Class Notes

Nancy Louise Hord Brown, 4/8/1939-9/11/2020, joined the Church Triumphant and the great cloud of witnesses that surrounds us. She is survived by a grateful husband of 59 years, Harold; children, Chase (Melinda), Callie, and Hayse: three beautiful granddaughters, Emeline, Ellie, and Lilah. An active member of Middlesettlements United Methodist Church for 70 years, she graduated from Maryville College in 1961. She taught high school and was a social worker in North Carolina and Tennessee while being a gracious and loving wife and mother. A graveside service is scheduled for 9/26 at 11 AM at Middlesettlements Cemetery. Memorial gifts can be made to Middlesettlements UMC or the L.C.A.C. www.mccammonammonsclick.com

Writes in to say that he was diagnosed with ALL leukemia January, 2015, spent three months in hospital and rehab, and achieved full remission in October. Our 61st wedding anniversary was June, 2015. And, Yes! they still are involved in marriage and family counseling and support. Spent three years as part-time “Pastor to the Pastors” for a UMC District, and six years in English worship and education with two Korean congregations, one Presbyterian and one Methodist. Still preaching and teaching. JoAnne volunteers at All Childrens Hospital, and as Deacon at FPC of St. Pete. Still ballroom dancing and woodworking.

Martha Jean Quick Cardot, age 79, of Beverly, West Virginia, died on Monday, August 5, 2019 at the Elkins Rehabilitation and Care Center. Mardi was born in Elkins, West Virginia on November 1, 1939. She was the oldest daughter of the late Ralph Harding Quick and the late Margaret Jean Morrison Quick. Her early years were spent in Durbin, Lesage and Charleston, WV. She graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1957. A diligent student and talented singer Mardi attended Maryville College and graduated from Davis & Elkins College in 1962 where she majored in Education and sang in the campus choir. The love of faith, education, music and nature would accompany her during her entire life. In August 1963 Mardi married Richard W. Cardot at 1st Presbyterian Church, Charleston, WV, whom she met while singing in the chancel choir. In 1969 Mardi and Richard returned to Randolph County where they made a home. A lifelong educator, Mardi taught in Kanawha, Monongalia and Randolph Counties for a total of 32 years. Mardi’s life was a demonstration of love for family, faith and community. A Presbyterian by profession, she was an ordained Ruling Elder who served the church in many capacities including sessional committees, pastoral search committees and Sunday School teaching. She was active in community theatre, Forest Festival Committees including Assistant to the Queen’s department. She loved music, singing, playing cards with “The Bridge Club,” and keeping up on the accomplishments of her students. Mardi placed great value in her involvement in the Order of the Eastern Star and was a life member of the Tiskelwah Chapter No. 45. Mardi’s life is an ongoing legacy to her family, friends and students. She would still challenge us to put down roots and commit ourselves to God-given passions. She was a teacher-at-heart from her earliest days in a 2-room school in Lesage and taught long after her retirement from the Randolph County Schools. Her students will remember National Pickle Day, “sounding it out,” “taking a minute to think about it,” and “Can you think of that another way?” Her warm smile, kind spirit, quick wit and beautiful voice will long be remembered by those who knew and loved her. Mardi is survived by her husband of 56 years, Richard W. Cardot; three children, Guy Richard Cardot (Aimee) of Beverly, WV, Maria Louise Cardot Lane (Tim) of Montpelier, VA, Margaret Anne Cardot (Mike) of Richmond, Virginia; seven grandchildren, Elise, Richie, Sam, Isaac, Max, Henry and Nora; one sister Mary Ellen Dawkins (Bill); one nephew, John Walton Reynolds; one niece, Rebecca Reynolds Heath; and one uncle, Robert Morrison. Friends are invited to gather at the Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church for visitation on Saturday, August 31 from 1:30 until 3 p.m. A Service of Witness to the Resurrection will be held at 3 p.m. with a time for fellowship to follow. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Beverly Bookmobile, c/o Beverly Elementary School, 505 Main St., Beverly, WV 26253. The Randolph Funeral Home and Cremation Services has been entrusted with the arrangements for Martha Jean Cardot. Send online condolences to the family at www.therandolphfuneralhome.com.

