Passages: Winter 2018

Geraldine Richards Jameson (’45), 93, of Bald Knob, Arkansas, died Oct. 2, 2017. She was a member of the United Methodist church. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Jr. She is survived by three children, Ken, Gary and Beth Carty; and eight grandchildren.

Joe Shaver (’46), 91, of San Antonio, died Aug. 6, 2017. He earned his bachelor’s from the University of Missouri and was the first in his family to graduate from college. He spent a short time in Japan in the Army during World War II. Upon his return, he and his wife, Bea, moved to Aruba where he was employed by Lago Oil. While there, the couple established the first church of Christ in Aruba. In 1962, he transferred to New York City to work in the controller’s office at Exxon. After retiring, he settled in San Antonio, working for his son’s company, Precious Stones Unlimited. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Bea Barde (’56). He is survived by three children, Cynthia Hopkins, Susan Johnson and Neal Shaver; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Arthur Peddle (’47), 92, of Nashville, Tennessee, died Sept. 28, 2017. He was a preacher all of his adult life and preached for churches in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, South Carolina and Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Georgia Jenkins (’48), and a daughter, Jenny Beth (’75). He is survived by his second wife, Orlan Lonnie; four children, Arthur (’70), Rosalind Grace (’72), Georgina Kee (’73) and Joel; two stepchildren, Lori Daugherty and Teri Briley; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Madge McCluggage Lewis (’48), 90, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died Aug. 20, 2017. She was a talented pianist and taught elementary music at Mars Hill Bible School, Crowley’s Ridge Academy and Central Arkansas Christian. She served as a minister’s wife in Alabama, Idaho, Arkansas and Mississippi as well as around the world. The highlight of her later life was her work with Partners in Progress in Southeast Asia. She was preceded in death by her husband, Claude (’49). She is survived by six children, Tim (’71), Maurine Jones (’72), Joel (’74), Laura Wright (’77), Cheri Smith (’84) and Jon (’87); a sister Marciele Hicks (’44); 20 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren.

Glendon Farmer (’49), 91, of Conway, Arkansas, died Aug. 27, 2017. He was a veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He received a Master of Education from Peabody College and a Doctor of Education from University of Tennessee at Knoxville. He taught in schools in Williford, Arkansas, and Bragg City, Missouri. He later served as business manager for Florence (Alabama) City Schools and then as superintendent. While there, he worked to implement desegregation. A lifelong learner, he memorized long passages of poetry, devoured books from every genre and engaged in systematic studies of such topics as the American Civil War, Middle Eastern History and the ministry of the apostle Paul. He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Holloway (’59). He is survived by three children, Sherry Holder (’76), Patti Summers (’82) and John (’88); a sister, Eloise Hayre (’59); seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Rue Porter Rogers (’51), 89, of Piggott, Arkansas, died Sept. 21, 2016. He taught in the Piggott School System for 35 years after serving in the Army. He was a member of the church of Christ. He was preceded in death by two sons, David and Ben (’75). He is survived by four children, Beth Brewer (’80), Brent (’80), Edgar (’84) and Ru Anne Rogers (’88); and nine grandchildren.

Eula “Eudie” Faith Voigts (‘55), 82, of Granbury, Texas, died Dec. 17, 2016. She loved to sing and participated in a variety of choral ensembles. She worked several secretarial and receptionist jobs. She taught Sunday school, led women’s ministry activities, and along with her husband facilitated 41 Marriage Encounter Workshops across the country. She is survived by her husband of 64 years, Carroll (’58); four children, Bob (’75), John, Sue Epley and Julie Derrick; a brother, Bob (’52); 10 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Edgar Ray McAlister (’58), 81, of Lewisville, Texas, died Aug. 10, 2017. He earned a master’s degree from North Texas State University and was awarded a Ph.D. in marketing and credit management from Ohio State University. He was a professor emeritus of the University of North Texas where he was a member of the faculty from 1963-2005. He is survived by his wife, Anita Martin (’59); four children, Deanna Spence, Stephen, Stuart and Mark; a sister, Robin Rachel; and nine grandchildren.

