In Memoriam
1930s
Lucille Jones Hundley, BA ’34, of Temple, TX, died Feb. 9 at age 103. She was a descendant of pioneers who arrived in McLennan County in 1852. Hundley was proud to have studied under Dr. A.J. Armstrong during her Baylor years. She is survived by a son, Dr. Charles Hundley, BA ’63, and his wife, Patty; daughter-in-law, Judy, BS ’67, MSEd ’80; grandsons Howell Hundley, BBA ’91, Lars Hundley, BA ’91, MIJ ’94, and Jon Hundley, and six great-grandchildren. Lucille was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Howell Hundley, and her son, David Hundley, BBA ’68.
Fred Newton Vinson, BA ’37, of Waco died Jan. 1 at age 99, only 10 days after the death of his wife of 75 years, Martha “Billie” Vinson. He was valedictorian of Navarro High School and entered Baylor at age 16. He lettered in basketball and baseball, where he was All-Southwest Conference. Vinson worked at Wm. Cameron & Co. (later CertainTeed Corp.) 1937-78, the last 10 years as president. He had been president of Ideal Company and Cameron CertainTeed Corp., the National Woodwork Manufacturers Association in Chicago, and the Baylor "B" Association. Vinson was a member of the board of directors of the National Building Materials Distribution Center, Texas Manufacturers Association, Waco Chamber of Commerce, Baylor Alumni Association, Austin Avenue United Methodist Church, and others. Vinson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as a Lieutenant Senior Grade Squadron Gunnery Officer aboard the USS John Rodgers, earning 12 battle stars. He was also a mason. Among his survivors are three children including Sara Vinson Mull, BBA ’78, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Nancy Conkwright Hays, BA ’38, of Hereford, TX, died May 27, 2015, at age 98. She earned a master’s degree in English literature from Washington University in St. Louis and married A.C. “Charlie” Hays in 1943. They lived in Dimmitt, TX. Nancy returned to Hereford in 1974 after her husband’s death. Among her survivors are three children, including Mary McWhorter, BA ’72, and John Hays, BBA ’72; 11 grandchildren, including six Baylor graduates; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Mary Lou Curry Simpson, MA ’38, of La Jolla, CA, died Oct. 22, 2015, at age 98. She graduated from Blue Mountain College and did further graduate work at Columbia University. She was assistant to the dean of women at Blue Mountain, Baylor and Furman University, and she taught English at Blue Mountain, Virginia Intermont College and Furman. In 1945 she married Bill Simpson, who assisted in organizing research material produced in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Manhattan Project, which produced the first atomic bomb. Later in Washington, DC, Bill was head of the Atomic Energy Commission libraries. In 1956, they moved to La Jolla, where Mary Lou’s interests centered on homemaking, St. James-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, the San Diego Browning Society and traveling. Among her survivors are two children and two grandchildren.
Evelyn Whitener Woodruff, BA ’39, of Katy, TX, formerly of West, TX, died Dec. 2, 2015. She was 98. She received her master’s degree from the University of Houston. Evelyn married Therbert Winfield Woodruff in 1939. A lifetime educator, Evelyn taught at every level and retired after serving as principal at Grady and Pilgrim Elementary schools in Houston ISD. She was a charter member of the Baylor Women’s Association of Houston. Woodruff served as president of the Iota Kappa Chapter and Delta Kappa Gamma Society and as a regent for the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was active at Second Baptist Church and later Tallowood Baptist Church. Evelyn was preceded in death by her husband Therbert, brother Charles Whitener Jr., JD ’49, and daughter, Mary Jane Schmidt. Among her survivors are her children Therbert Woodruff Jr., BBA ’65, Sidney Woodruff, BA ’75, and Charlotte Bobbitt, ’64.
1940s
Etta Brittain East, BA ’40, of Bryan, TX, died Jan. 25 at age 96. She married Charles Dubose East in 1941. They were married 62 years until his death in 2003. Etta was a high school teacher and active in the Baptist churches to which she belonged. She was a loyal supporter of her beloved Baylor Bears. Among her survivors are her sister, Ruth Averitt BA ’47; three daughters, Jane Malaise, BA ’68, Joye Bone, BA ’69, and Jean Day, BSEd ’73, six grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to The Joe L. Brittain and Laura S. Brittain Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor.
Jane Mosley Brown, BA ’41, of Tyler, TX, died Sept. 1, 2015, at age 93. After World War II, she and her husband, Dr. George W. Brown, BS ’43, settled in Tyler. They were founding members of Green Acres Baptist Church. They later returned to First Baptist Church of Tyler, where Jane taught a Bible class for more than 50 years. She was past president of Cultu Mea Literary Club and the Smith County Women’s Medical Auxiliary; past vice president of the Junior League of Tyler; and a member of the Festival Garden Club and the Woman’s Forum. She was preceded in death by her husband and her son, James M. Brown. Among her survivors are two sons, including Bill Brown, BS ’67, and seven grandchildren including Chuck Brown, BBA ’93, and Wendy Frizzell, BBA ’94.