Kenneth Ray Chambers, 85, lifelong resident of Blount County, Tennessee, went home to glory March 13, 2021. He was born April 1, 1935 and was the youngest sibling of ten born to Jesse Cloyd and Zena Myers Chambers of Cades Cove. Kenneth grew up an avid athlete. As a grade schooler if he missed the bus he would run to school and arrive there before the bus. He was a football star at Porter High School in the early 1950’s and was starting tailback as a Sophomore in 1950 when Porter won the Blount County championship. He played starting tailback in both 1951 and 1952. Porter won the county championship again in 1952. He made All-County in football in 1952 along with four of his other team-mates. He started two years in football at Hiwassee College in 1953 and 1954. He was starting tailback at Maryville College in 1957 and played fullback and linebacker at Maryville College in 1959 at the same time he was on the wrestling team. While at Maryville College he also belonged to the Air National Guard. Then after college worked for the Guard full time and was deployed to Germany in May of 1962. He was honorably discharged in 1964. Later to keep physically fit he joined the Knoxville YMCA wrestling team. He played handball for 15 years during which time he won the City Consolation Championship (1970) and was runner-up in 1972. Kenneth was inducted into the Blount County Sports Hall of fame October 26, 2009. Kenneth married the love of his life, Faye Larkin Brackin on September 12, 1974. They made their home on the farm Kenneth grew up on and attended Stock Creek Baptist Church. He worked as a Machinist and retired from Robert Shaw Controls. Kenneth is preceded in death by his wife Faye and their daughter Janet, his four sisters and five brothers. He is survived by nineteen nieces and nephews and countless great nieces and nephews. He was “Uncle Kenneth”. He always had a joke to put a smile on your face. He was also a “big brother” to one nephew (Odie) who spent a great deal of time at the farm with his Grandmaw and Grandpaw and at that time a wonderfully patient Uncle Kenneth. Special thank you: Asbury Place Beech House Employees. Special Mention: Niece: Evelyn White and Great Niece: Lisa Wilson. To view this obituary online and/or post condolences or memories you may access Sherwood Chapel and Memorial Gardens website at www.sherwoodchapel.com. Flowers may be sent to Sherwood Chapel and Memorial Gardens 3176 Airport Highway, Alcoa, TN or donations may be made in memory of Kenneth to AMVETS Post 22, 3705 Legends Way, Maryville, Tenn. 37801. Friends and family may pay their respects Friday, March 19 from 9am – 12 pm and 2pm – 4pm at Sherwood Chapel and Memorial Gardens, 3176 Airport Highway, Alcoa, Tenn. A graveside service will be held at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, 475 Bethel Church Road, Townsend, TN Saturday March 20 at 1pm, Rev. Chris Cupp presiding.

James Valentine Culbertson, age 79, went to be with Lord on February 13, 2019. Jim was born February 17, 1939, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, son to Kenneth Sr. and Margaret D. Being born three days after Valentine’s Day and passing just a day before Valentine’s Day was befitting a man who was surrounded by Love. Jim lived the past 25 years in Buena Vista, Colorado after raising his family in Fort Stewart, Georgia and Fauquier County, Virginia. Jim, or ‘Willie’ as he was affectionately called (due to his likeness to Willie Nelson), had a servant’s heart. He was a founding member and past president of the Chaffee County Habitat for Humanity. Jim loved bluegrass music and also served as a board member and past president of the Walden Chamber Music Association. He was a board member for the Central Colorado Conservancy, and also volunteered with the Arkansas Valley Christian Mission. He was a BSA Scoutmaster for many years, and he contributed to many other causes. He was devoted to the preservation of wildlife and nature, and proud of his military service in the US Army. Jim put his energy, heart and soul into everything he did, including construction, being a head baker, a log cabin builder, and finally in his dream job of working the past 25 years as a caretaker for the Butler family ranch in Buena Vista. A student of philosophy, religion, and staunch supporter of the Constitution, Jim exemplified the ideals of giving more than you receive, the value of hard work, and having integrity in everything he did. Jim’s spirit of kindness, his smile and sparkle in his eyes was felt by everyone who knew him. His Children and Family miss him and Love him deeply and will always try to live up to his spirit as he is “on the road again”. Preceded in death by his parents and brother Kenneth Jr., Jim is survived by his brothers, Richard Culbertson and Robert Culbertson, and his sisters Joy Rossell and Judi Starks, his daughter Kimberli Saunders and husband Tom, his son Kevin Culbertson and wife Renee, his granddaughter Lauren Anne Culbertson, his grandson Daron Lee Culbertson and wife Danielle, his great-granddaughter Lavender Ruth, and many nieces and nephews including, Melissa Williams, Teresa Culbertson-Bush, Linda Ratliff, Mike Culbertson, and Kacie Starks. Jim graduated with the Class of 1957 from Hollidaysburg Senior High School, Pennsylvania; he attended Maryville College, Tennessee; and he served three years in the US Army at Ft. Stewart, Georgia. A ceremony celebrating Jim’s life will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2019, 4:30 PM at Soul Purpose Community Church, 12698 Shipps Store Road, Bealeton, Virginia. A Memorial Facebook page: “James Valentine Culbertson – a celebration of his life” is available. Donations in his honor can be made to any of the local causes that Jim supported, or to the Dementia Society of America. To plant a tree in memory of James Culbertson, please visit our Tribute Store.

William Alexander Cunningham passed away January 16, 2019. William resided in Philadelphia, PA.

Darling, Mary Elizabeth died peacefully at N.C. Little Memorial Hospice on Friday, September 9, 2022 in Edina, MN at the age of 83.

