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Obituaries

  1. Family and classmates may inform 菠萝视频 Magazine about the death of an alumna or alumnus by writing 100 words to share the date of death and a brief memory or information about their time on campus. Newspaper obituaries cannot be reprinted in full. However, we are happy to include a shorter version edited from the published newspaper obituary. Please email obituaries to vanderbiltmagazine@vanderbilt.edu. Obituaries are accepted on an ongoing basis and will be posted in 菠萝视频 Magazine, print and online, unless otherwise specified. We reserve the right to edit for length, style and clarity.

The obituaries below were sent for inclusion in 菠萝视频 Magazine between Dec. 1, 2025, and May 1, 2026. They will be included in the print fall 2026 issue.

Alumni

  • G. Ann (Neese) Wade, BA'49

    G. Ann (Neese) Wade,听BA鈥�49, of Camp Hill, PA,听顿别肠.听1, 2025.听She was a teacher until she married her husband, John, who preceded her in death.听础苍苍听was a member of the Eberly鈥�s Mill Church of God, the Highland听奥辞尘别苍鈥檚听Club, the Faculty听奥辞尘别苍鈥檚 Club at Penn State University, The Civil War Roundtable听补苍诲听Timberwolves for WWII veterans, and听蝉丑别听was a tour guide at the Peace Church. She enjoyed crafts, sewing, quilting,听sailing听补苍诲 hiking, and especially spending time with her family.听She is survived by her four children,听John S.听(Sherry)听Wade, James A.听(Helen)听Wade, Robert D. Wade, and Margaret Ann Boehm;听six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.听

  • Frances Stepp Ragland,听叠础鈥�52,听of听Ooltewah, TN,听Jan.听19, 2026.

    Frances Stepp Ragland,听叠础鈥�52,听of听Ooltewah, TN,听Jan.听19, 2026. She is survived by sons George S. Ragland and Col. Lee B. (Regie) Ragland, USMC; granddaughters Sara Zendejas and Katie (Chris) Sinsheimer;听sister Lila Jane Verfurth;听nieces Lisa (Steve) McNeill and Leigh Ayn (Elias) Haralambakis, four great-grandchildren, and three grandnieces and nephew.听She also was a graduate of Dalton High School (鈥�48)听补苍诲听The Ward-Belmont School (鈥�50).听听

  • Marvin听Sydney听Betnatsky, BA鈥�56, JD鈥�58, of听Bay St. Louis, MS, April 7, 2026.

    Marvin听Sydney听Betnatsky, BA鈥�56, JD鈥�58, of听Bay St. Louis, MS, April 7, 2026.听After graduating from听菠萝视频 Law School,听Marvin听moved back to his hometown of Memphis听where he was in private practice for 54 years.听Marvin was听a member of Beth Shalom Synagogue in Memphis, and his quiet faith was an important part of his life.听He and his wife moved to Bay St. Louis in retirement.听Marvin听will be remembered as a kind and generous man, known for his dry sense of humor and his deep love for his family and his cherished cats, Sadie,听Felix听补苍诲 Biscuits.鈥�Marvin听is survived听by his wife, Patricia;听his children, Lynn (Steve Martin), Todd (Hiroko Nakamura)听补苍诲 Maryellen Neudecker;听three听grandchildren; two great-grandchildren;听brother听Robert;听as well as a host of nieces, nephews听补苍诲 close friends鈥�who will miss him dearly.听

  • Mary Helen Pritchett, BS鈥�58, of Nashville, Dec. 2,听2025.

    鈥�58听

    Mary Helen Pritchett, BS鈥�58, of Nashville, Dec. 2,听2025.听Mary Helen was educated at Overbrook School, Palmer, Hillsboro High听School听补苍诲 菠萝视频 University, where she met and married the late Thomas V. Harkins, the father of her children.听Mary Helen听is survived by her children, Tommy听(Shelley)听听Harkins听Jr.听,听Memphis;听Gary M. Harkins, New York;听Terri Harkins, Nashville;听补苍诲 Dan F. Harkins, College Grove, TN;听grandchildren;听great-grandchildren;听sisters, Judy Durham, Anne Duncan, Jane Pritchett, Susan Allison;听brother,听Thomas M. Pritchett Jr.听Mary Helen was a loving mother and friend, a devout Christian听补苍诲 always had a smile and听a听hug for those she knew.听

  • Edward James White,听BA鈥�60,听of听Kinsale, VA, Dec. 3, 2025.