James F. “Jim” Cobb, BBA ’41, of Brentwood, TN, died Feb. 11 at age 96. He met his wife of 68 years, Dena, BBA ’42, in the Baylor Band. During World War II he served in the Army Air Force, earning the Bronze Star. The Cobbs lived in Amarillo, Houston and Brentwood, TX, where Cobb was a deacon at Brentwood Baptist Church. Dena and his eldest daughter, Linda, preceded him in death. Among his survivors are two children, including daughter D.K. Buford, BA ’74, six grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Franklin L. “Frank” Golden, BBA ’41, of Houston died March 1 at age 95. He was an all-conference baseball player at Baylor. Golden was in the life insurance business for 60 years. He was a deacon at South Main Baptist Church and was a football official for 25 years, including 10 years in the Southwest Conference. Golden was preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Jeannette. Among his survivors are his wife of 26 years, Barbara Smith Golden, and daughter Barbara G. Donahue, BSN ’75.
Thomas Barnes Johnson Jr., ’42, of Houston died March 6, 2015, at age 91. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II. Johnson was a lawyer, international business executive and a Mason.
Louise Goode Kent, BM ’42, of Richardson, TX, died Jan. 6 at age 94. She was valedictorian of her high school in De Quincy, LA, where her future husband, Keith Kent, was salutatorian. Louise worked for Baptist churches in Kingsville and Corsicana, TX. For 25 years the Kents lived in Shreveport, LA, where Louise volunteered in the public schools and church. In 1977, they moved to Waco, where she was the executive director of the Central Texas Chapter of the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants. When Keith retired in the 1990s, they moved to Dallas. Louise served as church choir director, soloist and public school music teacher. She was involved in the following churches: First Baptist and Broadmoor Baptist in Shreveport, Columbus Avenue Baptist in Waco and Gaston Oaks Baptist in Dallas. Among her survivors are her husband of 71 years, Keith Kent; five sons, Stephen, Craig, David, BA ’75, JD ’78, Paul, BSEd ’77, and Creighton, BBA ’78; 12 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Edward Baldwin Boettcher, BBA ’43, of Brenham, TX, died Dec. 13, 2015, at age 94. He served in the Army during World War II in Africa and the European Theater of Operation, obtaining the rank of Personnel Sergeant Major. Boettcher owned and operated a building center in Brenham for 52 years. He was a developer and builder in Brenham and other areas. Boettcher was a deacon at Brenham’s First Baptist Church and president of Brenham’s Industrial Foundation. His wife of 68 years, Lucile, ABC ’97, and brother, Joseph Clinton Boettcher, BBA ’48, preceded him in death. Among his survivors are two children, including Beverly Love, BBA ’69; four grandchildren, including Sara Hardy, BA ’95, and Jason Williams, BA ’97; 10 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Joyce Wagner, BS ’52.
Sarah DeWitt Thomsen, ’44, of Wilton, CT, died Feb. 13 at age 90. She attended Baylor and the University of Texas, graduating from Belhaven University. She worked as a reporter and editor at the Waco Tribune-Herald in the 1950s. Thomsen was a member of Baylor’s Endowed Scholarship Society and Old Main Society. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert L. “Bob” Thomsen, BA ’48. Among her survivors are her daughter Susan, a grandson and a brother, William O. DeWitt, BBA ’50.
Dr. Edgar H. Burks Jr., ’45, died March 4 in the Missouri Baptist Home in Ozark, MO. He was 94. His wife of 72 years, Linnie Jane Joslin, preceded him in death in 2012. Burks graduated from Southwest Baptist College and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He pastored Baptist churches in Missouri, Texas and Kentucky. For 30 years the Burks were missionaries of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board in Nigeria, where they taught in the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary. Burks served in several other roles in Nigeria. After retiring from missions in 1986, he served on the staff of First Baptist Church, Springfield, MO.
Doris Eastland Manci, BA ’45, died Dec. 26, 2015, in San Antonio. She was 90. After graduate work at Smith College, she entered the Julliard School of Music. Manci later earned a master’s degree at Texas Woman’s College. She taught piano in her home to more than 400 students over 40 years. Manci was active in the Van Cliburn competition and was a founding board member of the Fort Worth Chamber Music Society. She also won several golf championships. Among her survivors are her husband of 65 years, Joe Manci, and three children.
Georgia Kathryn “Kay” Walton Martin, BS ’45, died Dec. 27, 2015, in Bryan, TX. She was 93. Kay served as director of Girls Auxiliary camps at Pineywoods Baptist Encampment and in the Cherokee Baptist Association. Martin was instrumental in planning and constructing the Skyview-Hodge Family Visitors Center at the TDJC correctional facility in Rusk and served on the board for East Texas Baptist University. She participated in the Restorative Justice Ministry, Christian Women’s Job Corps and short-term missions in Ethiopia and China. Among her survivors are her husband of 67 years, Dr. Everett C. Martin Jr., and three children, including Kathy Jane Martin Trimble, BSEd ’79.