Mary is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth Darling and Mike Capps (Knoxville, TN); brother and sister-in-law, Bill Darling and Chris Ozbun (Wynnewood, PA); sister-in-law, Marylynn Darling (Tolland, CT); nephews, John Darling (Chapel Hill, NC), Jeffrey Darling and wife Micki (Northampton, MA), Jonathan Capps and wife Lindsay (Columbus, OH); and her niece, Sammy Darling (Smith College).

Mary is preceded in death by her mother, Elizabeth Darling; her father, Alan Darling; her stepmother, Anna Darling; her siblings, Charles Darling and Margaret Darling.

As the oldest sibling in a minister’s family, Mary spent her early childhood in Argyle and Oswego, IL, and later childhood in Davis, OK. In 1957, the Darling family moved to Erie, PA where Mary graduated from Strong Vincent High School. Mary earned her BS degree in Home Economics from Maryville College (Maryville, TN). Her graduate studies in Food Science and Nutrition culminated in an MA and PhD from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities.

In 1970, Mary began her 31 year career as an Extension Nutritionist and Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota-St. Paul campus. She traveled across the state teaching better health through nutrition, focusing on the nutritional needs and education of low-income families and families of disadvantaged minority groups. Mary regularly served as a judge at the Minnesota State Fair for a variety of 4-H competitions. Her university career included research that focused on the nutritional needs of aging women, teaching and mentoring, and collaborating with longtime colleagues and friends. Mary retired in 2001.

Mary loved living in St. Paul. Her retirement years were spent volunteering, enjoying her family visits, watching her nephews and niece grow up, caring for her beloved cockatiel pet birds, knitting, drawing, coloring, getting together with friends, and watching the natural beauty of the Minnesota seasons come and go. Mary was a loving sister and aunt. Her kind, gentle soul will be missed.

Talley Shannon Davis passed away peacefully in his home October 17, 2017 surrounded by his family. He was a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his loving & devoted wife of 54 years, Patricia Carol Davis, the love of his life; his daughter Terri Stevenson, her husband Jeff, and their daughters Taylor and Parker; his son Chris Davis and his partner Rene Yanes; his daughter Melissa “Missy” Kelley, her husband Matthew, and their sons Jackson and Eli; sister Eula Hembree; brother and sister-in-law Harry & Sherry Richey; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, friends, and his loving dog Katie who was always by his side. He was preceded in death by: Parents, Clay & Louise Davis. Talley was born and raised in Townsend. He loved the mountains and the community he grew up in. He loved the outdoors, horseback riding, fishing, and especially golfing which he played weekly with longtime friends. He played football for his high school team and later for Maryville College. He served in the US Army, stationed in Heidelberg, Germany, and served as an MP and in the Honor Guard. He worked and retired at ALCOA as a Mechanical Craft Specialist. He was a member of Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church. Talley loved life and was happiest spending time with his family. He was a loving Papaw to his four grandchildren who he delighted in. He was loved and a friend to anyone who knew him. Talley had a kind and giving heart – in lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in his honor to the Tuckaleechee United Methodist Church Building Fund, 7322 Old Tuckaleechee Rd, Townsend, TN 37882.

Helen Voiles Davis, 80, passed away on Wednesday, July 24, 2019, at Elmcroft of Muncie following a long illness. She was born in Jamestown, Tenn., on March 23, 1939, the daughter of Willard and Lena (Rich) Voiles and has lived in either Farmland or Muncie, Indiana since 1960. Helen attended Maryville College and later graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Masters degree in Library Science. She was retired from a 27-year career as an English teacher and head librarian at Monroe Central Jr-Sr High School, where she enjoyed getting students excited about books and reading. In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, sister, and grandmother, her lifelong passions included books, gardening, and genealogy. After retiring, she became a Master Gardener, devoting hours of volunteer time to gardens at Minnetrista and the native garden project at the Red-tail Land Conservancy near Prairie Creek Reservoir, among others. When not gardening, she corresponded with distant cousins and acquaintances across the country to trace her family tree, discovering direct lines to Sergeant Alvin C. York and Davy Crockett as well as other less-reputable characters, which she always found amusing. Though often reserved, she was quick to smile and put others at ease and was known among friends and family for her extreme generosity. Survivors include her husband, Daniel Davis, Muncie, Indiana, with whom she would have celebrated 25 years of marriage in August; her son, Gary Richard (Cheryl) Davis, Harriman, Tennessee; her daughter, Julie Davis Rennecker, Austin, Texas; and her stepdaughter, Tammy Davis (Jim) Henderson, Muncie; four sisters, Lola (Howard) Hayes, Nashville, Tennessee; Sue (Richard) Amonett, Indianapolis; Bettye (Barry) Munday, Carrollton, Georgia; Ann (Joe) Hill, Elijay, Georgia; one brother, Doug (Valeria) Voiles, Jamestown, Tennessee; and one half-brother, Roy (Gwen) Strayer. Her grandchildren include two granddaughters, Katherine Ellen (Zach) Davis, Louisville, Tennessee; and Sarah Beth Davis, Knoxville, Tennessee; one step-granddaughter, Brittany Henderson, Muncie; and two step-grandsons, Tyler Henderson and Kasey Lyle Henderson, both of Muncie. Survivors also include numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and -nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, numerous aunts and uncles, and one niece, Della Faye Williams. A service to celebrate Helen’s life will be held on Monday, July 29, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Wilson Shook Funeral Home, Thornburg Memorial Chapel, State Road 32 East, Parker City, Indiana, with Pastor Tylor Jackson officiating. Family and friends may call prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 29th. Burial will follow at Tomlinson Cemetery, Muncie, Indiana. In lieu of flowers, friends and family are invited to make memorial contributions in Helen’s honor to the Monroe Central Scholarship Fund by mail to Monroe Central Scholarship Fund, 1878 N. 1000 W. Parker City, IN 47368 or envelopes will be provided at the funeral home. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.wilsonshookfuneralhomes.com.

