Old School
- Children of Pete and Walternine Wilson establish scholarship to honor parents
- 21st Scholarship Banquet to feature MercyMe
- Save the Date for Homecoming 2018
- Memoriam: David Blackstock
- Alumni News | Marriages | Births | Memoriam
Alumni News
60’s Sixties
Gayle Alexander (’62) and John
Adams (’63) have co-written the
book Who is in
Control of the
Church? A Guide
to Unity and
Peace within the
Church. The
book is
available at
Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
John R. Hamilton (’62) of
Hamilton, Laughlin, Barker, Johnson
& Jones was honored in Best
Lawyers in America’s section on
Eminent Domain and Condemnation
Law. He is a member of the
Topeka, Kansas, and American Bar
Associations and Owner’s Counsel of
America. He is also on the Washburn
Law School Foundation Board.
70’s Seventies
Mike U. Smith (’72) retired from
Mercer University School of Medicine
after 32 years of
teaching human
genetics and
development.
He has served
on the editorial
boards of major
journals in science education and
was the primary developer of Native
STAND, a sexual risk and AIDS
reduction program. In 2008 he was
elected as a Fellow of the American
Association for the Advancement
of Science.
Mike Jernigan (’74) retired June
30, 2017, after 24 years teaching in
elementary
schools in the
United States
and Germany
and 18 years as
Educational
Technology
Specialist at Crowder College in
Neosho, Missouri.
Ginger Diamond (’77, ’82) has
been appointed to the Coalition
Against
Childhood
Cancer Board,
an organization
that advocates
for children with
cancer.
Diamond has been involved with
childhood cancer advocacy for 12
years after losing her nephew to the
disease. She currently lives in
Douglas, Georgia.
Randall Phillips (’77), a former
Union trustee, has received the
Lifetime Achievement Award from the
Tennessee Association for Marriage
and Family Therapy.
80’s Eighties
David Samples (’85) and his
wife, Tina Samples, published their
latest book, Messed Up Men of the
Bible, in 2016. It has been named a
finalist for the
ECPA Christian
Book Awards for
Best Bible
Study of the
Year. The book
previously won
a Golden Scroll
Merit Award from the Advanced
Writers and Speakers Association.
Mike Oliver (‘88) has been
awarded the Global Ambassador
Award by the Cambridge,
Massachusetts, biopharmaceutical
company Novelion Therapeutics,
formerly Aegerion Pharmaceuticals.
The award is given annually to the
individual who best exemplifies the
core values of the organization and
commitment to patients with rare
diseases. Mike is the Southeast
Regional Orphan/Rare Disease
Manager for Novelion.
90’s Nineties
Lauren Cummings, daughter of
Tricia
Cummings
(‘92) and John
Cummings
(’92) will attend
Union as an
undergraduate
in the fall of 2018.
PJ Godwin (’93) began her 20th year teaching chemistry and other upper-level science classes at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham. She was made chair of the chemistry department in 2008.
Klay Aspinwall (‘96) was
endorsed by the North American
Mission
Board as a
military
chaplain
and
accepted a
commission with the U.S. Army. He
is now serving as a battalion
chaplain with the 101st Airborne
Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
Scott Lamb (‘96) began serving
as Vice President of Special Literary
Projects for Liberty University. His
fourth book,
The Faith of
Donald J. Trump,
co-authored
with CBN
journalist David
Brody, released
in February. It
explores the worldview background
of the president and his relationship
with evangelicals in America.
Jay Watson (’99) published his
book By Design: How the Bible Fits
Together. The
book’s 12
chapters
explain how
God planned
salvation for the
world since
before time began.
00’s Two Thousands
Michael Slaughter (’00) was
named assistant principal at Wylie
High School in
Wylie, Texas. He
holds a
bachelor’s
degree from
Union, a
master’s from
Lamar University and is in the
process of completing his doctorate
from Grand Canyon University.
Jennifer Fry Yates (’02, ’04, ’06) was named assistant principal at Milan High School in Milan, Tennessee.
Jen Bourbonais (’05) was named
a Grammy Music Educator Award
2018
quarterfinalist.
She teaches
music at
Overpark
Elementary
School in Olive
Branch, Mississippi.
April Houston (’05) graduated
from Washington University in
St. Louis with
Master of Social
Work and
Master of Public
Health degrees
and began a
new position at
CARE, an international organization
dedicated to ending poverty,
in Atlanta.
Kelley McCall (’06) was
appointed as interim executive
director of
Columbia Power
& Water
Systems in
Columbia,
Tennessee. She
has served there
as director of finance and
administration for seven years.
Joshua J. Wilkinson (’07) was
appointed associate director of
admissions for communications
at Bucknell University. He was
previously associate director of
admissions at Widener University
Commonwealth Law School.
10’s Twenty Tens
Florence Jones (’12), who received
a Doctor of Nursing Practice
from Union, was
selected as a
2018 recipient of
the Murray State
University
Distinguished
Alumni Award.
Jones received her bachelor’s degree
in nursing from Murray State in 1975.
