Passages: winter 2020

Robert Louis Helsten (’46), 94, of Columbus, Ohio, died Nov. 9, 2019. He and his wife spent six years in Germany doing mission work before moving to Searcy. He taught German and Bible during his 32 years at Harding and was a favorite professor of many with his quick wit and wry sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Garner (’47); two children, Robert (’73) and Patricia Petrella (’75); four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Lavina Allen Justus (’48), 92, of Little Rock, Arkansas, died June 30, 2019. She was an elementary school teacher for more than 20 years. She lived for many years in Light, Arkansas, before moving to Little Rock. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas “Dick.” She is survived by her children, David, Mark, Joe and Ellen; four grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

Bettye June Oldham Brooks (’49), 92, of Billings, Montana, died Aug. 22, 2019. She had an early career as a physician’s office assistant. Her lifelong love of music led her to a 30-year career as a piano and voice teacher in Shreveport, Louisiana, and Billings. In 1993 she joined her late husband, Charles (’49), in Charles Brooks and Associates, a firm that provided consulting services and advocacy for small businesses and local government entities. She was a past president and member of the Billings Music Teacher Association. She was a lifelong member of the church of Christ, serving as a Sunday school teacher and leader in ladies Bible class. She is survived by her two sons, Bradford (’73) and Charles (’77); a sister, Jeannie Oldham (’63); two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Henry “Hank” Homer Fulbright Jr. (’49), 91, of Searcy died Nov. 6, 2019. He earned a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University. He served in the U.S. Air Force, retiring with the rank of major. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #49, achieving the rank of Consistory 32 degree. He served as district commander with American Legion Post #350. As the American Legion Memorial Committee chairman, he successfully promoted the fundraising and erection of the White County Veterans Memorial. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Frances; a daughter, Stephanie Stafford; and a granddaughter. He is survived by two daughters, Sheralyn Osborn and Suellen Fulbright; five grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

William D. “Bill” Williams (’50), 91, of Searcy, died Nov. 11, 2019. He earned a Ph.D. from University of Kentucky. He taught chemistry at Harding from 1954-93. He was awarded the Distinguished Teacher Award in 1969 and Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1999. His collection of early American chemistry books became the History of Chemistry Collection in Brackett Library. This collection was designated by the American Chemical Society as a National Chemical Historic Landmark. He published 35 articles about the books and their authors. He was a member of College Church of Christ where he served as a deacon. He was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, Lilly Warren (’52). He is survived by four children, Steve (’77), Bryan “Skip” (’81), Lynn Bradshaw (’81), and Jane Scheenen; a sister, Nona Summitt; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Jack O’Neal Wiseman (’50), 92, of Searcy died Nov. 17, 2019. After graduating from Searcy High School, he entered the U.S. Navy during WWII, serving on the USS Iowa in Japan, and received the Victory Medal and the Navy Theatre Medal. He was the owner and manager of Wood Freeman Lumber Co. for 38 years. He was a certified volunteer firefighter for 21 years and inspected houses for 25 years. He was a founding member of the White County Mounted Patrol, served as a pilot in the Civil Air Patrol, was a member of the White County Fair Board, Searcy Lions Club, Master Mason, Shriner, White County Homebuilders Association, Mid-America Lumbermens Association, and Arkansas Municipal League Insurance Board. He also served as a Searcy alderman for many years and was Searcy mayor for eight years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Sue B (’73); a brother, James; and a son, James Clark. He is survived by three children, Daniel, Ann and Sarah Ford; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

William Gerald Kendrick (’51), 88, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died July 10, 2019. He earned a master’s from Texas Tech in history and German and a Ph.D. in New Testament from Baylor University. He taught Bible at Southwestern Christian College in Terrell, Texas, and Christian College of the Southwest in Mesquite, Texas. He was one of the founding faculty at Lubbock Christian University where he taught Bible and Greek for 10 years. He later served as an adjunct professor in religious studies at University of New Mexico for 15 years. He held pulpit ministries in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and New Mexico. He also served as a translation consultant for United Bible Societies, working with native translators in Navajo in New Mexico, Yupik in Alaska and Hmong, Lao, and Vietnamese in the U.S. as well as American Sign Language. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Karen. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Marjorie (’56); a son, William; and a grandchild.

