Passages: Spring 2019

Edith Landiss Cavin (’41), 101, of College Station, Texas, died Jan. 6, 2019. She worked 30 years for the Federal Aviation and Social Security Administration in Kansas City, Missouri. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Lonnie E. Pryor Jr. (’41) and her second husband, Kay Thomas Cavin (’48).

Fayetta Coleman Murray (’46), 94, of Searcy, died Jan. 8, 2019. As an infant, she moved with her family from Montana to Morrilton, Arkansas, so her parents could help with the formation of Harding College. At the age of 10, she and her family moved with the college to Searcy. She taught speech, drama, grammar and literature for 28 years. She had a phenomenal memory and could, years later, recognize her former students by name, relate where they sat in her class and which class they were in. She loved to walk and during her many years of teaching in Searcy walked to school almost every day. She hiked two parts of the Appalachian Trail and at 93 still took daily walks and could climb the three flights of stairs to her apartment. She loved to travel and visited cathedrals, museums and historical locations in 49 states and various foreign countries. She was the last living charter member of College Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Malcolm. She is survived by her four children, Kathy Rambo (’69), Susan (’73), Peggy Matson (’75) and Cliff; a brother, Neil Coleman, five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Lois Hemingway Lemmons (’47), 92, of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, died Feb. 18, 2019. She taught one year at Mars Hill Bible School in Alabama before marrying Joseph C. Lemmons (’49). Their life’s work was serving churches of Christ in Missouri, New York, New Jersey and Colorado. She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Wayne. She is survived by four children, Karen Mason (’72), Anita Lietzke, J (’80), and Brian; 12 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Mildred “Millie” Lanier Root (’47), 93, of Crosby, Texas, died March 3, 2019. She distinguished herself as a secretary, working as the church secretary for Lyons and Majestic Church of Christ, Scott Paper Co. and First City Bank. She was a natural performer, loving any opportunity to sing and act. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert; a daughter, Cozette Rayburn; and two grandchildren. She is survived by five children, Denise Bynum, Stephen, Jeraine (’78), Lori Riley and Shari Bang (’85); one brother, Henry Lanier; seven grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Jack Dempsey Dillard (’48), 91, of Searcy died Jan. 24, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army for two years as a surgical technician. He taught in schools in Arkansas, New Mexico and Arizona. He then served as director of education at Arizona State Prison in Florence. He retired as chief examiner for the adult education division of the Arizona Department of Education. He was an elder of the Broadway Church of Christ in Arizona and member of College Church of Christ in Searcy. He was preceded in death by his first wife of 53 years, Marjory Lee (’49) and his second wife, Alma Guthrie. He is survived by his four children, Debby Hewitt (’74), Carol Sparks (’76), Patti Jo White (’80) and Glenn (’84); one sister, Dixie Pettigrew (’48); 12 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Lena Ruth Story Pearson (’49), 90, of Searcy died March 21, 2019. She was a school teacher and retired from the Head Start Program. She enjoyed sewing, needle crafts and gardening. She was a member of West Side Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Charles, and daughter, Charla Ann Schol (’81). She is survived by her son, Mark; and three grandchildren.

Oliver Calvin Smith (’49), 92, of Twin Bridges, Montana, died Jan. 21, 2019. He worked at Paige Lumber Co. in Twin Bridges; on an assembly line for General Electric in Erie, Pennsylvania; as an equipment foreman for Norris Cattle Co. in Florida; and upholstering aircraft interiors at Meacham Field in Fort Worth, Texas. He returned to Twin Bridges to lease and buy the home ranch on which he was born. In 1956, he and three others began making payments on a dude ranch which became Bow and Arrow Bible Camp and was later renamed Yellowstone Bible Camp. He designed and built from scratch loaders and hay loading heads, did welding and shop work, sold Oliver Tractors, and started Oliver Smith Irrigation. He could design and build whatever was needed. In the winter of 1984-85, he backpacked around the world with his older daughter. He taught many lessons at Twin Bridges Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Edna; two daughters, Janice and Belinda; a sister, Virginia Holton; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Myra Wade Underwood (’52), 87, of Searcy died March 18, 2019. As a minister’s wife, she worked and lived in Oklahoma, Tennessee and Alabama. She and her husband worked at Heritage Christian University for many years and served as missionaries in West Africa. She developed Bible curricula and taught ladies’ and children’s classes. She was preceded in death by her husband, David (’52). She is survived by three children, Rebecca Dorfmueller (’74), David (’78) and Bryan; four siblings, O.L. Wade, G. Hoyt Wade, H. Mathis Wade and Vonceil Enlow; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Russell McNalty (’54), 87, of McLeansboro, Illinois, died Jan. 30, 2019. He served in the U.S. Army. He received master’s degrees from Harding and Harding School of Theology. He was a teacher and preacher and provided a home for more than 80 foster children. He was preceded in death by a son, Jim. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sherry Hunter (’58); three children, Kathy Teffertiller, Christi Curfman and Paula McNalty; two sisters, Edna Preston and Ada Binkley; seven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Laura Perrin Balcom (’55), 87, of Allen, Texas, died Feb. 6, 2019. She and her husband, Lester (’52), were house parents at the Maude Carpenter Children’s Home in Wichita, Kansas. In 1959, they moved to New Orleans where Lester became headmaster of Clifton L. Ganus School for 31 years, and Laura worked as a school secretary, substitute, bus driver, tax preparer for H&R Block, and bookkeeper for stores owned by the Ganus family. She served alongside her husband during his time as elder at the Gentilly/Crowder Boulevard Church of Christ in New Orleans. In 1997, they moved to Allen, Texas, and became members at Waterview Church of Christ where she served in a ministry to teach foreign graduate students English using Bible classes. During her years in Allen, she worked as a senior tax advisor for H&R Block. She was preceded in death by her husband. She is survived by two daughters, Sherry Clifton (’76) and Vicky Davis (’84); two brothers, Jerry Perrin (’56) and Kenneth Perrin (’55); four grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.

