’60s
Lee Whitaker ’69 of Haddon Heights, NJ, is performing this month and next month in London, England. Whitaker, who is a Christian music/country artist, had two songs that topped the National Airplay Gospel Charts in 2015, “Lord Of Every Thing” and “Lord I Need A Miracle.”
’80s
Scott Niswonger ’87 H’06 of Greeneville, TN, was recently presented prestigious Wright Brothers MasterPilot Award from the Federal Aviation Administration in a ceremony. Named for the brothers credited with creating the world’s first successful airplane, the award recognizes individuals who have exhibited professionalism, skill and aviation expertise for at least 50 years, while piloting aircraft as “Master Pilots.” Niswonger took his first flight lessons at the age of 12, soloed on his 16th birthday, received his private pilot license on his 17th birthday, and followed his passion in earning a degree in aviation at Purdue University.
’90s
Pablo Rodriguez ’94 of Fort Dodge, IA, has been named the men’s soccer head coach at Iowa Central Community College. He has spent the past six seasons serving as an assistant coach for the team.
Kelley Simpson ’97 of Morristown, TN, celebrated her entrepreneurial success with an open house in early March at her store, Kelley Marie’s Chic Boutique, as well as participating in a charity fashion show to benefit a local organization. Kelley served as director of enrollment and marketing at her Alma Mater until taking an early retirement in 2008. Working with students to help them find what they needed and her desire to always dress the part led to Kelley’s interest in opening a clothing boutique in her hometown, in addition to her frustration of having to go out of town to find the clothing brands she preferred. Once she decided to follow her dream, she put much time in prayer and planning for the right time to open her store.
Tammi Ford ’98 was one of the government, business and law enforcement leaders inducted into The (Maryville, TN) Daily Times Wall of Fame on April 24. Ford has served as vice president of the Blount Partnership since 2011. She began her career as the Blount County Chamber of Commerce’s communications director in 1990 and was executive vice president of communications from 1998 to 2011. In her current role, Ford works with membership retention and recruitment while overseeing the Chamber’s operating budget. She is a current board member for the United Way of Blount County and a past board member of the Blount County Children’s Advocacy Center and Kingdom Design Ministries, as well as past president of the Knoxville Regional Celiac Support Group. Ford also serves as a Tennessee Achieves mentor and is a member of the East Tennessee Regional Leadership Class of 2017.
’00s
Kristi Strange Christopher ’05 is now working as a trainee for Edward Jones investments.
’10s
Joe Simpson ’13 has been named chief information officer at Securities Service Network, Inc., an independent broker-dealer and registered investment advising company. Simpson formerly served as vice president of technology for the company and will continue to head all of its technology efforts.
Chris Dillon ’15 has been named Promotions & Community Relations Assistant for the Hickory Crawdads, a minor league baseball affiliate of the Texas Rangers, located in Hickory, NC.
Zachary Freeman ’15 has been promoted to marketing analyst at Dispenser Beverages, Inc. in Orlando, FL. He has been with the company since September 2016, previously serving as social media and digital marketing coordinator.
John W. Goode ’04 and Mrs. Ericka Harville Goode ’10 are celebrating the birth of son, John Crosby, on March 20. He weighed 9 lbs. and 11 ozs.
Kendra Collins Norton ’08 and her husband, Bryan, celebrated the birth of a daughter, Brynleigh Gayle, on March 18.
Tara Hammond Moss ’08 ’10, husband Matt, brother Even, and sister Callie welcome the addition of Luke Robert. Luke was born April 1, weighing 8 lbs. and 4 oz.
Tiffany S. Greer ’15, husband Ben, and brother TJ welcomed Amelia Marie on March 29. She weighed in at 9 lbs. and 11 ozs.
Steven Hollingshead ’15 and Anna Rice welcomed new baby girl Addison Anne Marie on April 27. She weighed 8lbs. and 13oz.
