Class Notes

In 2016 Evelyn and Gareth (both from the Class of 1954) were asked to form and chair a committee in Bristol Village to raise funds from Bristol Village residents to help build a new Pike County Public Library in Waverly, Ohio. Bristol Village is a retirement community in Waverly, Ohio and they have in their own independent house for 18 years. The couple is still in good health and are very active in their church and community. They realized this was a historical undertaking and would benefit all ages of people in Pike County for the next 100 years. It was predicted the building will cost over $3,500,000 and it would take at least five years to raise the necessary funds and to build. Gareth and Evelyn gathered a committee and together they set a goal of $250,000 just for Bristol Village residents. That goal was exceeded in cash and pledges in just over six months. On June 29, 2017 the Pike County Rotary Club honored the couple for their community service along with another couple who worked closely with them. Currently, $259,653 has been raised from BV residents.

In 2016 Evelyn and Gareth (both from the Class of 1954) were asked to form and chair a committee in Bristol Village to raise funds from Bristol Village residents to help build a new Pike County Public Library in Waverly, Ohio. Bristol Village is a retirement community in Waverly, Ohio and they have in their own independent house for 18 years. The couple is still in good health and are very active in their church and community. They realized this was a historical undertaking and would benefit all ages of people in Pike County for the next 100 years. It was predicted the building will cost over $3,500,000 and it would take at least five years to raise the necessary funds and to build. Gareth and Evelyn gathered a committee and together they set a goal of $250,000 just for Bristol Village residents. That goal was exceeded in cash and pledges in just over six months. On June 29, 2017 the Pike County Rotary Club honored the couple for their community service along with another couple who worked closely with them. Currently, $259,653 has been raised from BV residents.

writes in to share that he is a Minister of the PCUSA actively involved in the Order of St Luke, and international organization whose mission is to develop ministries of healing in the local church.

For the last 17 years, Jinny competed in the Huntsman World Senior Games held in St. George, UT, and last year won the gold medal in women’s singles, doubles and mixed doubles. This summer Jinny came home with a gold and two bronze medals in mixed doubles, doubles and singles table tennis from the National Senior Olympics held in Birmingham, AL. Read more about Jinny’s experiences here: http://www.crossville-chronicle.com/news/lifestyles/pleasant-hill-ramblings-longees-enjoy-getting-active-and-want-others/article_525bc254-971a-11e7-9740-e7f511aa133e.html

In 2016 I published a book titled “Mount Horeb Church Minute Books, 1841-1923, An Anthology of Church and Family History (Jefferson County, TN)” at the Southern Historical Press in Greenville, SC. It includes Rankin, Alexander, Bradshaw, Coile and many early settlers of Dumplin Valley who lived in East Tennessee. Many Maryville College students have a connection with these early pioneers.

has retired after working for the past 50 years as an ophthalmologist. See the article at http://www.roanoke.com/news/virginia/after-years-roanoke-doctor-eyes-early-retirement/article_4e67d67a-49ec-549f-9828-17b48da6df61.html

Ken Tuck received the Service Above Self Award from Rotary International in May 2017. The award is Rotary’s highest honor recognizing up to 150 Rotarians each year who demonstrate their commitment to helping others by volunteering their time and talents.

