Class Notes

His wife, Barbara nee: Godshalk ’58 died after an illness on May 16, 2015. He wrote to say, “We would have been married 57 years in August of 2015. We had a good life together. We met in Anderson Hall in 1954 in Mrs. Margaret Cummings Bible Class. Barbara taught pre-school and third grade. I served 4 pastorates from 1961 – 1999.”

James Raymond (Jim) Barber, 80, of Chandler, Arizona, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Thursday, September 19, 2019. Jim was born in Prosser, Washington. He graduated from Prosser High School in 1957 and joined the United States Marine Corps. On May 17, 1958, he married Shirley Brumbaugh in Hernando, Mississippi. After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps in 1961, Jim worked as an electronics technician in the aircraft industry for North American Aviation, in Anaheim, California and Boeing in Seattle, Washington. In 1964 he moved his family to Prosser while he took a two-year assignment for RCA in Thule, Greenland to work on a ballistic missile early warning system project. Upon his return to Prosser, he worked as an electronics technician on nuclear reactors at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation for General Electric and Atlantic Richfield until 1969. He left the nuclear industry at that point to join his father in farming dry land wheat on the Horse Heaven Hills above Prosser. In 1980 Jim gave up farming to return to the nuclear industry starting with Westinghouse at Hanford as an Instrument Specialist for the Fast Flux Test Facility. He left Westinghouse in 1982 to pursue contract work for nuclear plants around the United States as an Instrument & Controls (I&C) Startup Engineer. In his later years Jim switched from nuclear engineering to procedure writing that included administrative procedures detailing new integrated work management processes and preventive maintenance instructions at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. He also prepared and facilitated training on I&C basics, compressed air system basics, and integrated work management processes. Jim relocated to Arizona with his wife in 2005. He continued work as a procedure writer and trainer in the nuclear industry until 2015. During his career in the electronics and nuclear industries he held a Q Clearance with the Department of Energy and a Secret Clearance with the Department of Defense. Jim was a member of the Masons Euclid Lodge 125 in Prosser, Washington since 1967 and a Past Master of that lodge since 1974. He is preceded in death by his parents John Vern Barber and W. Berenice (Evans) Barber. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley (Brumbaugh) Barber, his three daughters, Cynthia West, Pam Goux, and Beth Ivins, sisters Patti Roberts and Nancy Dolph, and granddaughters Lindsay Ivins, Kelly Ivins, Claire Goux, and Emma West. A celebration of life event will take place at Brookdale North Chandler (2555 N Price Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224) on Sunday, October 13th from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM with remarks from family and friends at 3:30 PM. Interment of ashes with military honors will take place at Valley of the Sun Cemetery in Chandler, Arizona on Friday, October 18th at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations in Jim’s name be made to MDS-foundation.org. Donation acknowledgements can be entered on the site to Shirley Barber, 168 E Grove Ave., Mesa, AZ 85210.

Janie Beatrice Mitchell Bell, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2017 at Blount Memorial Hospital. She was born in Maryville on June 14, 1937 to parents Cecil and Ruby (Teffeteller) Mitchell. She was a 1959 graduate of the East Tennessee Baptist Hospital School of Nursing and a 1985 graduate of Maryville College. She proudly served as a Registered Nurse at Blount Memorial her full nursing career. She is preceded in death by infant son, Stephen Bell and is survived by husband, Howard C. Bell, Jr.; son and daughter in law, Mike and Donna (Ross) Bell of Elkins, West Virginia; grandchildren, Stephen Ross Bell of Lakeland, Florida and Carlyn Marie Bell of Middleburg, Florida; siblings, Barbara (Mitchell) Tipton of Maryville, Douglas Bobby Mitchell of Mesa, Arizona and James and Anna Ray (Franklin) Mitchell of St. Louis, MO; brother and sister in law, Doug and Priscilla Bell of Alcoa. She enjoyed traveling and cheering for University of Tennessee sports and was a lover of animals. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to PPAW Spay & Neuter Clinic, P.O. Box 68 , Greenback TN 37742. Graveside service and interment was 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at Grandview Cemetery. Family received friends at Miller Funeral Home, Maryville, (865) 982-6041, www.millerfuneralhome.org

On Feb. 1, 2015 Jay and his wife Louise (Class 1959) moved back to Oregon. Beaverton is their new home and their son, Ken, is only 12 minutes away.

