HUNTINGDON COLLEGE

News Release

December 26, 2023
For more information, contact:
Dr. Anthony Leigh, aleigh@hawks.huntingdon.edu

Huntingdon’s 2023 In Memoriam

Montgomery, Ala. – Throughout 2023, a number of Huntingdon alumni and special friends of the College passed away. We honor and remember each of them for their lives of distinction, applying wisdom in service in unique and meaningful ways in their communities.  We celebrate their expressions of love for Huntingdon and remember their families and friends as they continue to grieve their loss.

If you know of members of the Huntingdon alumni family who passed away in 2023 who are not included in this list, please email alumni@hawks.huntingdon.edu to share that information.

ALUMNI

Elizabeth Cox Hassell ’35 died February 11, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia.  At the time of her death, she was the oldest living graduate of the College at nearly 108 years of age.

Mary Nelle Summers Hester ’44 died August 29, 2023, in Opelika, Alabama.

Lucile Holmes Martin ’46 died April 6, 2023, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Dorothy Vansant Sams ’46 died April 7, 2023, in Marietta, Georgia.

Jane McLain Ferrell Sanders ’46 died July 29, 2023, in Amelia Island, Florida.

Mary Kilpatrick Griffith ’47 died on December 15, 2023, in Rome, New York.

Nelda Welch Jones ’48 died January 7, 2023, in Columbia, South Carolina.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Robert Orien Jones ’49.

Janiece Brown Strack ’48 died December 19, 2023, in La Junta, Colorado.

Abbie Henderson Taylor ’48 died January 13, 2023, in Andalusia, Alabama.

Marilyn Wilson Butler ’49 died July 10, 2023, in Richmond Hills, Georgia.

Billie Claire Watson Mangum ’49 died December 6, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Margaret Gothard Shaw ’49 died August 10, 2023, in Pensacola, Florida.

Shirley Hamill Smith ’49 died March 3, 2023, in Louisville, Mississippi.

Bettie Berman Kahn ’50 died January 12, 2023, in Gulf Breeze, Florida.

Carolyn Vines ’50 died February 14, 2023, in Hueytown, Alabama.

Ann Kelly Williams ’51 died April 13, 2023, in Troy, Alabama.

Dean Stanley Woodall ’51 died June 7, 2023, in Scottsboro, Alabama.

Ann Parker Lott ’52 died in October 2023 in Sylacauga, Alabama.

Margaret Nicholas Snellgrove ’52 died October 26, 2023, in Greenville, Alabama.

Dr. Betty Jean Vaughn ’52 died May 30, 2023, in Vero Beach, Florida. Betty remembered Huntingdon in her estate plans.

Joanne Williams Edmonson ’53 died May 29, 2023, in Hueytown, Alabama. Joanne was the 1953 May Queen.

Ann Given Hopper ’53 died November 21, 2023, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Shirley Thrash Nystrom ’53 died June 26, 2023, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Shirley left a generous bequest to Huntingdon in her estate plans.

Forrest Wayne Parker ’53 died September 29, 2023, in Pike Road, Alabama.

Peggy McAliley Reynolds ’53 died November 7, 2023, in Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Dorothy Shipp Stouffer ’53 died March 17, 2023, in Fairhope, Alabama.

Sabra Stough Atkins ’54 died January 20, 2023, in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

Betty Betts Conner ’54 died October 19, 2023, in Madison, Mississippi. Betty was president of the Huntingdon SGA.

Nimrod Thompson Frazer ’54 died March 7, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama. Rod was a loyal and faithful member of the Huntingdon Society, and he was inducted into the Order of the Countess of Huntingdon. He previously received the Alumni Achievement Award. We extend condolences to his wife, Lee Martin Frazer ’57.

Carol Sue Bostick Hurst ’54 died August 29, 2023, in Huntsville, Alabama.

Patricia Harris McDonald ’54 died July 22, 2023, in Cartersville, Georgia.

Sara Stembridge Perry ’54 died December 1, 2023, in Birmingham, Alabama. Sara was a member of the Huntingdon Society and the 2008 recipient of the Huntingdon College Alumni Loyalty Award. She was a former member of the Huntingdon Alumni Board, and she was always proud to proclaim her membership in Huntingdon’s Centennial Class.

Elizabeth Norvell Sherrill ’54 died October 1, 2023, in Augusta, Georgia.  She was preceded in death by her husband, William S. Sherrill, Jr. ’50.

Laura Vanderford Singletary ’54 died October 22, 2023, in Pensacola, Florida.