Juanita Lawrence Davis (’60), 80, of Wichita, Kansas, died April 1, 2017. She earned her master’s in guidance and counseling from Kansas State University while teaching English, speech and journalism at Manhattan Junior High. She then served as a middle school counselor for 15 years in the Derby School District in Wichita, Kansas. She counseled at a church in Orlando, Florida, for another 15 years. She is survived by three sons, Brent, Brian and Kelly; two brothers, Orville Lawrence and Paul Lawrence; and six grandchildren.

Pansy Lee Beene Wells (’61), 78, of Searcy died Sept. 18, 2017. She was a member of West Side Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband, Jerry (’65); two children, Kim Knight (’83) and Jeffrey; a sister, Brenda Chism; and five grandchildren.

Billy Joe Thrasher (’61), 78, of Columbia, Tennessee, died Sept. 29, 2017. He also held degrees from Florida College, George Peabody College at Vanderbilt University, and Arkansas State University and received his doctorate from the University of Arkansas. He spent more than 40 years in the field of education serving as a classroom teacher, coach and athletic director from grade school to junior college level. He was in administrative roles as assistant principal, principal, superintendent and president in both private and public education. He was honored as Outstanding Educator in 1969 by the State Jaycees, was included in Who’s Who Among American Educators, and was a member of Phi Delta Kappa honor society. He served on the Arkansas Advisory Council for Secondary Education, the Arkansas Council on Economic Education, and Tulsa Private School Advisory Council. He was a charter member of the board of directors for Maury Alliance Chamber of Commerce. He was a Rotary Club Paul Harris Fellow and a 1999 graduate of the first Leadership Maury Class, the Vision 20/20 Board, the Maury Technical School Board of Directors, and the National Christian School Association who selected him as the 2006 Administrator of the Year. He was a volunteer on the Tuesday Crew at Columbia Academy where from 2014-16 he served as interim athletic director. He was a deacon at West Seventh Street Church of Christ and was named along with his wife, Barbara, as Harding’s 2017 Distinguished Alumni. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Barbara Godsey (’63); two children, Tim (’84) and Christy (’90); and two grandchildren.

David William Fouss (’66), 74, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, died Oct. 22, 2017. He received his master’s degree from Southeast Missouri State. He was a teacher, coach and administrator in public and private schools in six states. He was honored as an Outstanding Young Educator of the South in 1982, was inducted into the Ohio Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame, and received the Distinguished Service Award from the Ohio Association Track and Cross- Country Coaches in 2000. He was a former dean of students at Ohio Valley University. He was named Administrator of the Year at Warren High School in 2001 and Ohio Southeast District Athletic Administrator of the Year in 2002. He taught Bible classes; served as pulpit minister for two congregations; and was a deacon, Bible school director, VBS director and elder for congregations where he attended. He is survived by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Mattmiller (’66); two sons, Jonathan and Todd; two brothers, Douglas (‘66) and Dana; and three grandchildren.

Frank Lynn Pennington (’69), 71, of Ardmore, Oklahoma, died Sept. 30, 2017. He volunteered for missionary work to Japan upon graduation. He was an associate minister, youth minister and minister in Oklahoma and New York. He was a teacher in New York, Mississippi and Oklahoma. He and his wife opened their home to care for foster children. The loss of his right leg in 1999 became a motivating factor for him, and he entered the Endeavor Games in Edmond, Oklahoma, in 2001. He also was invited to the International Endeavor Games in San Diego. His left leg was amputated in 2004, and he learned to walk with prosthetic limbs. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Hunt; seven children, Angelyn, Coy Jones, Cynthia Jones, Sandra Thach, Ryan, David Wilson and Timothy Hunt; his mother, Darlene Pennington; a sister, Marcia Liggon; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Douglas McArthur (’71), 75, of Clarksville, Tennessee, died Aug. 9, 2017. He served in the U.S. Army and retired from General Motors after 30 years as a machinist. He was a member of the church of Christ at Trenton Crossing and on the board of directors for Metro Detroit Youth Chorus and Michigan Christian Youth Camp. He is survived by his wife, Diana; two daughters, Deborah Letsinger (’83) and Denise Cameron; two siblings David and Patricia Rose; and six grandchildren.

