Class Notes

Robert Lockwood Coates , 73, passed peacefully from this Earth Friday, Dec. 28, 2018, at Newton Medical Center after a very short illness. Bob was surrounded by his loving family and friends, as he was in life. Son of the late Gilbert K. and Helen J. Coates, of Sussex, Robert was born July 26, 1945, at the Alexander Linn Hospital, Sussex. Bob graduated from Sussex High School in 1963 and attended Maryville College in Tennessee from 1963-1965. He enlisted and served in the United States Army from 1966-1968 during the Vietnam conflict, where he served as both a driver and a wireman. Upon returning from service to his country, Bob returned to Maryville University and Montclair State College from 1968-1970, where he earned two Master of Education degrees, one for principal/supervisor and the other as educator of the handicapped. Early in his career, Bob began teaching at Montclair Public Schools from 1971-1974, where he taught classes for emotionally disturbed children. In 1975, Bob began teaching at the Sussex Wantage School District. There he taught classes of emotionally disturbed, neurologically impaired and perceptually impaired. He worked for Sussex-Wantage School for 351/2 years and retired in December 2010. Always involved in teaching children, Bob was instrumental in creating the Gebhard Environmental Center for the Sussex-Wantage District. He blazed trails and developed activities for all children to experience nature and outdoor activities. Later, Bob helped as co-director of both the Sussex-Wantage Summer Care and Before/After Care programs. Most recently, Bob was a bedside instructor for the Sussex-Wantage Schools and the records keeper for the Care programs. Always a friend, Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing and making maple syrup at his farm in Wantage. When he wasn't working with his backhoe or other tractors, you could find him cutting wood for his sap stove. On quiet days he enjoyed Sudoku puzzles and putting jigsaw puzzles together on his dining room table, although he said he was never as fast as Dolores Polyi. Bob was happy to see friends and shared many adventures over the years, as we are all left with our "Bob" stories. Bob had a great sense of humor and could tell stories for hours. Bob had the ability to spark a conversation with anyone and within minutes the two would be talking like old friends. He would make new friends every day from cashiers to gas attendants or whomever he encountered. He had the gift of gab and a friendly demeanor that made people comfortable with him. Bob was a Rube Goldberg. He couldn't throw away anything without first creating 10 different uses for the item. He used to love to say he did things "like an Egyptian." He enjoyed the challenge of every obstacle. His former students remember Mr. Coates as "the maker of soup," as he loved creating homemade soups with his students, bringing in measurement and reading skills. He was also "the creator of games." He could turn any arduous task into a fun-filled event that challenged thinking and gave wonderful rewards to the students. What student didn't learn the magic of nine with multiplication or the secret of nymph with Bob? Over the years, Bob must have purchased hundreds of boxes of Girl Scout cookies or donated to every Boy Scout car wash or bake sale he came across. Bob was a man with deep pockets and he gave freely to others. From planting trees and a vegetable garden at the school to running cable to each room for cable TV, Bob was there. He devoted himself to service of all. He was a member of the local Sussex-Wantage Education Association, National Education Association, Retired Teachers Association, Sierra Club, Pvt. Charles Auberger American Legion Post 213 and the REC Cooperative Advisory Committee. Bob is survived by his brother, Gary Coates and his wife, Yvonne, of 87 Lake Wallkill Road, Sussex, and John Coates and wife, Jackie, of 19 Little Brooklyn Road, Warwick, N.Y. He is also survived by a nephew, Lawson Coates, of West Caldwell; and great-nephews, Hunter and Cristian. In addition, he is survived by a niece, Julie and Ed Haran, of New Egypt; and grand-niece, Gracie. He leaves behind many good friends who will miss him very much. He also is survived by his cat D.C., "Darn Cat," whom he adopted as a kitten. To us, Bob was our best friend. He was always there and always "Bob." The world is a bit darker today with the loss of this shining spirit. Now Heaven is blessed. He brightened all our lives by simply knowing him. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorial donations be made to the Pvt. Charles Auberger American Legion Post 213, 915 Route 23, Wantage, NJ 07461. Cremation is private for the family. A celebration of Bob's life is planned following his interment at the Northern New Jersey Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Route 94, Sparta. The celebration of life is planned at Sussex Methodist Church, Sussex, in the spring.