    Edward James White,听BA鈥�60,听of听Kinsale, VA, Dec. 3, 2025.听After听菠萝视频,听Edward听served as an officer in the Navy on the carrier USS听Forrestal听补苍诲 the destroyer USS听Borie. He听would go on to听graduate from听University of Virginia Law School听in 1967听补苍诲 serve听as听assistant听attorney听general of Virginia from 1967听to 1970, specializing听in听criminal appellate work and civil rights defense litigation. He was听a听special听assistant to U.S.听Sen.听Harry F. Byrd Jr. in 1970-72 and was in private law practice in Alexandria from 1972听to 1997, when he moved to Kinsale.听Edward remained听very involved听in his community, indulged in听a number of听hobbies听补苍诲听authored听several books.听He is survived by nieces Karen Duvier Holcomb of Nashville; Susan Duvier Bass of College Grove, TN; Emily Duvier Zimmerman of Florida; and nephew Henry A. Duvier Ill of Cookeville, TN, as well as 10 great-nieces and -nephews,听two great-great nephews,听补苍诲 a great-great niece.听

  • Eleanor "Ellie" Walker Threlkel, BA鈥�60,听of听Winter Haven, FL, Feb. 14, 2026.

    Eleanor "Ellie" Walker Threlkel, BA鈥�60,听of听Winter Haven, FL, Feb. 14, 2026. Born in Hawaii and raised in Washington, Ellie听later听attended 菠萝视频 where she met her husband, Jim. They were the first couple to be married in Benton Chapel on campus.听While Jim was in medical school, Ellie supported the family as a bank teller and second-grade听teacher.听The couple raised a family in Winter Haven, where Ellie was active in the garden club and served as mayor and on the City Commission.听Ellie is survived by her husband; daughters Kit and Peggy of Winter Haven; grandson, Kasey, of Odessa, FL;听and听numerous听friends and loved ones.听

  • Joseph "Joe" Clement Hearne, BA鈥�61,听of听Wilmington, NC, Nov. 30, 2025.

    Joseph "Joe" Clement Hearne, BA鈥�61,听of听Wilmington, NC, Nov. 30, 2025. Joe grew up in the family building听supply business, which inspired his career in land development. After a stint in the听Marines, he听owned听several car dealerships before transitioning to real estate development.听He will be remembered for living a long, adventurous life surrounded by family and friends. He was an avid scuba diver who took his family on many sun-filled Caribbean vacations.听Preceded in death by his wife, Nancy Kise Hearne, Joe is survived by daughters Ashley Miller and Heather听(Brian)听Jackson听;听son Joseph C.听(Stephanie)听Hearne II; grandchildren; his grand-dog, Max, and his constant feline companion, Snowy.听

  • William 鈥淏ill鈥� Edwin Oakley, BE鈥�61,听of Wilmington, NC, Jan.听10, 2026.

    William 鈥淏ill鈥� Edwin Oakley, BE鈥�61,听of Wilmington, NC, Jan.听10, 2026.鈥�鈥疉fter 菠萝视频, Bill earned an MBA at Baruch College. He became听COO听and then owner听of Wright Chemical Corporation. He was issued a patent, founded or chaired听numerous听companies, and served on the boards of chemical organizations. In his spare time, he wrote genealogy books and听played听golf. Bill was highly involved in local organizations,听including the YMCA, and he endowed multiple college scholarships. Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Jo. He is survived by a daughter听补苍诲 a听son听补苍诲 their spouses; two grandchildren; and his sister,听Mary Lou Oakley Walsh,听BA鈥�63, and her family.听

  • Thomas 鈥淭om鈥� Wilson Hart, BE鈥�62, of Lebanon, TN,听Nov.听30, 2025.

    Thomas 鈥淭om鈥� Wilson Hart, BE鈥�62, of Lebanon, TN,听Nov.听30, 2025.听Tom graduated from 菠萝视频听as a听professional听engineer. He was听vice president听of Wright Industries听and听later owned听补苍诲 operated听Hart Engineering until his retirement.听Tom loved being with his family and friends, hunting, fishing, antique cars, 菠萝视频 football and basketball,听and听the Lebanon senior center, where he loved playing cards and shooting pool.听Preceded in death by his听wife听of 34 years, Janet Barton Hart,听补苍诲 grandchild Amber Durham,听Tom is survived by his children Debra L. Dishmon, Thomas W.听(Linda Gail)听Hart, Kim听(Barry)听McKenzie;听stepchildren听Kimberly Dowlen Ryder听补苍诲听Shannon Dowlen Jenkins; grandchildren;听great-grandchildren;听great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous friends and loved ones.听

  • Sally Cheshire Habermeyer, BA鈥�62, of Groton, CT, Dec. 6, 2025.