J. Platt Turner Jr., BBA ’47, of Temple, TX, died Jan. 27 at age 96. He graduated from Mars Hill College and served four years in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II before attending Baylor. Turner became head of an oilfield equipment manufacturing company in Houston and Edmonton, Alberta. In Houston, he was a CPA and served as a director of the Petroleum Equipment Supplier’s Association. Turner owned and operated Centrifugal Castings Inc. in Temple, TX, and Texas Precision Metalcraft Inc. in Sugar Land, TX. He was a deacon of Tallowood Baptist Church and the First Baptist Church of Temple and served on the advisory boards of the Hankamer School of Business, Baylor University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Mars Hill College, where he was honored as Alumnus of the Year. The Turners established scholarships at Baylor and elsewhere. He also served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and San Antonio’s Baptist Children’s Home. Among his survivors are his wife, Kathryn (Kitty) Moore Turner, BA ’47; daughters Mary K. Conner, BSEd ’75, and Martha Manley, BBA ’83; four grandchildren, including Emily Ferrell, BA ’05, MSW ’06, and Jonathan Conner, BA ’08; three great-grandchildren; and a brother, Raeford Turner, ’50. Memorials may be made to Baylor’s Truett Seminary.
Ernest Mack Boyd, BA ’48, MA ’50, of Dallas died Feb. 1 at age 93. He was a school administrator and later taught at Howard College in Big Spring, TX. Boyd served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was a POW. He was a deacon and taught Sunday School for more than 40 years at First Baptist Church of Big Spring. His wife of 59 years, Sarah McDonald Boyd, preceded him in death. Among his survivors are three daughters, including Carol Boyd, BSEd ’78, Emily Boyd, ’81, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
William Patton Malone Jr., BA ’48, of West End, NC, died Dec. 24, 2015, at age 90. At Baylor, he met his wife of 63 years, Mary Janis Metcalf Malone, BA ’50. He served in the Navy during World War II and graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Malone pastored in Oregon and Texas, and he re-entered the Navy as a Naval Chaplain. He was a missionary in Argentina with the Southern Baptist International Mission Board for 32 years. Among his survivors are two children, including Deborah Malone Hickman, BSN ’79, and three grandchildren.
Juanita Morrill Wilkinson, BA ’48, of Nashville, TN, died Dec. 31, 2015, at age 88. At age 15, Juanita represented Texas Baptists in the national Bible drills competition. She attended Southwestern Theological Seminary and authored a devotional book, My Autograph Album. Wilkinson wrote for a number of Baptist periodicals and spoke at numerous seminars and retreats. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Louie Lamar Wilkinson, five brothers and a sister. Among her survivors are her children, Mike Wilkinson and Amy Wilkinson Curtis, BA ’84, and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Baylor University.
Dr. Buckner Fanning, BA ’49, of San Antonio died Feb. 14 at age 89. A former Marine during World War II, he was stationed in Nagasaki, Japan, after the atomic bombing of 1945. At Baylor he was part of a youth revival movement that inspired his career. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and moved to San Antonio in 1959 to establish his ministry as pastor of Trinity Baptist Church. Fanning stepped down from the pastorate at Trinity in 2002, after serving 42 years there. During his tenure, he grew the church’s congregational size to more than 10,000 members. He later established another church, the Fellowship of San Antonio. Fanning was known for his dynamic sermons. He was also recognized for his ecumenical spirit. Fanning was well known for his extensive TV ministry that featured 30-second messages that were seen more than 1 million times a week. In 1998, Fanning founded the Buckner Fanning Christian School as an inter-denominational Christian school for children K-8th grade. He is survived by his wife, Martha; three children, including Mike Fanning, BA ’78, PhD ’92, and Stephen Fanning, BA ’81; and five grandchildren, including Julia Fanning, BA ’13, BSN ’15, and Baylor junior Michael Fanning.
Lillian R. Fuqua, BA ’49, of Navasota, TX, died Feb. 28 at age 88. She played trombone at Baylor and earned a master’s degree from Sam Houston State. Fuqua was a teacher and counselor for Navasota ISD and special education director for Grimes County. She retired as a supervisor of student and teacher affairs at Texas A&M. Memorials may be made to the Baylor School of Music.
Lewis H. Seago, BBA ’49, of Highlands Ranch, CO, died Feb. 24, 2015, at age 90. He was a petroleum engineer for more than 35 years in Fort Worth, Houston and Denver. Seago did graduate work at Dartmouth and the University of Washington. He was married to Jean Morton Seago, BS ’48, for 66 years. They had three children and two grandchildren. Seago was in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II, serving in Iwo Jima and Sai-Pan, where he traveled in 2012 with The Greatest Generation Foundation. He was a Mason and served as a host family for Spring International Language School Home Stay Program, housing more than 100 students over 21 years.
1950s
Bobbye Hunt Bunnell Byrne, BA ’50, of Denver died Jan. 26 at age 95. In 1940, she married Byron Bunnell, BA ’48, MSEd ’52. She later earned her master’s degree from TCU. Mrs. Bunnell was a teacher and reading specialist in the Fort Worth public schools 1952-80. Following her husband’s death, Bobbye married Bernard Byrne, who died in 2015. She was a member of University Baptist Church and the Daughters of the American Revolution. Among her survivors is her daughter, Dr. Linda Hunt Bunnell, BA ’64.
Charles Edwin Dale, JD ’50, of Albuquerque, NM, died May 18, 2015, at age 69. He earned a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart while serving in the Army during World War II. Dale then graduated from Texas Tech before entering Baylor Law School, where he was law librarian before becoming a law professor in the business college at Texas Tech. He taught there until retiring in 1982. Among his survivors are daughters Mary LeBlanc, Kathleen Colarusso and Patricia Williamson.