Leigh Andrews Talley (’12)
earned her Doctor of Education
degree from
Carson Newman
University in
May 2017. She is
a kindergarten
teacher for
North
Carolina Virtual Academy and is
married to Scott Talley (’07).
Births
Dakota Leigh
Poston was
born June 18,
2016, to
Natalie
Poston (’12)
and Cory
Poston (’11).
Malachi
James
Williams
was born
April 26,
2017, to
Bethany Williams (’99) and
Dan Williams.
Zachary
Campbell
Robus was born
July 3, 2017, to
John
Campbell
Robus (’03)
and Leslie Nicole Robus (’04).
Lily Grace
Wilson was
born Aug. 11,
2017, to
Claire
Wilson
(’11) and Hunter Wilson.
Lydia Joy
Duchek was
born Sept. 1, 2017,
to Mary Alisa
Duchek (’11)
and Matthew
Duchek.
Lincoln
Isaac
Meeks was
born Sept.
23, 2017, to
Sydney
Meeks (’08) and Ben Meeks.
Weston James
Barnes was
born Oct. 4,
2017, to Ashley
Barnes (’06)
and Joel
Barnes.
Kathryn Violet “Katy” Yates was born Oct. 13, 2017, to Melissa Yates (’03) and Mark Yates.
Graham
Franklin
McKelvey was
born Jan. 3,
2018, to
Cooper
McKelvery
(’10) and Meredyth McKelvey
(’09). They are also proud parents
of Charlotte Ann, age 2.
Margo
McAuley
Brown was
born Feb. 12,
2018, to
Mark
Brown (‘13) and Hannah Brown.
Marriages
Nathan
Handley (’15)
married Anna
Isbell (’15) in
Jackson,
Tennessee,
April 14, 2018.
Cassaundra Harris (’07)
married Andrew Lindberg on June 11,
2016, in Amherst, New Hampshire.
They live in mid-coast Maine with
their dog, Ranger.
Memoriam
Sandra Currin died July 23, 2017, at
the age of 60. Currin served for eight
years as the
academic
secretary for
Union’s
Department
of Music.
She loved working with students at
Union and was an active Sunday
school teacher and choir member at
First Baptist Church in Jackson. Currin
is survived by her husband, Hal
Currin, her son, Michael Currin, and
her daughter, Tricia Martin.
To donate: uu.edu/giving/sandycurrin
Edna E. Rice (’39) died Aug. 13, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee. She is survived by her two children, 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
Elise Griffin (’40) died Mar. 31, 2018.
Mable G. Stevens (’42) died Feb. 15, 2018. Stevens worked as a secretary for the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials.
Isinell Newbill (’42) died March 1, 2018, in Jackson, Tennessee. During World War II, Newbill taught Air Force cadets at Union.
Wilma Nelle Safley (’42) died April 6, 2018, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Safley spent 28 years as a classroom teacher in Robertson County, Tennessee.
Jerry L. Glisson (’45) died July 11, 2017. Glisson served as pastor of Leawood Baptist Church in Memphis for 36 years.
Elizabeth P. Vann (‘45) died Aug. 7, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee.
Frances Kolb (’45) died Sept. 4, 2017.
Ernest P. Guy (’47) died Sept. 5, 2017.
Charlotte McFarland Beck (’47) died Jan. 21, 2018. She had a long career in health care office management in Jackson, Tennessee.
James P. McLemore Jr. (’47) died Feb. 4, 2018, in Jackson, Tennessee. McLemore practiced dentistry in Jackson for 48 years before retiring in 2000.
Roland M. Porter
died Feb. 8, 2018, at
his home in Medon,
Tennessee. Porter
was a longtime pastor
and educator in
Jackson, Tennessee,
and had served as
associate professor
of business, assistant
to the president for
community relations
and director of the
Center for Racial
Reconciliation at Union. He was the founding pastor
of Agape Christian Fellowship in Jackson.
Ted. E Jones (’48) died Dec. 9, 2017. He was a World War II veteran who served in the Navy in the South Pacific. He was also president of the USS Appalachian veterans’ group for many years.
Dolly Brandon (’48) died June 17, 2017. She is survived by her five children, 19 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.
Emily Evans Byrd (’49) died Mar. 6, 2018. Byrd worked as a social worker for the Tennessee Department of Human Services for more than 30 years.
Will Roberts (’50) died Sept. 15, 2017.
Francis Willard “Vick” Vickey (’50) died June 21, 2017, at his home in Tallahassee, Florida. Vickey served for nearly 40 years with the Boy Scouts of America.
Betty Ruth “BB” Hilliard (’50) died Sept. 25, 2017. She taught elementary school for 34 years and Sunday school for more than 60 years.
David A. Goodman (’50) died Nov. 1, 2017. He worked most of his life as a surveyor and mapper in California.
Mary C. Martindale (’51) died Sept. 11, 2017.
Charles Steven Arendall died
Sept. 13, 2017, at his home in Memphis.
Arendall was
professor of
management
and MBA
program director
at Union. He
earned his
bachelor’s and master’s degrees
from Memphis State University and
Ph.D. from the University of
Tennessee. Arendall spent 35 years
in academics, 27 of which were at
Union. He is survived by his wife,
Belinda Arendall, and four children.
