In Memoriam
1930s
Geneva McCulloch Hughes, BA '31, of Marlin, TX, died Oct. 17, 2015, at age 105. She was Baylor's oldest living alumna. Hughes attended Howard Payne College before graduating from Baylor. She also received a master's degree from Howard Payne in the 1950s. In 1941, she married Dr. S.W. "Sid" Hughes, MD '35. She was an educator for over 50 years in Coleman, Brownwood and Marlin. After retirement from public school, she taught at St. John Episcopal School in Marlin. Hughes was a lifelong Baptist and member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Hughes was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Red Hat Club, the Marlin Garden Club, and the Baylor Heritage Club, where she was co-president with her husband. She was an accomplished bridge player and played piano at several churches. Hughes was an avid Baylor fan and attended many games over the years. Among her survivors are her children, Mac Hughes, BBA '73, and Maria Drews; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Virginia Mitchell Fitzhugh, BBA '39, of Waco, died Nov. 28, 2015, at age 99. She graduated from Waylon Baptist College and Baylor. She was an active member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church and enjoyed a rich social life in Waco for over 65 years. She is survived by her children William H. Smith Jr., Ginny Smith Blakley, BBA '70, Tom Fitzhugh, Randy Ford, BBA '62, and Wendy Crowley; three grandchildren; and two great-grandsons.
Carleen Bright, BA '36, of Woodway, TX, died Oct. 21, 2015, at age 100. She taught for 30 years at A&M Consolidated in College Station and at Alamo Heights in San Antonio. Bright took early retirement after her father's death and returned to Woodway to be near her mother. She was heavily involved in the community as a volunteer for five decades. Bright held every office on the Historic Waco Foundation Board and served as general chairman of the Brazos River Festival in 1970 and 1971. In 1974, she was a member of the Waco Bicentennial Commission and was general chairman of Festival U.S.A. Division 3, which welcomed President Gerald Ford to the Waco Suspension Bridge Restoration Ceremony. Bright was the only woman to serve on a 15-member commission to write the original charter for the City of Woodway. She served on the Woodway City Council for 30 years, 20 years as mayor pro tem and was a co-founder of the Woodway Foundation. Gov. Bill Clements appointed Bright to the State Block Grant Review Committee. She served on the Providence Hospital Advisory Board, Providence Foundation, the Friends of the Moody Texas Ranger Library, and the Waco Chamber Council for the Arts Commission. The Carleen Bright Arboretum was named in her honor. Bright was chosen as Altrusa Club's 1991 Woman of the Year and 1998 Woman of Distinction by the Girl Scout Council. She was a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, Baylor Development Council, Heritage Club and Strecker Associates, Old Main Society, the President's Club and the Endowed Scholarship Program.
Lillian Brodnax Wallace, BBA '37, of Austin, died Oct. 20, 2015, at age 99. She married Frederick E. Wallace, who preceded her in death in 1992. Most of their married life was spent in Houston, where Lillian was a member of St. Luke's United Methodist Church, The Blue Bird Circle, Current Study Club, Colonial Dames, Baylor’s Heritage Club, and the Houston Country Club. She and Frederick also belonged to the Garden of the Gods Club in Colorado Springs, CO. She was a charter member of the Baylor's Old Main Society and a member of the 1845 Society, Armstrong Browning Guardian Angels and Strecker Museum Associates, among other Baylor groups.
1940s
O. Hollis Davis, BA '46, of Dallas, died July 11, 2015, at age 90. He graduated from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Fort Worth, in 1949. With his wife alongside him, he pastored several churches in Texas. Davis was a member of First Baptist Church, Dallas, and taught several Bible classes there from 1966 until he died. He was also the author of two religious biographies. Among his survivors are his wife of 68 years, Charlotte W. Davis; four children, Brenda D. Witte, Lynette D. King, Kathy D. Hill, BS '78, MS '82, and Daniel L. Davis, '82; eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
Robert Crayford Lee, '46, of Houston, died Feb. 12, 2015, at age 90. He served in the U.S. Navy and graduated from the University of Texas in 1950. Lee was a lifelong Republican and co-founder of Republicans Against Marijuana Prohibition. Among his survivors are his wife of 64 years, Ann Edwards Lee; sons, James, Michael, Robert, Richard, and Donald; four granddaughters; two great-grandchildren; sister, Georgiabeth Mercier; and brother, James E. Lee.