Jay Wilson Bollman, beloved husband, father and friend, passed away peacefully with family by his side, after a short, non-Covid illness. Jay was the first born of Presbyterian missionary parents (Ben & Elsie) in Manila, Philippine Islands, December, 1935. His family endured the trials of World War II, being imprisoned twice. Jay’s family was fortunate to be rescued by the U.S. Armed Forces from a Japanese internment camp at Los Banos on February 23, arriving at San Pedro, CA in early May, 1945. Jay started public school in fourth grade while living near relatives in Bremerton, WA.

Jay is survived by his wife Louise; two sons, Kenneth (Jimi Couture), and Eric (Ginger); five grandchildren Angela (Jacob), Garrett (Mikayla), Elizabeth, James and Jessica; great grandson Marc; and his younger brother, Lynn (Mimi).

Louise and Jay met at Maryville College (TN) in 1956, and married on June 12, 1959, in Winter Haven, FL. Jay was a Presbyterian minister for 5 years after graduating from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1961. He served a dual parish in North Dakota, then a larger parish as co-minister of four churches in rural northwest Pennsylvania. He returned to school to earn his MSW at the University of Michigan in 1969. He worked in many social work related jobs: a center director for Inter-Faith Centers for Racial Justice, Royal Oak, MI; Wayne County Dept of Social Services, Detroit, MI; State of Oregon Children’s Services Division and Adult Services out of Corvallis and Salem, Oregon; Geriatric social worker, Wesley Homes, Des Moines, WA, from which he retired in 2001.

Jay and Louise loved to travel by car across the U.S., as well as to journey to a few overseas destinations. They spent more than 60 years tent camping. Being with family and friends was always a special treat. Keeping moving physically was a daily goal.

In retirement Jay & Louise were active with Ground Zero Center for Non-Violent Action (Kitsap County, WA) through 2015. Jay served on the Board of the DuPont Historical Society from 2008 to 2012.

Paula (Polly) Lynn Cox Bowers, 84.

Polly’s journey began  on 10 September 1937 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where she was born to James Albert Cox and Mary Painter Cox. During her journey, she proved to be an excellent student. She skipped 7th grade and one half of a school year in high school. Her father, Jim, a graduate of Maryville College (1929), had enrolled her at Maryville College, Class of 1960 after he rode a bus down from Philadelphia to let family in Sharps Chapel, TN that she had been born. When Polly came to Maryville College in 1955, her academic record was so impressive that she was allowed to skip one half year of college.  Because of her thirst for learning and excellent academic record, she graduated with honors with the Class of 1958.

During her time at Maryville College, she met a “townie” student, Wilburn Rufus Bowers, fell in love, got married, and had her first child, Scott Allen Bowers, days after graduating. Scott always bragged he graduated twice from college.  She and Rufus had a second child, Meelora (Lori) Ann in 1959. Family complete, the journey continued.

She started her career as a medical laboratory technician. However, once she stepped into that first classroom of 7th graders and started teaching life science, there was no turning back. She spent 45 years in the teaching field.  She taught in North Carolina, California, Florida, Virginia, Arizona, (she taught sewing) ,California, Seoul Korea , Subic Bay Philippines, California, New Orleans, and her last stop was back in California where she retired in 2005. While in the Philippines, she taught high school completion courses and eventually became the Director of Central Texas College which offered high school completion courses and Associate College degrees. Later on while living in New Orleans, she was again asked to be the Director of Central Texas College for the Bahamas Islands, Puerto Rico and the various Naval Ships stationed in the region.  She taught at all levels kindergarten through college level classes, but whenever the opportunity arose, she always chose 7th grade science.