Mike Ducey of Lawrence passed away on June 27, 2017 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital after a long battle with cancer. He was born December 4th, 1937, the son of Jean Sparks Ducey and John Edward Ducey. After growing up in Niles, Michigan and on the original homestead of his mother’s family in Berrien County, Michigan, he graduated from Maryville College (Tennessee) and Princeton Theological Seminary. He served as Pastor of the Freeman Presbyterian Church in Freeman, Missouri, and as Associate Pastor of Southridge Presbyterian Church in Roeland Park, Kansas. Seeking a deeper understanding of man’s relationship to man, the world, and the divine, he pursued graduate studies at the University of Kansas, where he received an M.A. with Honors in Religion and an M.A. and M.Phil. in Philosophy. He served as Assistant Director and Instructor in the Western Civilization program at K.U., and taught courses in the Philosophy department. Later, his career interests took a decided turn toward solving problems of more immediate practical consequence: he worked as a building engineer and as a heating and air conditioning technician, retiring in 2000. Mike had an enduring interest in the environment, and was an avid backpacker, canoeist, photographer, and woodworker. His quiet commitment to service and social justice led him to a series of volunteer and leadership activities in the community. He was preceded in death by his parents and his aunt Edith L. McCoy. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Constance Bondurant Ducey, of Lawrence; by his brother Jay Patrick Ducey (Mary Gay) of Berkeley, California; his daughter, Michelle Growcock (Bradley) of Baldwin City, Kansas; his son, Mark Ducey (Kathleen O’Brien) of South Berwick, Maine; by four grandchildren, Nathan Growcock (Kayle), Benjamin Growcock, Carter Ducey, and Eva Ducey; one greatgrandchild, Adalynn Growcock; and cousin Cathy McCoy (Peter Logan) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A visitation was held in the Fellowship Hall at West Side Presbyterian Church, 10th and Kasold, in Lawrence on Saturday, July 1. A private family inurnment will take place at a later date. In lieu of flowers or other remembrances, donations may be made in his name to West Side Presbyterian Church in support of its mission to the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen. Please sign this guestbook at Obituaries. LJWorld.com.

Robert Duggan of Louisville passed away after a brief illness on Monday, November 23, 2020. Bob was born on July 17, 1939 in Scranton, PA. He was preceded in death by his mother Helen Testa Duggan and father Edward Duggan. Bob is survived by his wife of 57 years June Bran Duggan, his children, Letitia Cipriano, Marquette, MI and Dale Duggan (Leslie) Applegate, MI., granddaughters Bethany Cipriano and Jamie Skytta and two great grandsons. Bob grew up in Brooklyn, NY. He graduated from Maryville College, Maryville, TN and the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Bob served as minister in Presbyterian and United Methodist churches in West VA., Illinois and Michigan. He was an ordained Elder of the UMC, a member of the Fern Creek United Methodist Church and also the Fern Creek Rotary Club. Bob enjoyed attending and watching horse races and was an avid baseball fan of the Detroit Tigers and New York Mets. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Fern Creek United Methodist Church. A memorial service will be held at a future time.

Reverend Doctor Eugenia Papin Miller Durham passed away on July 30th 2018 at 4:15 pm in Burlington NC while in comfort care in Alamance Regional Hospital after a brief illness. She was surrounded by her daughter Carol Durham Taylor and son in law Lee as well as her, Priest Rev. Becky Crites. Born in Little Rock Arkansas on March 14th, 1939 to Marjorie and Eugene Snyder later adopted by her mother’s second husband Paul Miller. She graduated Maryville College in 1961 with a degree in Christian Education. She taught second grade for several years before becoming a director of Christian Education in the early 70s. Eventually she went back to Seminary and became an Episcopalian priest in 1993. She was called to serve in Safford, Arizona until she retired at 72. During her time in Arizona she also earned her PHD in Theology. Eugenia is survived by another daughter Arden S. Durham, Grandchildren Lizann Wessinger Leary, James Durham Wessinger, and Aine Zalina Dirado. Sister Karen Miller Fenton, brother Robert Miller and step-sister Faith Miller. Her family asks that in lieu of flowers donations be made in her name to Holy Comforter Episcopal Church for Christian Formation, to further the education of others in the name of our Lord. Her favorite saying was “Life is what happens when you are planning something else.” Eugenia’s Funeral services were held at Holy Comforter Church, 320 E Davis St, Burlington NC on Friday August 3rd followed by the release of red balloons and a small reception for the family and friends