Wednesday, January 11, 2017 – has been officially declared by the Purcellville Town Council as “Dr. James and Mrs. Betty Wiley Day” in Purcellville! It is impossible to condense the amazing service they have given to their Town, region, and country. Last night, the Mayor and Council recognized the Wileys and presented them with a key to the Town. Read below for an overview of their amazing contributions. As Mrs. Wiley mentioned in her comments, she was able to contribute through her work on Town Parks and at the Community Center, and Doc Wiley served the Town through the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, which manages the W&OD Trail. Two different groups, both serving the residents of Purcellville. Please take a moment and read their great contributions, and join us in celebrating DOC AND BETTY WILEY DAY in Purcellville! MRS. BETTY WILEY Mrs. Wiley is a native of York County, PA and went to college at Marysville. She was the founder and first Organizing Director of the Loudoun Valley Community Center after serving two years on the first Parks and Recreation Board. At that time, the LVCC was located in the abandoned Emerick school building. Mrs. Wiley initiated a senior citizen program featuring day trips, speakers, party’s and renovated a kitchen to ensure lunches for this group. Originally the kitchen area also served as an afterschool snack bar and fun place for teens. This was the first fully socially integrated programming in Loudoun County whose model was followed by many community centers that have since evolved. Mrs. Wiley was an avid supporter of the Girl Scouts and was a member of the Candy Stripes Program – Ladies Hospital Board. She was the children’s choir director at Leesburg Presbyterian Church, volunteered for the Red Cross, American Cancer Society, Arthritis Foundation Drives and others. She served as President, Vice President and Community Service Chairman for the Loudoun Jr. Woman’s Club, organized grants and worked with the American Hearing Society in DC to start the Blue Ridge Speech and Hearing Center in Leesburg. Mrs. Wiley was President of BLSH Board and served on the board for a number of years. She was named outstanding Jr. Woman in Northern Virginia. Mrs. Wiley was a substitute teacher in the Loudoun County school system. Mrs. Wiley worked to find SelfHelp for the Hard of Hearing Chapter in Loudoun and after two years, other volunteers eventually developed a group now known as NOVA WEST in Fairfax/Sterling. Mrs. Wiley worked on the state committee for the American Disabilities Act. Mrs. Wiley was a member of the First Loudoun Chorale Group. She was on the first PUGAMP Committee where she served two terms, and was a member of the Western Loudoun Arts Tour which promotes local arts. Mrs. Wiley loved selling bridal gowns at Le Reve in Market Street Station for two years. The Wiley’s are one of six families that started St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. Mr. Joe Nichols on Main Street was considered their mentor and first contact in town. DR. JAMES WILEY Dr. James Wiley was born in Covington, Tennessee in November of 1932. He grew up in Mumford, TN through high school. In 1950 he went off to Marysville College in Marysville, TN. After graduating, he attended the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry and graduated in 1956. He married Betty Hammers from Stewartstown, PA in June of 1955. They currently have 3 children (Karen, David and Judith Ann) all of who have graduated from Loudoun Valley High School. Dr. Wiley was drafted into the US Navy Dental Corp from 1956 – 1958 in Parris Island, SC. In October of 1958, Dr. Wiley started general dental practice in Purcellville. He was in his first office for 15 years at the current post office location and then at the drug store and finally at the now Purcellville Restaurant. Dr. Wiley and Dr. James Towe built the Loudoun Valley Professional Building in 1974. Dr. Wiley retired in 2003. From 1959 – 1960, Dr. Wiley was a member of the Purcellville Town Baseball Team. In 1965 he was the Chairman of the Purcellville Area Commission and established a County Parks and Recreation Dept. He also coached Little League Baseball from 1969-1974. From 1966 – 1972, Dr. Wiley was a member of the Loudoun County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and was the Chairman from 1969 – 1972. In 1966 he was a founder and Ruling Elder of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church where he served on the Board from 1966 – 2012. In 1972 – 2002 he was the first appointee from Loudoun County to the Board of Directors for the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. There were 23 Regional Parks and 7 parks in Loudoun. From 1985 to 1994, Dr. Wiley served on the Board of Directors for the Loudoun Golf and Country Club and served as President from 1986 – 1992. From 2003 – 2007, he served on the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and from 2006 – 2014 he served on the Purcellville Town Council. In 2014, Dr. Wiley was a founding member of the Purcellville Arts Council, their first Chairman, and has served for two years. Dr. Wiley was also the first President of the Blue Ridge Middle School PTA, a Faculty Associate at Lord Fairfax Community College teaching dental hygiene and a member of the Lions Club for 20 years. Dr. Wiley was one of the founding members of the Purcellville Business Association. In addition, Dr. Wiley was a staff member of the Loudoun Memorial Hospital for 20 years and a volunteer at the Loudoun Free Dental Clinic for 15 years. ***Dr. Wiley is known for his golfing and has made 5 hole-in-ones in his life – one of which won him a Cadillac at the Fire Dept’s Charity Tournament. While on Town Council, he hosted several charity golf tournaments that went towards community projects such as lights at Haske Field. PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE: Dr. James Wiley and Mrs. Betty Wiley – In honor of your support to our community over the years, we would like to present you with a key to the Town of Purcellville, and do hereby declare Wednesday, January 11, 2017 as Dr. James and Mrs. Betty Wiley Day in the Town of Purcellville!