Jordine “Jerry” Chesshir McNutt (’55), 87, of Searcy died Nov. 23, 2018. She took a sabbatical while attending Harding and worked at Southern Christian Children’s Home in Morrilton, Arkansas. While her husband, Jack (’56), was completing his degree, she worked in the Alumni Office at Harding. After moving to New York City, she worked for Chase Manhattan Bank. In 1957, the couple moved to El Dorado, Arkansas, where she worked as a cashier for American Oil until 1964. She was survived by her husband of 63 years who died Jan. 16, 2019; a daughter, Marsha Hendricks (’87); and two grandchildren.

Jack Wray McNutt (’56), 84, of Searcy died Jan. 16, 2019. He received his master’s in economics from Columbia University in New York City in 1957. After returning to El Dorado, he began working for Murphy Oil Corp. as an accountant. He retired in 1994 after more than 36 years, reaching the rank of president and CEO. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Jordine Chesshir (’55). He is survived by a daughter, Marsha Hendricks (’87), and two grandchildren.

Jesse Norris Keathley (’57), 83, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died March 1, 2019. He received a master’s from University of Southern California. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 21 years, retiring in 1977 as a lieutenant colonel. He was a longtime member of West Side Church of Christ in Searcy. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Mary Anne Smith (’58); his second wife, Mary Hicks Birmingham (’65); and a son, David. He is survived by a daughter, Cindy Sitler (’80); three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Martha Ann Burns McKee (’59), 84, of Burleson, Texas, died Jan. 25, 2019. She taught for the Burleson Independent School District for several years. She was a founding member of Hilltop Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Harold “Buddy” McKee (’60). She is survived by a son, Kyle (’87); a brother, Leon Burns; and four grandchildren.

Harold “Buddy” McKee (’60), 84, of Burleson, Texas, died Oct. 22, 2018. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He was a teacher and baseball coach at Burleson Independent School District for 25 years and was a founding member of Hilltop Church of Christ. He was survived by his wife of 64 years, Martha Burns (’59), who died Jan. 25, 2019; a son, Kyle (’87); and four grandchildren.

Lucile Albrette Spain (’60), 80, of Martin, Tennessee, died Dec. 23, 2018. She worked in food services at the former Volunteer General Hospital in Martin and was a member of Martin Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (’58). She is survived by four children, Sara, Carl, Karen French and Timothy; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Willa Dean Wingfield , (’60), 81, died March 22, 2019. She earned her master’s in elementary education from University of Central Arkansas. She taught school at Bentwaters U.S. Air Force Base near Ipswich, England, for nearly three years while her husband served as a missionary. She was instrumental in the beginnings of Central Arkansas Christian Schools and was a teacher and elementary principal for more than 33 years. She retired from her leadership position in 2009 but worked part time for several years. She was involved in starting the nursery program at Sylvan Hills Church of Christ, taught Bible classes at many churches, served as volunteer coordinator for many children’s programs, and worked with multiple other ministries. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert (’60), and a son, Barry (’92). She is survived by two children, Ellen Binford (’88) and Jeff (’88); a sister, Carolyn Holt; six grandchildren; and a great-grandson.