Betty Marchman Edgar ’56 died January 7, 2023, in Fairhope, Alabama.

Martha Bonner Eskew ’56 died June 7, 2023, in Birmingham, Alabama.

Lenore Fuller Oglesby Kirkpatrick ’56 died May 4, 2023, in Prattville, Alabama.  She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Collier Oglesby ’30 and her sister, Mary Ann Oglesby Neeley ’54. Lenore was survived by her sister, Elizabeth Oglesby Johnson ’60. Her niece and nephew established the Lenore Fuller Oglesby Kirkpatrick Endowed Scholarship at Huntingdon.

Catherine Buck Loflin ’56 died October 18, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Carol Pettie McElvy ’56 died January 27, 2023, in West Point, Georgia.

Claire Varnedoe Thomas ’56 died February 9, 2023, in Thomasville, Georgia.

Gloria Lanier Stuart Walker ’56 died August 23, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama. We extend condolences to her family including her husband, Jordan Dorman Walker, Sr. ’57.

Dorothy Jenkins Cockfield ’57 died April 13, 2023, in Atlanta, Georgia.

Eva Atkinson Fountain ’57 died in August 2023 in Crestview, Florida.  We extend condolences to her family including her sister, Grace Manon Atkinson Harris ’65.

Mary Mann McArthur ’57 died October 18, 2023, in Ashford, Alabama.

Elinor Warr Roberts ’57 died July 11, 2023, in Alexander City, Alabama.  Elinor was a former member of the Huntingdon Board of Trustees, a member of the Huntingdon Society, an Alumni Loyalty and Achievement Award recipient, a member of the John Massey Heritage Society and the Hall of Honor. We extend sympathy to her family including her granddaughter, Abby Blankenship Pfalum ’18.

Donald G. Brown ’58 died August 27, 2023, in Gulf Breeze, Florida.  We extend condolences to his wife, Pearle King Brown ’61 and his grandson, Joshua Dick ’18.

Helen Reid Figh ’58 died January 4, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Arthur Bruce Graham ’58 died October 29, 2023, in Calera, Alabama. We extend our condolences to his wife, Ann Smalling Graham ’60.

Flora McDonald Speed ’58 died May 18, 2023, in Marietta, Georgia. Flora was the president of the Huntingdon SGA.

Robert H. Bourne, Jr. ’60 died June 5, 2023, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Dorothy Duggar Franklin ’60 died April 20, 2023.

Elizabeth Collier Oglesby Thomas Johnson ’60 died June 1, 2023, in Auburn, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her mother, Mary Collier Oglesby ’30, and her sisters, Mary Ann Oglesby Neeley ’54 and Lenore Fuller Oglesby Kirkpatrick ’56. Her children, John T. Thomas and Lenore Ealy, established the Elizabeth Collier Oglesby Thomas Johnson Endowed Scholarship at Huntingdon.

Dianne Williams Salter ’60 died October 19, 2023, in Birmingham, Alabama.  Dianne is survived by her husband, John D. Salter ’61. She was a loyal member of the Huntingdon Society.

Martha Roberts Brown ’61 died November 22, 2023, in Hartselle, Alabama.

Dr. Phillip E. Crunk ’63 died September 5, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Cherry Johnston Stewart ’63 died May 10, 2023, in Wichita Falls, Texas.

Susanna Majure Adams ’64 died May 16, 2023, in Gadsden, Alabama.

Martha Skelton Bouchard Cargill ’64 died May 1, 2023, in Columbus, Georgia.

Johanna Heythekker Parker ’64 died February 25, 2023, in Cape Canaveral, Florida.  Her childhood friend, Susann Woodbery Turner ’67, established the Johanna Heythekker Parker and Susann Woodbery Turner Endowed Scholarship at Huntingdon.

Betty Merrill Phillips ’64 died February 23, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles R. Phillips ’61.

Sarah Elizabeth Scott ’64 died January 5, 2023, in Goodwater, Alabama.

Emily Johnson Segers ’64 died on December 3, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Anne Barbara Glenn Chioffi ’65 died April 29, 2023, in Dumfries, Virginia.

Willis Langley Brazil ’65 died November 11, 2023, in Daphne, Alabama.

Frances Guyton Kelley ’65 died October 9, 2023, in Talbott, Tennessee.

Emily Carol Guy Robbins ’65 died November 30, 2023, in Knoxville, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Christopher L. Robbins ’66.

Charles Britton Savage ’65 died May 28, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Joanne Gordon Beard ’66 died July 5, 2023, in Pisgah, Alabama. Joanne was a member of the Huntingdon Society. She is survived by her husband, Bill Beard ’64. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Emily Tyler Burge ’54 and Betsy Gordon ’69.