wrote to say, “I spend summers at my little blue house at 127 Assembly Drive, Montreat, NC, a place where many of my family have been gathering for almost a century. I spent my childhood summers there with my grandmother. A brother and many cousins have summer homes there and one lives there year round.”

passed away January 28, 2013. He was a resident of Brick, New Jersey

Mildred L. Green age 69 of Townsend, formerly of Old Town, FL, passed away Tuesday, December 02, 2008 at Blount Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the Eastern Star, 39er’s Club. Mildred was a retired school teacher from Florida. Preceded in death by: Parents, Samuel & Bertha Tyler; Brothers, Glen Tyler and Ira Tyler; Sister, Elizabeth Tyler. Survivors include: Husband, Lee Green; Sons & Daughters-in-law, James A. Everett of FL, Michael & Audra Everett of FL, Ronald & Julie Everett of FL, Michael Green of FL, Charles & Mary Green of FL; 8 Grandchildren; 3 Great-Grandchildren; 1 Great-Great-Grandchild. Special friend, Marie Hunt; Special Nephews, Tim Tyler & Ira Tyler Jr.; Special Niece, Shirley Burton.

BTtoP Director Donald W. Harward to Retire in July 2018 Donald W. Harward, who has served as Bringing Theory to Practice’s only director since cofounding the project in 2002 with Sally Engelhard Pingree, has announced that he will retire from his official position as active director in July 2018. For the last fifteen years, as visionary leader of the project and in his previous work as a college president and philosopher, Harward has advocated for and advanced the greater purposes of higher education: engaged learning, well-being, civic development, and preparation for a meaningful life. Under his direction, the project has funded over five hundred grants at over three hundred unique campuses, published two major books and a five-volume monograph series, and held numerous gatherings ranging from small campus seminars to major national conferences. Find more info here: http://www.bttop.org/news-events/october-4-2017-bttop-director-donald-w-harward-retire-july-2018

George B. Henry, educator, coach and Friendsville historian, died Jan. 30 at his home in Friendsville. He was 88. Henry was a graduate of Friendsville Academy, received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education from Maryville College, and earned a master’s degree in curriculum from Union College in Barbersville, Ky. He was a retired teacher and coach from the Blount County Schools, teaching history, geography and civics for 35 years at Friendsville before retirement.

He shared the history of Friendsville, a small town settled by the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), with an emphasis on the role played by the Friends and the community in the Civil War. He and his wife, the late Betty Henry, would often dress in traditional Quaker garb and present programs to schools and other groups. In 2011, he co-authored the book, “Images of America: Friendsville,” published by Arcadia Publishing Company. Henry was a 2009 recipient of the Blount County Historic Trust’s Champion Award, which was given to individuals who contributed substantially over a period of years to historic preservation in Blount County. In 2013, he was recognized as one of the Blount County Historical Museum’s Historic Treasures, and in 2021, he was named to the Blount County Schools Educator Hall of Fame.

Henry was preceded in death by wife, Betty Lones Henry, to whom he was married 64 years; parents, Obie and Carrie Henry; siblings, Tom Henry, Betty Jo Henry McDowell, Blanche Henry; son-in-law Stan Rowland. He is survived by daughter Suzanne Henry Rowland; son Steve and daughter-in-law Kim Henry; granddaughter Leslie Rowland, granddaughter and her husband, Shannon and Jesse Cochran; beloved great-granddaughters, Andi Elizabeth Parker and Shelby Gwen Lindahl; special nieces, Katie and Missy

Betsy Lyle Lonsinger passed away on May 3, 2016.

has opened up her own business. Integrated Life Design is located at One Lincoln Plaza Suite 30 S in New York City. Her company provides consultation on business growth and development , career advancement and transitions, as well as life planning.

2013 marks the 50th anniversary for membership in the North Carolina State Bar. Both he and his wife were invited to be guests at their State Bar's annual 50-Year Lawyers' Luncheon. He was presented with a certificate commemorating his anniversary.