Dr. Harry Warren Slade, MD '46, of Waco, died Nov. 6, 2015, at age 92. He graduated from Wayne State College in Michigan in 1944 before moving to Texas for medical school. He joined the Army while at Baylor. After graduating, he served as a Flight Surgeon with the Fifth Air Force in Korea and Japan from 1946-49. He married Betty Hummer in 1950 and became chief of neurosurgery at Cleveland City Hospital and staff of University Hospitals of Cleveland. He also was on the full time faculty at Case Western Reserve 1953-57. In 1957, Slade opened his practice in Waco. He was a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, the Waco Founder Lions Club, Texas Medical Association, Texas Association of Neurological Surgeons, American Medical Association, Knights Templar of Texas Commander #10, Shriners of North America, and 32 degree York and Scottish Mason, and Baylor Bear Club, among others. He served on the board of the Cameron Park Zoo, Salvation Army, Waco Camp Fire Girls Council and others. His wife, Betty, preceded him in death. Among his survivors are four children, including Christina L. Slade, BSEd '83, MS '85, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Melvin Emory Mayfield, BBA '47, LLB '50, of Little Rock, AR, died Sept. 5, 2015. He was a World War II veteran and began practicing law in El Dorado, AR, in 1950. Mayfield served 18 years as a circuit judge before being elected to the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 1980 until retiring in 1996. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Among his survivors are his wife of 68 years, Mary Bennett Mayfield, BBA '48, a daughter, three grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
Dr. C.W. "Wally" Christian, BA '48, MA '57, of Waco, died Nov. 30, 2015, at age 88. The Baylor Professor Emeritus of Religion was a member of the faculty for more than 40 years. Christian was a central figure in the early history of the department's PhD program and worked with many graduate students in the areas of modern theology. He published important work on theologian Friedrich Schleiermacher. He also had a powerful influence on many undergraduate students through his Old Testament Survey course. Christian earned a degree in divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and his PhD from Vanderbilt. He authored five books and taught historical theology at Baylor. Christian was also a dedicated naturalist, a woodworker, a singer and musician who taught courses in opera and lectured for the Waco Civic Opera and an accomplished poet of both light and serious verse. Among his survivors are his wife of 63 years, Betty Purvis Christian; brother, Jimmie Sams Christian; children Anne Christian Buchanan, BA '76, Suzii Christian Parsons, BSEd '83, MSEd '85, Robert Christian, and David Christian, BA '89; and five grandchildren.
Dorothy Campbell, BA '48, died Oct. 14, 2015, in Dallas. Dr. George W. Truett baptized her as a child. The intervention of World War II meant that she did not ultimately pursue her desire to become a missionary. She studied at Baylor 1946-48 where she was roommates with Ann Vardaman, later known as Baylor Master Teacher Ann Miller. Baylor trustee Earl Hankamer helped Campbell land a job in Houston as executive assistant for petroleum engineer Robert B. Mitchell, for whom she worked from 1948 until he died in 1987. She was trustee of his properties until 2005. Campbell taught Sunday School at Houston's Second Baptist Church and later was a member of Houston's Berachah Church. She was a member of TIPRO, the Houston Petroleum Club, the Park City Club, Baylor Heritage Club, and Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.
Charles Edward Everett, BBA '49, of Celina, TX, died Nov. 26, 2015, at age 89. He served in the Navy during World War II and was president of Baylor Chamber. Everett worked 30 years for Houston Lighting & Power Co. He was a member of the Houston Chamber of Commerce and St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, where he served as a deacon, elder and trustee. After retirement he was active in Bible Study Fellowship and CanCare of Houston. Among his survivors are his wife of 64 years, Patricia Curry Stallworth, BA '51, and daughters Suzanne Everett Fox, BSEd '77, Elaine Everett Atchison, BSEd '78, Amy Everett Rose, BA '83; eight grandchildren, including Christopher Everett Fox, BA '04, and Baylor graduate student Bradley Clark Fox; and one great-grandson.