Virginia “Joan” Waddill Helms (’61), 79, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died Dec. 16, 2018. She earned her degree to become an RN from Philips County Community College in West Helena, Arkansas, and worked as a nurse in Arkansas, Florida and Kentucky. She also spent many years as a teacher and guidance counselor in Marshall County Schools in Kentucky after earning her bachelor’s from Murray State University. She was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Boyce (’59). She is survived by her two children, Dee Anne Palmer (’83) and Russ (’91); a sister, Catherine Harris (’67); four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Doyle Max Kee (’62), 80, of Searcy died Jan. 25, 2019, following a brief illness. He received his master’s from Harding School of Theology and a Doctor of Divinity from University of Geneva. He served as a minister and missionary for more than 60 years in Clarendon, Arkansas; Syracuse, New York; and 47 years in Geneva, Switzerland. He is the author of 36 books and initiated numerous publications, evangelistic and medical campaigns, and church plants on nearly every continent. He was preceded in death by a son, Daniel (’96). He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ethridge (’58); three children, Mark (’83), David (’85) and Bonnie (’88); four siblings, Windle (’53), Jeanette Schoof (’55), Marie (’88) and Barbara (’65); and eight grandchildren.

Margaret Jeanine Peck (’62), 80, of Searcy died Jan. 21, 2019. She received her master’s from State University of New York and her Ed.D. from Mississippi State University. She was an elementary educator for 25 years in New York and Vermont before coming to Harding in 1987 as an education professor. She developed the Teaching Reading the R.I.G.H.T. Way program. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Richard (’63); two children, Stephen (’89) and Shari Adcock (’90); and five grandchildren.

Solomon Morgan Outlaw (’65), 75, of Portland, Oregon, died Jan. 8, 2019. He received a master’s from University of Arkansas. His career in education allowed him to work in nine different schools in four different states, including five Christian schools: Harding Academy-Memphis, Madison Academy, Columbia Christian College, Cascade College and Columbia Christian Schools where he served as an administrator. At each location, he served the congregations where they worshipped in any needed capacity including teaching, preaching and as a deacon or elder. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judith Elliott (’65); three daughters, Malia Hasegawa (’88), Anna Carter (’90) and Lezlie Wright (’95); 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Ronald Linn Gibbs (’67), 73, of Searcy died Dec. 18, 2018. He taught and coached in Safford and Bowie, Arizona, and White County Central Schools in Arkansas. He then worked for the Arizona Commission of Agriculture from 1973-83. After returning to Arkansas, he worked for Samuel Bingham Co. in Searcy 18 years and for the River Oaks Commons Homeowners Association. He also served 20 years as Justice of the Peace in White County. He loved sports, fishing, woodworking and researching his family genealogy. He was a member of West Side Church of Christ. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Sherry Paone. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rachel Fishel (’67); one son, Michael; two siblings, Steve (’72) and Glennis Lewis; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Jimmy Lee Scudder (’68), 71, of Kenya, East Africa, died Dec. 17, 2018. He spent 47 years in full-time mission work beginning in 1971 in Zambia. He returned to the U.S. to attend the Sunset School of Preaching in Lubbock, Texas, in 1973. After graduating, political unrest made it impossible for him and his family to return to Zambia so they immediately joined a team in Kenya in 1975 where he served until his death. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Linda Faye Freeman. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Grace Wangeshi Kiemo; his children, Melinda Wolford, Wendy Czerwonka, Andrew (’97), James (’97), Elizabeth Ewing (’97), Malaika Ballard, Anna Edgeston, Johnny, Elizabeth Kiemo and Kadison Kiemo Karatu; 16 grandchildren; six siblings, Gwen Anderson (’71), Frank, Sidney, Regina Hudson, Barney and Ellen Scudder; and three great-grandchildren.

M. Dean Kilmer (’71), 68, of Waxahachie, Texas, died Aug. 21, 2018. He began preaching at the age of 16 and continued for the rest of his life. He received master’s from both Harding and Abilene Christian University. He was a football coach in both Atkins, Arkansas, and Cedar Hill, Texas. He served churches in Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas, most recently serving as the preaching minister at Brown Street (formerly College Street) Church of Christ before retiring in 2015. He authored two books, Igniting the Moral Courage of America and Soaring Above the Circumstances. He conducted numerous seminars for churches throughout the country and was involved in activities to promote leadership among young people. He is survived by his wife, Karen Crawford (’71); two children, Keith (’94) and Kelly Jordan (’99); one sister, Kay Lemon; and six grandchildren.

Mitchell Donelson Grubb (’72), 68, of Montgomery, Alabama, died Dec. 11, 2018. He received a master’s degree from Middle Tennessee State University. He spent 39 years teaching and coaching at Alabama Christian Academy, Arlington Christian School, Jefferson Christian Academy, Faulkner University and Boyd Buchanan School. He served as an elder and deacon at churches in Alabama and Georgia. Most recently, he worked with University Church of Christ in Montgomery in the Hispanic ministry. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Martha Myers (’78); three children, Patricia Manning, April Kendrick and Matthew; one brother, Steve; and seven grandchildren.

