WINTER • 2009

BETHEL COLLEGEAlumni News

Maury Norman (BA’43) celebrated 65 years of ordination in the ministry of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on July 27. He and his wife, Edna Gilmore Norman (FS’43), also recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They are residents of Hermitage, Tenn., and are active in the “Old-timers,” a group of retired ministers and their spouses that meets quarterly at Montgomery Bell State Park at Dickson, Tenn.

Ben Thomas Surber (FS’54) and his son, Tommy Surber, received the Agri-Business/Farmer of the Year Award from the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce at their annual membership dinner Sept. 22. Surber Farms is a family business with Ben’s wife, Lenore, and daughter, Natalie Austin (BS’93) also playing vital roles in the day-to-day operation of the agri-business. Ben served on the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for six years and has served on the county commission for 40 years. He is also a current member of Bethel’s Board of Trustees. Tommy serves on the Carroll County Watershed Authority. The Surbers farm approximately 5,000 acres.

Sam Wayman (BA’55), retired Cumberland Presbyterian pastor, has written “Give Me Liberty.” A booksigning was held in Alfalfa, Okla., in conjunction with a service memorial-izing the erection of the first building of the Liberty Cumberland Presbyterian Church, built in 1908. Sam lives in Hemphill, Texas.

Bert (BA’56) and Pat Parker Owen (FS’52) live in Louisville, Ky., following their retirement from the full time ministry. Bert was honored as December 2008’s featured alumnus by the Memphis Theological Semi-nary. He and Pat have built a guest house on an adjacent lot to their home and named it

News from August 18, 2008 - January 9, 2009 • Written by Edna Gene Forester (BA ‘50)

“Shepherd’s Rest.” It has accommodated minis-ters and their families free of charge over the years as a place of retreat and refreshment. They began the Shepherd’s Rest Endowment in 2002 and upon selling the guest house in 2008, they were able to present $70,000 to that endowment to support future ministers.

Charles Mayo (BS’58), longtime professor at Lambuth University in Jackson, Tenn., was named the university’s acting president follow-ing the resignation of President Fred Zuker in September. Charles serves as the university’s chair of the English Department, vice president of academic affairs and dean of the university. Charles and his wife, Ann Fumbanks Mayo (FS’58), are residents of Jackson.

Garvis Frazier (FS’59) was surprised fol-lowing morning worship recently with a dinner party honoring his 80th birthday. Camp Ground C.P. Church at Anna, Ill., presented him with a card and balloon bouquet and a birthday cake featuring “the church mouse” in honor of the cartoon he submits monthly to the church magazine, The Cumberland Presbyterian. Eight members of his family also surprised him as they arrived for worship that day from as far away as Memphis. Garvis is a resident of Marion, Ill. He worked for many years in Memphis at Frontier Press, the Cumberland Presbyterian publishing firm, as a graphic artist. He moved to southern Illinois upon his retirement from that position.

Kent (BA’60) and Charlene Penick Jones (BS’59) celebrated their 50th wedding anniver-sary on Dec. 20 with an informal get-together. The event took place at the fellowship hall of the First United Methodist Church of McKenzie where they were married. It was an afternoon of sharing old memories and making new ones and was hosted by their families. Kent is an

attorney, and Charlene is the choir director at the First United Methodist Church. She retired several years ago after teaching music in McK-enzie public schools for many years. Charlene serves on the Bethel Board of Trustees.

Randy Jacob (FS’61) of Choctaw Presbytery, was honored May 25 for 40 years of ministry and service in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He and his wife, Betty (FS’60) are residents of Broken Bow, Okla. Randy served as moderator of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in 2001.

Michael Freeland (BS’62) directed a writer’s workshop for creative writing at the McKenzie Memorial Library on Sept. 12 – 13. Each participant received a personal copy of Mike’s book, “Blood River to Berlin: the World War II Journal of an Army Medic.” Topics covered in the workshop included: poetry, correspondence, writing personal memoirs and creative writing.

