Above, fraternity and sorority leaders gather for a luncheon at the Theta Chi house in 1963.


By Joanne Kollar

FACULTY Dr. ROBERT LINN BERNHARDT III of Greenville (right) died Dec. 2. He taught mathematics at ECU from 1983 to 2000 and was the mathematics department chair for 17 years. He was also interim chair of the computer science department for six years. He supported the ECU Math Contest for high school and middle grades students throughout eastern North Carolina. He initiated the NC Early Mathematics Placement Testing Program, which fosters continued mathematics preparation among high school students by allowing them to take a sample collegiate placement exam. Dr. SUNDAY A. AJOSE of Lehigh Acres, Fla., died Jan. 12. He taught at ECU from 1998 to 2007 in the math and science education department. A native of Nigeria, he chaired the committee that developed ECU's African and African American Studies program. Dr. TIMOTHY ANDREW JOHNSON of Southport died March 7. He was formerly a biomedical engineer and professor of internal medicine at ECU's Brody School of Medicine. His research focused on sudden cardiac death. Dr. RICHARD HARLOW LAING of Greenville (right) died Dec. 23. He was dean of the ECU School of Art in 1979 and later a professor of art retiring in 1999 with professor emeritus status. In 1992, he was named Distinguished Art Educator of the Year by the N.C. Art Education Association. During the Korean War, he joined the U.S. Navy Reserve and served for eight years. A private pilot, he had a special fondness for F-4U planes used during that period. Dr. RICHARD "DICK" ALBERT LAUFFER of Morehead City died Nov. 27. For 40 years he was a coach, professor and administrator in physical education in high schools and universities throughout New Jersey and North Carolina, including Campbell University, ECU (1975-1981) and N.C. State University. Dr. PATRICIA VAUGHAN "TRISH" LOWERY '80 '85 of Greenville died April 1. She was a general pediatrician for 17 years on both Virginia’s Eastern Shore and in Eastern North Carolina before specializing in neonatology in ECU's Brody School of Medicine pediatrics department where she was a clinical associate professor of pediatrics. SARA BRUCE MCCRAW of Greenville died Nov. 23. She was an assistant professor in ECU's College of Education. PAUL EDWARD OAKLEY of Owensboro, Ky., died Nov. 23. He was a professor of music and director of choral and sacred music studies at Kentucky Wesleyan College, where he introduced The Festival of Lessons and Carols, and led the Kentucky Wesleyan Singers in performances throughout Kentucky and many other states. He taught at ECU from 1999 to 2000. DEBRA "DEBBIE" O'NEAL of Blounts Creek died March 31. Since 2004 she taught English at ECU and was involved with the ECU Language Academy, which provides intensive English-language instruction to international students and professionals. EVA VALERIE JALAJAS PRICE of Greenville died Jan. 1. She was an instructor in ECU's kinesiology department in the College of Health and Human Performance. She designed and implemented the home-school physical education program operated by that department. EDWARD ARNOLD REEP of Bakersfield, Calif., died Feb. 27 at 94. He retired with emeritus status after teaching art at ECU from 1970 to 1985. During WW II he was a combat artist in the Mediterranean theater producing paintings depicting life in the front lines of the war that reside in the Pentagon and the Army art archives. His paintings after the war reside in the permanent collections of major museums, universities, corporations and private collectors all over the country, including the Smithsonian. Dr. JOHN T. REHM of Wimauma, Fla., died Feb. 9. A trombonist, he taught music theory in ECU's School of Music from 1964 to 1966. Dr. BOOTH BUFORD RHEA of Palm Springs, Calif., died in October. He was emeritus faculty in ECU's sociology department where he taught from 1971 to 1996. Much of his work focused on