SPIRE Summer 2019

class notes

Riley W. Ware of Danville, Virginia, passed away on October 3, 2015. He worked for Radiology Associates of Roanoke until his retirement. Ware was the organizing Pastor of Harvestwood Covenant Presbyterian Church in Floyd, Virginia, and a member of Mt. Hermon Baptist Church. 1954 Lt. Oscar H. Barrow, Jr. of Martinez, Georgia, passed away on April 18, 2016. He served 20 years in the military as a chaplain and pastored churches in Conway and Norway, South Carolina; Holmes Avenue Baptist in North Charleston, South Carolina; Crestview Baptist Church and Aviano Baptist Church in Italy. He was an interim pastor for many churches in the Augusta area and served as Treasurer to the Augusta chapter of the Southern Baptist Association. Clarence “Tom” S. Glover, Jr. of Beckley, West Virginia, passed away November 17, 2016. Tom served in the US. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Newport News and was a football and basketball official in the southern West Virginia area. He was employed as a mechanical engineer, and worked at Lowes of Beckley after his retirement. William “Bill” C. Johnson of Vinton, Virginia, passed away on August 28, 2018. Bill worked for American Bridge, HSMM, SFCS, and retired from Oakey’s. 1955 Dr. Walter Robert Dillow, Jr. of Bland, Virginia, passed away July 11, 2018. He was a doctor of dentistry, renowned antiquarian, and philanthropist. Dillow’s hobbies included archery, golfing, hunting, and fishing. Scottie T. Fulford of Walla Walla, Washington, passed away on April 24, 2016. Scottie was a veteran of the Air Force, serving from 1951 to 1953. Luther J. Hoy, Jr. of Virginia Beach, Virginia, passed away on December 15, 2018. Hoy served in the United States Army. He worked in the family construction business and enjoyed building churches. Hoy was a member of the Ward’s Corner Lions Club, Elizabeth Masonic Lodge 34, Khedive Shriners and was involved with Meals on Wheels. He and his wife, Zane, visited forty-five of the United States, Hoy enjoyed boating, fishing, and playing golf. 1956 Betty Demory Hicks of Annandale, Virginia, passed away on February 1, 2019. She was the pianist/organist for 56 years at First Baptist Church/ United Baptist Church and a member of the Wilburdale Civic Association. Eleanor Kellerman Smith of Bluefield, West Virginia, died April 4, 2018. Eleanor taught English and French in Tazewell County Public Schools for over 30 years and was a member of the McGuffey Book Club. She enjoyed sewing, reading, music and was a world traveler. Eleanor chaperoned her great nephew when he traveled abroad to study music. She was a member of Bland Street United Methodist Church and served with the choir and on several committees. Joseph Preston Wray, Jr. of Tryon, North Carolina, passed away June 14, 2018. Joe was an English teacher and Theater Coach in Hopewell, Virginia; was the Barbara Hunter Powers of Bristol, Tennessee, passed away on February 22, 2017.