Patricia Jane “Pat” Edmonds, BA ’50, died Dec. 30, 2015, at age 86. Edmonds’ family members were pioneers in Jones County and helped found Anson, TX. Edwards was a teacher for 39 years in Forsan and Odessa, TX. She loved the Baylor Bears and playing golf. After retirement, she returned to Anson where she lived in the family home. She most recently lived in Midland. Her sister, Margie Gibbs, BBA ’57, predeceased her. Among her survivors is her sister, Royann McDowell, BA ’59.
Bobette Milam Leggott, ’50, of Waco died Dec. 24, 2015, at age 85. She was Denison High salutatorian and entered Baylor at age 16. Leggott assisted her husband, Bob, BBA ’50, in operating a family owned livestock auction. She was a founding member of Lakeshore Baptist Church. Leggott taught college Bible classes at Lakeshore and later at First Baptist Waco. She served on the board of Central Texas Rehabilitation Center and East Terrace House of the Waco Historical Foundation. Leggott was also alumni president of Kappa Kappa Gamma and won the Ridgewood Country Club Women’s Golf Championship. She was preceded in death by her husband and son, Bobby. Among her survivors are two children, including Chuck Leggott, BA ’79.
Whitsitt “Whit” Myles Shelton Jr., BBA ’50, of Arlington, TX, died Feb. 5 at age 88. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He was a 50-year member of the Boy Scouts and the Masons. Shelton was also a member of First Baptist Church, Arlington. Among his survivors are his wife of more than 65 years, Katy McGregor Shelton, ’50, and sons Myles Shelton, BA ’75, MS ’76, EdD ’94, Mark Shelton, BS ’79, and Mikel Shelton, BBA ’84.
Richard Haskell Roach, BBA ’50, of Garland, TX, died Feb. 3 at age 87. A lifelong resident of Garland, he was the descendant of a pioneer family that came to Texas in the 1870s. He served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy and was stationed aboard the USS Baltimore. Roach returned to Garland and started an insurance agency in the family feed store. He later joined forces and formed what is now Roach Howard Smith & Barton, one of the largest independently owned insurance brokerage firms in Texas. Roach served as president, CEO and chairman of the board for 40 years. He served as president of the Independent Insurance Agents of Texas and Assurex Global, the world’s largest privately held risk management and insurance brokerage network. In 1996 he was honored with the Drexel Forman Award, the IIAT’s highest honor. Roach was a past director of Garland First National Bank and later became the organizing director and chairman of the board of Security Bank of Garland. He was a Garland city councilman and a past president of the Garland Kiwanis Club and the North Texas Municipal Water District, an organization he served for 39 years. He is a past chairman and director of the Baptist Church Loan Corp., the Baylor Development Council and the Baylor Hankamer School of Business Advisory Board. He received the Huckins Medallion from Baylor, a Distinguished Alumni Award from Garland High School and the Tall Texan Award from the Garland Chamber of Commerce. Among his survivors are his wife, Patricia Sullivan Roach, BM ’59; three children, Lisa Tacker, BSEd ’86, Cindy Bane and John Roach, BBA ’91, MS ’00; and four grandchildren.
Robert Eugene Swearingen, BS ’50, MD ’53, died Feb. 24 in Houston. He was 87. He was a medical officer in the Navy during the Korean War and discharged from the Reserves 14 years later as a lieutenant commander. He practiced family medicine in Tyler County beginning in 1956. Swearingen was a member of Midway Community Church in Polk County, the Woodville VFW and the Masonic Lodge. He was a past president of the Rotary Club, Tyler County Chamber of Commerce and the Woodville ISD school board. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, Dorothy. Among his survivors are his children Catherine S. Penner, BSEd ’76, Bill Swearingen, BA ’79, and Paul Swearingen.
Joan Riffey Sutton Houston, BM ’51, of Hendersonville, NC, died March 5 at age 85. She was also a graduate of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Joan, who grew up as a missionary child in Brazil, and her husband, John Boyd Sutton, served as music missionaries in Brazil 1959-93. They were significant figures in Brazilian music missionary work and instrumental in collecting and organizing Brazilian hymnody. Joan’s musical translations are standards of the vernacular performance across Portuguese-speaking denominations. In 2010, Joan donated her personal archive of compositions, translations, arrangements and collections to the Center for Christian Music Studies of the Baylor University Libraries. Her gift launched Baylor’s Music in Missions Collection in the Crouch Fine Arts Library. The Suttons retired to Hendersonville in 1992. Her husband of one month, Stanley Johnson, and her husband of 53 years, Boyd Sutton, preceded her in death. Among her survivors are her husband, Reagan “Rick” Houston, and their families. Memorials may be made to Baylor Libraries Dean’s Excellence Fund.
Etta Boyd Terry, BA ’51, of Clyde, TX, died Dec. 29, 2015, at age 84. She married the late Rev. Rupert Dan Terry, BA ’51, in 1951. She taught second grade in Fort Worth and served with her husband in churches in Elliott and Wichita Falls, TX, and Tecumseh and Anadarko, OK. Terry was a member of First Baptist Church Clyde. Among her survivors are two daughters, including Dana Fickling, BBA ’80, and six grandchildren, including Ryan Fickling, BA ’09, and Chase Fickling, BMEd ’15.