Rev. Thomas T. Martin, BA '49, of San Angelo, TX, died Nov. 24, 2015, at age 91. He earned master's degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Virginia. Martin married Ola Mae Kemp, BA '45, in 1955. He was a pastor at First Baptist Church, Malakoff, and then became minister of pastoral care at First Baptist Church, Austin. He was a chaplain and teacher at San Marcos Baptist Academy and taught special education classes at Galena Park while he pastored a Pasadena mission church. Martin then moved to Richmond, VA, where he pastored for 13 years at Weatherford Memorial Baptist Church before returning as associate pastor to First Baptist Church, Austin. Upon retiring to San Angelo, he became the pastor's visitation assistant.
1950s
Thomas Earl Anding, BBA '50, of Dallas, died Nov. 20, 2015, at age 85. From 1950 to 1956 he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. In 1957 he wed Emilyne Weed and moved to Dallas, Texas. He had two children, Brian and Kelly. He worked in the metal service industry and eventually became vice president of Reliance Steel and Aluminum Co. in Grand Prairie, TX. He worked there for the 28 years and retired in 1998. In his retirement, he bought and ran a cattle ranch in central Texas. He then turned his interest to family, golf and hunting. He is survived by his wife, Emilyne Weed Anding, BA '57, two children, and seven grandchildren. A generous gift from the Andings funded the Anding Traveling Exhibit Gallery at Mayborn Museum.
Orlin Russel Corey, BS '50, MA '52, theater artist and publisher, and Distinguished Baylor Alumnus of 1983, died Oct. 11, 2015, in New Orleans. He was 89. A native of Oklahoma, he served in the Navy in World War II. At Baylor he studied with Paul Baker and Charles Laughton and had advanced study at Britain's Central School of Speech and Drama, the University of London and University of Kentucky. He taught eight years at Georgetown College in Kentucky and eight at Centenary College in Louisiana. Corey founded and directed Everyman Players, an award winning touring classical troupe that performed for 24 years on four continents. Corey was producer of the American College Theatre Festival at J.F. Kennedy Center, Washington. He mounted national and international theater festivals in Washington, Montreal- Albany, and the Louisiana World Expo (1984). He was publisher of Anchorage Press until retiring in 2000. Corey wrote and produced a history of Baylor in what became a record-breaking play debut in Waco Hall in 1982, Towers of the Brazos. Honors include induction into National Theatre Conference and the College of Fellows of the American Theatre; the Campton Bell Lifetime Achievement Award, the Medallion Award, Children’s Theatre Foundation of America; AATE Orlin Corey Award of Artistic Excellence, among others. He served on the board of the Children’s Theatre Foundation of America for 34 years and as president for 25 years. The CTFA Medallion award was renamed the Orlin Corey Medallion in his honor in 2010. He was president of the U.S. Center for ASSITEJ. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Shirley Trusty Corey.
Benjamin Butler Ferrell, LLB '50, BBA '51, of Tyler, TX, died Oct. 21, 2015, at age 86. He earned master's degrees from Pepperdine and Georgetown. Ferrell served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives while in the Marine Corps Reserve before returning to active duty. He finished his tour as the assistant judge advocate general of the Navy for Military Law in 1979. Ferrell retired and taught part time on the college level in Tyler. He was a member of St. John's Masonic Lodge, Historic Aviation Memorial Museum, and Fifth Street Presbyterian Church, among other organizations. His wife, Anita, daughter, Holly Norton, and sister, Mary Eleanor Wyatt, preceded him in death. Survivors include his wife, Hope, and a son, Ben Jr.