Bob Prosser (BA’62), Bethel College president since 1998, was honored by the city of McKenzie by being named grand marshal of the town’s Christmas parade. Bob has served as pastor, educator and administra-tor and is active in the events of the city of McKenzie and in the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. He has announced his inten-tion to retire from Bethel’s presidency at the end of July, 2010. Bob’ wife, Toni Walker Prosser (BS’63), retired after 22 years of service to Bethel at the end of 2008. Toni, who had served as director of development for 10 years, was honored at a college brunch in December when she was presented with gifts and many words of appreciation for her dedication and contributions to the college. Bob and Toni have two children, Steven Prosser (FS’85) and Cynthia Nienaber

(BS’91), and seven grandchildren who all live in the McKenzie area.

Marilynn Holland Putman (BA’62) and her husband, Bob, recently took their first interna-tional trip. The 16-day adventure included a 12-day Baltic Seas cruise where they visited 8 countries including Estonia, Russia, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands. Among the sites they visited was the Norwegian Nobel Institute where officials determine recipients and where the recipients actually receive the awards. They also visited places in Germany where some of Marilynn’s relatives had previously lived. According to Marilynn they learned so much more history and learned so many more interesting facts than they had ever learned from textbooks. The Putmans say they hope to travel to some other parts of the world in the future.

Kay Lamberson (FS’63) and her husband, Jim, are residents of Goodlettsville, Tenn., and are active members of the Beech C.P. Church in Hendersonville. Kay received a degree in nursing from Belmont, and she works at Willowbrook Home Health. She is a member of the choir in her church and enjoys reading and spending time with her grandchildren.

Denny Sheperd (BA’64) has announced his retirement from full-time ministry in Murfrees-boro Presbytery of the Cumberland Presyterian Church. He and his wife, Kay Harrell Sheperd (FS’61) are residents of Nashville, Tenn.

Clay Dillahunty (FS’66) was recently honored by the Ford Motor Company for having been a Ford dealer for 25 years. He purchased Tri-County Motor Company in 1983. At that time, the business was located on the corner of Main and Cedar streets in McKenzie. It is now on Hwy. 79N. Clay is a resident of Huntingdon.

Dale Kelley (BS’66) was re-elected as mayor of Huntingdon, Tenn., in November. This will be the fifth four-year term he has served in that position. Dale is also owner of Kelley Enterprises, and is a partner and co-owner of the Carroll County Ford-Mercury dealership in Huntingdon. Dale also has the distinction of being Tennessee Municipal League’s 2008 Mayor of the Year.

Pat Pottorff White (BS’66) has been an employee of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 23 years, most recently as editor of The Cumberland Presbyterian, the denomi-national magazine that is printed 11 times annually. Shortly after the 2008 C.P. General Assembly ended in Japan this June, Pat had a fall on a trip into China and broke her leg and shattered her ankle. She spent a week in a Beijing hospital before being able to fly back to the states. She is facing more surgery before she can bear any weight on that foot. Pat has a son and two daughters and lives in Antioch, Tenn. She is a member of the Brenthaven C.P. Church in Nashville.

William (Buster) Barger (BS’67) was presented the award as Carroll Countian of the Year at the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce’s 26th annual membership banquet held Sept. 22 at the Carroll County Civic Center in Huntingdon, Tenn. He is owner of Barger Construction Company in Huntingdon. He has served as a director on the chamber board, chairman of the Habitat for Humanity houses building committee, is active in the United Methodist Church, has been active in the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Babe Ruth baseball, softball, and the Huntingdon Planning Commission and Industrial Board. He and his wife, Clay Brown Barger (BS’70), have three daughters and three grandchildren.

Ronnie Lee Carter (BA’67) has announced his intention to retire in June as the executive director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. He joined the association in 1978 as an assistant executive director and entered his present position in 1986. Ronnie has no future plans set in stone, but he hopes to play more golf and spend more time with his four grandchildren. He and his wife, Caroline, live in Pleasant View, Tenn.

John Higgins (BS’68) has retired after more than 40 years of federal service, most recently serving as inspector general, a position to which he was nominated by President Bush and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in 2002. Subsequent to his retirement, he was recog-nized by the President’s Council on Integrity and Efficiency for its highest honor of career achievement. He and his wife, Lucy, have homes in South Carolina and Virginia. He would like to hear from his Bethel classmates. Contact John at jackson6112@verizon.net.