the medical profession. In 1981 his text, The Future of the Sociological Classics, published by Allen and Unwin, became a staple for sociological theory courses. Dr. FRANKLIN DAVID SANDERS of Midlothian, Va., (above) died March 21. He was the founding director of ECU's Honors Program, retiring in 1998 as professor emeritus of English after 30 years of service. In 1987 he received the Alumni Association Teaching Excellence Award. He was proud that his ECU students won four Pulitzer prizes, a National Teacher of the Year Award, an Academy Award and various other awards. Dr. RONALD LEWIS THIELE of Santa Rosa, Calif., (above) died Feb. 19. Dean of ECU's School of Allied Health Sciences from 1979 to 1996, he built and established excellence in physical therapy, audiology, epidemiology and medical records programs. A veteran of the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, he retired from ECU with emeritus status. Dr. ROBERT EUGENE THURBER of New Bern (above) died Feb. 15. He was among a number of professionals who planned and opened ECU's Brody School of Medicine. He began as chair of the physiology department in 1970 and retired in 2001. Staff JOSEPH "JOE" HARDACRE CALDER of Raleigh (above), who was chief of campus police from 1970 to 1989, died Feb. 5 at 92. A 23-year U.S. Army veteran who fought in WW II, he is credited with building the Office of Public Safety from a small security and traffic team into a two-division public safety and traffic administration office. He was chief throughout the turbulence of the 1970s and ‘80s, stepping in to protect Arab students in the aftermath of the Iranian hostage crisis. He built relations with the Greenville Police Department to treat college students with flexibility. EVELYN ELLIS ALLEN of Greenville died Dec. 23. She worked for many years at the ECU Student Supply Store. JESSIE "BUD" ANDERSON JR. of Greenville died Feb. 1. He retired from the environmental services department at ECU. JASPER BARNES JR. of Greenville died Jan. 31. He retired from ECU. LYNDA LEE STINE WERDAL '75 '83 of Greenville died Jan. 26. She worked at ECU's Joyner Library in the interlibrary loan department. WILLIAM THOMAS BARRETT of Winston-Salem died Dec. 7. He formerly worked in career services at ECU. FRANCIS M. EDDINGS of Greenville died Jan. 12 at 90. He was ECU chief of police from 1974 through 1985. He was a WW II Marine veteran serving with the First Marine Air Wing in the South Pacific in Bougainville, Green Island and the Philippine Islands. RHONDA JO GURLEY of Goldsboro died Nov. 22. She was a retired police officer for the ECU Public Safety Office. SANDRA H. HOFFNER GRUENWALD of Greenville died Feb. 2. In April 2012, she retired as an administrative assistant at ECU's Brody School of Medicine. SUZANNE FORBES RUFFIN of Greenville died Feb. 9. She was a 25-year employee of ECU's Brody School of Medicine. SHARON LEE SMITH of Kinston died Dec. 7. She was formerly an administrative assistant at ECU. MARY ELIZABETH SEKELLA TRACY of Florence, S.C., died Nov. 16. She retired from ECU as a registered nurse. From 1945 to 1946 she served in the US Army as a 2nd lieutenant. CHRISTINE CAIN WEAVER of Greenville died March 22. She was liaison for learning platforms in the ITS teaching and learning division. Friends FANCHON "FANNIE" HATHAWAY MILNE CRAWLEY of Houston, Texas, died Feb. 3 at 90. She was the wife of the late Wes "Bud" D. Crawley, who taught in ECU's art school from 1959 to 1985. She was first a caseworker and later regional supervisor of the Children's Home Society of North Carolina. ERNESTINE HOBGOOD MURPHREY of Longwood, Fla., died Feb. 5 at 92. She was the granddaughter of William Henry Ragsdale, one of ECU's founders. RUTH F. MOORE, formerly of Greenville, died Dec. 20 at 92. She was the wife of the late Cliff Moore, ECU vice chancellor for business affairs. LEORA E. ADAMS of Greenville died Apr. 6. She was the mother of Nancy Ballard, wife of Chancellor Steve Ballard.