Her travels took her to all the countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Burma, and all 50 states in this great country, The United States of America.

She was always actively involved in PEO, The Bible Class Friendsville Fellowship, and loved working in the archives at Maryville College. In 2018, she self published a book , Echoes on the Hilltop, which was the result of her intensive research on Margaret Henry.

Her earthly journey of family, academic, and travel ended on 04 November 2021 Having lived a full and amazing earthly life, she now begins a new and wonderful journey of eternal life with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

She is survived by her best friend and fellow partner in this journey, her husband of 64 years, Colonel Wilburn Rufus Bowers, USMC Retired.  Also, her loving and caring daughter, Meelora Bowers Zerick, she leaves to carry on. Her Son Scott Allen Bowers, preceded her in death in 2012 and surely greeted her at the journey’s end.  Also, left  to celebrate her life are her three grandsons, Sam Bowers and Gray Bowers of California and Tanner Zerick of Murfreesboro, TN. Never wanting to be called a grandmother, the boys all called her “Lola” a Philippine term of endearment for grandmother. This, too was so fitting as she was one quarter Pilipino.   She also leaves behind her sister, Judy Harbison of Blue Bell, PA, brother, Jeffrey Cox of Fontana, CA, numerous nieces and nephews and finally all those wonderful friends the world over.

She will be dearly missed by all who knew her and you should be considered blessed for having known her. Rest in peace Polly, Mom, Mrs. Bowers, Aunt Polly, Lola, your ran a good race and your brought joy and inspiration to all who knew you. You have earned the rest, Your loving family.

age 85, of Powell, Tennessee, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday afternoon, March 17, 2015. Jim was born on January 31, 1930, in Blount County, to Merritt and Grace Cates. He was a member of Glenwood Baptist Church of Powell. Jim was a graduate of Young High, Maryville College, and the University of Tennessee. Jim was a Korean War Veteran with the US Air Force. He was a member of Longstreet Zollicoffer Camp 87 Sons of Confederate Veterans. He was an educator for forty years as a teacher, coach, and administrator, which began in Rome, Georgia and ended in Knoxville, Tennessee at Farragut High School until his retirement. Jim participated in football, wrestling, and track in college. He coached these sports and cross country in Georgia and Tennessee. He was voted two times as Wrestling Coach of the Year in Georgia and two times in Tennessee. Jim was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2014 and into the Farragut Hall of Fame in January 2015. Jim was preceded in death by his mother and father, Grace and Merritt Cates; sister, Penelope Cates Bishop; brothers, Charles T. Cates, III, Joe Y. Cates, and Hannum M. Cates. He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Sherry Watson Cates; daughter, Angela Brown and husband Kenny, of Rome, Georgia; sons, James Cates, Jr. and wife Deanna, of Columbia, South Carolina and John Cates and wife Stephanie, of Milton, Georgia; step-son, Chad Capps and wife Joanna, of Johnson City, Tennessee; grandchildren, Zachary Brown and wife Amy, of Asheville, North Carolina, Hollie Brown Collins and husband Joseph, of Mt. Airy, Georgia, Jacob Brown, of Rome, Georgia, Merritt Cates, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Lea and Ben Cates, of Columbia, South Carolina, Chance, Blake, Jack, and Jessica Cates, of Milton, Georgia, Luke and Anna Lee Capps, of Johnson City, Tennessee; and great-grandchild, Maya June Brown; brothers, Steve (Shirley) Cates, of Oak Ridge, Pete (Judy) Cates, of Powell; several nieces and nephews.

Opal Miller Chapman passed away September 23, 2020.

MC alumna and Alcoa native, Dr. Shirley Carr Clowney '58, digs deep into the story of African-Americans in Blount County. Clowney's book, "Our Place in Time: Blacks in Blount County," is a 133-page paperback book focuses on the contributions of blacks in areas like education, religion, government, sports, armed forces and arts to name a few. Check out her feature on WATE!
Copy the entire link below and paste into your browser to read the full story.
https://www.wate.com/…/hidden-history-historian-…/1713984854

At the 2018 Graduation I was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Community Service by Dr. Bogart.