Hazel Beth McCall, BS '50, MS '54, of Waco, died Oct. 2, 2015, at age 85. She was a teacher in Bay City, TX, and then in the Waco school system for 38 years, where she was the 1970 Waco ISD Teacher of the Year. McCall participated on softball teams and in bowling leagues, plus played golf and tennis. She was elected to the Texas Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame, the Waco Women's Bowling Association Hall of Fame, and was a charter member of the Waco Women's Bowling Association board of directors. McCall was a member of Waco McLennan County Retired Teachers Association, Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority, Baylor's Old Main Society, and Western Heights Baptist Church. She especially loved Baylor women's basketball. Memorials may be made to The Hazel B. McCall and Bobbye L. McCall Lady Bears Basketball Endowed Scholarship Fund.
Mary Whiteside Lancaster, BA '51, of College Station, TX, died Sept. 26, 2015, at age 85. She taught kindergarten and piano lessons, and she ran a boarding house in her home for 40 years. During nearly 60 years at First Baptist Church, College Station, Lancaster was a Sunday School teacher, youth leader, secretary and pianist. A needlework enthusiast, she ran the Spinning Wheel knit shop in Bryan in the 1960s. Among her survivors are her husband of 62 years, William B. Lancaster, three children including Dr. Brad Lancaster, BSEd ’83, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
C.O. Brocato, BS '53, of Nashville, died Sept. 1, 2015, at age 85. He played football at Baylor and was a scout for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans for 40 years. Brocato was a member of the organization for 599 games and was placed on the preliminary list of nominees for the Pro Football Hall of Fame on four occasions. He was head football coach at Jesuit High School in North Louisiana 1958-67, defensive coordinator for three years each at Northern Arizona and UT-Arlington before joining the Oilers.
Dr. Derwood "Ed" Burleson, '53, died Oct. 15, 2015, in Waco. He was 95. Burleson earned a bachelor's degree from North Texas State University and worked as a schoolteacher in the LaSalle community until World War II, when he joined the Army, serving as a critical medical officer during the D-Day Invasion of Normandy and later with a MASH unit in Korea. He received his commission from the U.S. Army's Officer Candidate School and earned master's degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and the Baylor School of Hospital Administration. Burleson served for 20 years in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps as both a clinical psychologist and hospital administrator before retiring as a Major. Among his survivors are two daughters including Dr. Cassy Burleson, MA '00, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Peggy Wilson Dobbins Borders, BA '54, of Waco, died Oct. 27, 2015, at age 83. After she graduated from Baylor she never missed Homecoming while living in West Texas until she moved to Waco in 1980. Borders was involved with organizations such as Historic Waco Foundation and Kappa Kappa Gamma. She was a member of Columbus Avenue Baptist Church, taught elementary school for over 35 years and volunteered at the Mayborn Museum. Borders had season tickets for almost every Baylor sport and loved to travel. Her husband, Dave Borders, BBA '50, and her first husband, James Pete Dobbins, preceded her in death. Among her survivors are her daughter, Dr. Debra Dobbins Burleson, BBA '79, and three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to The Dave and Peggy Wilson Borders Endowed Scholarship.
Dr. Richard C. Scott, BBA '56, MBA '65, who served the University for nearly 40 years as a faculty member, dean and vice president of development, died Nov. 24, 2015, in Waco. He was 81. At Baylor he was active in the ROTC and went to Officer's Candidate School for the Navy. He was on active duty on the USS Platte for three years. While docked in Long Beach, CA, he met his wife, Terry McGraw. He stayed in the reserves for 17 years and retired as a commander. Scott earned his DBA in 1968 from the University of Indiana in Bloomington. He then began his Baylor career, during which he served nine years as a faculty member, two decades as dean of the Hankamer School of Business and vice president of development for 10 years, when he spearheaded fundraising activity that gave rise to a number of campus facilities, including the McLane Student Life Center, Mayborn Museum Complex, the Baugh-Reynolds Campus of George W. Truett Theological Seminary and a variety of athletics facilities. He was active in the First Baptist Church of Woodway and on the Midway ISD School Board, and served on the boards of several national corporations such as Winnebago, Citizen's Inc. and the Annuity Board of the SBC (now Guidestone). Among his survivors are his wife of 55 years, Terry, and three children: Dr. Kim Scott, BSEd '84, MSEd '86, Rick Scott, BBA '86, and Kelly Neason, '03, and her granddaughters, McKenna Scott, a Baylor freshman, and Mia Scott. Memorials may be made to The Richard C. Scott Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor.