Richard Ray (BS’69) and Mary Lynn Carter (FS’68) have returned to Los Angeles for the winter months. They have a daughter and grandson who also live there. During the warm months they make their home at Stevensville, Mich., near another daughter’s family which also includes a grandson. Both Richard and Lynn are retired educators from the Chicago area and are enjoying extensive travel now. One of their daughters is a speech therapist in Chicago; one is teaching in the Dallas area; the youngest daughter is in the real estate business in the Los Angeles area.

Louise Perkins Jones (BS’69) spent time with her family and reminisced about “the good old days” on her 90th birthday this past September. Louise remains very active in her church, helps tend the family farm, visits and carries food to those in need and enjoys gar-dening, painting, cooking, bird watching and playing with her dog, Princess. She taught at Westview School until her retirement in 1980. A widow, she lives in Cedar Grove, Tenn., and has one son.

Wayne Bannister (FS’70) is now an employee of the Office of Development on Bethel’s campus after having been employed by The McKenzie Banner for approximately 25 years. He is well-known in the area for his comic portrayal of “Bubba,” a country bumpkin. He entertains for civic and church groups and is a regular performer at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center in Huntingdon, having opened for many nationally known country music artists. Wayne and his wife, Barbara, are McKenzie residents and members of Grace Baptist Church where he serves as music director.

Anita Chapman Marcoot (FS’70) and her husband, Roger, make their home in Greenville, Ill. Their son Bryan and his wife live nearby. Their daughter, Lyndsey, has a degree in school counseling and is substitute teaching this year. The family is active in the Methodist Church, and both Anita and Roger are on the board of Habitat for Humanity.

Jeff Schick (BS’70) has recently been named chief financial officer for West Brothers Transportation, Inc., a family of five companies. Previously he was an executive at Revlon, Inc., and Nortel Networks. He has been a resident of Raleigh, N.C., for the past 16 years.

Faye S. Broughton (BS’71) was recently installed as president of the Hernando Desoto chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP). She represented her chapter as a delegate to the 63rd International Convention and Educational Forum in New Orleans July 17-30. She holds a Certified Professional Secretary and Certified

Administrative Professional designation and is employed by FedEX Express. She resides in Olive Branch, Miss.

Marcia Hudson Scheuermann (FS’72) and her husband, David, live in Clear Lake, Wis. She is an elementary music teacher, and he is a funeral director. They own and operate the Taylor Home Inn B&B, a replica of the home of Andy, Opie and Aunt Bea Taylor on television’s “The Andy Griffith Show.” She is the mother of one son, who teaches Latin at Texas Tech University and also has three step-children. She is a church pianist and enjoys scrapbooking, decorative painting, gardening and reading. She and her husband have a miniature schnauzer named Ellie Walker. Marcia would love to hear from her Bethel friends. Contact Marcia at auntbee@taylorhomeinn.com.

Don Thomas (BS’75) has recently published a book entitled “Cumberlands on the Hill: A History of the Olive Hill (Tenn.) Cumberland Presbyterian Church.” Don and his wife, Nancy, live in Collierville, Tenn.

Christine Glover Jackson (BS’78) retired in May of 2008 after teaching for 30 years at South Carroll Special School District, in Clarksburg, Tenn. Her husband, James “Tody” Jackson (BS’65) works at a radio station and preaches part-time. They attend the many activities of their four grandchil-dren and also do some traveling. Christine and James live in Huntingdon, Tenn.

Rusty Rustenhaven (BA’80) was ordained as a minister in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church on June 1, 1983, at the First C.P. Church, Marshall, Texas. Exactly 25 years later, members of the Marshall, Texas, First C.P. Church surprised him with a prayer shawl and a framed certificate of recogni-tion. This day in 2008 also marked the 10th anniversary of his having become the pastor of that church.

Jon Carlock (BA’85), professor of religion at Bethel, served as the grand marshal of the Bethel Homecoming parade in fall 2008. Jon is also pastor of Zion C.P. Church. He and his wife, Myra (MAEd’03) reside in McKenzie.