1930s
CORNELIA "CONNIE" RHYNE COUNTS '33 of Charlotte (left) and most recently Rock Hill, S.C., died Jan. 18 at 100. She taught elementary school for many years.  She was a sought-after flower arranger for which she received many honors and awards. LOUISE W. PREVATT '34 '36 of Wilmington died Oct. 15, 2012, at 97. ELLEN STEWART TYNER '37 of Sanford died Dec. 1. She taught for 42 years in Lee, Harnett and Chatham county schools. MILDRED BECTON VENTERS '38 of Grimesland died Nov. 29. She taught in Pitt County Schools and was a former recipient of the Governor's Award for Volunteer Service in Pitt County.

1940s
EDITH HARRIS ARTHUR '42 of Chapel Hill died Oct. 23, 2012, at 92. She taught home economics in Lenoir County Schools and was a home demonstration agent with the N.C. Extension Service in Onslow County. MARY ELLEN SHAW BOYLES '43 of Burlington, formerly of Gibsonville, died Dec. 2 at 90. She taught in the Guilford County School System until retirement. LLOYD WENTZ CHESSON '47 of Wilson died Feb. 17. A WW II Army veteran, he worked in insurance and real estate and was the first realtor in Wilson to receive the certified residential specialist designation. HELEN GASKINS GREEN '49 of New Bern died Feb. 1. She taught home economics at Chocowinity High School, Beaufort County, and later returned to New Bern where she taught home economics at New Bern High School and J.T. Barber Junior High School for more than 25 years. ANNE MILLER PARKER HODGES '47 of Kinston died Jan. 4. She taught home economics in Warrenton, Nashville, Chicod and at Grainger High School in Kinston and sewing classes at Lenoir Community College. For 42 years she and her husband owned and operated Hodges Motel and Cottages at Cape Hatteras. JACK E. KIMBRELL '49 '52 of Cary died March 15. In 1991 he retired as media training coordinator and senior engineering extension specialist with NC State University. BEATRICE FORREST LITTLE '44 of Winterville died Jan. 13 at 90. She retired in 1976 after teaching elementary education for more than 21 years in Pitt County Schools. DOROTHY BELL MILLER '48 of Winston-Salem died Jan. 3 at 93. She taught school for 37 years in Kinston and surrounding areas, including Atkinson and Long Creek. EDNA JAMES PULLEN '40 of Burgaw died Jan. 23 at 93. She taught elementary school in several school districts, but was proud of having taught fifth-grade classes in Burgaw schools for more than 30 years. FRANCES ELLEN LEWIS ROUSE '47 of Jacksonville died Jan. 27. She taught in Raleigh, Bailey and Jacksonville, retiring from Northwoods Elementary School, Jacksonville, in 1983. DANIEL "DAN" RAY SAIEED SR. '42 of Wilmington died March 23. He worked in manufacturing and distributing modular office structures. He was an early pioneer in this concept, advocating changes in city and county building codes to allow this structural concept in office centers. SARAH BARNES SUGG '45 of Greenville died Dec. 7 at 95. For many years she was active in Girl Scouts, the Greenville Museum of Art and Sheppard Memorial Library, serving on the boards of all three. She was an amateur artist who became a professional late in life. Pastel portraits of children were her specialty. JANE WILLIAMS SHEFFIELD '42 of Warsaw died Jan. 31 at 93. She retired from teaching in the Duplin County School System. During WW II, she worked for the American Red Cross in Charleston, S.C. M. LOUISE THOMAS '43 of Winston Salem died Feb. 17 at 90. She began as a buyer at Ivey's in Charlotte, moving to Winston-Salem in 1959 where she became the first female officer of Thalheimers Department Store as vice president. She retired as senior vice president of merchandising with Thalheimers in Richmond, Va. CHRIS HARRIS WALDROP '40 of Greenville died March 4 at 94. She taught several years at Ayden and Bethel high schools.