Dr. Beverly Brian Gilbert, BA '58, of Amarillo, TX, died Oct. 14, 2015, at age 77. She earned two degrees from Duke University and married educator Allan H. Gilbert in 1971. Beverly taught English at Texas Tech University for more than 30 years. Her favorite class was in the works of Chaucer and other medieval English literature and the works of John Milton. Gilbert was an active member of the Baylor Alumni of Lubbock. Gilbert was a member of First Baptist Church of Amarillo. She supported the Lubbock Area Republican Women and was an accomplished pianist. Her husband preceded her in death. Among her survivors are her sister, Baylor Regent Linda Brian BA '69, and brother Bill Brian, BA '74, JD '74.
1960s
Barbara Ruth Griffith Smith, BA '61, of Riesel, TX, died Nov. 7, 2015, at age 81 She spent her life teaching and counseling in numerous local school districts. She was most recently a member of Riesel FBC. She hosted 12 international exchange students in their home. She was a third generation Baylor Bear, and especially loved Baylor women's basketball. Her first husband, Reuben Benhard Saage I, BS '63, preceded her in death. Among her survivors are her husband, Stephen Mack Smith, BA '65; children Reuben Benhard (Ben) Saage II, BSEd '82, MSEd '83, Barbara Karryll Hansen, BS '83, Lea Lyn Smith Teter, BSEd '95, siblings including Lottie Holland, BSN '63, and Elizabeth Brisby, BA '64; and seven grandchildren.
Raymond Thomas Palladino, BA '62, JD '69, of Waco, died Sept. 11, 2015, at age 83. He was a Wyoming Seminary student before serving in the Air Force 1953-72, where he became a major. Palladino practiced law in Waco for 50 years. He was licensed to practice before the U.S. Tax Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. He was also a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Waco-McLennan County Bar Association. Ray is recognized in the Waco Skeet and Trap Club Hall of Fame for being a State, National, and World Skeet Champion. He taught skeet shooting as a physical education credit at Baylor. Among his survivors are his wife of 59 years, Susi; their three children including Lori Palladino, BBA '86; two brothers; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Billy Williams, BBA '63, a former football letterwinner, successful businessman and generous benefactor of Baylor and its students, died Dec. 14, 2015, at age 74. He lettered in football in 1962 on a John Bridgers-coached team that included star quarterback Don Trull, who was Williams' roommate. Williams joined the First National Bank of Fort Worth's executive training program and earned an MBA from TCU in 1965. He went on to a 26-year career at Owens Corning, working his way up from field salesman to executive vice president for the building materials division at the company’s headquarters in Toledo, OH. In 1991, Williams and two associates purchased Liquid Container, a packaging company in Chicago. As president for 19 years, he oversaw the company's expansion to a national presence in the plastics packaging industry before selling the company in 2011. He and his wife maintained homes in Hinsdale, IL, and Naples, FL. In 2012, Williams was named by the Baylor "B" Association to its Wall of Honor.
In 2013, Williams and his wife provided the lead gift for the Williams Family Soccer and Olympic Sports Center, which opened in fall 2015 and houses Baylor's soccer program and other Olympic sports. In 2015, the Williams family gave a multimillion dollar lead gift from the Williams family to name a planned golf practice facility near campus. The Williams family also established two endowed scholarships at Baylor, The A.J. and Marie Williams Endowed Athletic Scholarship Fund in Football and The Bill and Elaine Williams Family Endowed Athletic Scholarship Fund, and were generous supporters of the Beauchamp Athletics Nutrition Center, the Baylor "B" Association and the Baylor Bear Foundation. Williams is survived by his wife, Elaine; three children, Zachary, Elizabeth and Andrew; and seven grandchildren.