Randy Hatch (BS’88) has been appointed by Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen to the Tennessee Community Services Agency Board of Directors, representing Carroll County on the board. His appointment runs through Sept., 2012. He is acting juvenile court director for Carroll County, and he serves as administrator of Carroll Academy in Huntingdon, Tenn. He lives in Huntingdon.

Lisa Oliver (BA’91) leads the Life After Loss group at the Beech C.P. Church at Hendersonville, Tenn., where she resides. She also is a member of the Beech choir. After receiving her degree at Bethel, she continued her education at Memphis Theological Seminary, receiving a M.Div. there. She was ordained to the ministry in 1995. She is employed as a bereavement coordinator at the Sumner Hospice group.

Vicki Crossno (BS’97) teaches sixth grade in the Huntington, Tenn., Middle School. As such, she was recently named Teacher of the Year by the Huntingdon Wal-Mart. She received a $1,000 grant for her school, a $100 gift card to purchase supplies for her classroom and a personalized certificate. She was presented with her award in front of the school’s entire sixth grade. They celebrated with cake and punch provided by Wal-Mart. Vicki’s husband is Kevin and their family lives in Huntingdon..

Beth Oliver (BS’97) works at the Family Center of Dollar General Store in Hendersonville, Tenn., where she lives. She loves to scrapbook and is a member of the Old Beech C.P. Church choir. She has also worked with the children’s choir there.

Harold H. McLain, Jr. (BS’98) has graduated from the U. S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Nonresident Course at Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas. This two-year program parallels the academy’s resident course and is the primary method for students to complete the course via the Web site on the Internet or through correspondence. Harold is an operations sergeant majorassigned to the 194th Engineer Brigade, Jackson, Tenn. He has served in the military for 37 years. His residence is in Huntingdon.

Patricia Ann (Patty) King (BS 2000) was among 17 men and women who completed the course of study in December 2008 for a master of divinity degree from the Memphis Theological Seminary. Her graduation exercises will be held on May 16, 2009. Patty currently serves as pastor of Kenton First and Union Grove United Methodist Churches in Kenton, Tenn. Her home is in Paris, Tenn.

Victor Hassell (BS’03) was installed as pastor of the Sturgis, Ky., C.P. Church in June. His wife, Samantha Hayes Has-sell (BA’01) is serving as the director of Christian Education at the church. Following the service, a reception was held to celebrate this special event. The Hassells are parents of two daughters, Mallory and Victoria.

Kyle Prince (BS’01 and MAEd ’05) has been working for Corrections Corporation of America for three years. He recently was promoted from academic instructor to instructor supervisor at LaPalma Correctional Center in Eloy, Ariz. He makes his home in Casa Grande, Ariz.

Debbie Broadbent (BS’03) was elected to serve on the McKenzie City Council in Novem-ber. She served as chairman of the McKenzie Parks and Recreation Board for four years, is president of the Carroll County Arts Council, and is on the state board of directors of Ten-nesseans for the Arts. She is also a Rotarian and a member of the McKenzie First United Methodist Church. She and her husband, Tim, live in McKenzie and have three children: Craig, Curtis and Courtney.

Steve Isbell (BS’03) is serving as chief operations officer at Regional Cardiology Consultants in Jackson, Tenn. He and his wife, Autumn, live in McKenzie. He is a former employee of Bethel’s IT Department.

Steve Hookfin (MAEd’04) has begun his second year as football coach for Liberty High School in Jackson, Tenn. Previously he had been at Jackson Central-Merry as an assistant coach. Steve resides in Jackson.

Lee Johnson (BS’04) lives in Henning, Tenn., and is currently the executive director of the Covington-Tipton County Chamber of Commerce. He received his M.B.A. degree from Webster University in August of 2008.

Clint Grounds (BS’07) lives in Indianapolis, Ind., with his wife, Dr. Laura Plybon.

Lezlie Burden (MSPAS’08) is a certified physician assistant at the Gateway Medical Center in the Dover Medical Clinic at Dover, Tenn. She and her husband, David, have two children, Dillon and Grace. The family resides in Paris, Tenn.

