Connections: Fall 2018

1953

Hubert and Dorothy Todd McCray celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a reception hosted by their three sons, Todd, Michael and Nathan. (2910 Toccoa St., Beaumont, TX 77703)

1959

Gordon “Vic” Cotton was recognized by the Mississippi Historical Society with the Award of Merit for a series of articles, “Warren County Before Statehood,” which he authored in commemoration of Mississippi’s 200th birthday. He also was honored by Gulf Coast Survey and Department of Anthropology at the University of Alabama for his support of students in their archaeological studies. He serves as the director/curator emeritus of the Old Courthouse Museum in Vicksburg, Mississippi. At his retirement, he was honored for his work in historic research, writing and preservation by Mississippi’s Lt. Gov. Amy Tuck and members of the state senate. During his career, he has authored more than 12 volumes of local history and written historical articles for more than 30 years for the Sunday edition of The Vicksburg Post. (677 Campbell Swamp Road, Vicksburg, MS 39180)

1970

Richard Hilton , OCH Regional Medical Center administrator and CEO, retired after 35 years of service to OCH and a total of 44 years in the field of health care. He is a Fellow of the American College of Health Care Executives and has been a member of the Hospital Financial Management Association and the American Hospital Association since 1983. He is on the board of directors of the Greater Starkville Partnership Development and is a member of the Starkville Rotary Club. He and his wife, LaRue, are the founders of Family Life Missions Inc., a benevolent ministry operating children’s homes in Catacamas, Honduras, where he served as president/CEO and board chairman from 1992-2005. They have seven children and 14 grandchildren. (103 Apache Drive, Starkville, MS 39759)

1972

Mark Sperry has published a new book titled Reflections on God: Meditations from Psalms. The book is a collection of 75 original poems written in the style of David’s psalms and is available on Amazon.com. He and his wife, Nadara, are retired and members at Westside Church of Christ. (126 Spicer Lane, Texarkana, TX 75503)

1973

Holly Catterton Allen is editor of the book InterGenerate: Transforming Churches through InterGenerational Ministry. The book is a compilation of the best presentations of the InterGenerate Conference held in June 2018 on the Lipscomb University campus. She is professor of Christian ministries and family studies at Lipscomb. Her husband, C. Leonard Allen is dean of the College of Bible and Ministry at Lipscomb. He recently published a book titled Poured Out: The Spirit of God Empowering the Mission of God . (5636 Myrtlewood Drive, Nashville, TN 37211)

1976

Carolyn “CJ” Driver Abbey retired from Wellington Exempted Village School District after 19 years. She served as a language arts teacher and as a guidance counselor in both the middle and high schools. She and her husband, Frank, live near their two sons, Franklin and Tyler. (49495 Jones Road, Wellington, OH 44090)

1982

Bryan Beeson is the facilities administrator for Benton County, Arkansas. He has more than 30 years in construction management experience with Walmart. (P.O. Box 493, Centerton, AR 72719)

Randall Crow has been named CEO and president of QualChoice in Little Rock, Arkansas. He holds an MBA from the University of Arkansas and has more than 30 years experience in managed care and hospital fields. He also serves as vice president and corporate treasurer of QualChoice Health Plan Services Inc. He serves on the board of SoundPath Health, ClearRiver Health, HeartlandPlains Health, HarvestPlains Health of Iowa, RiverLink Health, RiverLink Health of Kentucky, Stableview Health and QualChoice Advantage. He is married to Rene Holloway (’83). (16 Lester Lane, Vilonia, AR 72173)

1983

Daniel Gillett has been elected chairman of the board by Select Sands Corp. board of directors. He has more than 30 years experience as a director, investment banker, consultant and senior executive, including serving as chief executive officer and chief financial officer. He received his MBA from Harvard Business School. (1312 Brians Meadow Cove, Austin, TX 78746)

1984

John Brown preaches at Olive Hill Church of Christ. He also teaches U.S. history at Greenup County (Kentucky) High School and serves as an adjunct history professor at Ashland Community and Technical College and Kentucky Christian University. He received an Ed.S. from University of the Cumberlands this year. He and his wife, Dana, have six children. (282 Dixie Ridge, Flatwoods, KY 41139)

1987

Angela Sinapiades Colliver was the recipient of the March 2018 Cause for Applause Award from the Linton-Stockton School Corp. for those who go above and beyond their normal duties. She started her career at LSSC in August 1989 and is the elementary school counselor. She received her master’s in counseling from Indiana University. She and her husband, Mike, have two children, Taylor and Thessaly. (3901 S. Bushmill Drive, Bloomington, IN 47403)

Mark Holderbaum is the new activities director at Carthage (Missouri) High School. He has 27 years of experience as a teacher, coach, administrator and activities director.