This article was shared by the Hon. Fred Morrison, Jr. from Administrative Lawyer, Published by the Administrative Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association • Vol. 28, No. 1 • January 2015 • www.ncbar.org (See Magic Folder for full newsletter)

A Year Of Recognition By Evan Lohr
For more than five decades, Fred Gilbert Morrison Jr. has epitomized the ideals of the legal profession. This past July, Judge Morrison was recognized at the Wake County Bar Association's monthly luncheon for his 50 years in practice. In October, he received an award recognizing his 45 years of service to the state of North Carolina – in his case a pocket watch in a case bearing the state seal of North Carolina. This recognition was for nearly 29 years as an Administrative Law Judge at the Office of Administrative Hearings, four as solicitor of the Thomasville Recorders Court, more than six as the first executive director of the North Carolina Inmate Grievance Commission, and more than five as legal counsel to Governors Scott and Holshouser.
Raised in East Tennessee, Judge Morrison attended Maryville College and the law school at Wake Forest. In the following interview with the Administrative Lawyer, he looks back at his career and to the future of the legal profession.
Evan Lohr: Judge, in July you were among a small group of Wake County lawyers recognized for having practiced law for 50 years. What did that mean to you?
Judge Fred Morrison: On August 16, all five of those who were recognized will have 51 years in practice. I got my license on that day in 1963. I'm happy to have made it this far. It meant a lot to be included with those other lawyers, particularly Judge Ralph Walker. He's here in Wake County and we were classmates all three years at Wake Forest, passed the bar together, and have kept up with each other over the years.
EL: Your formative years were spent in the town of Newport in east Tennessee. How did growing up in Newport affect your career and were there any lawyers there that inspired you?
JFM: Newport is very small – there aren't very many people there at all. I went through grade school there, then Cocke County High School. I think there were 112 people in my class in a countywide high school. It was sparsely populated.
More than anything, my teachers – in grammar school and high school – I was very motivated by them, particularly to read a lot. From a young age on, I always loved to read and I think that's very important for a lawyer. The lawyers there that inspired me – I can remember them – they didn't live far from the house: Fred Myers, he was one of the prominent ones, Judge Shepherd was one, and Roy Campbell was an attorney and he still is an attorney. He's probably in his 90's now, and he was also a Sunday school teacher in the First United Methodist Church when I was young, and that impressed me and I've kept up with him over the years.
EL: What led you to attend law school? Why did you choose to attend Wake Forest?
JFM: I came home after three years at Maryville College for the summer and I was majoring in business administration to go into my father's small furniture business. I'd still liked to read at Maryville. I read all the paperbacks – Erle Stanley Gardner and so forth – and I thought about whether I wanted to go back to Maryville for the final year and get the business administration degree or to go to law school.
One day I rode over to Wake Forest and I went to the law school and asked to speak to the dean. I met with Dean Weathers, who was from Raleigh, and had been a prominent lawyer here. He said that they had a program there that you could go three years undergrad and if you wanted to go to law school, after your first year of law school, they would give you your undergraduate degree, and after the next two years, they would give you your law degree. So he said he would let me in under that program after three years if I would take two courses that summer and make a B or better in them and make a modest score on the LSAT. I took the LSAT and went to High Point College for the two courses and I notified Dean Weathers and he said he would admit me.
When the day came to go over there and sign up, I hadn't worked enough – hadn't made enough money to go – so I didn't go for the registration day. Dean Weathers called me at home that afternoon and asked me why I hadn't come and I told him. He told me that if I wanted to go I should come over and register and that we'd work all of the other things out. So I went and he got me in touch with the loan person at Wake Forest, and he said if I did well after the first semester he'd consider a scholarship. And I ended up with a small scholarship.
I think, basically, that I was really impressed with Dean Carroll Weathers. He interviewed every student that applied. I'm not sure they do that today.
EL: You have described your proudest moment as an attorney as your appointment by Governor Bob Scott as Legal Counsel to the Governor. How did that come about? How did that ultimately affect your career?
JFM: Very much so. I graduated law school, and had an opportunity to clerk for a Supreme Court justice here, but also to go to work for a man in Thomasville, E.W. Hooper. He had given me the keys to his office the first semester I was at Wake Forest. I could work there, and use his books and all of that. So he offered me an associate position which I accepted, and I worked with Mr. Hooper about a year and a half.
In 1965 Governor Moore appointed me the solicitor of the Recorder's Court in Thomasville. I did that for four years. In 1967 I was the President of the Jaycees so I invited the lieutenant governor, Bob Scott, to come ride in our parade, and he accepted and asked if I would get a few Jaycees together for coffee, which I did. And he told us he wanted young people involved in his campaign, so I was the young voter coordinator in Davidson County for his primary, and after he won that I was coordinator of Davidson, Iredell, Davie, and Rowan Counties. So after he was elected in 1968, he called me, and said he and his wife were coming through town to go to Lincolnton to pick out her inaugural gown, and asked if I would meet him for a cup of coffee. That's where he asked me if I would come to Raleigh as his legal counsel and I said yes.
So I went to Raleigh and served four years with him, and then he went out of office. I had known a lot of Jaycees throughout the state, and so I knew Governor Holshouser, and he kept me on for a year and a half into his term. So Bob Scott brought me to Raleigh, or I wouldn't be sitting here talking with you today.
EL: Chief Justice Mitchell mentioned in his remarks that you are the only lawyer to ever serve as legal counsel to North Carolina governors of both major parties. What personal and professional qualities allowed you to bridge the partisan gap?
JFM: I think being a member of and my association with the North Carolina Jaycees. I was president of the Thomasville Jaycees, then was legal counsel to the North Carolina Jaycees, and then President of the North Carolina Jaycees. In that time we were all Jaycees, we didn't really look at each other as Democrats or Republicans and so I had friends in both political parties who were friends of both Bob Scott and Jim Holshouser. So when Governor Holshouser got elected – he had been a Jaycee in Boone and had come to some meetings – he asked me if I would stay on and I agreed.