Rupert C. Wright Jr., BBA ’51, of Corpus Christi, TX, died Nov. 13, 2015, at age 87. At Baylor he played football, including in the 1950 Senior Bowl. Wright was drafted by the Cleveland Browns and played football for Brooks Army Medical during the Korean War. He was employed at Reynolds Metals Co. for 18 years and then went with Reynolds International, living in several different countries and retiring after 30 years. His wife of 64 years, Mary Ann Faulk Wright, ’53, is among his survivors.
Johnnie Johnson Key, BA ’52, of Fort Worth died Jan. 26 at age 85. She was married to her husband, Dr. Jerry S. Key, BA ’52, for 65 years. Beginning in 1959, the couple served 37 years as missionaries with the International Mission Board of the SBC in Brazil, where they both were professors at South Brazil Baptist Theological Seminary in Rio de Janeiro. She earned a sacred music degree from that seminary and taught there for 27 years. Upon returning to Fort Worth in 1997, she served in Birchman Baptist Church and gave piano lessons for almost two decades. Among her survivors are her husband and their family.
Vesta Anderson Dickerson, ’53, died Jan. 3 at age 90. She was a high school valedictorian and graduated from Tampa Business College and Jacksonville College. At Baylor she studied music. Dickerson was a musician, pianist, teacher, singer, Bible scholar and church business administrator, serving churches in Texas and Florida for 48 years. Among her survivors are her husband of 68 years, Rev. Billy J. Dickerson, BA ’53, and four children, including Timothy Luke Dickerson, BA ’81, and Matthew Joseph Dickerson, BA ’83.
Rhea LaVerne Briggs Terry, BA ’53, of Dallas died Feb. 6 at age 83. She was a member of Baylor’s Old Main Society. Her daughter, Deborah Ann “Debbie” Terry, preceded her in death. Survivors include husband of 62 years, George Terry, BA ’53, son David Terry, daughter Nan Terry, BA ’82, MA ’85, and their families.
Clement Gilbert Colesworthy, BBA ’54, of Plano, TX, died Feb. 19 at age 86. He served in the Marine Corps and worked for Gulf Oil Corp. for 35 years. Among his survivors are his wife of 61 years, Gloria, BA ’53, five children, including Kip Henn, BBA ’85, and their families.
Barbara Schultz Cunningham, BA ’54, of Waco died Jan. 15 at age 84. She served as Baptist Student Union director at the University of Houston and youth director at Lakeview Baptist Church in Dallas and First Baptist Houston. Cunningham served as a missionary in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya and Ghana. After returning to the U.S. in 1972, she served as a member of the Southern Baptist Foreign Mission Board, as a trustee at San Marcos Academy, and on the faculty of the Billy Graham School of Evangelism. She spoke frequently at retreats and conferences, never losing her love for missions or Africa. She loved being a missionary and a pastor’s wife. She leaves behind a legacy of people who came to Christ because they knew her. Her husband, Dr. Milton Cunningham, BA ’50, preceded her in death. Among her survivors are her two sons Milton Brasher Cunningham, BA ’78, and Miller Cunningham, two grandsons and one great-grandson. Memorials may be made to The Milton and Barbara Cunningham/George W. Truett Theological Seminary Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Rudy O. Faas, BM ’55, MS ’56, of Bonita Springs, FL, died Jan. 8 at age 82. He graduated from New Orleans Theological Seminary in 1962 and conducted church music and choirs for 43 years in Illinois, Missouri, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas and Virginia. Through the Southern Baptist Convention, Faas traveled with other music ministers in Europe, Australia and Japan, sometimes following Billy Graham Crusades. He also owned his insurance business for over 35 years. Among his survivors are his wife, Linda, and their family.
Mary Lee Helms Spearman, ’55, of Cartersville, GA, died Jan. 13 at age 88. Her career was in accounting, working for businesses in Miami, Birmingham, Waco and Atlanta. She was active in civic and governmental affairs, serving on boards of government and honorary posts. Spearman was employed by churches in Texas and Georgia. She also volunteered for the Georgia Baptist Convention and the Atlanta Baptist Association, and she worked as a camp counselor, director and nurse. For 59 years Spearman belonged to Druid Hills Baptist Church in Atlanta. She served in the ministries of other churches with her husband, Robert Spearman. Memorials may be made to Baylor University.
Barbara Ann Ellis Alexander, ’56, of Waskom, TX, died March 5 at age 84. She studied at Centenary College, Louisiana Tech, Baylor and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Alexander ministered alongside her husband in churches where he served as pastor and where they led many family life and discipleship conferences. She taught Sunday School, led many Bible study retreats and served as a leader for the Women’s Missionary Society. Among her survivors are her husband of 65 years, Rev. Joe Bob Alexander, BA ’54, and four children, including Bobby Alexander, BA ’73, Linda Beasley, BBA ’78, and David Alexander, BBA ’75.
Glynda Lee Feril Haney, ’56, of Weatherford, TX, died Feb 2. She was a retired school teacher and school counselor. Among her survivors are her husband, Dr. Charles “Chuck” Haney BA ’54, MSEd ’58, and her children Dr. Chet Haney, BA ’81, and wife Terri, BMEd ’82, and Dr. Lori Haney Ellison, BA ’85, and husband Robert.