1950s
DOROTHY JACKSON ARNOLD '58 of Raleigh died Nov. 23. She taught sixth grade in Arlington and Richmond, Va., and at numerous Wake County schools including Millbrook Middle School. She won several awards as an acclaimed science teacher and was a mentor teacher, devoted pet owner and animal rights activist. Dr. R. HILTON BIGGS '53 of Alachua, Fla., died Nov. 16. In 1992 he retired as professor emeritus from the University of Florida where he was chair of the fruit crops department. He was a leader in research on the physiological and biochemical effects of increased ozone, acid rain and ultraviolet light on crop plants. GEORGE MARTIN CAFFREY '56 of Odessa, Texas, (left) died Dec. 5. A U.S. Air Force Korean War veteran, he spent most of his career in public education, teaching at the secondary level in several states. After retirement, he and his wife traveled and during their time in Grenada with Project Hope, he was headmaster of the International School under the auspices of USAID. While in Swaziland, Africa, with the same organization, he was president of a board of international expatriates and nationals that established a hospice program for the Swazi people, Swaziland Hospice at Home, still in existence today. CAROL RUSTON GEE '59 of Millsboro, Del., died March 18. ERMA BROWNING ELLEN '57 of Greenville died Jan 15. In 2005, she retired from the credit union at Catalytica Pharmaceuticals. FITZHUGH "TODDY" FENNELL JR. '52 '61 of Wilmington died Nov. 22. A U.S. Army veteran, he taught and coached in public school systems before moving to administration at Cape Fear Community College. In 1968 he coached the New Hanover High School basketball team to a state 4-A championship and was named the state 4-A coach of the year. In retirement he was interim pastor at many churches. ANN BOWLES FICHTER '57 of Williamsburg, Va., died Jan. 31. For 27 years she taught mathematics and was department chair at Hampton Roads Academy, which elected her to its Wall of Honor after her retirement in 1998. JAMES BRAXTON FLY '51 of Huntsville, Ala., died Feb. 9. An Army veteran, he retired from the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center procurement office as a supervisory contracting officer.  JOSEPH DONALD "DON" HARRELL '57 of Wilmington died Jan. 19. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he was director of finance for Wilmington, retiring after 25 years. HORTENSE TYNDALL HASTY '50 of Beulaville died Feb. 7. A lifelong resident of Kenansville, she was active in the community and served on the town board.

JEAN BEDDINGFIELD HINNANT '52 of Zebulon (left) died March 10. She was a teacher and librarian at Bunn High School for more than 31 years. A life-long athlete, at 16 she pitched baseball in a men’s semi-pro baseball game, striking out six batters in four innings, before it was discovered that she was a girl when her baseball cap flew off. She coached girls’ basketball at Bunn High School for 11 years, with a record of 233 wins and 29 losses, with nine titles in 11 years. She coached the 1952-1956 team (the first string known as the “Fabulous Six”) to 72 consecutive wins. She and the team were honored at a special ceremony at Bunn High School in 2003 for their athletic achievements. She credited her success as a coach to the late Nell Stallings, who taught physical education at ECU. WALTER JAMES HYNES JR. '51 of Topsham, Me., died March 14. At 70 he retired from Raytheon after a long career as an engineer and executive in missile system and integrated combat system design for a number of companies. NAOMI BOBBITT JACKSON '53 of Greenville died March 16. She was a retired teacher. DORIS ELAINE GRANTHAM KING '54 of Marco Island, Fla., died Jan. 26. She worked in the federal civilian service, retiring as an administrator of research and development funds for Naval aviation. HARLAN LOFTON "MAC" MCPHERSON JR. '59 of Wilmington and Kill Devil Hills died March 1. A U.S. Naval Reserve veteran, he worked in insurance for more than 35 years. He was a pitcher on the ECU baseball team. GERALD D. "JERRY" MORRIS '57 of Bayboro died Nov. 15. He retired from Sondey Associates, which he co-owned. Dr. ROBERT WILSON MOYE '55 of Raleigh died Dec. 24. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he practiced dentistry in Raleigh for 37 years. Dr. ROBERT GLENN MULDER JR. '58 '64 '65 of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Jan. 16. For 29 years he was a professor of English at Chowan College, taught creative writing and was editor of Writer's Forum. In Florida, he was choir director at Lakeview Baptist Church-Clearwater, recently serving as director of music at Pasadena Baptist Church and music instructor at the Roberts Adult Center. WILLIAM HOKE "BILL" PAGE '58 of Mount Holly died Jan. 23 at 90. A WW II veteran who served in the China/Burma/India Theater of Operations as a cryptographic technician with the Signal Corps, he retired as vice president of the Business Development Corp. of N.C., Raleigh. He and his wife later ran Professional Monogramming Co., Raleigh, until 1993. In 2009, he participated in the Rotary "Flight of Honor" for WW II veterans. JOYCE WORSLEY PEEL '58 of Durham died Jan. 9. She was a teacher. WILLIAM GEORGE SHIVAR '53 of Clemson Downs, S.C., died Dec. 4. He was a retired administrator in public schools for St. Stephen, S.C. KRISTINA MASSIE SWAIN '59 of Seaford, Del., died Dec. 22. She taught at Seaford High School from 1969 to 1992. GEORGE M. TUCKER '55 '58 of Columbia, S.C., died March 1. He played football at ECU and coached football for 10 years, the last five years as head coach at Elon College where he was inducted into the Elon College Hall of Fame. The Elon football practice field is named in his honor. In 1971 he moved to Columbia, S.C. where he was a stockbroker until his retirement. JUDSON WARREN WHITEHURST SR. '57 of Kinston died March 2. In 1997 he retired from Nations Bank after 37 years, where he was vice president and senior banking executive. LETCHER HARDEMAN WILLIS '51 of Orange, Va., died Feb. 19. He owned Clark Manufacturing Co., an employee-owned custom-cabinetry business, from which he retired. PEGGY TUCKER WILSON '52 '55 of Pensacola, Fla., died Jan. 30. For 31 years she taught third grade in North Carolina and in Tallahassee and Pensacola, Fla.




LAURA MARIE LEARY ELLIOTT ’66 (above), the first African-American student to receive an undergraduate degree from ECU, died May 7 at 68. She lived in the Washington, D.C., area and worked for many years as an auditor for the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. Treasury. She was honored last year at homecoming during celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of campus desegregation. “We’re saddened by the news (of Elliot’s death), but we’re glad we got to spend time with her at homecoming and honor her in a fitting way,” said ECU Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Virginia Hardy. Elliott was married to the late Allen Elliott and they had two children, Reginald Allen and Rachel Marie Elliott.


1960s
JAY B. ANDREWS '66 of Louisville, Ky., died Nov. 30. He played football for ECU and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He was president and a member of the board of directors of both Health-Tex Inc., and Kleinerts Inc. He was president of the Children's Wear Manufacturing Association and KIDS. SALLY WHITTED BROWN '62 of Snow Hill died March 28. She retired from the Greene County Housing Authority. JACK ANDREW CALVERT SR. '60 of Lexington died April 3. In 1999 he retired from Mountcastle Insurance, of which he was co-owner. A Pirate Club member, he was also a member of Lambda Chi at ECU. ADDIS PITTARD "TAD" CATES JR '62 '64 of Parkton died March 4. He co-owned Addis Cates Co. until retiring in 2000. He then became a Presbyterian lay minister, serving the Philadelphus Presbyterian Church in Red Springs. PAUL JEREMIAH DONOHUE '67 '85 of Cary died Nov. 11. He was a CPA at GlaxoSmithKline