Vernon Cooper of Clarksville died Friday, Jan. 24, 2014. He was born in Rockwood. He was preceded in death by his parents, Zirkle and Ellen Sanborn Cooper and his wife, Sarah Ditmore Cooper. Survivors include sons, Brad Cooper, Clarksville, and Chad Cooper, Orlando, Fla.; and daughter, Katy Sharpe.

departed this life on Monday, July 29, 2013. She was born on May 29, 1937, in Alcoa, to the union of Millie and G.B. Crossing. Queen was the youngest of seven children. Queen graduated from Charles M. Hall High in 1954. She was also one of six black students to re-integrate Maryville College after the historic Brown vs. Board of Education ruling. In 1968, she became an LPN and worked as a cardiac nurse at the University of Tennessee for 10 years. In 1978, Queen began working at ALCOA. She retired after 25 years of service. Queen is survived by daughters, Yolanda (Earl) Cullins of Chattanooga, Tenn., Nichelle Bilbrey of Atlanta, Ga., and Ingrid (Tiria) Ware of Alcoa; 11 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; two sisters and brothers-in-law; and a host of devoted nieces and nephews.

On Friday, July 16, 2021 Mervyn Dixon, loving husband and father of four children, passed away at the age of 84. He loved his country, his family and God. Merv was born in Mount Holly, NJ to Theodore and Emma (Hughes) Dixon. He received his Bachelors of Science degree from Maryville College where he met his future wife, Eleanor Galbreath. They married the summer that they graduated from Maryville and he then attended University of Pennsylvania and graduated Dental School. Merv joined the United States Army and was Captain of the US Army Dental Corp and served as a Dental Forensic Officer in Fort Gordon, Georgia. He and his family moved to Fort Lauderdale where he practiced General Dentistry for over 50 years. He was a member of many Dental organizations and he was most proud of being inducted into the American College of Dentists. Merv was also very involved in the community. He was a longtime member and past president of the Southside Kiwanis Club, President of the National Alumni Association for Maryville College, member of the Executives Association of Fort Lauderdale, Commodore of the Lauderdale Yacht Club and many more local organizations. Merv was preceded in death by his father, Theodore and his mother, Emma. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Eleanor Galbreath Dixon, his four children, Scott (Camille Dixon) Merry-Carol (John Duce), Nancy-Lynn (Keith Kidwell) and Linda-Jean (Mike Long) and seven grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Merv Dixon’s honor to the Kiwanis Club of Fort Lauderdale Scholarship Fund at the Community Foundation of Broward, 910 E. Las Olas Boulevard, Suite 200, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

Patrick Douglas Flynn, 87, of Alcoa, Tennessee, passed on October 06, 2021. Patrick was surrounded by loved ones as he battled Parkinson’s and heart disease.
Patrick was born September 21, 1934, in Rogersville, Tennessee to James D. Flynn and Jessie Baker Flynn. He graduated from Maryville High School in 1952 and obtained a Bachelors in Education from Maryville College in 1957 and a Master’s in Education from the University of Tennessee. Patrick served in the Air National Guard from 1961 to 1964 and served overseas during the Berlin Crisis. He began his 38-year teaching career at Prospect School, with other positions at Maury, Lanier, and Seymour. His longest tenure of 29 years occurred at Alcoa City Schools, where he taught and coached boys and girls basketball and softball. He was inducted into the Blount County Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. Patrick helped with football, basketball, and softball at Webb School after his retirement.

Patrick Flynn is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Helen Ware Flynn, and his two sons, Steve and Scott (Letitia), and by his three grandchildren, Lexi Monday, John and Sam Flynn, and by his great granddaughter, Rylie Monday.