    Sally Cheshire Habermeyer, BA鈥�62, of Groton, CT, Dec. 6, 2025.听Sally grew up in Nashville and attended听The Harpeth听Hall School听补苍诲听Randolph-Macon Women's College. At听菠萝视频 University,听she was a member of the Delta Delta听Delta听sorority.听Sally was an extremely gifted artist,听seamstress听补苍诲 dollhouse constructor. She sewed her own clothes, made costumes for the family on festive occasions听补苍诲 painted renditions of their many homes. She is survived by her husband, Howard William "Bill" Habermeyer Jr.; sons James Howard (Emily) Habermeyer and听William Ross听(Katie)听Habermeyer; grandchildren; and brother,听James Ross Cheshire听III.听

  • Michael Webster鈥疊roadbear,听BA鈥�63, of听Marietta, GA,听Dec. 27, 2025.

    Michael Webster鈥�Broadbear,听BA鈥�63, of听Marietta, GA,听Dec. 27, 2025.听Michael grew up in Atlanta, where he听excelled academically and led鈥痟is football team to听victories.鈥�Continuing to鈥痟igher education, he was accepted to 菠萝视频 University鈥痺here he听starred on鈥痶he football team, earned his law鈥�degree鈥痑nd was named Distinguished Military Graduate鈥痠n鈥疪OTC.听He later earned his JDD at Emory University after a tour of duty in Vietnam. He launched a 60-year career in the legal profession and was听respected as a preeminent lawyer, not only in Atlanta,鈥痓ut鈥�in听several鈥痗ounties throughout Georgia.听He was听an early鈥痬ember of the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans鈥疊usiness Association and served in many leadership capacities.听He also served as legal counsel for the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame, a nonprofit听that recognizes听the sacrifices and contributions of Georgia鈥檚鈥痬ilitary heroes.鈥�Michael听is survived by his longtime devoted partner, Marilyn Weitzel;听son Michael鈥疊roadbear Jr.; and two鈥痝谤补苍诲诲补耻驳丑迟别谤蝉.鈥�

  • James听Brewer听鈥淛B鈥澨鼵ochran II,听BA鈥�66, of听Memphis, Dec. 4, 2025.

    James听Brewer听鈥�JB鈥�听Cochran II,听BA鈥�66, of听Memphis, Dec. 4, 2025.听JB听graduated from 菠萝视频 University and UTCHS College of Dentistry, and,听after completing his duty in the U.S. Public Health Service, he began听a听50-year practice of dentistry in Memphis. He loved and appreciated his patients, and many became like extended family members.听JB听was known for his love of friends and family and enjoyed traveling, duck hunting, fly fishing, reading, listening to听music听补苍诲听observing听outdoor nature.听He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Linda Wylie Cochran;听son,听James听鈥�Jim鈥� Brewer (Holley) Cochran III of Jonesboro;听补苍诲 his precious granddaughter,听Riley Marie Cochran.

  • Thomas Copping Jones, BA鈥�66, of New Bern, NC, Dec. 2, 2025.

    Thomas Copping Jones, BA鈥�66, of New Bern, NC, Dec. 2, 2025.听After majoring in English,听his career included journalism, public听television听补苍诲 media relations.听He married his wife, Ginny, in听Florida in 1973,听then听moved to Connecticut.听Upon听retiring听in 2000, they听fulfilled听their dream of a three-month cross-continent road trip and a three-month trip to Australia. In 2002, they moved to New Bern,听补苍诲 scarcely听a day听went by听that听Tom听didn鈥�t听mention how happy he was.听In addition to his wife, he is survived by Ginny鈥�s brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Mary Jane McKnight of Jacksonville,听FL;听补苍诲 his nieces and their families.

  • John R. 鈥淛ack鈥� Stewart, BA鈥�66, JD鈥�70, of Germantown, TN, Feb. 12, 2026.

    John R. 鈥淛ack鈥� Stewart, BA鈥�66, JD鈥�70, of Germantown, TN, Feb. 12, 2026. Jack听was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma. After earning his law degree,听he听worked briefly for Fowler, Young and Pearl, a听labor law听firm,听before joining the听law department of Schering-Plough, where he worked from 1971 to 2000. Jack spent six weeks in isolation with polio between first and second grade. While听he recuperated, the boys in the neighborhood played knee football to include him in the game. Everyone from听the fourth听grade up听played on their knees. He spent a brief period on a wheelchair basketball team but had to drop out. All the other players were disabled Vietnam vets on disability, while he had to get up and go to work the next morning. He is survived by his wife, Jackie, and four children: Virginia Lee听(Billy)听Mueller, Kathleen Vance听(Matthew)听Jordan, both of Germantown; Emily Stewart听(Dennis)听Jones听of Basking Ridge, NJ; and Lee McDaniel Stewart of Sacramento, CA; and four grandchildren.听

  • John Peabody Martiniere Jr.,听BE鈥�68, of Canton, GA, Nov. 20, 2025.