for more than 40 years. He was an All-American diver at ECU and a member of the Army National Guard. Dr. HENRY BARRY GILLEN '66 '67 of Olde Towne Portsmouth, Va., died Jan. 29. For more than 40 years, he taught psychology at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Va., where he retired as associate professor emeritus in 2012. JUDITH LEA HARRIS '69 of Roanoke Rapids died March 13. She retired from the Roanoke Rapids Graded School District after 20 years as an assistant teacher. She played for many musical productions, including outdoor drama at Halifax, musical productions for Charlie John Smith at Louisburg College, Louisburg, and at Lakeland Cultural Arts Center, Littleton. MARGARET ELAINE WHITLEY HARRIS '67 of Elm City died March 18. She taught in Elm City, Wilson County Schools, for 15 years before becoming associate director and later director of the Child Nutrition Programs for Wilson County Schools for another 15 years. FRANCES ROUNTREE HARRISON '64 of Rocky Mount died Dec. 19. She taught high school in Georgia and at Benvenue and Northern Nash in Rocky Mount, later serving as a professor and administrator at North Carolina Wesleyan College for 27 years. In 1995 she retired as professor emerita and later joined Communities in Schools as the supervisor of Family Resource Centers. CHARLES RALPH HINSON '63 '64 of Hickory died March 28. For 23 years he was owner and president of Tarason Labels Inc. In 1989 he was named Entrepreneur of the Year for Manufacturing in North Carolina. VICKY WALLACE HUGHES '69 of Port Orange, Fla., died Nov. 12. AUDREY DOWDY LEWIS '66 of Virginia Beach, Va., died March 10. After 20 years, she retired as a Virginia Beach school nurse, where she worked at North Landing, Creeds and Indian Lakes elementary schools. HARRY LOGAN MCCALL '65 of Marion died Feb. 16. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he was a mechanic, long-haul truck driver, high school math teacher and a manager with Pioneer Eclipse in Sparta. BOBBY CARSON MILLER SR. '60 of Monroe died Nov. 7. He was president of Bob Miller Insurance Agency, Social Circle, for 34 years. DAVID ALEXANDER MCLEMORE JR. '66 of Clinton died Jan. 22. An Army veteran who served in Vietnam, he was a CPA in North Carolina since 1980. He was honored as chief proctor for the CPA exam given by the N.C. State CPA Board of Examiners in 1998 and proctored the CPA exam from 1986 to 2003. MICHAEL LARRY PITTARD '68 of Charlotte died Jan. 1. He taught music at J.M. Alexander Middle School, North Mecklenburg High School, Coulwood Middle School in Macon County and West Mecklenburg High School. He was active as choir director in many churches. LEO HOWELL SALTER '61 of Davis died Jan. 2. He retired from the Naval Air Rework Facility at Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, and had previously taught business education courses and was FBLA advisor at Smyrna High School in the early 1960s. EUGENE "GENE" T. SCHMIDT '66 of Virginia Beach, Va., died Feb. 5. He owned and operated Zeros Subs, a large family-operated business, for more than 45 years. JAMES "JIM" GILMER STANCIL '67 of Beaufort died Dec. 12. CECIL LEE STONE '67 of Rocky Mount, Va., died Feb. 3. He retired after teaching in North Carolina, Fieldale and Burnt Chimney, and Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Callaway Elementary in Franklin County, Va. GARY EUGENE WIDENHOUSE '63 of Wrightsville Beach died Nov. 22. An Air Force veteran, he worked for New Hanover County Schools for 37 years as teacher and assistant principal at New Hanover High School, and principal at Forest Hills Elementary School, Ogden Elementary School, Roland Grise Middle School and College Park Elementary School until retiring in 1997. PATRICIA ANN ARNOLD WISHART '68 of Lumberton died Dec. 31. For 21 years she taught in the Robeson County Schools at Fairmont Middle School, Carroll Middle School and Lumberton Jr. High. She was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority at ECU.