Elizabeth Ann Dixon Rodenbeck (’73), 66, of West Plains, Missouri, died Aug. 28, 2017. She completed her master’s in education from Missouri State University in 1986. She taught school for 37 years and was a lifelong member of Brandsville Church of Christ where she taught Sunday school. She is survived by her husband, Larry (’73); three children, Jay, Ty and Abby Harris (’06); and a brother, Joe.

Dorothy Peters (’75), 64, of Mesquite, Texas, died Aug. 4, 2017. She received a master’s in English from Texas Tech University. She taught high school English in Weslaco and Ferris, Texas. She is survived by two sisters, Annette Parker and Linda Smith (’76).

Alita Sowders Gable Carter (’75), 64, of Deatsville, Alabama, died Oct. 25, 2017. She taught at various times both in the classroom and in church. She was the founding Director of Bright Beginnings Preschool as a ministry of the Burnt Hickory church in Marietta, Georgia. She taught and mentored, not only in churches, but also on multiple mission trips. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Mark Gable (’75). She is survived by her husband, Ron; her mother, Shirley Sowders; three sons; Travis (’00), Alan (’04), and Jared (’04); three stepchildren, Sandi, Tammi and Ryan; her sister, Apryl Evans (’76); and 18 grandchildren.

Warren Ray Grogan (’75), 66, of Beebe, Arkansas, died Nov. 14, 2017. A retired master sergeant, he proudly served in the U.S. Air Force for 24 years as a military training instructor and combat arms instructor. While a combat arms instructor, he mentored his students and his CATM teams, and he showed them what real leadership was. He was a member of the Beebe Church of Christ where he served as a song leader. He also served as a song leader at the Beebe Retirement Center. He was very active in the Disabled American Veterans and worked part time for the Clinton Presidential Library as a security guard. He is survived by his wife, Susan Clark (’75); four children, Davis Beasley, Diana Riddle (’00), Julie Jones and Annie Beasley Ginn; his mother, Mary Ruth; two sisters, Ruth Ann Dawson (’71) and Bonnie; and seven grandchildren.

Neal Alan Organ (’76), 63, of Cypress, Texas, died Oct. 27, 2017. While at Harding, he participated in the A Cappella Chorus and Belles and Beaux. In recent years, he performed with the Texas Master Chorale. He loved sports, especially LSU, the Saints and the Astros. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Ruth Woods (’75); two children, Alex and Allison Phillips; and a brother, Dennis (’66).

Joe Dale Hodges (’78), 66, of Searcy died Sept. 6, 2017. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and Arkansas Air National Guard. He was a member of the church of Christ. He is survived by his wife, Laura Cowan (’77); two children, Jacob (’10) and Jennifer (’17); his mother, Martha; and five siblings, Geoff (’80), Jay, Vivian Davis (’71), Laurie Bishop (’89) and John (’98).

Linda Roll Brizendine (’79), 59, of Kansas City, Missouri, died Jan. 19, 2017. She spent 26 years as a nurse starting at St. Joseph Hospital and ending at Shawnee Mission Medical Center. She is survived by her husband, Roger; two sons, Erik and Luke; and two siblings, David Roll (’70) and Barbara Fowler (’75).

Patricia Ann Johnson Jackson (’90), 68, of Searcy died Sept. 4, 2017. She was a minister’s wife until her husband, Danny, died. She continued to serve the Lord as a Sunday School teacher and youth minister. She is survived by four children, Jody, Bart, Casey and Ashley Goodwin; and 11 grandchildren.

Andrew White (‘96), 46, of Madison, Alabama. died Dec. 3, 2017. He had a gift for drawing and composing in various mediums. He also loved sports and was a little league baseball coach. He is survived by his parents; John (’68) and Sue (’68); two sons, Jacob and Cason, and a brother, John Gregory (’90).