Dolores “Dolly” Berry, departed this life peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2015, following a long illness. Dolly was born in Indianapolis, Ind. on June 12, 1928 to Dorothy and Robert Berry. The family later moved to Daytona Beach, Fla., where, at the age of 18, she was the first woman in Daytona to earn her commercial pilot’s license and teach flying. In 1960, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Va. While there, she met and married Reverend Raymond Gau. Dolly’s life was devoted to caring for others, whether that involved raising her children, working as a teacher, youth leader, children’s librarian or as a hospice volunteer coordinator. She saw beauty in the world and good in the people she met. Through her caring and affirming nature and her love of helping others, she touched the lives of many individuals. Dolly was predeceased by her husband, Ray; and her sister, Rosemary Cole. She is survived by her son, David Gau and wife, Terry; daughter, Victoria Gau and husband, Daniel Falvey; stepdaughter, Susan Gau; grandchildren, Christopher, Jason, Jasper, Sophia and Willa; nephew, Robert Wallace and wife, Terry Sue; and great-nephews, Sean and Daniel. Memorial contributions may be made in her honor to The Hermitage Samaritan Program. Please find more information at www.vumh.org/sam.html . A celebration of Dolly’s lifewas held Sunday, 1 p.m., May 31, 2015, at the Hermitage Chapel, 1600 Westwood Ave., Richmond, Va. 23227

Louise Hill Gilmore,86, passed away peacefully in her home on September 5, 2022. She was born in Alcoa, Tennessee on March 1, 1936 to Elzie and Thurzie Hill – their 12th child. She was a 1954 graduate of Charles M. Hall School. In the fall of 1954, she was one of 6 African American students who bravely re-integrated Maryville College following the landmark Supreme Court case, Brown V. Board of Education and are now known as the “Maryville Six.”

She was preceded in death by her husband of 31 years, Tyree Gilmore; parents: Elzie & Thurzie Hill; 10 siblings; children: Wyman Gilmore, Pamela Gilmore, and Angel Louise Gilmore (still born).

She is survived by a very devoted and loving sister: Rosie L. Gillespie; loving and devoted children: Tyris Gilmore (Mary), Shari McRae (Jimmie), Trent D. Gilmore, Darren A. Gilmore, Melanie T. Gilmore, & Dr Christopher A. Gilmore (Shon); loving grandchildren: Christopher Gilmore Jr., Donovan Gilmore, Anthony Jones Jr., (Tenaya), Ryan McRae, Kevin Gilmore (Erica), Tasha Jones (Derrick), Adrian Gilmore (Zoey), Tyris Gilmore, Jr. (Angela), Tareca Henley (Dale), and many great grandchildren, including devoted great grandson, Tre’von Jones; special nieces and nephews: Deretha Hill, Julia Henderson, Marva Byers, Deanna Santos, Danny Byers, James Lawrence, Audrey Lawrence (Kevin Adkins), Curtis Lawrence, Carla Stacy, Janie Wine, Paul Smith, Eric Boyd (Carrie), Robin Lundy (Bill), Mark Gillespie; devoted nieces and nephew: Jackie Hill, Elder Paulette Pace, Joanne Anthony, and Logan Hill, other nieces and nephews – too many to mention; loving friends: Tony Jones and Kevin Adkins; 2 brothers-in-law: James Gilmore and Wyman Gilmore (Dorothy); loyal friends and classmates: Shirley Carr Clowney and Lois Orange.

She was an avid reader and a historian in her own right. Most importantly, she was a born-again Christian who loved her Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.

Founding partner of Gilreath & Associates (Knoxville, Memphis & Nashville), Sid Gilreath has spent his lifetime advocating for the rights of the voiceless. In June 2015, Mr. Gilreath earned the 2015 Tennessee Association for Justice Lifetime Achievement Award. Watch the tribute video here: https://youtu.be/_agM69yWRDA