1970s
JOSEPH DONALD "J.D." BABB '73 of Rutherford College died Jan. 24. He ran his own advertising firm. JUNIUS CLEVELAND "CLEVE" BARRETT '71 of Raleigh died Dec. 11. He worked with Signet Bank in Virginia for 24 years prior to coming to Raleigh to work at South Trust Bank. Most recently he was senior vice president at Regions Bank, Raleigh. He was retired after 24 years in the Army National Guard. JOHN KENNETH BUSH '79 of Oklahoma City, Okla., died Feb. 7. He was a lawyer in Oklahoma City. MICHAEL LEE BURNETTE '73 of Ayden died March 1. An Army Vietnam War veteran, he retired after more than 30 years from Century Link. ISAAC "IKE" LAFAYETTE CAMPBELL III '71 of Greenville died Dec. 10. A U.S. Air Force veteran, he retired from Hardees Food Systems. Dr. JOHN BLACKWELL "JACK" CHEATHAM of Augusta, Ga., died Jan. 6. He was a retired Army Special Forces officer, having served in the Philippine Islands, Germany, Viet Nam, Korea, Fort Bragg and Fort Benning, Ga. NANCY ANN NICKLIN CHEW '73 of Wichita, Kan., died Jan. 22. BILLY RUSS DARROW '70 of Washington died March 13. He was a broker in charge at Century 21 Real Estate of Washington for 20 years and an active member of the Pirate Club. JASPER "J.D." EVANS '72 '81 of Goldsboro died Dec. 17. He taught science and math at the former Carver High School in Mount Olive, and was assistant principal at Southern Wayne High School before becoming the director of Wayne County Public Schools Diagnostic Center. ANDREW "ANDY" ALLEN FRITH '75 '81 of Greenville died March 28. He owned several small businesses. ROBERT FISHER "PUDGE" GORE '74 of Ocean Pines, Md., died July 29. In 1974 he retired as a major in the Marine Corps. He had a second 20-year career conducting labor law cases nationwide, including taking a case before the U.S. Supreme Court. WILLIAM STEPHEN "STEVE" HOLLOWAY '71 of Matthews died Dec. 5. He was involved with the Matthews Concert Band for many years. CAROL WOOD HORNBERGER '75 of Wilmington died March 11. She was a Navy nurse and later an anesthetist at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. DWIGHT STEVEN HUGHES '76 of Henderson died March 17. He owned D.S. Hughes Bonding Co. and worked at J.P. Taylor Tobacco Co. BRENDA GAYLE NELSON MATTHEWS '74 of Lakeland, Fla., died Feb. 1. For more than 30 years she taught kindergarten and was teacher of the year at Snively Elementary, Winter Haven, Fla., in 1990. In 1991 she moved to Highland City Elementary, Highland City, Fla., where she taught until retirement. JAMES "JIM" RAY MODLIN '70 (left) died Sept. 20. At ECU, he was co-captain of the basketball team and was voted to the Southern Conference basketball team. Several of his records still stand. He played professional basketball for the Pittsburg Condors for several years until a knee injury ended his career. He was a fitness professional, last working at the Sportscenter Athletic Club, Greensboro. He was a radio broadcaster for the Greensboro Grasshoppers baseball team. NANCY PHEORA EASON MORRIS '72 of LaGrange died Feb. 6. She taught in Lenoir County Schools, was a property manager at both Topsail Beach and Gatlinburg, Tenn., and returned to teaching in Greene County Schools until retiring in 2005. RICHARD DAVID RICHARDSON '76 of Rocky Mount died March 8. A Navy veteran, he was senior vice president of UAI Technology for 20 years. BARBARA KLEINERT STALLINGS '79 of Goldsboro died Feb. 23. An artist, she taught in North Carolina schools for more than 30 years. She received many awards during her career including First Union Secondary Educator of the Year, N.C. Elementary Art Teacher of the Year, National Art Teacher of the Year nominee and many first-place ribbons from competitions throughout North Carolina. Rev. JAMES ALLEN STARNES '72 of Lake Junaluska died Jan. 10. He taught behavioral sciences at Southeastern Community College, Whiteville, served several United Methodist churches in eastern N.C. and worked as a chaplain in the N.C. prison system. In 1996, he retired to Lake Junaluska. NANCY TAYLOR WHEATLY '73 of Beaufort died March 29. She taught in the Carteret County School System.