Mary Frances George Brumley ’43 of Greeneville, TN, passed away March 24, 2017. As a young adult, Mrs. Brumley employed as an assistant manager of Sears and in the jewelry department of Brown’s Furniture Store. In 1943, she married Hershel Orval Hamblin, who served as a radio operator on a B-24 bomber and was killed during his service in World War II. She then married Billy Frank Brumley in 1949 and was a homemaker through their 49 years of marriage. She continued to live on the family farm after his death before moving to an assisted living facility in Knoxville in 2012. An avid reader, she supported the Greeneville-Greene County Public Library throughout her life. She developed a keen interest in family genealogy in the 1970s and spent countless hours corresponding and researching her family history, including the George, McAfee, Rambo, Brumley and Bowers lineages. Her greatest achievement in genealogy occurred after many years of dedicated work when she co-authored and published The George History 1752-1979. This book contains many stories taken from conversations Frances had with her father; the last taking place the day before his death. In 1986, she and her husband spent many days documenting inscriptions on all tombstones and grave markers in the Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church Cemetery. Their work was recorded in the book “Timber Ridge Church, A Two Hundred Year Heritage of Presbyterian Faith, 1786-1986.” She was a member of Timber Ridge Presbyterian Church for 62 years.
Harris Cecil Porter ’54 of Lenoir City, TN, passed away April 6, 2017, following a long illness. Mr. Porter enjoyed a successful career at East Tennessee Natural Gas Company, where he was manager of Gas Control for almost 40 years. Mr. Porter was a member of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Knoxville. His hobbies included reading, fishing, sports and growing azaleas. His survivors include his wife of 62 years and Tusculum alumna Betty Chandley Porter ’58.
Gerald Stanley “Jerry” Williams ’57 of Radford, VA, passed away March 25, 2017. Mr. Williams was a retired police officer with 30 years of service with the Radford City Police Department. He was a member of Fairlawn United Methodist Church.
Alexander Harold Hunter ’63 of Port Orchard, WA, passed away on March 13, 2017. Mr. Hunter was a Navy veteran, serving for 20 years in submarine service and earned the rank of chief petty officer. He was retired from Northrop Grumman. After retirement he volunteered at Sunnyslope Elementary School of Port Orchard, as a tutor in the computer lab. His survivors include sister and Tusculum alumna Mary Meier ’65.
James D. Williams ’65 of Dallas, GA, passed away on March 7, 2017. Mr. Williams had retired as assistant principal of Atlantic High School in Florida. He and his wife, Judy Vaughan Williams ’65, had been living in Dallas for about two-and-a-half years, where she continues to live.
Sidney Courtney ’72 of Dover, DE, passed away March 11, 2017. Mr. Courtney was a social worker for the State of Delaware Department of Health and Social Services. He was a history buff who enjoyed posting historical documents on facebook. Beyond his fascination with history was his love of sports, including football and baseball; he even umpired little league. Mr. Courtney also enjoyed photography, cruises with family and a good laugh. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He is survived by his wife of 46 years and Tusculum alumna Claudia (Strohmaier) Courtney ’73.
Cleo Laws Broyles ’79 of Chuckey, TN, passed away March 21, 2017. Mrs. Broyles was a retired teacher after 30 years of service with the Washington County Department of Education. She was a member of Philadelphia Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where she was also involved with the Cumberland Presbyterian Women.
Bobby Boles ’82 of Greeneville and Bean Station, TN, passed March 30, 2017. Mr. Boles sang with the Continental Singers, traveling to all the states, Poland and the Czech Republic. In his later career, he worked as a studio musician and an art director. His survivors include his mother and Tusculum alumna Marma Lee Boles ’58.
James B. “Joe” Gaston ’91 of Etowah, TN, passed away on April 24, 2017. Mr. Gaston was a long-time employee of the McMinn County School System, serving as a classroom teacher, the system’s federal projects coordinator and as assistant director of schools., He also served on the McMinn County Commission for 12 years, from 1982-86 and 1994-2002.
Tever Louise Parton ’15 of Sevierville, TN, passed away on March 26, 2017.