Old School

Alumni News

60’s Sixties

Tom Upchurch (‘63) was named Rotarian of the Year for 2015-2016 for Rotary District 6910. The Rotary International District Rotarian of the Year annual award is designated to the one Rotarian of the more than 3,200 members and 73 clubs in District 6910 who stands out in demonstrating “service above self.” Upchurch is assistant governor for Area XII and member of the Rotary Club of Gwinnett County in Duluth, Ga.

70’s Seventies

James L. Kirby (‘71) was selected for inclusion in the 2017 Best Lawyers in America for commercial litigation, construction law, medical malpractice law-defendants and medical malpractice law-plaintiffs, and was named Best Lawyers Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Memphis in 2016. In addition, Kirby was named to the list of the 2016 Mid-South Super Lawyers for his work in business litigation.

Scott McDaniel Andrews (’79) was inducted to the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame on April 16, 2016. He received the George L. Hunter Distinguished Community Service Award for his 25 years of service to Sevier County High School. He currently serves as associate pastor of worship at First Baptist Church in Sevierville, Tenn.

80’s Eighties

Mike Hammonds (’85) was called as pastor to First Baptist Church in Sunbright, Tenn.

Cindy Womble, Union student in ’85 and ’87, and her husband, Jeff Womble, returned to Southeast Asia on May 29, 2016, with their youngest daughter, Bethany, to continue work as church planters and evangelists with the International Mission Board.

Tom Magee (’87) has been serving as worship pastor of NorthStar Baptist Church in Idaho, for 13 years. He and his wife, Fondra Jones Magee (’86), moved with their sons, Mason and Carson, to help plant a church with the North American Mission Board. Fondra now serves on the National WMU executive board as WMU President of the Utah/Idaho SBC.

Clay Hallmark (’89) began his ministry as senior pastor at First Baptist Church of Lexington, Tenn., on Feb. 1, 2016. For the last 15 years, he was senior pastor at First Baptist Marion, Ark., and served two terms as president of the Arkansas Baptist Convention. He now serves on Union’s Board of Regents and on the Board of Trustees for Union’s ATO Chapter.

90’s Nineties

JJ Jones and family JJ Jones (’90) began serving as the family equipping pastor for Fellowship Nashville’s Franklin, Tenn., campus in 2016.

Lloyd Freeman (’91), a retired lieutenant colonel in the Marine Corps, is now a political officer of the American embassy in Kuwait, working to protect human rights.

Carey Dyer (’93) and his wife, Dena, published their new book, Love at First Fight: 52 Story-Based Meditations for Couples, with Barbour Publishing in September 2016.

Jennifer Carter-Johnson (’96) received tenure at Michigan State University College of Law, focusing her research on the intersection of scientific research and the law.

Powell family Patrick Powell (’97) and his wife, Suzanne Wallis Powell (’97), are now living in Grand Cayman with their two youngest children, Zane and Emma. Patrick serves as senior pastor of FBC Grand Cayman, and Suzanne works as a part-time nurse. Their oldest son, Ben, is attending the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

J. Matthew Kirby (‘98) was selected for inclusion in the 2017 Best Lawyers in America for workers’ compensation law-employers.

00’s Two Thousands

Kathy O. Lofton’s (’00) first documentary, I am a Caregiver, was screened as an official selection of the Life Fest Film Festival in Los Angeles, Calif., April 28–May 1, 2016. She wrote, directed and executive produced the film. In addition to working on two film shorts for the competition, she also published a Christian-themed book for adolescents, Kandler’s First Kiss.

Lynn Pape Fuller (’02) was selected as a Fulbright Distinguished Award in Teaching recipient for 2016- 2017. She spent the fall of 2016 living in Palestinian territories to research the use of oral history to aid second language writing. She teaches in Madison County, Miss.

Kristen White (’02) earned her Ph.D. in higher education from Claremont Graduate University in California. Her dissertation is entitled “International Service-Learning: Faculty Engagement and Transformation.” She now serves as chair and assistant professor of intercultural studies at Belhaven University.

Ritsema family Margaret Lee Ritsema (’03) and her husband, Matt Dae Jong Ritsema, adopted their daughter, Charlotte “Lotti” AhHae Ritsema, from South Korea on Dec. 3, 2015.

Jeremy Wayne Scott (’03) accepted the position of photographer for Oklahoma Baptist University.

Sarah Hasford (’05) published her first book, America Invents Act Primer, on March 8, 2017. The book is a patent law treatise that provides comprehensive coverage of the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act patent legislation that was passed in 2011.

Ashley Burling (’06) celebrated her fifth year of working for Surrey County Council on Oct. 3, 2016. She moved outside of London in 2010 with her husband Peter Burling, welcoming their son, Edward David Burling, into the family on March 7, 2014.