James Douglas ‘’Doug’’ Weathersbee, BBA ’56, of Rotan, TX, died Jan. 6 at age 82. He served as a pilot for the U.S. Air Force, reaching the rank of first lieutenant. He then joined the family business, Weathersbee Funeral Home, which he co-owned for 40 years before retiring in 1999. He was a trustee at First Baptist Church and was a member of the Rotan Flying Club, the Rotan Golf Club, and the Texas Funeral Directors Association. Among his survivors are his wife of 60 years, Shirley Weathersbee, and their family.
Dr. Charles Dale Coln, BA ’57, of Dallas died Jan. 5 at age 81. The pediatric surgeon was an innovator and teacher whose legacy includes creating a trauma unit for children at Parkland Memorial Hospital. He and his wife made nine trips to Guatemala for HELPS International. Coln was a member of a research team that developed a treatment for severe blood loss, which was adopted as the standard of care in 1963. He was in the Parkland emergency room when Lee Harvey Oswald was brought in mortally wounded after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. In 1971, Coln had a one-year fellowship in pediatric surgery in Cape Town, South Africa, where he learned the Nuss Procedure to correct a congenital chest wall abnormality. Coln performed it on hundreds of Dallas patients. In 1972, Coln was named chairman of pediatric surgery at Parkland. Coln became chief of pediatric surgery at Baylor and retired in 2005. His honors include the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Special Achievement Award in 2001 and Children’s Medical Center’s Distinguished Service Award in 2002. Among his survivors are his wife, Dr. Shirley Kindberg Coln, and five children, including Ruth Skipper, BA ’90. Memorials may be made to The Shirley Kindberg and Dale Coln Scholarship at Baylor University.
Rev. J. Dan Cooper, BA ’57, of Lexington, KY, died June 4, 2015, at age 80. He held a PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Cooper pastored congregations in Fort Worth, Shawnee, OK, and at Calvary Baptist Church in Lexington, where he was named Pastor Emeritus. Cooper served as vice chairman of the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary Board of Trustees and was a board member of Oklahoma Baptist University and Central Baptist. Among his survivors are his wife of 57 years, Marilyn Cooper, BA ’57; children Dana Cooper, ’84; and John Cooper, BBA ’89; four grandchildren; and twin sister Ann Wayne Wood, BA ’57.
Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Hull Roberts, BA ’57, of Longview, TX, died Jan. 24 at age 79. She was preceded in death by her husband, Meredith Earl Roberts Jr., BA ’57. She and Earl returned to Longview in 1960 and she taught school. In 2002, she received a heart transplant. Among her many activities, she was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Four Seasons Garden Club and the Junior League of Longview, where she was a past president. Among her survivors are her two children, including Murray Earl Roberts, BBA ’88.
Marcia Davis Petty, BA ’59, of Richmond, TX, died July 22, 2015, at age 77. At Baylor she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority and met her husband of 48 years, Jerry Alan Petty, BBA ’59. The Pettys lived nearly 50 years in Shreveport, LA. She taught a special education class at Broadmoor Baptist Church for many years. In 2011, Petty moved to Richmond. She was preceded in death by her husband and sons Alan Davis Petty and John Aubrey Petty, BA ’91, DMin ’03. Survivors include her daughters, Gay Rhoades and Rosemary Petty Cunningham, BA ’88, and daughter-in-law, Kelly Hamill Petty, BSEd ’91.
Jack Sisson Whitlow, BA ’59, of Virginia Beach, VA, died Dec. 21, 2015, at age 79. He worked for Austin Engraving in Waco, Texas A&M Press and the Houston Chronicle. Whitlow coordinated the student bus ministry at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. He later moved to Virginia where he was self-employed as an artist at Artists-at-Work and the D’Art Center in Norfolk. Whitlow received many awards for his artistic talent. He is survived by his sister, Jane Brewer, and his niece, Jacqueline Loftis Johnson, BA ’85.
Dorothy Elaine Ludeau Highers, 95, of Alexandria, LA, died Jan. 11. She was a member of Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church for many years. Her husband, Alwin O. Highers Jr., owned the Dr Pepper Bottling Co. in Alexandria. Dorothy often worked in the office alongside him. Though she did not attend Baylor, she enjoyed supporting the Baylor Bears. The couple expressed their support of Baylor Athletics, particularly football, through financial support and regular attendance at home games, until declining health prevented their trips from Louisiana. The Alvin O. and Dorothy Highers Athletic Complex helped bring Baylor football back to campus when it opened in 2008. She was honored as a Baylor Legacy Legend in 2010. Her husband preceded her in death. Survivors include her sister, Verna Mae Ludeau Padgett, and numerous nieces and nephews.
1960s
Jack Banks Butler, BA ’62, of Houston died Feb. 11 at age 75. Butler had a successful career in banking, then in later years served as a chaplain. He was a church organist for over 55 years and a deacon for 44 years. He was also a Scottish Rite Mason and Shriner for over 40 years. Among his survivors are Sandra Styles Butler, BA ’63, his wife of 49 years; and three sons: Brian Butler, Kevin Butler, BMEd ’92, MM ’02, MDiv ’02, and Daren Butler, MM ’04, MDiv ’04.