former Director of Public Information and Development at Bluefield College in Bluefield, Virginia; was the Community Schools Coordinator and teacher for Polk County Schools; and an adult education teacher at the Howard Adult Center in Georgetown, South Carolina. He and a group of volunteers created The Children’s Theater Festival , an annual spring festival now in its 40th year, which includes performers and artists from around the country. Joe has directed musicals including Camelot, Fiddler on the Roof and Hello Dolly and won the top award in the University of Virginia Theater Competition. Joe served as a deacon, teacher and choir member at the First Baptist Church of Tryon; was on the local board of the American Red Cross, Steps to Hope, the Polk County Mental Health Board; the World Affairs Forum and was the Education Chair and Cultural Arts Facilitator for Partners of the America. In 2017, Joe was inducted into the Second Wind Hall of Fame for his volunteer work in the community during retirement. 1957 Maurice “Smokey” E. Blaylock of Nemours, Virginia, passed away on July 3, 2018. Smokey served in the United States Army and was an insurance agent for Nationwide. He was a founding member of the Philosopher’s Class at his church, a member of Nemours Ruritan, and liked working on his family farm or fishing. Raymond ‘Sonny’ L. Hutchinson, Jr. of Staunton, Virginia, passed away on August 23, 2015. He loved traveling, restoring antiques, and gardening. Dwight L. Speeks of Bluefield, Virginia, passed away December 20, 2018. Dwight was a retired school administrator from Tazewell County Public School System. He served as an elder at Fincastle Presbyterian Church in Bluefield, Virginia, and held various offices in the Abingdon Presbytery. Dwight loved to hunt and fish and enjoyed working outdoors. Ernest Dan Wagner of Goode, Virginia, passed away June 12, 2015. Dan served his country in the United States Army Reserve, retiring after 25 years of service. He was employed with Aerofin Corporation and was a faithful member of Norwood Baptist Church. 1958 Darrell K. Crotts of Newport News, Virginia, passed away on April 12, 2019. He served in the 3rd United States Infantry “The Old Guard” in the Army’s Official Ceremonial Unit and Escort to the President in Fort Myer, Virginia, and was employed for the Newport News Shipyard and the United States Navy as Superintendent of Ships. Darrell sang solos and in the choir at his church and enjoyed gardening, fishing, and sports. 1959 Harold Townsend Perdue of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on February 6, 2019. He served in the United States Army Air Force as an aircraft engine mechanic and was a member of the Chapter 3 Disabled American Veterans. 1960 Issa K. Deeb of Bonita Springs, Florida, passed away on September 7, 2018. Charles D. Dietrich of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on May 24, 2018.

Virginia, passed away on June 18, 2019. He served as an United States Army and National Chaplain in the Reserves and retired as a Colonel (P) after serving as Command Chaplain of the 310th TAACOM, Fort Belvoir. Rev. Marcom received the Legion of Merit Award and was presented the Order of the Sword by the enlisted men in his unit. He was a youth pastor while attending school. Rev. Marcom pastored churches in Virginia and Maryland since 1967, including Falmouth and Friendship Baptist Church and was interim pastor at Bethel Baptist. He received the Christian Service Award for alumna, was the 2016 inductee into the Hall of Distinguished Graduates, and chaired the Presidential search committee that brought Dr. David Olive to Bluefield College. Rev. Marcom served as a trustee of Bluefield College, Fork Union Military Academy, the Radio and TV Commission, and the North American Mission Board where he served as Chairman of the Chaplains Commission. He served as trustee, deacon and teacher of the Baraca Sunday School Class at Fredericksburg Baptist Church. He was a member of the Rappahannock Rotary Club, Chaplain of Community Home Health and Hospice and volunteered as Chaplain of the White Oak Rescue Squad, the Rappahannock Regional Criminal Justice Academy, and District IV Prince Georges County Police Domestic Violence Unit. Rev. Marcom served on the board of the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra, was Chairman of Prince Georges County United Way Board, Staff Director of Fredericksburg Personal Counseling Service and Vice Chairman of Two Rivers District Boy Scouts. Memorial contributions may be sent in his memory to Bluefield College, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, Virginia, 24605 for the Jack Marcom Scholarship. Gerald ‘Jerry’ B. Vaught of Daleville, Virginia, passed away on June 8, 2018. He was the vice- president for CES Mechanical in Longwood, Florida. Jerry enjoyed his BMW cars and cherished travelling out west on old trains. 1966 Thomas B. Childress of Pocahontas, Virginia, who passed away on December 17, 2016 was named after the Route 102 Pocahontas bridge. Childress was known for his dedication to preserve and restore the town of Pocahontas and received the William Myers Community Spirit Award. He served on the Virginia and Mercer County Tourist Train Authority; Chair of the Tazewell County Planning Commission; member of the Tazewell County Tourism Development Committee, board member of HPI; Grants and Properties Chairperson of Historic Pocahontas Incorporated; and member of many other Democratic committees. 1967 Barbara Burton Hall of Bluefield, Virginia, passed away on May 27, 2018. Barbara retired from First Community Bank in Bluefield, West Virginia. She was the pianist and member at Bailey United Methodist Church and a volunteer at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. Joseph C. Turley, III of Blacksburg, Virginia, passed away on February 3, 2015. Joe was known for his pioneering efforts in the coal industry, ranging from the regulation of safety policies and equipment to lobbying and negotiations at state and federal government levels to promote the economy and future state of coal in America.

1962 Rev. Jack A. Marcom, Jr. of Fredericksburg,

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