To donate: uu.edu/giving/arendall
Billy Fowler (’52) died Oct. 27, 2017. He was the music minister at Corydon Missionary Baptist Church in Kentucky.
Alisa Faye Melton (’53) died Sept. 12, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee.
Charles “Chuck” Williams (’53) died Jan. 25, 2018. He worked for 40 years as an educator in Nashville, Tennessee.
Walter E. Coleman Jr. (‘54) died Aug. 21, 2017.
Billy Smith (’55) died July 11, 2017. Smith played and coached basketball his entire life.
Fred Fiddler (’57) died Nov. 1, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Fiddler taught at Lexington High School for almost 30 years and was a plant chemist at Lexington Metal Products.
Evelyn J. McCampbell (’57) died Dec. 1, 2017, in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Pat Wellons (’58) died April 7, 2018. Wellons was one of the first women in the state of Kentucky to be licensed in private practice counseling and social work. She practiced counseling for more than 40 years until the day of her death.
Leon Cox (’59) died Aug. 26, 2017. Cox served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Japan and later worked as a chemical engineer for 38 years.
William “Billy” Henderson (’60), a native of Covington, Tennessee, died March 21, 2017, in Mobile, Alabama. He served as minister of education and church administrator in churches across the South for 41 years.
Nina Thomas Maroney (’60) died July 11, 2017, after a long illness.
William D. Sheppard (’60) died Oct. 9, 2017. He worked for SC Johnson for 40 years before retiring in 2002.
Janice Hill (’61) died Mar. 12, 2018, in Oklahoma.
Sylvia Shaw (’62) died Dec. 18, 2017.
Daniel Tickle (’63) died Jan. 1, 2018.
David Blackstock ('64),
Union’s athletic director for 34 years and
women’s basketball coach for 18 years, died Nov. 1 at age 75
after a lengthy illness. read more »
Dolores Moore (’64) died Jan. 31, 2018, surrounded by her family. She worked as a nursing director and was vice president of Jackson General Hospital until her retirement in 1988.
Freida Deaton (’67) died Oct. 12, 2017. She taught physical education at Jackson Junior High for 26 years.
Sue Blass (’68) died Dec. 31, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee. She served as director of the art program for Jackson-Madison County schools for many years.
Kenneth Flippo (’68) died Jan. 7, 2018. Flippo served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Biddle in Vietnam. He later received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree and worked as a pharmacist until 2012.
Marilyn Dismuke (’70) passed away in her sleep Nov. 28, 2017, in Katy, Texas.
Phyllis Farmer (’74) died Feb. 2, 2018.
Jerry Smith (’76) died Nov. 27, 2017, after a lengthy illness. Smith practiced dentistry in Kingsport, Tennessee.
Doris Annette Huckabee Kennon (’76) died July 19, 2017. She served as a missionary in Coast Rica, Chile and Colombia before incurring a disability and retiring from full-time work.
Mitchell Ambrose (’76) died Jan. 17, 2018.
Betty J. Johnson (’79) died June 27, 2017.
Dalton “Jack” Peircey (’80) died June 25, 2017. A former Navy officer, firefighter and quality control manager, he was recognized by Regional Hospital of Jackson for more than 20 years of service.
Kenneth Butler (’80) died Oct. 24, 2017. He was executive assistant to the president and the board of directors at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Donna Jo Pecoraro Woodson Thornton (’80) died March 10, 2018, after a battle with brain cancer. She taught in special education in Tennessee for 20 years.
Donna McKissack (’81) died Jan. 3, 2018.
Alison McDonald-Spakes (’84) died Oct. 4, 2017.
Carol Crunk (’85) died Aug. 9, 2017.
Dana L. Kirk (’86) died Aug. 19, 2017. She worked for many years for the U.S. Postal Service in Chester County, Tennessee.
Sherri Austin (’86) died Dec. 30, 2017.
Robert Ivy (’87) died March 9, 2018.
Lynn A. Jacks (’93) died June 17, 2017.
Richard Lee Moore (’94) died Oct. 17, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee, after a long period of ill health. He was the founder and operator of RLM Financial Consultants in Jackson.
Mildred Boone (’94) died Oct. 24, 2017, in Jackson, Tennessee.
Jessie Cogbill English (’97) died March 14, 2018.
Ricky Murchison (’98) died Sept. 10, 2017.
William Pevahouse (’03) died July 1, 2017.
Krystal Copeland Hendrix (’12) died March 10, 2017. She was a palliative care registered nurse at the Veteran’s Hospital in Memphis and a member of the Deliverance Team at World Overcomers Church.
L.G. Hansen (’12) died Jan. 6, 2018.
James “Sonny” Melton (’15)
died Oct. 2, 2017, in a Las Vegas
shooting. He
completed his
Bachelor of
Science in
Nursing
Accelerated
degree from
Union and was president of his
BSNA class. He worked in the
emergency department at Henry
County Medical Center and was
attending the country music festival
in Las Vegas with his wife,
Heather Gulish Melton.
To donate: uu.edu/giving/sonnymelton