Mustafa Ibrahim Abdul-Aziz (formerly James D. Sanford) (’77), 75, of Warren, Ohio, died Jan. 4, 2019. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. During his career, he provided consultancy and training services in engineering and management to various companies and institutions in the United States, South America, South Pacific and the Middle East. He is survived by his wife, Sabria Haoui; seven children, Emir, Jamel, Khadija and Fatiha Abdul-Aziz, and Alethea, Latonya and Rachel Sanford; two siblings, Helene Hugley and Melvene Sanford; and 19 grandchildren.

Debra Gilbert Pinner (’79), 60, of McRae, Arkansas, died Feb. 17, 2019, from cancer. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, James; three children, Christina (’13), Christopher and Elizabeth Stevenson; her father, Ross Gilbert; three siblings, Gary, Bob and Bruce Gilbert; and seven grandchildren.

Tanya Sue Enloe (’83), 57, of Valdosta, Georgia, died Aug. 3, 2018, from cancer. She dedicated her life to teaching, serving as a speech language pathologist for 11 years in public schools and then for 24 years in the department of communication sciences and disorders at Valdosta State University. She was a member of Dasher Church of Christ where she taught preschool Bible classes. She is survived by three siblings, Rhea Wynn (’83), Vohn Enloe (’96) and John Enloe.

Sue Ellen Rhoten Baldwin (’84), 58, of North Richland Hills, Texas, died Jan. 26, 2019, from cancer. While at Harding, she was a member of Tri Kappa, a queen for Kappa Sig, and a Bison cheerleader. She is survived by her husband, Payte (’84); two daughters, Lauren and Logan; and seven siblings, Dixie Hanson, Vickie Roland, Mickie Ray, Doris Dawkins, Betty Martin, Joe Rhoten and Dickie Rhoten.

Barry John Wingfield (’92), 47, of Sherwood, Arkansas, died Nov. 4, 2018, while training for a half marathon. He received his Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. He was a licensed marriage and family therapist and licensed professional counselor and was an associate professor of counseling and marriage and family therapy at John Brown University’s Little Rock center. He was a former pastor of Cornerstone Bible Fellowship. He was preceded in death by his father, Robert (’60). He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Alicia Woodell (’92); four children, Daniel, Jeremiah, Mikaila, and Katherine; his mother, Dean Starling (’60), who died March 22, 2019; two siblings, Ellen Binford (’88) and Jeff (’88); and a grandchild.

Steve Wayne Sterling (’94), 64, of Searcy died Feb. 17, 2019. He was serving his sixth consecutive term on the Searcy City Council. He was a member of the Arkansas Municipal League, First United Methodist Church and Ducks Unlimited. He was owner of Cabot Mental Health and Wellness. He is survived by his wife, Melanie; two sons, Brent Vaughn (’18) and Hunter Sterling; a sister, Rita Iglehart; and three grandchildren.

Rebecca Moody Ely (’96), 69, of Ada, Oklahoma, died Feb. 20, 2019. She received a master’s in social work from University of Arkansas and her license of clinical social work from the state of Arkansas. She worked at White County Hospital in various offices. She was a realtor, managed a mental health clinic for 15 years, and also worked in the emergency room and with hospice. She was a member of Downtown Church of Christ in Searcy for 50 years and Southwest Church of Christ in Ada for five years. She was a houseparent at a children’s home in Morrilton, Arkansas, and taught at World Bible School. She is survived by two children; Alan (’89) and Melissa Eck (’91); eight grandchildren; one sister, Joanna Brookhart; and one great grandchild.

Cecil Colbert Lasley , 96, of Conway, Arkansas, died Jan. 23, 2019. He served in the U.S. military during World War II. He later worked as a cattle herdsman, store manager, and in maintenance at Harding University from 1983-2000. He was a member of Liberty Church of Christ. He was preceded by his wife of 68 years, Nita Taylor; two children, Roma Carl and Loretta Hall (’69). He is survived by two sons, Raymond (’73) and David (’84); two sisters, Martha Sue Farmer and Martha Marcelle Harlan; and five grandchildren.

Mary Joy Uebelein , 20, of Wildwood, Missouri, died March 16, 2019, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident on March 8. She was a junior nursing major and a member of Delta Gamma Rho social club. She was a fun, loving, kind, generous, caring young lady who was truly pure joy. Her biggest passion was her love of God and his son Jesus Christ. She was known for saying “Jesus is so, so good.” She was a member of Lafayette Church of Christ in Ballwin, Missouri. She is survived by her parents, Keith and Sherry; three siblings, Caleb (’16), Luke (’18), and Rachel; and her grandparents, Charles and Dorothy Uebelein and Betty Tomnitz.

Only deaths received by March 28, 2019, are reported in this issue.