EL: Justice Mitchell also told a story about when Governor Scott announced at the 1972 Wake County Chitlin' Strut that he was apappointing you to a superior court judgeship – a position that you later turned down to become the first executive director of the North Carolina Inmate Grievance Commission – a largely thankless job working on behalf of some of our state's most forgotten people. Why did you choose that path? What drew you to the work of the IGC and what did you learn from the experiences you had there?
JFM: Growing up in Newport my daddy used to take me on Sundays to the jail to visit the inmates, sort of a ministry he had. Like Jesus said, "I was sick and in prison and you visited me." When I came on with Governor Scott, one of the things I did was coordinate with prisons, probation, and paroles. In that position, I got to know and visit the prisons. And then as legal counsel and state president of the Jaycees, we formed Jaycee chapters in about 40 to 45 prisons across the state. One of the people I met was John Campbell, who was an inmate at Central Prison, they had a Jaycee chapter over there, and I made him an associate secretary of the North Carolina Jaycees.
So my childhood experiences, involvement with the work of the NC Bar Association under Governor Scott and with the Jaycees, led me to believe it was a calling or something that I'd enjoy doing, and that I wanted to do more with this cause than become a superior court judge.
EL: What is the most memorable case you have heard in 28 years as an Administrative Law Judge?
JFM: The possum drop case, for one, as it is still under dispute with New Year's Eve approaching and a constitutional question case pending in Wake Superior Court. This case was especially interesting for me because Governor Scott had had a possum dinner – a black tie dinner – at the Governor's Mansion. There have been a lot of other memorable cases in 28 ˝ years. One of them was a significant case involving the death penalty controversy going on right now regarding whether the death penalty procedure is cruel and unusual punishment. This case was filed in 2007 and it was for the approval of the execution protocol – a three-drug cocktail that was being used. The first drug was to anesthetize the person, the second to paralyze them, and the third is the shot that really burns the heart to kill them. If the first doesn't really anesthetize them, then they can feel things and they're not totally out, and the second one paralyzes them to the extent that when they administer the third one, which everyone admitted that the third one alone would be inhumane, but because of the second drug they can't show that. So, I ruled in the petitioners' favor, but then it went through the Council of State and the Supreme Court, and they avoided the issue (merits) by saying OAH didn't have jurisdiction.
EL: During your career, you have occupied the roles of advocate, advisor, and judge. How has each role prepared you for the next and what advice would you give a lawyer seeking to change roles?
JFM: I think that if you look at it, I've always looked at it, and Dean Weathers was good about it, that you're an advocate for the public. At the same time as being an advocate for your client, you're an advocate for our judicial system. We settle our disputes not by guns and knives and duels, but by the law. You're an officer of the court, whether you're a lawyer, a mediator, or whether you're advising a governor, it's a public service. As a lawyer, an advisor, or judge you're an officer of the court, and I think each role prepared me for the next by being open to that. Also, realizing that you're investing a part of your life in the parties before you and their dispute gives this work special meaning.
EL: All people experience challenging times in their lives and careers, and lawyers are especially prone to these challenges. How did you manage the more difficult times in your life and career?
JFM: I think it's like Winston Churchill said when he was asked to come to speak at a graduation ceremony. I think he got up and his speech was as follows: "Young gentlemen, never give up, young gentlemen I say, never give up." The tough times, it's that never give up, persevere, and take life a day at a time, don't live in the past, and don't worry about the past or what's going to happen to you next week. Take one day at a time. Learn from the past. I've had some ups and downs, and I'm going to have some more. I am not going to give up! I am pressing on.
EL: What are the most important lessons you learned from your mentors?
JFM: Judge Roy Hughes, I'll never forget him. When I was appointed solicitor of the court in Thomasville, he was the judge. He was very calm and very polite and tried to do the right thing. He was a Sunday school teacher up there, and said, "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he." So if you have good thoughts, you'll have good actions.
Dean Weathers was a good mentor; he wanted us to be involved in our community, not just with the law every day. You have a family life, a community life, and then a legal career. Now we have continuing legal education, and a certain number of those hours have to be ethics-related. I can remember Dean Weathers sitting on his desk saying, "young gentlemen, you can do so and so. Young gentlemen, don't do it."
EL: Can you share an interesting or particularly fond recollection from your time in practice?
JFM: Well, the first one is when I was just out of law school, the youngest lawyer in Thomasville, working for E.W. Hooper. My first brief was for a Supreme Court case and we came down to Raleigh and argued it and afterwards went down to the old 42nd Street Oyster Bar and I had steamed oysters and beer in a frosted mug for the first time. We did not see many oysters when I was growing up in the mountains of east Tennessee.
Another one was as the youngest lawyer, I got a call to Denton, North Carolina, and was told Judge Ruth Garner of the Denton Recorder's Court wanted me to come and prosecute her docket. It would've been my first trial and I was worried to death. I drove down there and I found the courthouse and it was in the back of a fire station. I went in there and Judge Garner was the judge – her husband had been a judge and was a lawyer – but she wasn't a lawyer – you didn't have to be back then. I became a life-long confidante of hers. And so that is a particularly fond memory because of the history that we had from back in Thomasville until she passed away.
EL: How has the practice of law changed over the course of your career?
JFM: When I started we didn't have computers and Internet and now e-filing is coming and we have a goal of being paperless at the OAH. We've got WestLaw, Lexis and all of these other things we didn't have. We did have the North Carolina General Statutes and the North Carolina Reports but they only came out periodically. And the practice of law has become much more specialized.
EL: What do you see for the future of the legal profession?
JFM: Paperless. That's what it's coming to. Someday even exhibits will be, I would imagine. We have telephone hearings now in Medicaid, and we're moving away from the traditional trial as more and more efforts are directed toward settlements.
EL: Thank you for your time, Judge, and congratulations on a remarkable career.
Evan Lohr is an associate with Hansen Law Firm in Raleigh. His practice is focused on land use, real estate litigation, eminent domain, and administrative law.