Mary Frances Berry Hardwick ’66 died January 1, 2023, in Birmingham, Alabama.

Ellen Nichols Ward ’66 died November 9, 2023, in Gulf Breeze, Florida.  She was survived by her sisters Marcia Nichols Harshbarger ’69 (Clay ’68) and Madeline Nichols Moseley ’72 (Merritt ’70). She was preceded in death by her sister Judith Nichols Talley ’63.

Charles Foster Rosser ’67 died January 18, 2023, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Turner Chapman Seale, Sr. ’67 died January 26, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Vonelia Lowe Willis ’67 died September 23, 2023, in Tallassee, Alabama.

William Tappan Brannon, III ’68 died December 3, 2023, in Destin, Florida. Tappan was survived by his sister, Donna Brannon Coon ’64 and his brother, Charles Eric Brannon ’74. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Dr. William T. Brannon ’37 and Dr. Mary Jane Crump Brannon ’37, and his sister, Candace Brannon Ozerden ’68.

Carol Hodges Curtis ’68 died February 16, 2023, in North Carolina.

Faye Berry Klahn ’68 died January 20, 2023, in Athens, Ohio.

Cheryl Anderegg Lumley ’68 died March 5, 2023, in Snellville, Georgia.  We extend condolences to her husband, James W. Lumley, Jr. ’69.

Dr. Richard Burt Myrick ’68 passed away June 23, 2023, in Marietta, Georgia.  Rick was a member of the Huntingdon College Athletic Hall of Fame. We extend condolences to his brother, David Myrick ’67.

Addison Brooks Warren ’68 died November 9, 2023.  Brooks was a much-loved member of the Huntingdon faculty for 25 years. We extend condolences to his son, Michael Warren ’98.

Donald C. France ’69 died November 23, 2023, in Stuart, Florida.

Anna Hartzog Lawrence ’69 died April 26, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Dr. Gaylen Schrieber Pugh ’70 died April 21, 2023, in Venice, Florida. Gaylen was a Huntingdon May Queen, a former member of the Alumni Board, a recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award, and a member of numerous Huntingdon giving societies. We extend our condolences to her family including her husband, Dr. Henry Pugh, brother-in-law Dr. John Pugh ’78, sister-in-law Jill Pugh Murphy ’82, and niece Margaret Murphy Schuneman ’17.

Frances Kirkland Jackson ’70 died June 1, 2023, in Newville, Alabama.

Robert Howard Bennett ’71 died March 28, 2023, in Birmingham, Alabama.

Walter Earl Gowan ’71 died July 15, 2023, in Alexander City, Alabama. We extended condolences to his family including his wife, Carol Railey Gowan ’71, and his daughter, Elizabeth Gowan ’02.

Betty McCall Moser ’72 died October 23, 2023.

Robert L. Berry ’73 died July 10, 2023, in Demorest, Georgia.

Joan Glenn Mitts ’73 died February 3, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.

Charles Timothy Lundy ’77 died June 29, 2023.

Todd Edwin Anderson ’86 died January 19, 2023, in Covington, Georgia.

Tara Hickman Powell ’91 died June 21, 2023, in Birmingham, Alabama.

Janet LeAnne Singleton ’91 died January 25, 2023, in Pike Road, Alabama.

Brenda Joyce Logan ’93 died January 17, 2023, in Wetumpka, Alabama.

Ryan Adam Tucker ’08 died September 2, 2023, in Niceville, Florida.

FRIENDS

Mike Dueitt died on April 1, 2023.  We extend condolences to his family including his daughter, Huntingdon trustee Emily Dueitt Kincaid ’06.

Martha Page Fitzpatrick died April 2, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.  Martha and her late husband, Tranum Fitzpatrick, were long-standing friends and supporters of Huntingdon and members of the Huntingdon Society.

Janet B. Frost died February 18, 2023, in Macon, Georgia. We extend condolences to her son, Huntingdon trustee Fred Frost ’81.

William E. Hamm died June 6, 2023, in Waverly, Iowa.  Bill worked for Huntingdon in the 1970s as an admissions consultant and remained a friend of the College from afar throughout his career in higher education.

Mark Hudson died April 7, 2023. We extend condolences to his brother, Huntingdon trustee David Hudson ’81. He was preceded in death by his father, David Hudson, Sr. ’53.

Paul W. Miles died February 14, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.  Mr. Miles was a long-standing friend and patron of the College. We extend our condolences to his wife, Mary, and to his grandson, Alex Vainstein ’20.

