Class Notes

The family of Karson Leitch Beaty (nee Karson Shea Leitch) regretfully reports her passing in Knoxville, Tennessee on August 4, 2017 at the age of 41. Karson grew up in Stone Mountain, Georgia, attending Stone Mountain High School where she acted in several school plays as an active member of the drama program. Beginning her life-long interest in community service, Karson volunteered for the Appalachia Service Project throughout high school and continued as a staff member during her college years until 1997, when she completed her service as a Center Director. She continued her interest in acting at Maryville College in Tennessee while obtaining her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Sign Language, with a minor in Theater. While at Maryville she founded the college’s chapter of Habitat for Humanity and was nominated upon graduation for Outstanding Sociology Student. Karson was subsequently awarded a Masters in Social Work degree from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. After graduation from UT, Karson was hired as a social worker for TEIS (Tennessee Early Intervention System). She then worked for East Tennessee Children’s Hospital as a social worker in the Pediatric Hematology/Oncology department. These positions were perfect fits because of her love for children. In 2007 Karson was diagnosed with Stage II breast cancer and in 2009 her condition progressed to Stage IV metastatic. Throughout all of her difficult treatments she maintained her characteristic smile, positive attitude and desire to help others. She inspired many by never giving up hope for recovery. She never believed that she “lost a battle” with cancer. Instead, she always rose above it, even in her final days. Karson is survived by her mother Leigh Essex Walker, stepfather Jeff Walker, father David Leitch, and stepmother, Janice Leitch. She is also survived by her brother Kirk Leitch, sister-in-law Lindsey Leitch, niece Harper Leitch, brother Marty Tomlinson, sister Rachael Shook, brother-in-law Cody Shook, brother Connor Leitch, and sister Jordan Leitch. Karson was a member of Cokesbury United Methodist Church, Knoxville. Donations in memory of Karson may be made to Wind River Cancer Wellness Programs, 430 Larsen Lane, Tryon, NC 28782, www.windriverservices.org/donate. Funeral services were held on Saturday, August 12, 2017 in Roswell, Georgia. A Celebration of Life gathering will be held in Knoxville, Tennessee in September.

Charles Edward Bryant, age 62, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 20, 2017. He was born October 23, 1954, to Leroy and Allene Bryant in Maryville, Tennessee. “Eddie” was a graduate of Alcoa High School, Class of 1972. He later received his Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. He was a faithful member of Peace and Goodwill Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon. Finding his true love and soulmate in his later years, he married Tina Mae Dixson on August 15, 2015. Preceded in death by his father; brothers, Leroy and Jeffery Bryant; and father-in-law, Elder A.C. Dixson. Survived by his wife, Tina Bryant; sons, Edward (India) McDowell, Jason (Erin) Bryant, Jeffery Bryant, Curtis Jordan and Isaiah Ervin; daughters, Whitley Bryant and Tramaine Robinson; thirteen grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sister, Constance Jean Bryant-Berry; brother, Alan Jerome Bryant; brother-in-law, C. Clay Berry; sister-in-law, Jennifer Bryant; mother-in-law, Ida Dixson; aunt, Anne Herion (Greenlawn, NY); devoted niece, Tiffany Ashleigh Johnson (Brooklyn, NY); devoted cousins: Korey Gaines, Deborah Bright, Phyllis McDermott, Carolyn Leverett and Maria Williams; a host of other family and friends to include the Dixson family and devoted friends: Larry Irving, Cleo Ellis, Terry Logan, Doug Scott and friend/brother-in-law, Arthur Dixson, Jr. Published in Knoxville News Sentinel from Apr. 22 to Apr. 28, 2017

married Harold Burke III on MAy 17th, 2014 at St. Henry Catholic Church in Nashville, TN

Meghan Casey Cobble ’98 was recognized as the Tennessee Lottery Educator of the Week for Feb. 26, 2018. She is a 7th grade teacher at Coulter Grove Intermediate School in Blount County. Watch more about Meghan here: http://www.wbir.com/video/news/local/education/educator-of-the-week/meghan-cobble-educator-of-the-week-226/51-8019442

has earned her PhD in Cultural Studies of Education from the University of TN. She has done adjunct work for TN Tech University

