everywhere all the time. His business took him all over East Tennessee; he loved the region, the natural world, the cultivated world and its people. Beeler seldom forgot a client. He was a charter member of the Tennessee Auctioneers Association serving as president and was inducted into the Tennessee Auctioneer Association “Hall of Fame.” Beeler’s auctioneer cry came to an end with a stroke in November, 1997, that took away his ability to communicate verbally. In 1970 he married Hazel M. Copeland Beets, who had three children, Sherra, Buddy and Rene. The family joined Eastminster Prebyterian Church and began their life together. They worked as a team and the business grew and remains today. His keen observation, mind and sense of humor remained sharp, but his ability to communicate verbally or in writing was lost to the stroke. However he kept a strong desire to maintain relationships with people and developed an ability to communicate without words, through touch, body language, eyes, drawing pictures and acting. His interest in people, activities and things continued. The “farm boy” loved reading, nature, birds, refinements, art, solitude, country music and growing things, especially anything that had a pretty blossom. He is preceded in death by parents, Walter and Lola Beeler Thompson; sisters, Ella Mae Worman (Harold) and Martha Donahue (H.V.); and first wife, Ruth Russell Thompson; mother of their daughter, Frances. Beeler is survived by wife and business partner of 45 years and marvelous, tireless caregiver for 18 years, Hazel Thompson; children, Frances Thompson and husband, Eric Shafferman, Sherra Beets, Buddy and wife, Ann and Rene Beets Jenkins and husband, Frank; grandchildren, Rachel McGill, Shelly McGill, Lauren Beets, Preston Beets, Grant Jenkins and Chad Jenkins; sister, Katy Gooch and brother-in-law, Bev; many wonderful nieces and nephews, and special family who helped Hazel take care of Beeler. A special thanks are given to Dr. Blake and his excellent staff. Also special thanks to Covenant Hospice for their attentive care and support for the family.

Katelyn Deininger-Thompson ’11, and husband William Thompson welcomed baby Whitaker Lachlan Thompson on January 5, 2022.

In November 2020, Maddy Little (’17) and Joel Thornton (’16) were married in a small ceremony on the Isle of Palms, SC. Many Maryville College friends and alumni traveled from all over to celebrate with the happy couple who initially met on their first day of Orientation at MC in late summer of 2012.

Mary Roseborough Thrall, 73, died January 8, 2021, in Jacksonville, FL. She was born in Knoxville, TN to Douglas and Barbara Roseborough and resided in Jacksonville from 1955 until her death. Mary graduated from Englewood High School in 1965 and was a graduate of Maryville College (TN) where she met and married David Thrall. Mary was a middle school English teacher for 37 years. She was an active member of Unity Church for Creative Living. Her interests included family, her horses, gardening, artwork, music, reading, and a host of many friends. Mary is survived by her mother, Barbara Roseborough; sister, Jenny Young (Noah); brother, Doug Roseborough (Jane); 4 nephews and a niece; 8 great-nephews and 6 great-nieces; and a favorite uncle, Jim Burnett (Sabina) of Batesville, AR. She was preceded in death by her father, Douglas DeVault Roseborough Sr. Donations may be made to Hospice, Unity Church for Creative Living, and/or Maryville College. A Life Celebration will be held for Mary in the spring.

87, of Tallahassee, died Sunday Oct. 2. 2014 after a long illness. A native of Philadelphia, she had lived in Tallahassee since 1955. Before moving to Florida, Maryjane taught at secondary schools in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Coatesville, Pennsylvania. She attended Maryville (Tennessee) College before earning bachelor's and master's degrees in home economics at Pennsylvania State University. She received a graduate teaching certificate from Florida State University. She was an icon in the Leon County Schools, teaching and guiding thousands of elementary school children during her 40-year career in the district. She was widely known for her progressive approach to curriculum design. Maryjane served as a 2nd and 5th grade teacher, assistant principal for curriculum, and district administrator for elementary school curriculum. She worked at several elementary schools, including Oak Ridge, Bond, Ruediger and Gilchrist. She also served on Fairview Middle School's first administration as its assistant principal when it opened. Maryjane was one of the first two women in Leon County to serve as an elementary school administrator, serving as assistant principal at Oak Ridge. When Maryjane learned she wasn't earning pay equal to her male counterparts, she challenged the superintendent, who said, "Well, you don't make as much because I figure you wouldn't be doing the same kinds of things the men would do." Maryjane replied: "I once escorted a sheriff's deputy to a classroom so he could take a fifth-grader into custody. I also stopped an armed student on campus who was planning to shoot a teacher, and I confiscated his pistol. Now, what is it that I wouldn't do?" After retiring from Leon County Schools in 1998, Maryjane continued to serve as a mentor for first-year elementary school teachers, and volunteering in her grandchildren's classrooms at Gilchrist, Hawks Rise and W.T. Moore. She was a founding member of Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, serving in numerous volunteer positions and as its interim Director of Christian Education. She served on the Faith Presbyterian Preschool Board of Directors and Presbyterian Women's Circle. An active member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary organization of outstanding women educators, Maryjane held several leadership positions and was a founding member of the Fidelis Omicron chapter in Tallahassee. Her favorite role as an ADK sister was "Mother Emeritus" for the ADK Scholarship House on the FSU campus. Maryjane's tender loving care, mentoring and mothering of the young women who lived there earned her the nickname "ADK Grandma." Throughout her life in Tallahassee, Maryjane generously gave her time and love to many charitable organizations, including the Junior Woman's Club, Brehon Family Services, Leon County Retired Teachers Association, Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, and the Southern Scholarship Foundation.She was also actively involved in her daughters' organizations, Broken Hearts of Florida and The Compassionate Friends/Tallahassee Chapter. She was preceded in death by her husband, George Thurston III, her grandson, Jonathan Barch, her brother and sister-in-law, Samuel and Harriett Blizzard, and her brother, Robert Blizzard. She is survived by her four children and their spouses: Becky and Doug Barch, Tallahassee; Lee and Eydie Thurston, Tallahassee; Bob and Linda Thurston, Woodbridge, VA; and Karen and Joaquin Chavez, Tallahassee; seven grandchildren: Diane Crim and her husband, Russell, Virginia Beach, VA; Paul Thurston, Seattle, WA, and Lauren Thurston, Tallahassee; James and Eric Thurston, Woodbridge, VA; and Martin and William Chavez, Tallahassee; and three great-grandchildren: Russell and Ava Crim, Virginia Beach, VA; and Auroralei Thurston, Woodbridge, VA; her sister-in-law, Dee Blizzard, Denver, CO; and six nieces and nephews.

