Class Notes

On August 11th of 2018, my dad died. He was my best friend for many years, and I was his baby girl. It broke my heart to see him in so much pain. By the grace of God I was able to see him one last time to say goodbye. The night before he died, I made him promise me he would hold on until I got there. In his hospital room, we joked about how I had grew wings and flew all the way from Ohio just to come see him, trying to make him crack a smile. By the time I got there, he couldn’t open his eyes and he could barely communicate. Before he left for Heaven, my dad opened his eyes one last time, to see me and took his final breath. I wrote this poem for him. I hope he can hear me reading it out loud, and know how much I love him and miss him. I love you dad! I can’t wait to see your wings… Wings I grew some wings and flew to the sea, So that I could see you and you could see me, I grew some wings and came as fast as I could, So on my promise I could make good, You held on tight and fought a good fight, Until I reached you on my long flight, Your eyes were closed and your breathing unsteady, In my heart I knew you were ready, I know you heard me, you knew I was there, To tell you I love you, the timing was fair, When you finally opened your eyes, It came to me as a big surprise, The picture of me you carry is your last earthly memory, As your glossy eyes made that 1,000 mile stare, I could hear your say you loved me with your last breath of air, As I cried out in pain I knew you weren’t there, I’ll never forget that last glance, and I’ll never forget our last dance, You know I love you and I miss you dearly, So I grew some wings and flew to the sea, So that you could grow wings and come visit me.

Nancy Lynn Manning, age 60, of Madisonville passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Lonzo Manning and Lois “Rita” Cook and infant sister, Marsha Manning. Nancy was an active member of the Madisonville Chapter #426 Order of the Eastern Star.

She is survived by her by her uncle, Thomas Coston, along with many other extended family members; and best friend, Becky Farmer.

Bobbie W. Mullins, age 82, formerly of Maryville, passed away January 4, 2018. She was a beloved wife and loving mother. She was preceded in death by her parents, Jake and Ethel Wolfe. Survivors include her sons, Marshall H. Mullins and James L. Mullins; grandsons, Jake Knight and Luke Dalton Mullins. Private services were held. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, 3227 Division Street, Knoxville, TN 37919 (865) 524-9896

John Michael Sanders, 55, of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, husband of Cynthia Aspinwall Sanders died Wednesday, June 1, 2016. His funeral service was held Monday, June 6, 2016 at Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, Interment followed in Mount Pleasant Memorial Gardens. John was born July 27, 1960 in Brevard, North Carolina, son of Dr. James H. Sanders, Jr. and Gloria Allison Sanders. He held two undergraduate degrees; one each from Maryville College and Rochester Institute of Technology, and also held a Masters degree from the Medical University of SC. John was a retired Administrator for the MUSC Children’s Hospital. He was a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus Award Recipient for the MUSC College of Health Professions. In addition to being a loving family man and avid cyclist, John was a dedicated member of Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. He is survived by his wife, Cynthia Aspinwall Sanders of Mount Pleasant, SC; his parents, Dr. and Mrs. James H. Sanders, Jr. of Brevard, NC; two daughters, Dale S. Williams (Travis) of Cincinnati, OH and Hannah Sanders of Charleston, SC; two sons, Ryan Sanders of Cincinnati, OH and Adam Sanders of Charleston, SC; sister, Allison S. Ramsey (Bart) of Danville, KY; two nieces, Hillary Dabney and Fizzy Ramsey; three nephews, James Ramsey, Allen Ramsey and Thomas Aspinwall. John was expecting his first grandchild, a boy, in July. Memorials may be made to Hollings Cancer Center, MUSC, (Lung Cancer Research), 86 Jonathan Lucas Street, MSC 955, Charleston, SC 29425.