1980s
KIM VICK CARRAWAY '81 of Greenville died Dec. 14. She worked for Practicon, Greenville. At ECU, she was a member of Delta Zeta sorority. Commander O. KEITH FULLER '81 CDR USN (SS) (Ret.) of Fairfax, Va., died Dec. 11. During his 23-year naval career, he served aboard five nuclear powered submarines and was involved with the first submarine-launched, fully-fueled Tomahawk and Attack Missile. He also participated in Desert Shield. In 2003 he retired from the Navy after serving as chief engineer for communications security at Defense Informations Systems Agency, Arlington, Va. He also worked at Nortel Networks and most recently with Juniper Federal Systems as senior account manager. ALCESTER BRYANT HARRIS '81 of Garner died Dec. 10. She was a teacher for 31 years with New Bern-Craven, Pamlico and Nash county school systems. O. LEE HUGGINS JR. '80 of Greensboro died March 11. In 1997 he retired from Decision Point Marketing, Winston-Salem, after which he began a career in community theater. At ECU he was a member and treasurer of Kappa Sigma fraternity. KATHERINE "KAPPY" FLEMIN MCCLENEGHAN '82 '85 of Charlotte died March 27. A painter, she taught history and painting at Central Piedmont Community College, Pfeiffer College and Queens University. JAY ANDREW MCTIERNAN '87 of Highland, N.Y., died Jan. 4. He worked at Studio Macbeth, Kingston, N.Y., and with his wife opened the Zipper Theater in Manhattan, which premiered several highly acclaimed off-Broadway productions. NOAH HEARST PRICE JR. '83 of Avon died March 23. JOSEPH BENEDICT RILEY JR. '84 of New Bern died Jan. 20. He was captain of the Philadelphia Paranauts wheelchair basketball team in the 1960s when a football injury put him in the Johnstown Rehab Center for nearly a year. He worked for Philadelphia Gear, King of Prussia, Pa., before moving to New Bern to work for the New Bern Sun Journal. He also owned and operated Two Bit Book Store.

1990s
SUSAN HAYWOOD DANIELS '93 of Wilson died Feb. 12. For more than 20 years she taught at the Eastern N.C. School for the Deaf in Wilson and was a specialist with the Nash/Rocky Mount School System. SHIRLEY ANN BASS MARTIN '95 of Chapel Hill died Feb. 25. She served as acting director and assistant director at Cherry Hospital, retiring with 30 years of service. ROBERT "BOB" DUNN MAY '93 of Richmond, Va., died Dec. 14. His career included stints as a launch driver with the Virginia Pilot Association and serving as an able-bodied seaman before returning to school to get his engineering degree. He was a robotics engineer in the high-tech manufacturing industry. MARY ANGELA CLEMONS LEE '98 of Whiteville died Jan. 26. She was a social worker for the Pitt County Department of Social Services as well as the State of North Carolina.
 
2000s
HEATHER LEE DUNN '00 of Raleigh died March 24. She was a senior case manager/team lead at G4S Compliance and Investigations. AMANDA TAYLOR LAWRENCE LANE '02 of New Bern died March 22. She taught math at Havelock High School. Dr. DILLARD T. MASSEY JR. '02 of Concord died Dec. 20. He completed his residency at Virginia Commonwealth University Health Systems, Richmond, Va. GILBERT RODRIGUEZ '04 of Rocky Mount died Feb. 21. He served 20 years in the Air Force and another 15 years with the U.S. Census Bureau.

2010s
LINDSEY JANE COPPOLA '11 of Wilmington died Dec. 12. JOHN RAY HOLDEN '11 of Greenville died Nov. 15. ROBERT STEVEN PEREZ of Centreville, Va., died March 2. He was an ECU sophomore.