Celia C. Tiffany, of Saint Charles, MO, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023, at the age of 78. Cherished daughter of the late Raphael John and Virginia Rose Tiffany. Dear sister of Virginia C. Tiffany and Jean Anne (Charles) Closz; loving aunt of David, Beverly, Rosemary, and Katharine Semon and Patrick and Aaron Closz; and great aunt of several.

Celia was a faithful member of Christview Christian Church. She graduated in 1966 from Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee with a bachelor’s in science in Mathematics. Celia was also a member of the Gem and Mineral Club and editor of the “Geode”. She was a computer programmer, computer user support, and technical writer/editor for McDonnel-Douglas from April of 1970 to January of 1991. Celia was a rockhound, a science fiction fan, an avid reader, and was active in fantasy gaming. She was a caretaker for her parents for many years. Celia was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Barbara B Timbie, 91, passed away on Sunday, April 12, 2015, in Newtown. PA. She was born in Washington, D.C. and had been a resident of Pennington from 1967 to 2012, when she moved to Chandler Hall. For nearly 40 years, Barbara could be seen walking one of her black dogs through Pennington. It is calculated she covered nearly 87,000 miles. Wife of the late Donald N. Tlmbie, Sr., she is survived by her four sons: Donald N. Timbie and his wife Darlene, Douglas J. Timbie and his wife, Marcia, Bruce Timbie and Mark Timbie and his wife Loy and two daughters: Barbara L. Click and her husband, Doug, and Mary A. Kawand and her husband, John. She is also survived by her brother, David Buchanan and his wife Linda. She had six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Saturday, May 30, at 11:00 a.m. in Harbourton Cemetery, 1516 Harbourton Rocktown Road, Lambertville,08530. Arrangements are by the Blackwell Memorial Home. Memorial contributions may be made to EASEL Animal Rescue at P.O. Box 5903, Trenton. NJ 08638 or online at www.easelnj.org.

is currently an attorney practicing with Leibowitz Law Firm, PLLC in Knoxville, TN.

let the College know that at the end of summer he and his wife, Janna Eerenberg Tinley ’71 made two trips. The first was a sibling get together in El Paso Texas where his older sister lives. His younger sister Alice came up from Mexico City. Paul, his younger brother was up from Peru. In September they visited parts of Canada. Since Janna likes rail travel, they took the train from New York to Montreal. They then the 23 hour VIA compartment train to Halifax. Small compartment! They very much enjoyed the week of driving around Nova Scotia and Cape Brenton Island. They took the “easy way” back by flying back to Jacksonville, Florida.

of Maryville passed away Wednesday, October 5, 2011 at Blount Memorial Hospital. Richard was a 32nd Degree Mason. He adored his grandchildren. The family would like to thank Dr. McCarty and his staff, and all the wonderful nurses that took care of him. Survivors include: Wife, Dicia Tipton; Son & Daughter-in-law, Craig & Penny Tipton; Daughter, Pam Roberson; Grandchildren, Dustin, Tina, Bill & Rick; Great-Grandson, Andrew; Three Step-Grandchildren; Brother & Sister-in-law, Wayne & Sandy Tipton; Sisters-in-law and Brothers-in-law, Twila & Bill Baker, Wanda Jeffries, Mable Wilson, Walter & Grace Wilson; one aunt and one uncle; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Special friends, Roger, Wayne Oliver, Joe, Billy & Diane, T.J. & Lola.

Kim Tisdale of Knoxville, went to the room that Jesus prepared for her on Friday, Nov. 21, 2014. Kim is a beloved child of God and disciple of Jesus. Kim’s devotion to God led her to give up her careers as a high school biology teacher and basketball coach nine years ago in order to raise her son Hunter and teach him in the ways he should go according to God’s word. Kim loved her family well and put God’s will for her life above all people and things. Kim is survived by her son, Hunter; husband, Michael; dad and mom, John and Linda Hunter; great-aunt, Joy Davidson; and grandmother, Cicelia Hunter, among others. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014, at Fellowship Church, 8000 Middlebrook Pike, Knoxville, TN 37909. Send a story for Hunter about how Kim touched your life to Kimstories2014@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Tijuana Christian Mission Construction Project through Fellowship Church or to an education fund for Hunter Tisdale. Please email Kimstories2014@gmail.com for details about making a memorial donation. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Broadway Chapel.