Margaret Ellen Tyer Meadows, BA ’63, of Waco died Feb. 27 at age 74. At Baylor she was a member of Kappa Theta/Tri-Delta sorority and held a master’s degree from Hardin Simmons. She taught fourth grade and served as the Baylor Tri-Delta Beta Tau Chapter Alumnae Advisor. Meadows served on three PTAs and the boards of the Waco Symphony Council and Historic Waco Foundation’s East Terrace House. She also was a Cub Scouts den leader, a Meals on Wheels volunteer and a deacon and children’s ministry director at First Baptist Church of Waco. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Joe Meadows, and two children.
Ira H. Peak Jr., BA ’64, MA ’67, died Nov. 30, 2015, at age 73 in Indianapolis. He played football, sang with BRH and was a member of Chamber at Baylor. Peak earned his PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and served on the faculties of the University of Indiana; the University of Louisville; Jefferson Community College; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; University of Missouri; Wayland Baptist; TCU and others. Peak also pastored Baptist and Christian churches (Disciples of Christ). Among his survivors are his wife Dr. Ashli Cartwright-Peak and daughter Sydney Peak Powell, ’92.
Joe Larry Storrs, BBA ’66, of Waco died Feb. 24 at age 78. In 1959, Larry graduated from Sam Houston State University where he was elected class president during his senior year. He served as an officer in the U.S. Army and was an accounting executive in the Waco area for years, retiring from Brazos River Authority in 2000. He was a loyal fan of Baylor Bear football and basketball. He leaves behind his wife of 34 years, Linda Storrs, and their family.
Sidney Ross Smith of Livingston, TX, died Jan. 14 at age 90. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduated from the University of Texas. Smith worked for the IRS for several years before returning to Livingston, where he established an accounting firm and several other businesses, including a retail department store that he owned and operated for over 20 years. A civic leader, Smith was president of the Livingston Lions Club and of the Polk County Chamber of Commerce. He was a scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts, a city alderman and the founder/president of the Livingston Savings & Loan Association. He also served on the State Board of Public Accounting and was a real estate developer around Lake Livingston. Smith became the president and chairman of the board of the Livingston Telephone Co. and formed a family charitable foundation. He was a deacon and trustee of Central Baptist Church and a member of Baylor’s Endowed Scholarship Society. His wife, Edythe Ann, preceded him in death. He is survived by his sons, Bob Smith and Fred Smith; granddaughters, Christian E. Burkhardt, BSN ’15, and Sydnee Smith; great-granddaughter, Emily Burkhardt; and sister, Mary Alice Wise, BA ’54, and her husband Charles, BA ’55.
1970s
Eugene “Gene” Henry Adamcik, BBA ’70, of Waco died Jan. 22 at age 68. He was a member of the first graduating class at McLennan Community College. Adamcik began his career as a district sales manager for Pepperidge Farm in Dallas. He returned to Waco in 1979 as an independent distributor for Pepperidge Farm Biscuit Products, and he continued as an independent distributor for several cookie and cracker companies until 2011. Adamcik co-owned the Heart O’ Texas Speedway 1981-2013. He was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Tracy Layne Adamcik. His survivors include his wife of 46 years, Mary Adamcik, BA ’70, and their family.
Former Texas State Sen. Christopher J. Harris, JD ’71, died Dec. 19, 2015. He was 67. Harris served in the Texas House from 1985 to 1990 and the Texas Senate from 1991 to 2013. He served portions of Tarrant, Denton, Johnson, Parker and Dallas counties. At the time of his retirement, he was the longest-serving Republican in the Texas Senate where he was chairman of the Senate Administration Committee for five terms, was the Senate president pro tempore in 2001 and headed committees on jurisprudence and economic development. Harris was instrumental in championing funding for the University of Texas at Arlington. He is survived by his wife, Tammy, and five children.
Composer Steven Stucky, BM ’71, of Ithaca, NY, a 2005 Pulitzer Prize winner and a graduate of the Baylor School of Music, died of brain cancer Feb. 14. He was 66. Stucky, one of America’s most frequently performed contemporary classical composers, had been longtime composer-in-residence for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and was professor emeritus of composition at Cornell University and on the Juilliard School composition faculty at the time of his death. He won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for his Second Concerto for Orchestra. His 2008 oratorio “August 4, 1964,” symphonic poems “Silent Spring” (2011) and “Radical Light” (2007) and 2014 comic opera “The Classical Style: An Opera (Of Sorts)” are others among his more notable works. During undergraduate years at Baylor, Stucky studied composition with Richard Willis and conducting with Daniel Sternberg. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees from Cornell.
Thomas Eugene Garner, BBA ’75, JD ’77, of Wimberley, TX, died Jan. 9 at age 61. He passed the Bar in 1977, became Board Certified in Criminal Law in 1991 and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2002. He began his legal career in San Marcos, TX, providing legal assistance to indigents with Hays County Legal Aid and later became a criminal defense lawyer. Among his survivors are his wife Rene, three children, including Leslie Garner, BMEd ’99, two grandchildren, parents Joe and Helen Garner, and siblings Bob Garner, BA ’75, MA ’76, Lindy Fuller, BBA ’80, Cindee Millard, BBA ’80, and Mari Chapman, BSEd ’85.