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dr. Charles and Blanche Moore Wathen; and twin sister, Janet Wathen Clark. She is survived by her husband of thirty-two years, Melvin T. Grady; brother, James Edward (Carol Lee) Wathen, St. Petersburg, FL; and sisters-in-law, Barbara Jean Grady Holt, Houston, TX, Peggy June Grady Smith, Dothan, AL; nieces Mrs. Twana (Peter) Skrobot, Munster, IN, Ms. Cynthia Wathen St Petersburg, FL; nephews Clifton B (Jennifer) Clark, James (Linda) Wathen. Mrs. Grady was born Helen Gail Wathen on July 4, 1936 in Berea, KY. She was a 1954 graduate of London High School in London, KY, an honors graduate of Maryville Tennessee College where she received a bachelor's degree, and a graduate of Georgia State University where she received her master's degree. She was a retired research scientist microbiologist from the CDC with thirty years of service. She was a member of Sugar Hill United Methodist Church.

Robert Edward (Bob) Hassall, age 86, of Durham, NC, Passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2022, at home surrounded by his family after a brief illness. 

Bob was born in Nashville, TN, on  March 27, 1936, the son of the late Samuel H. R. Hassall and Lucile Sharp Hassall.

Bob enjoyed teaching English in both Middle and High schools in Pinellas County, FL for 34 years. He also worked part-time at Sears (24 years) and volunteered in Pre-K and elementary classrooms for over 24 years. He loved the little ones after dealing with teenagers for so long.

His hobbies included reading the print version of the local newspapers and playing the piano at home and for small group functions.

He was a life-long  member of the Presbyterian church, where he served on many various committees. He was also a life-time member of his professional organizations — National Education Association (NEA), Florida Education Association (FEA) and Pinellas Classroom Association (PCTA).

He was preceded in death by his son, Mark Nelson Hassall (Oct. 15, 2016).

Survivors include his loving wife Sue, of 63 years; daughters Karen Hassall, Durham, NC, and Andrea Sullivan (Paul), St. Petersburg, FL; Brothers, Rev. Dr. Harry Hassall, Franklin, TN and Don  Hassall (Pat), Lexington, KY; Sister, Helen Robinson (Rev.John); Daughter-law, Debbie Hassall, Decatur, GA;  Also six grandchildren—Crystal Hassall, Lithonia, GA; Matthew Hassall (Melissa), Decatur, GA; Robert N Hassall, Appleton, WI; Reilly Sullivan Oechsel (Brian), Holly Ridge, NC; Mallory Sullivan Rosas  (JP), Ramrod Key, FL; Austin Sullivan, St. Petersburg, FL. Also, many nieces, nephews and other family members.

Special thanks to son-in-law Paul (Sully) Sullivan who guided Sue and Bob through their retirement years. Bob enjoyed 34 years of teaching and 30 years of retirement (22 of which he volunteered in several  areas) and now he crosses the Rainbow Bridge to be welcomed by our Loving God and to be in the community of his parents, many friends and son for evermore.

Iris (Abbott) Karl, 81, passed away on July 30, 2018 at Brookdale Senior Care after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease. She was born on March 12, 1937, in English Township, Jersey County, Illinois, to the late Gilbert H and Lena (Thomas) Abbott. Iris was a firm believer in education and excelled in school. She was a 1954 graduate of Jersey Community High School and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree, in three and a half years, from Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee. She went on to further her education at Southeast Missouri State University and Columbia University. She married Wayne Karl in 1965 in Atlanta, Georgia. Soon after their marriage, Wayne was transferred to Washington, D.C., where he began his career as an engineer with the FAA. Together they made their home in Fairfax County, Virginia, for many years, where Iris worked for the US Census Bureau. After Wayne’s retirement, he and Iris fulfilled one of their lifelong dreams and bought a tract of land at the intersection of Interstate 64 and Skyline Drive and the Blue Ridge Parkway. On this ground, they built a “state of the art” Bed and Breakfast, rightfully named The Iris Inn, which is still in operation today. As Wayne’s health began to decline, they sold The Iris Inn and Iris’s focus shifted to caring for Wayne until his passing. After his death, Iris built a smaller inn, The Feathered Nest, which she operated until her own health no longer allowed her to do so. She is survived by a daughter, Miranda Karl of Maryland; a sister, Natalie (Abbott) Rickabaugh of Statesville, North Carolina; two brothers and sisters in-law, Edgar and Virginia Abbott of Alton, Illinois, and Gene and Patsy Abbott of Jerseyville, Illinois.