Larry Couser, BA '65, of Corpus Christi, TX, died Aug. 7, 2015, at age 73. He played football for Baylor and was a coach and teacher in Corpus Christi ISD for 37 years. Couser also worked as a constable and park ranger.
Mary Alice "Sue" Mills Stewart, BA '66, of Conroe, TX, died Nov. 28, 2015, at age 71. "Miss Sue" taught Sunday School to 5 year olds at First Baptist Church, Conroe, for more than 40 years. She also taught Spanish and English for many years at Conroe High School and retired in 2004. Stewart was active in several organizations over the years, including Pan-American Round Table, Conroe Service League, Montgomery County Performing Arts Society (past president), Association of Retired Teachers, and the Association of Texas Professional Educators. She and her husband enjoyed traveling abroad. Among her survivors is her husband of nearly 50 years, Alton K. "Al" Stewart, Jr., JD '67, three children including Keith Mills Stewart, BBA '97; seven grandchildren; her mother Alice Lee Mills; and brothers Albert Weldon Mills, BBA '64, JD '70, and Stanley Mills, BBA '72.
Kenneth "Ken" McFarland Stockdale, BA '68, of Denton, TX, died Oct. 20, 2015, at age 70. Ken was a quarterback at Baylor 1963-67 and was active in student life and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He married Kathryn "Kathy" Lee Smith, BA '67, MSEd '68. Following graduation, Ken coached under Frank Broyles at University of Arkansas. He authored Southwest Conference Football: The Classic 60's. In Arkansas, Ken began his career in real estate. In 1973, they settled in Denton, and Ken spent 14 years working at Lake Country Estates on Eagle Mountain Lake. In the 80s he opened his own realty office. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award by Greater Denton-Wise County Association of Realtors in 2013. Stockdale served on The Executive Board of the Baptist General Convention of Texas, on the YMCA Board of Denton, and as a deacon at First Baptist Church of Denton. He taught Sunday School for 22 years. Among his survivors are his wife of 47 years, Kathy; children Kraig Stockdale, BBA '93, Kara Adams, BSEd '98, and Kristen Caswell, BSEd '00; and five grandchildren.
1970s
Susan Frances Green Alexander, BA '72, of Spring, TX, died Sept. 15, 2015, at age 66. She raised her sons in Dallas and in the late '90s, she and Gary moved to Houston, and they eventually settled in Spring. Among her survivors are her husband, Gary Alexander, BA '71, her sons Matthew and Michael, and two grandsons.
Ralph Cadwallader, BS '73, died in Conroe, TX, July 11, 2014. He was 64. A fourth-generation Baylor alumnus, Cadwallader grew up in Guatemala, where his parents were missionaries. He served there through missions throughout his life. He owned Holly Water Wells and was founder and owner of Loop Tech International and Cadco Drilling of Huntsville. Cadwallader served on the board of the Texas Groundwater Association 1984-97 and was president in 1996. He was the only contractor to serve on the National Geothermal Consortium Board 1998-2004. Among his survivors are his wife, Sandy McKee, BA '72, son Jason Cadwallader, BA '98, daughter, Karen West, BS '00, and eight grandchildren.
Barby Anna Parrish Williams, BSEd '75, of Waco, died Nov. 13, 2015, at age 61. Born in Tokyo, she grew up in Houston. She was an Athenian (now Kappa Kappa Gamma) and a Baylor Beauty. Barby taught 5th and 6th graders in Bosqueville while her husband Dale attended Baylor Law School. She was a co-founder of Waco Baptist Academy and served as president of the board. The school presents the Barby Williams Faithful Servant Award and scholarship each year to the student most deserving. She founded and taught a women's Sunday School class at Columbus Avenue Baptist Church for many years, as well as founded 1st Call to Prayer at Baylor, a program through the Baylor Parents Network in which parents join in monthly fellowship and prayer for Baylor students, faculty and administration. Williams owned Roots Boutique in downtown Waco. Among her survivors are her husband of 40 years, Dale Williams, BA '75, JD '78; children Brady Williams, BA '02, JD '05, and Brook Henry, BA '03; mother, Deanie Parrish; sister, Nancy Parrish MA '80; and three grandchildren.
