Spire Magazine 2021

In Memory

1935 Juanita Bowman Grainger, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, passed away on November 27, 2020. She taught Sunday school for many years at First Baptist Church and was very active in the Women’s Missionary Union. She helped to begin the conventional English classes on the Hamilton County Baptist Association, and was the director of classes in her church for many years. She was also the last surviving member of the Planning and Survey Committee where the church moved to the Golden Gateway. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Bluefield University, 3000 College Drive, Bluefield, Virginia. 24065 or First Baptist Church, 401 Gateway Ave., Chattanooga, Tn. 37402. 1942 Helen Mae Ramey Hawkes , of Martinsville, Virginia, passed away on January 25, 2021. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Martinsville where she served as an Elder. She retired with 20 years of service as a teacher at Carver and Magna Vista High Schools. 1947 Doris Hartsoe Eggleston and spouse of the late Charles W. Eggleston (’49), of Roanoke, Virginia, passed away on July 30, 2020. She was a member of Cave Spring United Methodist Church, where she was active in the Friendship Sunday School class and the Afternoon Circle. The family suggests donations in her memory be sent to Cave Spring United Methodist Church, Roanoke, Virginia, or to Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, Virginia, 24605. 1948 Malcolm O. ‘Mack’ Perkins , of Mechanicsville, Virginia, passed away on July 23, 2020. He served in the United States Army and retired from the Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services. Randolph Harman Sexton , of Bramwell, West Virginia, passed away on June 27, 2020. He was a Korean War Veteran and a lifelong member of the Bramwell Methodist Church. After retirement from the army he worked as a draftsman with Pocahontas Fuel Company.

1949 Robert Hamilton Messick, of Richmond, Virginia, passed away on April 9, 2021. Bob graduated from Hargrave Military Academy in 1947, he then attended Bluefield College, before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He served for four years during the Korean War. He also served under both Governors Darden and Tuck. He was a Master Gardener, growing great vegetables and roses, an avid reader of mystery, biography and history books and a lover of sports - tennis and pickleball. 1951 Ralph Edwin Godsey , of Burkeville, Virginia, passed away on November 23, 2020. Dr. Godsey, in addition to being an exemplary medical practitioner he had an unconditional love for the sports. He coached Little League Baseball in Crewe for many years. He was also a member of the Crewe Country Club as well as the Arrowhead Gun Club. 1952 David McGuire Trayer , of Hixson, Tennessee, passed away on January 10, 2021. David worked as a Research Chemist with Union Carbide Nuclear Company. He later graduated from Harvard University with a Mater of Science in Applied Physics in 1962. David then put his degree to work as a Industrial Hygiene Chemist. He was a great professional in his career field and had several jobs. Besides serving in his professional career, he also served God as a Scoutmaster, leader, and teacher of youth and adults at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1953 Violet Mae Meade of Bluefield, Virginia and Surfside Beach South Carolina, passed away on July 24, 2020. Violet was a Professor Emeritus of Physical Education at Bluefield College, Radford University, Duke University, University of South Carolina, and Coastal Carolina College. She was one of the first to educate students to become physical education teachers for special needs. Violet was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame at Coastal Carolina University. She was one of the first women coaches in volleyball and basketball and took the first USC Women’s Basketball team

to win a National Championship. Her love for teaching included the first annual Special Olympics in Horry County, South Carolina. She was a member of American Physical Health Education and Recreation Association, and an Honorable Member of the Nana Mouskouri Fan Club. In Memory

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