died at his home on Sept. 30, 2013. He was born in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Nov. 30, 1940, and was the son of Dr. Joseph J. and Glenda Mullendore Copeland. The family lived in Frederick, Okla.; Denton, Texas; Knoxville, and Maryville. Kirk graduated from West High School in Knoxville and Maryville College. He worked for the Bank of Maryville and then was hired by Park Bank in Knoxville to work in the new computer department. From there he went to the Aluminum Company of America in Alcoa, Tennessee; Union Camp Corporation in Savannah, Georgia; Tennessee Forging Steel in Harriman, Tennessee; Siskin Steel in Chattanooga and then to Magnavox/Philips Consumer Electronics in Greeneville, Tennessee, in 1978, retiring in 2001. Kirk enjoyed playing sports – soccer, softball, tennis and track, where he excelled in running hurdles. In later years, he enjoyed riding the family’s Arabian horse on mountain trails. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Greeneville, and spent a number of years as a youth leader. He also enjoyed coaching youth soccer. Kirk is survived by his wife, Kathleen; son, Matthew; daughter-in-law, Jodie Carter-Copeland; grandchildren, Gracie and Harris; sister, Karen Copeland Gray; brother-in-law, Meldrum (Terry) Gray; and nephew, Jolyon C. Gray. His family also includes his mother-in-law, Gloria England Smith, Cheryl and Richard Stoddard, Pamela and David Potter; six nieces and nephews and their spouses; eight great-nieces and nephews; his “other” sons, Kenny Benson, Jason Arthur, Deon Avery and Nathan Humbard; and very special family friends, Bea, Steve, J., Jan, Tyler and Abby Corbitt. Kirk was also close to his many Mullendore and Copeland cousins.

Mary Janie McGehee Creecy, age 73, of Portsmouth, Va., died peacefully on March 26, 2022. She is survived by her beloved husband and true soulmate, Robert Pierce Creecy. Janie was born in Keysville, Va., on the farm where she was raised and which she still owned and enjoyed visiting with Bob. A retired social worker, Janie earned a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College in Tennessee and a master’s degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jean Griffith Davies, 71, of Raleigh passed away peacefully on December 21, 2019. The oldest daughter of Robert and Helen Griffith, Jean was born on October 22, 1948 and grew up in Kentucky. She and her husband Jay met in Maryville, TN and moved to Raleigh in 1975 where they raised their three children. Jean was an avid quilter, fiber artist, and inveterate traveler. In her later years she delighted in the company of her eight grandchildren. Jean was pre-deceased by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband Jay, siblings Robert Griffith of Louisville, KY, Susan (Bob) Hayne of Longwood, FL, Jim (Cynthia) Griffith of Charlotte, NC, Ann (Dan) Dubbel of Anacortes, WA, Rick (Mary Beth) Griffith of Lexington, KY; children John (Jessica) of Washington, DC, Andy (Jen) of McMinnville, OR, and Kate (Russ) Duncan of Fuquay-Varina, NC. In lieu of flowers the family welcomes gifts to the National Quilt Museum of Paducah and the American Cancer Society.

retired from my job as executive assistant at Xerox UK in January 2014 and am enjoying the opportunity of relaxing while deciding what to do next.

Why Public Service Matters: Public Managers, Public Policy, and Democracy. Why Public Service Matters conveys the importance, purpose, and nobility of a career as a civil servant in the United States. It does so, however, with an unflinching eye on the realpolitik that drives public administration in America’s “compensatory state” and on the pitfalls of reformers’ focus on bureaucratic, rather than democratic, administration. The book links the nation’s ability to handle contemporary policy problems with the strategic, tactical, and normative quality of public management. In doing so, it offers newcomers a rare, concise, and accessible overview of the field. Readers will gain an appreciation for the challenges, choices, and opportunities facing public managers as they help advance a sense of common purpose informed by democratic constitutional values in twenty-first century America.

Robert F. Durant has retired as professor emeritus in public administration and policy from American University, in Washington, DC. He now resides n Marietta, Georgia, with his wife, Jennifer. His latest book, Building the Compensatory State: An Intellectual History and Theory of American Administrative Reform, will be published by Routledge Press in Fall 2019.

Continues teaching music as emeritus professor at Culver-Stockton College and serves on the Boards of such arts organizations as the Canton Area Arts Council, Muddy River Opera Company, Quincy Civic Music Association, and Lewis County Playhouse. She still sings regularly, gives Opera Insight lectures, writes program notes for regional symphony orchestra and concert series performances, and directs the C-SC Opera Workshop.

Dr. Carol Fisher Mathieson, age 74, of Canton, MO died Monday, October 10, 2022, at 11:00 p.m. at Barnes Jewish Christian hospital in St. Louis, MO.