Barbara Lynn Weeks Goeller, 66, of South Pittsburg, TN, died Thursday, September 1, 2016. The daughter of the late Donald and Patricia Angell Weeks, she was a member of Christ Church Episcopal. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Joseph George Goeller and two brothers, Kenny and Glenn Weeks. She is survived by her son, Nick (Laura Cutler) Goeller, of Chattanooga, TN; grandson, Landon Goeller, of Chattanooga, TN; sister, Jan Green, of Myrtle Beach, S. C., sisters-in-law, Cathy Weeks and Sue Weeks and several nieces and nephews. Visitation will be on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg from 6-8 PM central time. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, September 7, at 4:00 PM central time at Christ Church Episcopal in South Pittsburg, TN with Rev. Kim Hobby officiating. Interment will be in Patton Annex Cemetery. The family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society, P.O. Box 175, South Pittsburg, TN or the Tennessee School for the Deaf, 2725 Island Home Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37920.

is a national gospel recording artist and has been nominated for Four awards by the Prayzefest Gospel Network. She has been invited to perform at the Stellars Showcase in Nashville, TN in January 2014. Her single titled “I Know a Man” is available through all online retailers.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ry-tSCeZII

Funmilayo is an international Gospel recording artist with her debut album “Unconstrained.” Her music is available on iTunes and CD Baby. Check her website for tour info. www.funmilayongozi.com

was recently propmoted to Associate Head Coach of the Men’s Basketball team and Director of College Access abd Admissions at LaGrange College. David also just received his Masters degree in Education in Curriculatin and Instruction from LaGrange College in 2014.

Brandi Michelle Self Death, Obituary in loving memory of a beloved who just passed away. It is with great sadness that we share the news of the loss of an incredible community leader, Brandi Self, who passed away Sunday, November 7, 2021.

She grew up in Waynesville, Ohio prior to attending Maryville College, after which she made East Tennessee her home. Brandi was a devoted wife, loving mother, and passionate educator. She has been described as being “a beloved, irreplaceable pillar of the community…. a leader, a stabilizer and a force of goodness.”
She joined Knox County Schools in 1998 as a fourth-grade teacher at Mooreland Heights Elementary. In 2016, she was appointed principal, a position she held until her unexpected passing. Brandi’s great purpose in life was being an advocate for all students. When asked, what Knox County students needed the most, she responded, “Teachers and administrators who understand the importance of forming connections with students, who continually push them to be the best they can be, and who refuse to give up on them.”
She was preceded in death by her father, Bradford Wilson; her caring grandparents, and her brother-in-law, Daniel Self.

She survived by her loving husband, Chadwick “Bryan” Self; daughter and best-friend, Kenzie Self; mother, Teri Wilson Marconette; father and mother-in-law, Chad and Patti Self; brother, Bryan (Kris) Wilson; sister, Karrie “Becca” (Jacob) Whitsel; nephews, Eli Wilson, Connor and Jackson Whitsel; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and her doodles, Knox “Pita” and Wrigley.
Brandi was a natural caregiver who enjoyed nothing more than spending time with her daughter: singing in the car, baking her Mom’s grasshopper pie and telling stories on the way to school. Her legacy of love will carry on through the many students and educators that she has impacted in her lifetime.

Prior to the 2016-2017 academic year, Blount County Schools named Kim Koehl Sullivan ’98 as principal at Walland Elementary School. She completed a Masters Degree in Instructional Leadership and an Educational Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership from Lincoln Memorial University.

Scott West ’98 created a limited-edition Fanboy print that was available to attendees that purchase a VIP pass at the Fanboy Expo. He creates these prints each year. This year’s art was based on “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.” West is currently an art teacher at Catlettsburg Middle School in Sevierville. More here: https://www.thedailytimes.com/news/west-adds-artistic-flair-to-fanboy-expo/article_a0a40ed9-fe29-5978-882f-e367317d373a.html

Charles (Chuck) Yates ’98, owner of Concrete Craft of Knoxville, was recently presented a Heart & Home Award from Home Franchise Concepts (HFC) in recognition of extraordinary service to his local community on behalf of his Concrete Craft franchise. The inaugural award recognizes Budget Blinds®, Tailored Living® and Concrete Craft® franchisees who best embody HFC’s core values of caring and giving back to their communities. HFC is the Orange, Calif.-based parent of Budget Blinds, Tailored Living and Concrete Craft.