John Hawkins Anderson (’52), 88, of San Francisco died March 12, 2019. He earned a master’s in city planning from UC Berkeley. He worked for three decades as a city planner in San Francisco City Hall. Before retiring from public service, he directed the Emeryville Redevelopment Agency. In the late 1980s, he switched gears professionally to co-found Sino International Corp. He also was an amateur pilot. He is survived by his children, Aaron and Carolyn; and two sisters, Joanne Smith and Joyce Woodruff.

Noreen Coltson Andrews (’52), 88, of Buffalo, New York, died March 6, 2019. She worked summers and holidays in Michigan as a phone operator for “Ma Bell” to help pay for school at Harding. After graduating, she moved to Milwaukee where she worked as an assistant food manager with the YMCA. In 1962, her husband’s employer, United Airlines, sent them to Buffalo where the Andrews family joined the North Buffalo Church of Christ, and she taught Sunday school and participated in ladies Bible classes. To help pay for her children’s schooling she worked part time, first as the church secretary and later as a bookkeeper for Christian Motion Pictures. She also built a cottage business, sewing more than 1,000 wrap-around dresses for wheelchair-bound residents of Erie County Home. She planned and cooked meals for children at Camp Agape each summer from 1968-85. She used her crafting talents to raise money for Christian education at Great Lakes Christian College knitting slippers, quilting, sewing baby items and cashiering at garage sales. She made a pilgrimage to the Holy Lands in Israel, where she rode a camel and worshipped in the Garden of Gethsemane. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe. She is survived by her three children, Denise Ammerman, Lauri Smith and Richard Andrews (’88); 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

James Benton Allen Sr. (’57), 83, of Clinton, Arkansas, died Sept. 28, 2019. He was a lifelong educator having gained a master’s degree in education from University of Arkansas. He began his career as an English teacher and became superintendent and Adult Basic Education supervisor for GED programs in Arkansas. He was a member of the church of Christ and loved to lead singing. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Geraldine; five children, J. Benton, Sonja Drew (’81), J. Dean, Katrina Hosman and Kandi Allen (’97); five siblings, Mary Ann Fowler, Evelyn Baxley, Rita Gipson, Gloria Seward (’82) and Paul David (’79); 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

William “Bill” Lawrence Morgan (’58), 83, of Maryville, Tennessee, died Aug. 20, 2019. He worked for Safeway Inc. before retiring. He spent his 25 years of retirement teaching at Maryville Church of Christ and working with World English Institute planting churches in Alabama. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mozelle (’59); one daughter, Sue Ann Mills (’85); two sisters, Ellayne Knopf and Janece Case; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Ruth Ellen Browning (’58), 89, of Searcy died Nov. 2, 2019. She taught English and journalism and served as the librarian at Harding Academy for more than 35 years. She taught third-grade Bible classes at College Church of Christ for more than 50 years. After retiring from the Academy, she worked in the advancement office at Harding. She was a member of the University Women’s Association, Women for Harding and Daughters of the American Revolution. She had a passion for genealogy. She is survived by two siblings, Mary Hale (’62) and Jon.

David William Adcox Jr. (’61), 80, of Newport, Arkansas, died June 25, 2019. He obtained a master’s degree in science education from Clark Atlanta University. He taught high school biology in Newport, Arkansas; Portageville, Missouri; Pulaski Academy and Joe T. Robinson High School in Little Rock, Arkansas; and Central Arkansas Christian in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He was a teacher and junior high football coach in Malden, Missouri, and then was a GED teacher at Crowley’s Ridge Vo-Tech in Forrest City, Arkansas, until his retirement. Afterward, he worked part time for the Arkansas Land and Farm Development Corp. in Fargo, Arkansas, where he was a city council member. He is survived by a son, David W. Adcox III (’88).