Nancy Louise Karkalits Beazley, BBA '78, of Burleson, TX, died Oct. 23, 2015, at age 60. She grew up in Hamilton, TX, and married Kenneth Beazley, BBA '78, MRE '82, in 1977. Nancy lived in Waco, Fort Worth and Lubbock before moving to Burleson in 1994. Beazley was a CPA before retiring in 2010. She was active in her church and volunteered in many ministries. Survivors include her husband; sons Aaron Beazley, BSEd '04, MDiv '13, Luke Beazley, BBA '07, and Benjamin Beazley, BBA '10; and two grandchildren.
Agnes Kay Landis Curry, MSEd '79, of Waco died Oct. 22, 2015, at age 69. She held degrees from the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas. Kay married Jim Curry, in St. Joseph, MO, and they moved to Panama City, FL, where he was stationed in the Navy. She taught school in Panama City and later taught tennis for the city of Lawrence, KS. Kay moved with her husband and son to Waco in 1974 so that Jim could become a professor of political science at Baylor University. Kay worked for Region XII Service Center and earned another master's degree and diagnostician certification at Baylor. Kay soon developed a strong interest in real estate and pursued that career until her death. She established and ran Kay Curry Realtors for 36 years. She volunteered with Meals On Wheels and Waco Senior Ministries and was treasurer for the Kappa Kappa Gamma alumni organization. Kay is survived by her husband, Dr. James Allan Curry; children Dr. Douglas James Curry and Dr. Mary Curry Dickerson, BA '98; five grandchildren and two sisters.
Dr. Paul T. Armitstead, Baylor Professor Emeritus of History, died Oct. 13, 2015, in Waco. He was 84. A noted presidential scholar, Armitstead was a member of the Baylor history faculty for more than 40 years. A native of Rochester, NH, he earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Nebraska. After he serving in the U.S. Navy, he received his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas. He joined the Baylor faculty in 1961 and taught until his retirement in 2002.
"Paul Armitstead remained dedicated to the ideal of effective undergraduate teaching," said Dr. James M. SoRelle, professor and undergraduate program director in history. "The course he developed on the History of the American Presidency was legendary and drew students from across the campus regardless of major. We are saddened by his passing but grateful for his many contributions not only to the Department of History and the University but to the more than 10,000 Baylor students whose lives he touched," SoRelle said.
Armitstead's great joy was to teach. Early in his career, with his colleagues in the 1960s, he was instrumental in encouraging Baylor to take the progressive step of admitting students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds a year before the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act. In 1996, Dr. Armitstead received the Robert L. Reid Award for Distinguished Teaching that recognizes outstanding contributions in instruction in the humanities. In 2007, he was presented with the Herbert H. Reynolds Award for Exemplary Service. Among his survivors are his daughters, Brooke Fernandez, '87, and Dana Armitstead, '89. Memorials may be made to the Baylor University history department's Charles Edmondson Historical Lecture Series.
Elden R. Barrett, PhD, Baylor Professor Emeritus of Curriculum and Instruction, died Oct. 24, 2015, in Waco. For nearly 30 years, Barrett served faithfully as a faculty member in Baylor's School of Education, helping prepare generations of future teachers. The West, Texas, native earned degrees from Abilene Christian University, the University of North Texas and Texas A&M University. In 1982, he joined Baylor's School of Education as a lecturer. Previously, Barrett served as principal at Lorena High School, Midway Elementary, Midway High School and La Vega Elementary. During his tenure at Baylor, Barrett supervised student interns and was instrumental in establishing, the school's first innovative partnership campus, Hillcrest Professional Development School. Among his survivors are his wife, Shirley Barrett, of Lorena; children Dr. Kevin Barrett, BA '90, MA '08, Krista Barrett, BA '98, and a grandson.