Paul Woolard joined Eco-Energy in Franklin, Tennessee. Before that, he had a long career across multiple companies in Decatur, Illinois. He is married to Heidi Meadows (’89). (6100 Tower Circle, Suite 500, Franklin, TN 37067)

1988

Ray Duwe was completely disabled in an automobile accident in December 2000. His father, Bill Duwe (’62), has written a book about him titled We Still Have Him to Love. It touches on the accident and Ray’s life since, including support from his Harding friends. The book contains caregiving tips, supplier and other practical information, and lessons learned that may be helpful to others in a similar situation. The book can be found on Amazon.com. Ray has three children. (1107 S. Yellowood Place, Broken Arrow, OK 74012)

1990

Brett Biggs was added to Pepperdine University Board of Regents in July. He is executive vice president and chief financial officer for Walmart Inc. He is responsible for Walmart Enterprise Solutions, which includes all finance functions as well as Global Business Services. He serves on the board of directors for MANA, a nonprofit group focused on acute malnutrition in African children, and the Walton Arts Center Board. He is on the board of trustees of the National Urban League and is Walmart’s corporate representative on the McCombs School of Business Advisory Council at the University of Texas. Within Walmart, he serves on the Walmart Foundation Board and as an executive sponsor for the Hispanic-Latino Resource Group. He and his wife, Kara Dunaway (’91), have two daughters. (44 Buckingham Drive, Rogers, AR 72758)

Christopher Willis has been appointed to the position of juvenile court judge with the Forsyth County, Georgia, Juvenile Court. He earned his juris doctorate from St. Mary’s University School of Law. For the past 23 years, he has been in private practice focusing on criminal and civil litigation. (Turner and Willis, P.O. Box 1401, Gainesville, GA 30503)

1993

Frank Merritt has published The 17 Hour Fast with health and fitness writer Phil White. Inspired by his best friend’s battle with cancer, he developed a fasting protocol designed to offer maximum health benefits with a minimum amount of time dedicated to a fast. He has published post-graduate research at Pepperdine University and received his medical degree at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He practices emergency medicine in Panama City, Florida, and is also co-founder of the research company VitalityPro. He and his wife, Regina Owens, have two sons, Samuel and Levi. (13708 Front Beach Road, Panama City Beach, FL 32413)

1994

Lance Boyd has been named chief executive officer of Merit Health Natchez. He previously was chief operations officer for Tennova Healthcare Turkey Creek Medical Center in Knoxville, Tennessee. He completed his master’s in health care management from Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont. He and his wife, Toria Boyd , have three children. (7205 Canmore Lane, Knoxville, TN 37919)

Keith Morrow is vice president of clinic operations at Bothwell Regional Health Center in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He has a master’s degree in exercise science from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and a master’s degree in health care administration from Colorado State University-Global in Denver. (1134 Aquila Circle N., Olive Branch, MS 38654)

1997

Christopher and Carrie Decker Burress announce the adoption of two daughters, Kylie Marie and Claire Elizabeth, on May 24, 2018. The couple have four other children, Taylor, Logan, Brady and Ellie. (141 Horizon Lane, Alma, AR 72921)

Blane Covert has been selected to serve as the head of school at The Anthony School in Little Rock, Arkansas. He most recently served as dean of students and English teacher at Episcopal Collegiate School in Little Rock. He holds an M.S.E. from Harding, an Ed.S. in educational administration from University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and an Ed.D. in educational leadership from Oral Roberts University. (9 Glasgow Court, Little Rock, AR 72211)

1998

Christopher Bearden is senior vice president of Texas Bank and Trust Co. He has a Master of Arts in political science from the University of Arkansas and an executive MBA in banking and finance from Sam Houston State University. (319 Land Grant Drive, Richmond, TX 77406)

Clint Jones was named director of the Arkansas Leadership Academy in July. He spent the last four years as superintendent of Huntsville School District. He has a doctorate in school leadership from Arkansas Tech University, an educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Harding, and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Houston-Victoria. He has taught in the educational leadership programs at Harding and Arkansas Tech, teaching courses on school facilities, finance and leadership. He and his wife, Lorie Baker (’97), have two children, Hannah and Luke. (635 Madison 7145, Hindsville, AR 72738)

Kim Hardy Leverett received her Ph.D. in psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute in California with an emphasis in psychotherapy. She has an M.S.N. from Emory University. She and her husband, David, have two sons, Lucas and Joel. (1800 Julian Drive, Watkinsville, GA 30677)

Kim Campbell Shumpert was named executive director of Chattanooga Women’s Leadership Institute May 1, 2018. Prior to joining CWLI, she managed the development team at Bethel Bible Village. She earned a master’s in public administration in 2016 from Arkansas State University. She and her husband, Brad (’01), have two daughters. (33 Ridgerock Drive, Signal Mountain, TN 37377)

Karen Reynolds Weaver is the activity director at Eagle Mountain Assisted Living in Batesville, Arkansas. She is married to Peyton Weaver. (350 Mount Hermon Road, Charlotte, AR 72522)

2001

Jason Robitaille is the fire chief at Heber Springs, Arkansas. He has 16 years of fire experience and has previously served as chief of the Calaveras (California) Consolidated Fire Protection District. He has an associate degree in fire technology and another in paramedics/EMS. He is married to Leah Eddy (’04) .