Ethel Louella Klemm Johnson (’62), 79, of Phoenix, Arizona, died Sept. 8, 2019. She taught for several years in Denver, Colorado. After marrying in 1967, she supported her husband in his Air Force career. She was a lifetime member of the Florida College Society and the Hutchinson Bell. She was a member of Monte Vista Church of Christ. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Donald; three children, Katrina Johnson, Rebecca Klufa and Daryl; and two grandsons.

Kenneth Robert Dunn (’62), 82, of Monticello, Arkansas, died Oct. 14, 2019. He served honorably in the U.S. Navy for three years. He obtained an MBA from Memphis State University before becoming a CPA. He owned his own business and then spent 18 years with Potlatch Corp. in Warren, Arkansas. He was a member of Monticello Church of Christ where he served as an elder. He was on the President’s Council of Harding. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Regina Hadley (’65); daughters, Bonnie Hinrichs (’91) and Kerry Phillips (’93); and four grandchildren.

Johnny Jones (’65), 76, of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, died Aug. 21, 2019. He earned his doctorate from Louisiana State University in chemistry. He worked his entire career at Wilsonart International and retired in 1999. He holds a patent related to his research in contact adhesives. He is survived by his wife, Linda (’64); and three children, Johnna Hutchens (’93), Tim (’96) and Tracy.

Carrie Ann Washington (’66), 83, of Searcy died June 2, 2019. She received a master’s in elementary education, becoming the second African American female to graduate from Harding. After teaching remedial reading in Searcy for 24 years, she decided to further her studies by receiving a reading specialist degree in 1981. In 1998 she was honored as Teacher of the Year by the Searcy School District and eventually retired after 44 years. She is survived by two children, Tonya Graham and Todd; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

William H “Bill” Trickey (’69), 74, of Lonoke, Arkansas, died Oct. 5, 2019. He earned his master’s from University of Central Arkansas. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing golf. He is survived by his children, Karmen Mann (’96) and Klark (’99); a sister, Dinecia Zeps; and three grandchildren.

Charles Floyd “Dan” Daniel Jr. (’74), 67, of Franklin, Tennessee, died Nov. 15, 2019. He was co-founder and co-owner of the Franklin-based real estate company Bristol Development Group. He was preceded in death by a son, Michael. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Donna Crouch (’77); four children, Bonnie Rabil, Beau, Becky, and Brian Daniel; two siblings, John (’79) and Nita Woodruff (’83); and four grandchildren.

John Francis Gardner Jr. (HST ’76), 75, of Brandon, Mississippi, died April 20, 2019. He earned a master’s in education from Stephen F. Austin
University. He served as a full-time minister for more than 50 years for churches of Christ in Kentucky, Mississippi and Texas. He served as academic dean of Magnolia Bible College from 2001-09. He was a former Lions Club member. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Linda Tutor; two daughters, Julie Miller (’94) and Laura Adcock; a brother, David; and four grandchildren.

Lisbeth Daisy Chalenburg Jones (’81), 60, of Searcy died Sept. 16, 2019, from cancer. She spent several years as a missionary in Scotland and was an assistant professor of music at Harding. She founded and directed the Searcy Community School of Music and taught Sunday school for many years at West Side and Downtown churches of Christ. She is survived by her three children, Brittany West (’12), Libby, and Bethany; and a brother, Mike Chalenburg (’78).