Roderick Lamar Dobson Jr. of Houston died Sept. 15, 2015. He earned two degrees from LSU and was recruited by IBM to work in the new field of computer software design. Dobson experimented with using computers to fly military helicopters and worked in the very early stages of software design for the Space Shuttle. In the early 1970s, he was transferred to Houston to continue his work in software audit and design for the shuttle in conjunction with NASA. Among other honors and recognitions, he was given the NASA Silver Snoopy Award, the Right Stuff Award, and he was a Manned Flight Awareness honoree. When the Space Shuttle was retired in 2011, he retired. He was preceded in death by his son, the Rev. Clint Dobson, BA '04, MDiv '08. Among his survivors are his wife, Sharon Dobson, children Sarah Mitchell, BA '01, and Chris Kirchmer, BA '92, and four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to The Clinton R. Dobson Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund at Baylor.
Myrta Ann Latimer Garrett died Oct. 3, 2015, in Nacogdoches, TX, at age 90. She spent more than half her life in Fort Worth. Myrta earned degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. From 1946 to 1948, she was director of the Baptist Student Union Ministry at Sam Houston State University. In 1948, she married Dr. James Leo Garrett Jr., BA '45. In 1949, they moved to Fort Worth when Leo joined the faculty of Southwestern Seminary. While Leo taught at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, Myrta became a public school librarian and completed another master's degree at Spalding University. Her husband joined the Baylor faculty in the 1970s, and Myrta was librarian of the newly integrated Jefferson Moore High School. The Garretts returned to Fort Worth in 1980 when Leo rejoined the Southwestern Seminary faculty, and Myrta became director of technical services there. She and Leo were charter members of Candleridge (now Meadowridge) Baptist Church, where she directed the children's ministry and served as a deacon. Among her survivors are her husband of 67 years, James Leo Garrett Jr.; sons James Leo "Jim" Garrett III, BA '75, Robert Thomas Garrett, and Paul Latimer Garrett, BA '81; four grandsons including James Mark Garrett, BBA '03; and two great-grandsons.
Yvonne Cates Garrett of Houston died Nov. 18, 2015, at age 92. She earned degrees from East Texas State Teachers College (now Texas A&M Commerce) and the University of Iowa. She married Vernon G. Garrett Jr., BBA '47, in 1946. Yvonne taught at Baylor while Vernon finished his degree and then the Garretts moved to Houston, where Yvonne taught at University of Houston and Vernon began work with Arthur Andersen & Co. They taught Sunday School for 35 years at South Main Baptist Church. In 1983, she was among the first group of women to be ordained as deacons. Garrett write several books, including The Newlywed Handbook, The Stained Glass House, The Building of a Church: 100 Years of South Main and Listening to Sam. She also wrote for the Baptist Standard for 10 years. Garrett was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Vernon; her son Jon Vernon Garrett, BA '73, MA '75; and infant daughter, Barbara Jane. Among her survivors are children Beth McCarty, BA '70, Dana Werner, BSEd '81, Doug Garrett, '88, and Richard Garrett, MHA '73; 10 grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and three siblings.
L. Myles Smith of Edmond, OK, died Oct. 5, 2015, at age 60. He graduated from Central State College in Edmond and opened up his accounting firm, L. Myles Smith & Co., PC in 1978. Myles and his wife, Gale, were named Baylor Parents of the Year in 2005 and were selected as Baylor Alumni By Choice in 2004. The Smiths have been loyal supporters of Baylor, serving the Baylor Parents League, the Development Council and the Baylor Bear Foundation. Memorials may be to The Adam & Tifani Smith Scholarship at Baylor. Among his survivoras are his wife Gayle, and children Adam Myles Smith BBA '07, MAcc '07, and Tifani Conway, BSEd '01, and four grandchildren.
Linda Stewart, financial associate for fiscal operations in the Baylor School of Music, died Nov. 8, 2015, at age 61. A native of Corsicana, Stewart was an accomplished professional who dedicated 23 years to Baylor. After earning her associate's degree while working full-time and raising three boys, she became an invaluable asset to the faculty and staff in the School of Music, as well as a mentor to students. She is survived by her husband, Steve; sons, Chad, Matt and Andy, BA '05; two grandchildren; her mother, Ruth; and six siblings.
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