Nashedra Strong (BS’08) hosted “Denim Day” at the Henry County High School where she teaches history. Her classes collected jeans for two weeks, and in that time, collected more than 200 pairs. They were in turn sold to the public, and the money was used to adopt a fam-ily for Christmas. The purpose of the drive was to make people aware of the numerous cases of women who have been abused or molested and to raise awareness that these women can survive and go on to live productive, rewarding lives. Nashedra lives in Paris, Tenn.

Marriages

Cynthia Matthews Duckworth Friddle (BS’03) was wed in January, in Memphis, Tenn., where she is the pastor of the St. Timothy United Methodist Church. Jeremiah Coggins (BS’04 and MAEd’08) and Alyssa Brawner were wed at the Beech Springs Baptist Church in Gleason, Tenn., on Oct. 25. Jeremiah is employed at Verizon in Jackson, Tenn., and Alyssa is a pharmacist with CVS.

Jacob Hunter Hamilton (FS’07) and Mitzi Marie Ferguson married at Aldersgate United Methodist Church in Jackson, Tenn., on Oct. 25. Jacob is an SPTC at Walgreen’s and is pursuing a career in nursing. Mitzi is a claims representative with the Social Security Administration. They honeymooned in New York City and are residing in Jackson.

Sarah Anne Wadham (BS’08) and Bran-don Richard Keller, currently a Bethel student, were married Saturday, Oct. 11, at the Bethel Performing Arts Center in McKenzie.Brandon is a member of the Renaissance theater group. They are living in McKenzie.

Births

Heath Harper (FS’89) and his wife, Melody, welcomed their first child, Henry Evan, on Sept. 23. He weighed 8 lbs. 5 oz. and was 20” long. The Harpers live in Trenton, Tenn.

Brent Buchanan (BS’92) and his wife, Michelle, announce the birth of their second child, Graylen Hunter Buchanan on Oct. 14, He weighed 9 lbs. 8 oz., and was 21¼ inches long. His big sister is Mikylee. Brent is the youth minister at the Bethel C.P. Church in Kevil, Ky. The Buchanan family resides in West Paducah, Ky.

Melinda Tyler Keown (BS’96) and her husband, Joseph, are pleased to announce the birth of their son, Elijah Christopher James Keown. Elijah was born Aug. 15, weighing 6 lbs., 9 oz., and he was 20 inches long. He was welcomed home by two big sisters, Ashley and Kristi. Melinda is a billing specialist in Louisville, Ky., and Joseph is employed at UPS. The family resides in New Albany, Ind.

Robert (BS’99) and Jacinda Price Tuck (BS’02) recently had their second son, Austin Lynn Tuck, born Sept. 29. Big brother, Peyton Dean is now two years old. Robert has worked for Social Security for nine years, and Jacinda has been a first grade teacher for six years and was also a soccer coach for two years. They make their home in Beaumont, Texas.

Zeb Cobb (FS’03) and Becky Hanks Cobb (BS’04) have a beautiful baby girl born July 18. Her name is Lynleigh Claire. The family lives in Double Springs, Ala., where Zeb works for an excavating company that contracts for Alabama Power. Becky teaches at Winston County High School and coaches seventh & eighth grade boys’ basketball. Zeb played football for the Wildcats while at Bethel.

Starla Calhoun Cupples (BS’03) and her husband, Kevin, are happy to announce the arrival of their first child, Aiden Jared Cupples. He was born Aug. 2l, weighing 6 lbs., 13 oz., and was 18 ½” long. Starla is Bethel’s women’s volleyball coach. The family lives in McKenzie.

Amanda Hayes Morris (BS’03) and her husband, Marty, of Gleason, Tenn., are new parents. Their first child, Madelyn Kate Mor-ris, arrived on Oct. 9, weighing 9 lbs., 1 oz., and she was 21 inches long. While at Bethel, Amanda was a cheerleader.

Kari Smallen Harold (BS’04) and her husband, Mike, have a new son, Tate Anders Harold, born April 3, 2008. The family resides in McKenzie where Kari teaches third grade at McKenzie Elementary School. Mike works for a car dealership in Jackson, Tenn.