Dr. Mathieson was born July 16, 1948, in Lansing, Michigan a daughter of Vernon Jacob Fisher and Verna Josephine Berry Fisher. She married Robert John Mathieson January 15, 1977, in the Limestone Presbyterian Church in Wilmington, Delaware. He preceded her in death.

She was a Professor of Music at Culver-Stockton College where she taught from 1975 until her death. She was the Organist for the Unitarian Church of Quincy, Illinois for 45 years where she also served on the music committee and was appointed Minister of Music in 1995. She had a lifelong interest in performance and musicology, sharing her beautiful voice with the rest of us at every opportunity and sharing her musical knowledge and appreciation through writing opera Insights and program notes. She had a Bachelor of Music from Maryville College (TN), a Master of Music in vocal performance from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance and pedagogy from the University of Iowa. An active member and supporter of her community, throughout the years Dr. Mathieson also served on the Canton Area Arts Council, the American Guild of Organists, Kiwanis, the Community Betterment and Chamber of Commerce, and the Muddy River Opera Co.

She is survived by one son John Charles (Carolyn) Mathieson, three daughters Laura Susan (Dale) LeMarr, Patricia Lynne Mathieson, Kristina Margaret (Christopher) Darnell; and grandchildren Rachel Elizabeth and Andrew John Mathieson, Megan Dorothy and Kara Susan LeMarr, Jackson Andrew and Mathew Jason Barry, Brinegar Rose and Harper Lily Darnell; and one brother Barry Jackson (Fran) Fisher and one sister Cathy Irene Fisher (Gary) Johnson. She was preceded in death by her father, her mother, her husband, and her son Andrew David.

Robert David McClanahan, age 73, of Maryville, passed away on March 29, 2021, peacefully, with his family by his side, after suffering complications of Parkinson’s. After graduating from Maryville High School in 1966, Robert earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Maryville College and later earned a master’s degree from the University of Tennessee. Robert’s teaching career spanned 40 years at Maryville High School and Maryville Junior High, where he taught history and geography courses. Robert was the teacher sponsor of the MHS Appalachian yearbook for many years and established the Maryville City Schools’ broadcast and communications channel and class. Robert and his family were members of First United Methodist Church for many years, where he served in the church choir and coordinated Wednesday Night Fellowship. In recent years, Robert and Candy became members of Broadway United Methodist Church. Robert enjoyed many creative hobbies, including photography, woodworking, calligraphy, leatherwork, drawing, painting and singing. Robert was the photographer at countless school dances and church functions. Robert was a devoted husband to Candy and Dad to Christie and Leah. He was overjoyed to welcome three grandsons. His family will miss him most for his wise counsel and deep discussions on a myriad of subjects. Robert was preceded in death by parents Ruth and Howard McClanahan, brothers Howard “Sonny” and Michael McClanahan, and beloved aunt and uncles Hazel, Sanford and Paul Jones. Survivors include his wife of 51 years, Candace Merritt McClanahan, daughter and grandson Christie McClanahan and Ian Patrick, daughter, son-in-law and grandsons Leah and Chris Flynn, Jack, and Sam. Special thanks to Pam Jones for providing exceptional care over the last 3 years. Family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Grandview Cemetery Pavilion with funeral service to follow at 3:00 p.m., with Reverend Ron Fisher officiating. Family and friends will assemble for interment at Grandview Cemetery, following the service. Please wear masks and observe social distancing. Memorial contributions can be made to Brown Food Pantry at Broadway United Methodist Church (309 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN 37804) or The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (michaeljfox.org/donate). Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000, www.SmithFuneralandCremation.com.

retired from Nursing in 2010.

Charlene Williams Preston ‘For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.’ Ecclesiastes 3:1 Charlene Williams Preston joined the church triumphant Tuesday, October 15, 2019. She was born on April 18, 1948 to Edwin C. and Virginia Douglas Williams and was a lifelong resident of Weirsdale, FL. Charlene was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, was a family citrus farmer, and owner of the Weirsdale and Fruitland Park Ace Hardware stores.Her most beloved titles were wife, mother, and Nana. She is survived by her husband of 41 years, Kim Preston of Weirsdale; her sons, Brad (Rhonda), Seth (Kay), and Blake; daughter, Kelley (Thomas) Crone; six grandchildren, Nathan, Teagan, Jessica, Bella, Calla, and Alex. She is preceded in death by her sister, Patricia Smith; her daughter, Meredith; and her grandson, Isaiah Warren Dawson. A Celebration of Charlene’s Life will be held on Monday, October 21, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at The Douglas Estate, 16550 SE 122nd Terrace, Weirsdale, Florida. Private interment will be at Forest Hills Cemetery in Weirsdale, Florida. Sentiments may be left at hiers-baxley.com. Arrangements by Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services – Belleview.