Renee Emerson (’08) released her second poetry collection, Threshing Floor, from Jacar Press. She also received an individual artist grant from the Arkansas Arts Council.

10’s Twenty Tens

Shep Shepherd (’10) earned his Ph.D. in systematic theology from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. His doctoral thesis is entitled The Body of Christ: T. F. Torrance’s Ecclesial Ontology.

Maggie Ledbetter Sandusky (’12) received a Master of Divinity with a concentration in women’s studies from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary on May 6, 2016. She is continuing to work for SWBTS while her husband, Ethan, finishes his studies.

Births

Miller Augusta Pettigrew was born Aug. 19, 2016, to Kirby Pettigrew (’08) and Joshua Lee Pettigrew (’08).

Charlotte Julianne Turner was born Feb. 24, 2016, to Julie Dodson Turner (‘02) and Ty Turner of Collierville, Tenn.

Reagan Elizabeth Brasher was born Feb. 21, 2017, to Logan Brasher (’15) and Rebecca Brasher (’16).

Marriages

Ginny Smith Gallion (’04) married Ali Gallion on Aug. 21, 2015, in Brooklyn, N.Y. The couple currently resides in New York City.

The Conns Cam Armstrong (’05) married Patrick Conn on July 16, 2016, at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in New Orleans, La.

The Boyntons Mary Annis (’10) married Aaron Boynton at Christ Community Church in Belchertown, Mass., on April 23, 2016. They now live in New York.

The Wilsons Jordan Wilson (’13) married Whitney Wilson in Roswell, Ga., on May 7, 2016.

The Parrows Elyssa Helene Strand (’14) married James Aaron Parrow on Dec. 31, 2015, in Lakeville, Minn. She now works for a public accounting firm based out of Minneapolis.

The Gibbons Alexis Van Pham Gibbons (’15) married Christopher Ryan Gibbons (’11) in Jackson, Tenn., on April 30, 2016.

Memoriam

Mary Jean Craig, former Union University first lady, passed away July 8, 2016. A former first lady of two other universities, she served alongside her husband, Robert E. Craig, who preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter and two sons. Memorial donations were made in her honor to the Dr. and Mrs. Robert E. Craig Scholarship Fund at Union University.

Berttie Martin Fesmire (’40), age 99, died Jan. 25, 2016. He is survived by his son, Berttie Martin Jr., and his daughter, Ellen Elizabeth Fesmire.

Rush W Siler (’40) passed away April 26, 2016, in Lexington, Tenn., at the age of 99. A life-long educator, he is remembered by his children, Vance W. Siler and Betsy Jane Bolden, and the students he taught.

Byrnes Butler (’43) passed away July 16, 2016. She is survived by her niece, Cynthia Kirkpatrick.

James Thomas Ford Sr. (’43) died Nov. 23, 2016, after years of church-planting ministry. He is survived by his son, Tom Ford, and his sister, Freida Moss.

Andrew L. Williams Jr. (’44) passed away Aug. 23, 2016, in Katy, Texas. A World War II veteran, Andrew lived until the age of 94. He is survived by his wife, Frances Tate Williams, and his two children.

Bettye Ruth Crocker (’45), of Bartlett, Tenn., died Jan. 20, 2017. She and her husband served as missionaries in Ecuador after graduating from seminary. She is survived by her son, Tom Crocker, and her daughter, Becky Yarbrough.

Mary Helen Ford (’46) passed away Aug. 8, 2016. She is survived by her son, Tom Ford.

Roy Leonard Simmons Jr., Union University student from 1946-1947, passed away April, 2016.

Herbert R. Higdon (’50), age 89, passed away August 2016. A pastor for over 60 years, he also served on the Board of Trustees for Union University and was then elected president of the Tennessee Baptist Convention in 1997. He is survived by his three daughters: Anita Simmons, Nancy Tucker and Susan Hopper.

Frank Fisher Johnson (’50) passed away Sept. 29, 2016, at age 87. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Tommie Sue, and their three sons: Tom, Dwayne and John.

Fred J. Crosson (’50), of Nashville, Tenn., died March 2, 2017. Fred served in the army during the Korean War and spent four decades working as a teacher, coach and principal in the Jackson school system. The Fred J. and Paula Clayton Crosson Trust Scholarship Fund at Union University received donations in his memory. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Paula Clayton Crosson.

Shirley Anne Bridges Knight (’52) of Indian Springs, Ala., passed away Dec. 22, 2015, at age 84. She is survived by her son, Karl Coldwell Knight; her daughter, Katherine Haley; and her three grandchildren.

Jimmy Talley Morris (’59) died at age 80 on Aug. 9, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Marna Jane Queen Morris, and their two children.