Winn (Wendy) Chappell Tarver died October 18, 2023, in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida.  Wendy was the daughter of beloved Huntingdon faculty members Gordon and Winn Chappell and she held lifetime memories of growing up on the Huntingdon campus. We extend condolences to her family including her brother, Huntingdon trustee Dr. Rick Chappell.

Dr. Allen Adair Tubbs died February 23, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.  Dr. Tubbs was a distinguished member of the Huntingdon College Biology Department.

Kendrick Upchurch, Jr. died March 23, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama. Mr. Upchurch was a long-standing friend of the College. We extend condolences to his family, including his son, W. Ken Upchurch, III, who serves on the Huntingdon Board of Trustees.

Milton A. “Buzz” Wendland died March 11, 2023, in Autaugaville, Alabama. He served Huntingdon as a loyal spouse, father, and grandfather.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Smith Wendland ’53, a former member of the Huntingdon Board of Trustees. We extend condolences to his four children including Huntingdon trustee Suzie Wendland Rhodes ’80 and Margaret Wendland Miller ’95, and to his grandchildren including Margaret Rhodes ’21.

James Winfrey Wilson, III died March 11, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.  Jim was a titan of the Alabama business community and a great supporter of Huntingdon College. We extend condolences to his family including his brother, Huntingdon trustee Will Wilson ’90.

SPECIAL TRIBUTES

Suellen Ofe died November 14, 2023, in Montgomery, Alabama.  Su served as Huntingdon’s Vice President for Communications and Marketing and died following an extended illness.  Su was a 29-year member of the Huntingdon College administration.  We extend deepest condolences to her husband, Steve, and to her daughters, Erin Ofe Mauldin ’12 and Lexie Ofe ’17 (Mark White ’17).

“Su Ofe represented the heart and soul of Huntingdon College,” commented Huntingdon President Cam West. “She was a brilliant lady, dedicated to all members of the Huntingdon College family, and she told stories of the Huntingdon College experience beautifully to all constituencies of the College. She was a great champion for the arts at Huntingdon and was often the point person for distinguished lecturers, musicians and artists visiting the College. She embodied the spirit of Huntingdon – a lady of great faith, a fountain of wisdom devoted to life-long learning, and a heart of gold who truly cared for the least of these. Not only did Su Ofe love Huntingdon College, Huntingdon people truly loved Su Ofe.”

Su Ofe started working in higher education in 1981 as a work-study student at her undergraduate alma mater, the Maryland Institute College of Art.  From 1983 to 2000 she served in areas of admission, marketing, and enrollment management at the Maryland College of Art and Design (Silver Spring, Maryland), Marycrest College (Davenport, Iowa), Chatham College (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), and, beginning in 1995, Huntingdon College. In 2000, Su moved to the communications and marketing arena for Huntingdon, where she wrote, directed and managed internal and external communications, marketing, media relations, college marketing publications, photography, social media communications, the College Web site, and community relations.  She wrote and edited the highly acclaimed Huntingdon College Magazine.

Outside of Huntingdon, Su was a devoted member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she served as director of music and worship.

Jane T. Williams died July 6, 2023, in Auburn, Alabama. Jane came to Huntingdon in 1973 and held numerous staff and administrative roles during four decades of service to the College.  She retired in 2012. She served in institutional research and effectiveness, college event planning, travel planning, as faculty secretary, led many Huntingdon Homecoming/May Day celebrations when the event was held in the spring, and co-led, with her husband and other staff and faculty, College travel-study experiences abroad, among other roles. For many years after the beginning of Hawks Football, she captained the sale of tickets outside the stadium, greeting the many students and their families she had come to know and love as part of the Huntingdon community.  She was the wife of Kenneth Neal Williams, a member of the Huntingdon College departments of computer science and mathematics from 1969 until his retirement in 2007. Ken Williams died in 2015.

“Students from four decades of Huntingdon College’s 169-year history knew and loved Ken and Jane Williams,” said Huntingdon President J. Cameron West. “Ken and Jane held a deep desire to capture all the knowledge they could – not just in mathematics and computer science, but also in English and history, both in America and in Europe. Jane was a Hawks fan in every sport and a mentor to many students during her Huntingdon years. We remain grateful for their long service to the College.”

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Huntingdon College, in accordance with Title IX and Section 106.8 of the 2020 Final Rule under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, other applicable federal and state law, and stated College policy, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex.  Similarly, it prohibits discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age and/or national origin in its education program