2000s
Craig Daniel Prior, BA ’02, of Prosper, TX, died Jan. 1 at age 37. While at Baylor, he studied telecommunications and worked as a videographer for Baylor Athletics. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta. Craig is survived by his spouse, Alyson, and two daughters, Chaney and Cambryn.
Anjanette Biddle-Piscacek, BBA ’06, of Hewitt, TX, died Jan. 6 at age 50. She was an avid fan of the Midway (TX) Panthers and Baylor Bears and was an administrative associate at Baylor 2003-08. Biddle-Piscacek was a church elder at Lakewood Christian Church and a Meals on Wheels volunteer. Among her survivors are her husband, Charlie Piscacek, BBA ’75; her parents, Hollis, ’57, and Ethel Biddle; and brother Robert.
Hugh Delle Broadway of Salado, TX, died Feb. 15 at age 86. She graduated from the University of Corpus Christi and Sam Houston State. Broadway was a high school teacher for 33 years and served in churches alongside her husband, pastor W.D. Broadway. She supervised student teachers at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and was a consultant for the state of Texas for high school textbooks. She was a member of Baylor’s Old Main Society. Among her survivors are her husband of 64 years and children Jerene Broadway, BS ’77, and Mike Broadway, BA ’80.
Clarence Clay Golden, formerly of Valley Mills, TX, died Feb. 14 in Clifton, TX. He was 92. Golden served as a medic in the Army during World War II. He was employed at Baylor for 35 years, serving as manager of building and grounds maintenance. Golden was a volunteer fireman, a city council member and a deacon and trustee of the First Baptist Church council. He made seven trips to Mexico and one to Idaho building churches and doing mission work. His survivors include his wife of 68 years, Frances Golden, and their family.
Dr. Roger A. Griffin of Austin died Jan. 16 at age 81. Among his survivors is his wife, Dr. Wilma Pitts Griffin, who served as a professor, chairperson and holder of The Mary Gibbs Jones Chair of Family and Consumer Sciences during her tenure at Baylor.
George Walter McElroy of Fort Worth died Dec. 31, 2015, at age 90. A World War II veteran and a native of Dallas, he began his career after attending SMU. McElroy worked with Mobil Oil Co. In the 1960s, he became a partner at Webb B. Cooley Jr. & Co. In 1974, he opened his real estate property tax consulting firm, George McElroy & Associates. McElroy retired in 1995. Among his survivors is his wife, Jan.
Dr. James E. Barcus Jr., retired professor of English and former longtime department chair, died Feb. 20 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 77. A gifted and talented teacher of English for more than 50 years, Barcus taught at Houghton College in New York, Trinity College in Illinois and Baylor University, retiring in January after 36 years there.
“Dr. James Barcus left an astounding legacy for generations of English literature scholars,” said Dr. Kevin J. Gardner, chair and professor of English in Baylor’s College of Arts and Sciences. “He indelibly touched the lives of innumerable students through his deep and abiding appreciation of poetry, and he made a lasting impact on Baylor in the many grateful faculty members whom he mentored over the years.”
An Ohio native, Barcus earned his bachelor’s degree from Houghton College, which honored him as a distinguished alumnus. He received advanced degrees from the University of Kentucky in English in 1961 and the University of Pennsylvania. His major literary interests were romantic poetry and prose, literary criticism and theory and Victorian poetry and prose. In recent years, he focused his writing and teaching on Southern American writers including Edgerton, Hannah and McCarthy. He served as chair of the Baylor English department from 1980 to 1996 and director of the graduate English program from 2010 until his retirement. He published five books and hundreds of academic papers. He was beloved by the students he taught and mentored. Barcus loved leading groups of Baylor students to study in London. One of Barcus’ most lasting contributions is his involvement with the 1980s interior renovation of Carroll Science Hall, the iconic building housing the English department. Barcus was extensively involved in the Waco community. He served on the Vestry of St. Paul’s and on the boards of Historic Waco and Brazos Forum. He also graduated from Sewanee’s Education for Ministry. He was preceded in death by this wife of 44 years, Nancy Ellen Barcus. He is survived by his daughter, Heidi Anne Barcus of Knoxville, TN; son, James Hans Barcus and wife, Carissa, of Houston, and their children, Caitlyn and Jimmy; and other family and friends. Memorials may be made to The James E. Barcus Endowment Fund at Baylor.
Frances “Emmy” Parrish of Waco died Jan. 14 at age 89. She was a graduate of the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina and Southwestern Baptist Seminary. At the seminary she met Tom Parrish. They married in 1951 and later lived in Plainview before moving to Waco in 1963. They became deeply involved in their community and church. Emmy taught in Waco schools for more than 20 years and was a founding member and president of the Huaco Outing Club. Parrish taught Sunday School and was one of the first female deacons at First Baptist Church. She was especially committed to First Baptist Church’s international programs, teaching ESL classes, mentoring Baylor international graduate students, and leading mission trips to Jamaica and Guatemala. She is survived by her husband Tom; her sons, Dr. Mike Parrish, BA ’74, MA ’76, and wife, Julibeth, BSEd ’74, and Maxey Parrish, BA ’78, MSEd ’93, and wife, Susanne, BA ’78, MSEd ’91; and three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to The Tom Z. and Frances E. Parrish Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor.
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