Tosha Parham Gurley (BS’07) and her husband, Chris, are the proud parents of a baby boy, Gage Allen Gurley. Gage was born on Sept. 3 at Jackson Madison County General Hospital. He weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz., and was 19 ½ inches long. The Gurley family lives at Yuma, Tenn.

Deaths

Lindle E. Freeman (FS’31)Waxahatchie, Texas, September 23, 2008

Herman E. Brooks (FS’38)Greeneville, Tenn., August 5, 2008

Francis Walker Binford (FS’39)Hopkinsville, Ky., December 29, 2008

Doris Campbell Hamilton (FS’40)Olney, Texas, October 11, 2008

Christine Smith Fitzgerald (FS’42)McKenzie, Tenn., September 15, 2008

Evelyn Looper Buck (FS’50)Memphis, Tenn., October 24, 2008

Roy N. Traywick (FS’51)Jackson, Tenn., October 8, 2008

William Edward Small, III (FS’52)Humboldt, Tenn., December 7, 2008

Henrietta Stribling Moore (BA’52)Macon, Miss., August 4, 2008

Robert Murray Young (FS’54)Linden, Tenn., December 14, 2008

Jimmy Wade Groom (BS’55)Huntingdon, Tenn., September 8, 2008

Dorothy Bowers Smith (BS’55)South Fulton, Tenn., September 25, 2008

Thomas Ballard (BS’57)Denton, Texas, December 4, 2008

Margaret Lou Bingham (BS’57)Jacks Creek, Tenn., December 3, 2008

Edward R. Bryon (BS’58)Clinton, Miss., August 18, 2008

Geneva Sparkman Barnett (BS’60)Jackson, Tenn., November 23, 2008

Glenn Kapperman (BS’60)Chattanooga, Tenn., September 18, 2008

Madge May (BS’63)McKenzie, Tenn., November 7, 2008 T. V. Young, Jr. (BS’63)Selmer, Tenn., October 13, 2008

Charles Dangeau (FS’69)Memphis, Tenn., September 16, 2008

Patricia Anne Healey Fedorchak (BS’73)Carbondale, Pa., October 18, 2008

David Wilkins (BA’80)Memphis, Tenn., November, 2008

Donna Rose Richardson (BS’85)Atwood, Tenn., August 13, 2008

Gertrude Robinson (MAEd’92)Brownsville, Tenn., September 5, 2008

Nikia Holland (FS’06)Camden, Tenn., September 4, 2008

Euhommie “Ollie” Bond (BS’07)Jackson, Tenn., December 7, 2008

ElijahChristopherJames Keown

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WINTER • 2009

BETHEL COLLEGEAlumni Notes

Homecoming 2009is October 23-24!

Mark your calendars!

You won’t want to miss

great athletics, reunions,

decades reunionsand more!

Nominations!We are now accepting nominations for thefollowing awards that will be presented

during Bethel’s Homecoming 2009 celebration:Athletic Hall of Fame

Alumni Achievement AwardYoung Alumni Achievement Award

Alumni Service AwardPlease go towww.bethel-college.edu/quick/alumni/nomformsand complete the nomination process.

Note: Nomination deadline is May 1, 2009.

AttentionLambda Sigma Alumni

We are looking for those that we have lost track of throughout the years due to changes of address,

switching of alumnae secretaries, etc. If you did not receive a Lambda Sigma newsletter last semester, then we don’t have your current address. Please

E-mail us at lambda-sigma@hotmail.comor you may mail your address to:

Lambda Sigma325 Cherry Ave.

McKenzie, TN 38201

Class of 1959!YOU’RE NOW A 50-YEAR

GRADUATE OF BETHEL COLLEGE!

Mark your calendars for

a dinner in your honor

Sat., May 9 on the

Bethel campus. Watch

the mail for further details!

WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS NEW WITH YOU!Call us! Mary Ann Autry, Director Alumni Relations, would love to hear from you!

Her extension is 731-352-4090. E-mail us at alumni@bethel-college.eduComplete an online information form. Go to www.bethel-college.edu/quick/alumni/outreach.

Or you may mail your news to:Office of Development • 325 Cherry Avenue • McKenzie, TN 3201