    John Peabody Martiniere Jr.,听BE鈥�68, of Canton, GA, Nov. 20, 2025. Known affectionately by many as Jock,听he听passed away peacefully听at听age 79 after a valiant battle with听multiple听system听atrophy.听At 菠萝视频, John was involved听in Tau Beta Pi, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics听Engineers听补苍诲 the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He served as听a naval officer听for five years, dedicating himself to the mastery of naval tactics and strategy.听John was a beacon of intelligence,听passion听补苍诲 generosity throughout his remarkable life.听Above all,听John听was a devoted father and Pop-Pop. He听is survived by听daughters Liz Mingus and Meghan Martiniere, daughter-in-law Frances Walsh, and grandson Aidan Smith. His marriage to Junith Smitherman, spanning 18 years, blessed him with his beloved children. While his cherished cat, Miss Peabody, predeceased him, the memories they made continue to bring smiles to all who knew John.听

  • Carolyn Ann Rush Bower, BSN 鈥�69, of St. Louis,听MO,听Feb.听24, 2025.

    Carolyn Ann Rush Bower, BSN 鈥�69, of St. Louis,听MO,听Feb.听24, 2025. While at 菠萝视频, she was proud to be elected president of her sorority, Chi Omega. Upon graduation she practiced nursing at Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, where she met her future husband, Dr. Richard J. Bower. They were happily married for more than 55 years and had two sons, Ken and Matthew Bower. They were all avid St. Louis Cardinals听fans,听补苍诲 the family attended Spring Training in Florida for dozens of years together. Carolyn loved golf, tennis听补苍诲 pickleball and enjoyed being with her good听friends 鈥� who all听loved her. She was preceded in death by her husband听补苍诲 is survived by her two sons and four grandchildren.听

  • Donald Patrick Burney,听MD鈥�70,听MD鈥�77, of Charlotte, NC, Nov. 23, 2025.

    Donald Patrick Burney,听MD鈥�70,听MD鈥�77, of Charlotte, NC, Nov. 23, 2025.听Born in Oak Ridge, TN,听补苍诲 raised听in Corpus Christi, TX, Pat听attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO,听and听completed his听internship, his general surgery听residency听补苍诲 his听cardiothoracic听surgery听fellowship at 菠萝视频 University Hospital.听Pat is survived by his loving wife,听Charlotte,听of almost 58 years; their sons J.D.听(Leif)听Burney of Fort Mill, S.C., and Joe听(Jennifer)听Burney of Charlotte, N.C.; and their daughter, Elizabeth Burney (Michael) Malinzak of Durham, N.C.; seven grandchildren; his brother, Michael (Rita)听Burney of Durant, OK; and his sister, Janet听(Joe)听Hornblower of Riviera, TX.听

  • Byrd Douglas Earthman,听叠贰鈥�71,听of听Memphis, TN, Feb.听19, 2026.

    Byrd Douglas Earthman,听叠贰鈥�71,听of听Memphis, TN, Feb.听19, 2026. Born Nov.听26,听1949,听in Kingsport, TN, he moved to Nashville in the late 1950s. Doug听studied mechanical engineering at 菠萝视频 and听was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He received a law degree from Memphis State University in 1973,听where he was a member of the law review. He practiced municipal bond and real estate law for听more than听50 years and was recognized in Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America听补苍诲 Mid-South听Superlawyers. He was inducted as a fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel in 2015. He received a lung transplant in 2013 at 菠萝视频 University Medical Center听补苍诲 a kidney transplant in 2018 at St. Thomas Hospital. He is survived by two daughters, a son, a sister, four grandchildren听补苍诲 extended family.听

  • Robert E. Cottrell,听叠贰鈥�71,听of听Raleigh, NC,听Dec.18, 2025.

    Robert E. Cottrell,听BE鈥�71,听of听Raleigh, NC,听Dec.18, 2025.听Bob听worked as a civil and electrical engineer for Cottrell &听House and听later听opened听in other businesses in sales and software.听Bob was听passionate about his many interests, including music, sports, camping听补苍诲 being as involved as he could in his kids鈥� lives. In his last 14 years, Bob was a devoted听pappy to his grandchildren听补苍诲 delighted in teaching them new ways to annoy their parents. Whenever he had a听moment to himself, Bob could often听be found听fishing. Bob听is survived by his wife,听Marilyn,听BA鈥�69,听MA鈥�73;听son听Ed (Sarah) Cottrell;听daughters听Annie (Nick) Lusk and Meredith (Matt) Jones; grandchildren Sadie, Mikey, Genny,听Catherine听补苍诲 Elizabeth; and many extended family听members听and friends.