2002

Elizabeth Solano was recently named to Arkansas Business’ 2018 Women to Watch. She serves as regional director for external affairs for MISO Energy. (3052 Windwood Drive, Little Rock, AR 72206)

2004

Timothy (’02) and Cassie Gilliam Anderson announce the birth of a son, Bridger Gatlin, March 21, 2018. They also have a daughter, Landry. (10919 Schiebel Drive, Holts Summit, MO 65043)

Graham and Carrie Springer Cook announce the birth of a daughter, Cora Graham, Nov. 3, 2017. Graham owns Partners Realty as well as Escapology, a live escape game in Montgomery, Alabama, and Carrie is a homemaker. They have another daughter, Florence Emma. (460 Pine Forest Drive, Wetumpka, AL 36093)

Bobby (’05) and Candice Bush Garner announce the birth of twins, Alexandra and Maxwell, Dec. 1, 2017. They have two other children, Georgia Quinn and Jude. (9255 County Road 637, Dexter, MO 63841)

2005

Jason Ayers is lead video editor at Your Creative People. He founded his own video production company and worked as a videographer, writer and producer with Sliced Tomato Productions and FOX Carolina. (200 Bannerbrook Drive, Simpsonville, SC 29680)

Justin (HST ’14) and Mary Ellen Legg White announce the birth of a son, Nolan Gabriel, July 7, 2018. Justin works as an inventory auditor, and Mary Ellen is a speech-language pathologist. They have another son, Jameson. (1384 Whiting St., Memphis, TN 38117)

2006

Timothy Shipp has been awarded a Certificate of Added Qualifications from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. He works at CHI St. Vincent in Little Rock, Arkansas, and is an officer in the Air National Guard. His wife is Melissa Plunk (’10). (406 River Oaks Blvd., Searcy, AR 72143)

2007

Mark and Vanessa Legg announce the birth of a daughter, Windley Reagan, June 22, 2018. Mark is a facility designer for Publix. (5277 White Egret Lane, Lakeland, FL 33811)

2008

Jay M. Green is director of health care services at Butterfield Trail Village. He has been certified by the state of Arkansas as a licensed nursing home administrator since 2009. He earned an MBA with a concentration in health care management in 2017. (338 Hidden Creek Place, West Fork, AR 72774)

Nate (’10) and Katie Ulliman Ramirez announce the birth of a son, Arthur Allen, Nov. 4, 2017. (503 Key Largo Drive, Searcy, AR 72143)

Lance and Michelle Parrish Tate announce the birth of a daughter, Bennett Hazel, March 16, 2018. (P.O. Box 187, Chouteau, OK 74337)

2009

William E. Brown became the minister at Aberdeen Church of Christ in June. He graduated from Southeastern Institute of Biblical Studies and is a candidate for a master’s degree from Troy University in Huntsville, Alabama. He also has ministered in Tennessee, Indiana, Oklahoma and Florida. He and his wife, Carrie, have a son, Caleb. (1651 Glen Laurel Drive, Middleburg, FL 32068)

2010

Riley (’16) and Robin Gould Pate announce the birth of a son, Silas Allen, Sept. 7, 2017. (934 Skyline Drive, Searcy, AR 72143)

2011

Amber Bellcock is a staff nurse and a relief charge nurse in the intensive care unit at Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. She was named one of the Great 100 Nurses of Arkansas for 2018. (6408 Parkfront Drive, Fort Smith, AR 72916)

2013

Jessica Head is director of operations and program development for Venture Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. She also works as a marketing strategy consultant for JH Digital Marketing in Dallas.

Leslie Killebrew was promoted to senior designer at CallisonRTKL. (9739 Champa Drive, Dallas, TX 75218)

Cary (’15) and Krista Smith McClurg announce the birth of a son, Kason James, March 28, 2018. (2202 S.W. 19th St., Bentonville, AR 72712)

2014

Mary Catherine Pickens married Clark Wayne Smith (’11) on June 16, 2018. Mary Catherine graduated with a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is a registered nurse at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Clark has a master’s degree in teaching from Southern Arkansas University and is a teacher and basketball coach at Jacksonville High School. (9732 Wild Mountain Drive, Sherwood, AR 72120)

Derek Mountford is a trial attorney at Holland and Knight where he focuses his practice on commercial and consumer financial services litigation. He received a juris doctorate from University of Florida. He is married to Brianna Bach . (450 Pelican Pointe Road, Ponte Vedra, FL 32081)

2018

Mesa Allison became LeTourneau University’s head men’s and women’s cross-country coach in April. He also serves as assistant track and field coach. He is married to Z’Ann Hardin (’17). (3401 U.S. Highway 359, #321, Longview, TX75605)

Alexandra Longley is an interior designer for Polk Stanley Wilcox Architects in Little Rock, Arkansas. She worked as an intern for their interiors department in fall 2017.

Sydney Layrock married Riley Jenkins on May 19, 2018. She is Greene County Tech Junior High girls basketball coach. (86 Lawrence Road, #134, Black Rock, AR 72415)