Keith Edward Wooster (’59), of Summerville, S.C., died Aug. 15, 2016. A navy chaplain for 26 years, he lived to be 82. He is survived by his wife Fonda Wooster.

Prentess Ferrell (’59) passed away Oct. 16, 2016, in Antonio, Texas. His 50-year ministry brought him to serve churches in Missouri and Texas. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Betty Ferrell, and his two sons.

Thomas Smith (’60) passed away Oct. 24, 2016, at age 78. A school teacher of 32 years, he is survived by his wife, Melva; their two sons, John and James; and four grandchildren.

Tom King (’60) passed away Nov. 19, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Ginny King.

Thurmon Ray Harris (’60) passed away at age 79 on Feb. 23, 2017. After a lifetime of pastoring, he is survived by his wife of 53 years, Peggy Martin Harris, and their three daughters.

Jack L. Maddox (’61) died Feb. 8, 2016, at age 78. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ann Wolf Maddox, and his three children.

Allen Arnold Tinker (’61) of Jackson, Tenn., passed away Jan. 20, 2017, at age 77. He is survived by his grandchildren, Anna and James (Tinker) and Julia and Kirsten (Stiles).

John Butler Hinson (’62) passed away at age 77 on April 30, 2017. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Emily Vincent Hinson, and their two children.

Joyce Anne Morris (’62), of Somerville, Tenn., died May 20, 2016. She is survived by her husband, Walter “Buster” Morris, and her three daughters.

Robert Edwin Alderson (’68), age 70, died Nov. 22, 2016. During his time at Union, Robert worked as sports information director and president of the U Club and received the university’s top economic honor. Later in life, he served as chairman of Union’s Board of Regents and on the President’s Advisory Council. He is survived by his mother, Narcie Dennison Alderson; his wife, Jane Matthews Alderson; and his two daughters.

Richard Anthony Foote (’69) died Oct. 29, 2016. He is survived by Lana Becher Foote, his wife of 53 years, and his siblings, Donnie and Ginger.

Violet Stanton Barber (’70) passed away Nov. 23, 2016. She is survived by four children: Charles, June, David and Betty and was preceded in death by her daughter Donna. She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

Melvin Glenn Lewis (’71) died Jan. 5, 2016, at age 66. A resident of Lewisburg, Tenn., he began his medical practice there in 1978. He is survived by his wife of 42 years, Beverly Williams Lewis, and his two children.

Vernell Brooks Killough (’73), age 93, passed away May 2016. She is survived by her son, Jerry Killough, and her daughter, Peggy Killough.

Beverly Ann Fielding Hall (’73) died Oct. 6, 2016. She worked as a nurse at Jackson-Madison County Hospital for almost 40 years. Beverly is survived by her daughter, Sherry Whener; her son, Mark Hall; her two grandchildren; and many more family members.

Robert F. Campbell ('76) died Sept. 8, 2016. A committed supporter of Union University, he served as a trustee for two terms and helped in the 2008 tornado recovery efforts. He is survived by two daughters, Allie Michael and Sarah Creel; two sisters, Rose Busby and Ann Senseman; and two grandchildren, Matilda Michael and Ethan Creel.

Etheleen M. Collins (’81) died Feb. 11, 2016. After receiving her BSN from Union University, Etheleen traveled with the American Red Cross for many years. She is survived by her son, Sam, and her three daughters: Terry, Lori and Michelle.

Fred Ward (’82) passed away June 3, 2016, at age 72. During his ministry, he served on the executive board of the Tennessee Baptist Convention and as a trustee of Union University. He is survived by his wife, Lois Hammons Ward, and his three children.

Laurie Moling Baker (’82) and her husband, Mark Baker, passed away Oct. 22, 2016. They are survived by their daughter and son.

Edward D. Harris (’87) died July 2016 at age 78. “Eddie” served two years in the army and 41 years in the Tennessee National Guard as a support services supervisor before retiring. He is survived by his wife, Royce Crossnoe Harris, his three sons and his three daughters.

Joseph Michael Rowland (’98) died June 19, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Angela Rowland, and his parents, Dale and Tammy Rowland.

Stephen W. Phillips (’99), of Henderson, Tenn., died Dec. 27, 2016. Months before his death, Phillips released his first book, Opryland USA, from Arcadia Publishing and the History Press. The book is a part of the Images of Modern America series, which explores the history of the Nashville attraction.

Charles Robert Reed (’00), of Dyer, Tenn., passed away Nov. 18, 2016. He is survived by his wife, Spring Stohler Reed, and their children, London Christina and Charles Lucian.

Cindy A. Beckingham (’11), of Memphis, Tenn., passed away Dec. 15, 2016. She is survived by her mother, Barbara J. Lawson.

The Union University Magazine
Spring 2017