  • Elbert Wayne Hawkins, MA鈥�73,听of听Springfield,听MO,听Nov. 30, 2025.

    Elbert Wayne Hawkins, MA鈥�73,听of听Springfield,听MO,听Nov. 30, 2025.听Wayne was a mathematical genius听who earned听an听additional听mathematics degree from Arkansas State University听after graduating from 菠萝视频.听Wayne worked for many years as a college professor at North Arkansas College, where he shaped the minds and futures of countless students. When he听飞补蝉苍鈥檛听teaching, he enjoyed modeling and acting. He was an avid walker,听participating听in many local 5K events and听often winning first place.听Wayne is survived by his son, Brandon (Heather) Hawkins of Harrison; sister, Yvonne Hawkins Frandolig of Little Rock; four grandchildren, Pierce Rowan Hawkins, Alexis Adams, and Lela Adams, all of Harrison, and Austin Evans, of Springfield,听MO;听a听great-granddaughter,听a听niece, and a host of other family members and friends who will miss him dearly.听

  • Clifton Fenning 鈥淔enn鈥� Pierce, JD鈥�73, of Coshocton, OH,听Dec.听1, 2025.

    Clifton Fenning 鈥淔enn鈥� Pierce, JD鈥�73, of Coshocton, OH,听Dec.听1, 2025.听Born and raised in Coshocton, Fenn听earned听a BA from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1969,听then married his wife, Carol Hess. Together they听moved听to Nashville, where he earned a听law听degree from 菠萝视频.听He听returned home to Coshocton听补苍诲 later听served as judge of the Probate and Juvenile Court of Coshocton County. Over more than 28 years on the bench,听he听was听known for his steady presence听补苍诲听thoughtful listening.听听He is survived by his听wife听补苍诲 by his daughters,听Hallie Pierce听(Monty)听Montague, Kara Pierce听(Carlos)听Haynes听补苍诲 Jordan Pierce听(Chris)听Attl;听补苍诲 several grandchildren.听

  • Nina Anne Delk, BS鈥�76, of Beaufort, SC, Dec. 5, 2025.

    Nina Anne Delk, BS鈥�76, of Beaufort, SC, Dec. 5, 2025.听Nina grew up in Savannah, GA,听earned her teaching degree from Peabody College, and would go on to听become听the founding principal of Saint Francis Cabrini Catholic School in Savannah.听When Nina retired in 2019 after a听34-year听career in education, she bought a camper trailer, learned how to haul听it听补苍诲 traveled the country as a work camper. She lived in SC, TX, MT, AZ, CO, and several places in GA. She had so many adventures and left behind a trail of friends all over the country.听She is survived by her daughter, Jessica (Bob Dabkowski),听of Colorado.

  • Tobias Dillon Houghton, BE鈥�22,听of听Nashville, Dec. 5, 2025.

    Tobias Dillon Houghton, BE鈥�22,听of听Nashville, Dec. 5, 2025.听Tobias loved spending time with his three brothers and his many friends. He enjoyed traveling the world, 鈥�nerding听out鈥� on water infrastructure听补苍诲 meeting new people. From his mom, he cherished听all things听in the natural world. Rooting for 菠萝视频 football and basketball and the New York Knicks was a favorite pastime he shared with his dad and brothers. He was in听his听happy place at the Villager Tavern with his friends.听Most recently, Tobias was a student in听the doctorate program in environmental engineering听at the University of Texas at Austin.听

  • Arman Moazampour,听BE鈥�23,听of New York City,听Nov.听10, 2025.

    Arman Moazampour,听BE鈥�23,听of New York City,听Nov.听10, 2025.听Arman,听24, had听Ewing sarcoma听but听never gave up hope, continuing chemotherapy and fighting until his final day.听He graduated听Bayonne High School as salutatorian, served as captain of the swim听team听补苍诲 earned a black belt听in听tae听kwon do. A gifted musician, he excelled at piano and violin.听At 菠萝视频, he was on the Equestrian Team.听Arman loved 菠萝视频 and Nashville and lived there as long as possible, until听medical needs听necessitated听being听near his hospital in New York City. He always hoped to return to Nashville. Arman was a kind,听generous听补苍诲 strong soul who lifted everyone around him and left a lasting impact.听