was awarded the Richard Caswell Award on Aug. 15, 2015. In a ceremony at the North Carolina Museum of History, Judge Morrison was recognized for 45 years of service to the State of North Carolina.

January 22, 2020. Judge Fred G. Morrison, Jr., 1961, senior administrative law judge in the N.C. Office of Administrative Hearings, receives 50 year State Service Award. The Excellence in Service Awards celebrate North Carolina’s public servants and connects them with the heritage, symbols, and traditions of the state. Judge Morrison has served the people of NC form more than 50 years as an Administrative Law Judge, solicitor, Legal counsel to two former governors and as the first executive director of the Inmate Grievance Commission. In these pictures, he is with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina, Cheri Beasley.

Bonnie Lou Burrow Moyer, 83, of 278 Skyview Circle, Verona, VA passed away October 1, 2020 at Brightview Baldwin Park with her family by her side, after a long battle with Diabetes. She was born March 31, 1937 in High Point, NC to Walter Early Burrow and Helen Louise Young Burrow, who preceded her in death. The family would like to thank the staff at Brightview, Dr. James Lagrua, Dr. Nelly Maybee and the Augusta Health Hospice of the Shenandoah for the care given to her. She was also preceded in death by brothers, Ken and Grayson Burrow and sisters, Nancy Gibbs and Linda Gibson. Bonnie was a graduate of Reidsville High in North Carolina and Warren Wilson Junior College in Asheville, North Carolina and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Maryville College, Tennessee in 1961. She did her graduate studies in Special Education at James Madison University, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Tech. She retired from the Waynesboro School System in 1993 after 32 years of teaching. Her last teaching position was at Kate Collins as a Special Education Teacher. Bonnie received an Honorable mention award for Outstanding Special Education Teacher in 1991. She was a Past President of the Waynesboro Education Association and a Past President of the Staunton Augusta Jayceetts. Bonnie loved to read and write poems and short stories. Several were published in magazines. She and her family spent over 45 years vacationing at the Outer Banks of North Carolina which was her Happy Place. She loved to walk her Boxers, Baxter and Oliver, on the beaches. Bonnie loved to go to yard sales and buy old dolls and dress them in clothes that she made. She loved to decorate our home for all seasons, especially for Christmas. She is survived by her husband of 55 years Ron W. Moyer, son, Ronald W. Moyer II of Cedar Park, Texas and daughter, Karla Jeanne Moyer Pitsenberger and husband, Todd of Churchville, Virginia. Grandchildren: Brandon, Devon, Noah Moyer and adopted grandson, Nicholas Sullivan of Cedar Park, Texas. She is also survived by a brother-in-law, Charles Gibson and a sister-in-law, Karen Burrow, a number of nieces and nephews and a special friend, Ryan McCray. Following Covid-19 protocols, the family received friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Monday, October 5, 2020 in the Henry Funeral Home. Private burial at Thornrose Cemetery.

Harriette Blankenship Myers, age 84, of Athens, Georgia passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Harriette was born in College Park, Georgia.