Anne Harding Sears Logan (’84), 57, of Harvard, Illinois, died Oct. 21, 2019. She graduated from University of Missouri with a doctorate in veterinary medicine. She spent several years in general practice in the St. Louis area before moving to a small farm in Harvard specializing in equine veterinary medicine and founding a private practice, Animal Natural Healing Arts. She was the great-great-granddaughter of Harding’s namesake, James A. Harding, and the  great-granddaughter of Harding’s first president, J.N. Armstrong.  She is survived by her husband, Chris O’Boyle; and three siblings, Sarah Sears (’76), Elizabeth Parsons (’79) and Robert (’86).

Brent David Thomas (’85), 58, of Overland Park, Kansas, died Aug. 17, 2019, from pancreatic cancer. He received his Juris Doctor in 1993 from University of Missouri Kansas City School of Law. He was proud that he visited all 48 continental states. He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Karen Flippin (’85); his parents, David and Linda Thomas; two children, Zachary and Kayleigh; and a sister, Cyndi Franz (’86).

Beth Ellyn Schatzman (’88), 55, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, died Aug. 29, 2019. She received her master’s from Texas Wesleyan in health science along with a certificate in anesthesia. She practiced as a certified registered nurse anesthetist. She also received her doctorate from Texas Wesleyan and had just recently started her own CRNA practice. She was a member of Sagebrush Community Church and participated in medical missions. She is survived by her husband, Marshall Hundemer; her parents, James and Carolyn Schatzman; two sons, Riley and Dalton Hudson; and two sisters, Lisa Rygiel and Shelly Sowell.

Robert Thomas “Bobby T” Boaz (’93), 49, of Temple Hill, Maryland, died Sept. 23, 2019, from a brain hemorrhage. He worked in various jobs and cities until he found his calling as the program administrator for the Atlas Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C., where he worked for the past 11 years. He was an avid singer and composer. He is survived by his spouse, Matt Graf; his parents, Ned (’66) and Sandra Harris Boaz (’69); and a sister, Rebecca (’90).

Phillip Glen VanWinkle (’96), 46, of Searcy died Sept. 2, 2019, from cancer. After graduation, he went to California to try a career as a cartoon animator and stand-up comedian. He then attended the Memphis School of Preaching, which led him on a six-year missionary journey to Asia and Australia. In 2015, he returned to the states to continue preaching and was the minister at Foothills Church of Christ in Searcy. He also dedicated time to Truth for the World Ministries. He was preceded in death by his mother, Linda. He is survived by his wife, Phuong; his father, Leslie; and two brothers, Bryan (’94) and Daniel.

John W. Gilliame Jr. (’05), 49, of Jacksonville, Arkansas, died Sept. 12, 2019. He is survived by his wife, Dornita; a daughter, Breunda Holmes; and a sister, Gladys Gilliame.

Anthony Vendetti (’10), 65, of Searcy died Nov. 26, 2019. He had a dream of becoming a minister, which he fulfilled by completing the HSBS program. He was a member of Cloverdale Church of Christ. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Martha Albrecht; two sons, Michael (’07) and Christopher (’08); two sisters, Karen and Tish Woodside; and two grandchildren.

Timothy Frank Boerste (’19), 26, of Columbia, South Carolina, died April 10, 2019. He earned a bachelor’s in business administration from USC-Aiken. He worked as an auditor with the South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. He was a member of Palmetto Church of Christ. He is survived by his parents, Michael and Mary Boerste.

Nola Diane Wellman Edwards , 67, of Bald Knob, Arkansas, died Oct. 19, 2019, from cancer. She worked for more than 20 years at Harding Press as a press operator. She is survived by her husband, Clyde; and a brother, Terry.

Jane Hayes Tomlinson , 90, of Memphis, Tennessee, died Sept. 2, 2019. She worked for 40 years for Harding School of Theology where she served as an administrative assistant for the dean. She was a member of Germantown Church of Christ and a former member of White Station Church of Christ. She was a wing leader, served on the food committee, worked in the Blossom Shop and the library, all at Kirby Pines. She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Cecil Roland. She is survived by two sons, Michael and Cecil (’96); and six grandchildren.