The Rev. Harold O. Kelley, 86, of Carmichaels, passed away Friday, May 26, 2023, in the Uniontown Hospital. He was born December 28, 1936, in Uniontown, a son of the late Eugene L. and Verna M. Calhoun Kelley.

Rev. Kelley was a 1954 graduate of Uniontown High School and Maryville College. He received his Masters in Divinity degree from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Rev. Kelley began his pastorate at six churches in the Klondike Parish. Afterward, he pastored the First Presbyterian Church in Carmichaels for 18 years. During his time at First Presbyterian, he was instrumental in initiating the teen choir, the Westminster Academy, the bus ministry and the Evangelism Explosion program. Rev. Kelley also guided the church to leave the denomination and join the Reformed Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Synod, which later merged with the Presbyterian Church in America. During his tenure at First Presbyterian, the church was renamed the Greene Valley Presbyterian Church.

After serving Greene Valley Presbyterian, Rev. Kelley planted the Trinity Presbyterian Church in New Martinsville, W.Va., Faith Presbyterian Church in Wheeling, W.Va., Faith Reformed Presbyterian in Fairmont, W.Va., and finally Christ Reformed Presbyterian Church in New Freedom. In 1994, Rev. Kelley returned to pastor the Greene Valley Presbyterian Church in Carmichaels until 2006.

In the early 1990s, he traveled to Ethiopia for six weeks, where he taught the Nuer pastors the Bible books of Daniel and Revelation. After formally “retiring” from Greene Valley Presbyterian, Rev. Kelley continued to preach at New Martinsville then to Christ Community Church in Fairmont and lastly to Denbeau Heights Christian Church in Brownsville.

In addition to his devotion to shepherding his traditional church flock to Christ, Rev. Kelley served as chaplain at Moundsville Penitentiary, enjoyed discipleship ministry with over-the-road truckers and had a passion for missions.

Rev. Kelley’s community service extended further in being a former member of the Carmichaels and Cumberland Township Volunteer Fire Company, serving as chaplain for the New Martinsville Fire Department and serving on the Carmichaels Area School Board.

He was a member of Valley Lodge No. 459, Free & Accepted Masons, the Uniontown Lodge of Perfection and the Scottish Rite Bodies in the Valley of Pittsburgh. He also served on the board of Greene County Children and Youth Services.

Rev. Kelley enjoyed his horses, hunting, and training bird dogs.

At the time of his passing, Rev. Kelley was working on his doctorate and always expressed his special gift of love for people.

On August 13, 1960, he married Norma L. Mackenzie, who died September 30, 2022.

Surviving are a son, Scott E. Kelley (Hope) of Carmichaels; a daughter, Lisa Miller (R. Scott) of Carmichaels; eight grandchildren, Jeremiah S. Miller (Cassandra), Morgen Miller, Jarrod R. Miller, Shane Bond, Nicole Kelley Bowser, Lana Kelley, Nathan Kelley (Brittany) and Finnian Kelley; seven greatgrandchildren, Kallie Miller, Aiden Miller, Tristan Miller, Brynnlee Miller, Hailie Kelley, Oliver Bond and Kelsey Vessels; daughter-in-law, Erin Kelley of Morgantown, W.Va.; and his sister-in-law, Virginia Kelley of Zuni, Va.

Deceased, in addition to his parents and wife, are two sons, Michael R. Kelley and Sean P. Kelley; and a brother, Dale Kelley.

Rev. Kelley was excited to add four more grandchildren and seven more great grandchildren through son Scott’s marriage to Hope.

Mary Jane Kirklin, age 86, of Chicago, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

Robert Lee McLeod of North Branch a retired Presbyterian Minister died Friday October 29, 2021 in Scranton, PA. He was 85. Robert was born October 10, 1936 in Jacksonville, Florida to parents the late Robert and Alice McGhee McLeod.