James Creswell Spotts (Jim) was born March 2, 1948, in New Brighton, PA, to the Rev. Alfred Spotts and Martha Jean Creswell Spotts. Several years later the family moved to Sterling, KS, his “home.” Jim passed away on July 14, 2013, in San Francisco, CA, after a battle with cancer, at age 65. After graduating from Sterling High School, Sterling, KS, in l966, Jim attended Maryville College, Maryville, TN, graduating in 1970. His adventuresome spirit and love for all people was a motivation for his junior year spent at University of Ibadan, in Nigeria, and spending a summer in Ethiopia. An English major whose diverse interests led him to jobs including running a restaurant in San Francisco, Jim later became a skilled contractor, renovating and building houses in San Francisco. In 2005, Jim moved to Mariposa, CA, where he pursued his love of nature and the challenge of growing his food and flowers in a unique landscape. He was active in environmental, Audubon, and other community improvement and interest groups. Jim had many friends who, with his large family, valued his loving and caring nature and fun loving spirit. He loved animals, especially his dogs. Preceding Jim in death were brothers Joe and John in 2008 and his parents in 2012 and 2013. Surviving siblings are Al and wife, Maggie Steptoe, Louisville, KY; Ann and husband, Chuck Haspels, Cortez, CO; Andy, Chicago, IL; Jan and husband, Jim McHenry, Houston, TX, and Tim, Concord, CA. Jim was a special beloved uncle to ten nieces and nephews and a grandniece and grandnephew. Memorial gifts can be sent to Family Link, 317 Castro Street, San Francisco, CA 94114-1504. Jim was on the board and instrumental in the restoration of this guest house serving families visiting loved ones with life threatening illnesses.

York, Maine – Robert Tarpinian, Jr, 72, passed away on Sunday, April 12th, 2020. Robert was born in Springfield, MA son of the late Robert and Marguerite (Baronian) Tarpinain. He spent his childhood in Enfield, CT where he graduated from Enfield High School (Class of 1966). After earning his BA from Maryville College in Maryville, TN (Class of 1970), he worked as a loan officer for Allstate and Morgan Stanley. His career provided him the opportunity to experience life in a variety of parts of the country including Chicago, IL and Murrietta, CA. After retirement, he continued to enjoy life in California for a few years before relocating to York, Maine in 2006 to enjoy, year-round, the town which he and his family had traditionally visited each summer as a favorite vacation spot. He is survived by his sister, Diane Hover and her husband, Gary; his nephew, Robert Hover and his wife, Britney Fox with their two children, Ainsley and Callum; and his nephew, Jonathan Hover and his husband, Kyle Poyar. A burial and private gravesite ceremony will take place in Enfield, CT at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the York Volunteer Fire department or the York Ambulance Association.

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

Marjie was born on November 25, 1948 in Biddeford, Maine to Tom and Marjorie (Sherwell) White. She graduated from Maryville College in 1970. On December 22, 1970, she and Lucas Venning Whitney were married in Greenville, SC. They raised three children, Lucas, Sarah, and Anna. Marjie enjoyed heirloom sewing and taught lessons and made and sold items in LaGrange, GA for five years. She also loved children and served 18 years as a teacher at St. Mark’s Episcopal Kindergarten in LaGrange, GA. Marjie was a member of the Altar Guild at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, as well as a part of the Eucharistic Visitors, Meals on Wheels, and Clothing Center ministries. Marjie’s family was her world. She enjoyed spending time with them for all occasions, particularly holidays and annual beach and ski trips, and she loved taking family photos and snapshots of precious memories. Marjie was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Marjorie White. She is survived by her husband Lucas, her son Lucas and his wife Lorri Whitney and their two children–Luke and Lilly–all of Signal Mountain, TN; her daughter Sarah and her husband Jeremiah Wojnarowski and their three children–Savannah, Gabriel, and Elijah–all of Burns, TN; and her daughter Anna and her husband Izz Noland and their son, Imran, all of Birmingham, AL; her brother Tom and sister Sally, and twelve nieces and nephews. She was also beloved by her friends and caregivers Jean Sivell and Leola Broughton and the Wellstar/West Georgia Healthcare Home Hospice team. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 PM January 4, 2020 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in LaGrange, GA. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, LaGrange, GA, or Wellstar Community Hospice.

lost her son Ethan last October of unknown causes. He was almost 36 at the time of his passing

Jane Elmore Wilson passed away on January 3, 2022.