Robert was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Florida; Maryville College in Maryville, TN; and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He served as a Presbyterian Minister in Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. In his later years he enjoyed interim ministries in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Illinois and New York. Most recently he was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Monticello.

He is survived by his Wife Margaret McLeod of North Branch; his sons Robert Bruce McLeod (Josephine) of Needham, MA; William Andrew McLeod of Oklahoma City, OK; his granddaughters Tristen Black (Seth); Erin, Devon, and Abigail McLeod; his grandson Cameron McLeod; his great granddaughter Joy Black; and stepsons Charles Sommer (Maria) and Douglas Sommer (Laura).

Bob fondly reflected on a family lake house vacation with all the grandkids, he lived his 85 years in peace, tolerance and acceptance and in joy of the presence of his Lord and Savior. Among his hobbies were music, golf, travel, hunting and he always enjoyed the company of a pet cat.

He spent his retirement years in Sullivan County New York and passed unto his Lord after some health deterioration and COVID 19 over came him.

Nancy P. Meise died on December 5, 2020 in Boulder of complications from an infection. She was 84. Born in New Jersey, she graduated from Maryville College and worked as a teacher. She moved to Colorado in 1967 with her husband, Henry August Meise, Jr., where she taught English as a Second Language at Boulder High School. Following the death of her husband in 1991, Nancy volunteered with city handicapped parking enforcement and Boulder Community Hospital. She helped launch Jubilate Sacred Singers, a choir that performed at Carnegie Hall in 2008. She enjoyed her friends at The Carillon senior living community, where she served as president of the resident council. She is survived by her sons Bill Meise (in Arvada) and John Meise August (in Los Angeles), her daughter-in-law, Tami and son-in-law, Mike, and her grandkids Ben and Amy. A lifelong reader, she was deeply appreciative of Boulder’s terrific libraries and staff. A virtual memorial service was being planned. Details can be found at johnaugust.com/nancy

Stanley James Mont, 83, of Morris Township, NJ passed away on February 22, 2020 in Morristown, NJ. He was born in the Bronx, NYC, NY on June 11, 1936 to Theodore and Nellie (Callen) Mont. He graduated from Hightstown, NJ High School in 1954 and then went on to earn a BA in English from Maryville College in Maryville, TN in 1958. He and classmate Paula Kronenberg were married the afternoon of graduation day. Stan then went to Princeton Theological Seminary where he earned a Master of Divinity Degree in 1961. During his lifetime Stan had three careers. As an ordained Presbyterian Minister he served the Bradley Hills Presbyterian Church in Bethesda, MD as Associate Minister. He also served the First Presbyterian Church of Atco, NJ as Minister for several years. He then went into Human Resources, working in Washington, DC and Los Angeles, CA. He concluded his career in HR as Vice President of Personnel, Macy’s East in New York City. During the sixteen years he was with Macy’s (1979-1995) a fun task for him was leading the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade down Broadway to Herald Square. After retiring from Macy’s he worked as the Fly Fishing Department Manager and fly fishing instructor for The Sports People Store in Far Hills, NJ teaching a sport he loved to adults and children. Over the years Stan was a man with various hobbies and interests. He was a lifelong reader of books on many subjects. He enjoyed hiking, running, bird watching, photography, water-color painting, traveling, genealogy and star gazing. Stan is survived by his wife of 62 years, Paula, of Morris Township, NJ, their daughter Karen (Bill) Hoffman, son Andrew (Kristina) Mont, granddaughter Alexis Hoffman, brothers Ted (Martha) Mont and Bill (Kathy) Mont and their children and grandchildren. The family would be pleased if memorial donations were made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or online at www.stjude.org, or the Shriners Hospital for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 or online at www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org We wish to extend our gratitude to the people of RWJ University Hospital, Somerset, NJ and to Care One at Madison in Morristown. Stanley was loved by many and will be greatly missed. He is now at peace. May the Lord bless him and keep him now and forever.