Class Notes – Fall 2024

1960s

Minrose Gwin, ’67, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, discussed her new novel, “Beautiful Dreamers”, at Books on the Bosque in September.

1970s

Vyllorya Evans, ’71, originally from Aberdeen, played a major role in efforts to unveil the Mississippi Historical Marker where her mother taught, the Higgason Rosenwald School. African American students were educated at the school from 1927-1960. The marker unveiling was held in September and is the first of seven sites to receive signage as part of the Monroe County Rosenwald Schools Initiative partnership.

Jill Rigby Garner, ’77, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana released her third parenting book, “StrongHeart: Cultivating humility, respect, and resiliency in your child”.

1980s

Kim Jobe, ’85, of Fulton, Kentucky, was named the 2023 Citizen of the Year by the Twin Cities Chamber of Commerce.

Melissa Hagan, ’89, of Park City, Utah, was selected Ms. Continental Worldwide 2024. For more than 20 years, Continental Worldwide Pageant LLC has sought out and crowned women who are considered to be the “total package.” They are described as strong, passionate, committed to their communities and have an inherent desire to make a positive impact on the world.

1990s

Diane Baker, ’91, of Phil Campbell, Alabama, was named 2024 School Nurse Administrator of the Year.

Pamela White, ’91, ’23, of West Point has recently joined West Point Primary Care as a Family Nurse Practioner.

Kenneth Anthony, ’93, ’97, of Starkville was promoted to the role of Interim Head of the Department of Teacher Education and Leadership at Mississippi State University, effective July 1.

Kimberly Griffin, ’93, of Jackson, Publisher and Chief Revenue Officer of the MS Free Press, announced the Arkansas Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists named eight of their journalist winners or finalists, in their 2024 awards. This year’s award recipients were chosen from 538 entries in 82 categories from Arkansas and six bordering states The Mississippi Free Press was also honored in April with the inaugural Robert G. McGruder Award for Diversity Leadership prize.

Merianne Kimmel Roth, ’95, of Fort Worth, Texas, was named vice chancellor for marketing and communication at Texas Christian University.

Mandy Dale, ’98, ’01, of Columbus was promoted to assistant principal of New Hope Elementary.

2000s

Rachel Mitchell, ’00, was named chief financial officer of Tupelo Public School District.

Nancy Tilghman, ’01, ’03, of Panama City, Florida, was named Miss Florida Volunteer of the Year.

Dr. Phillip Cockrell, ’03, of Columbus was named the 9th international executive director/chief operating officer of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. As executive director/COO, Cockrell is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the fraternity by working with the international president and the General Board to establish and implement long-range goals, strategies, plans and policies. He started the new role in June in Washington, D.C.

Lt. Col. Joanna Cooley, ’06, of Sumter, South Carolina, was promoted to 51st Healthcare Operations Squadron Commander at Osan Air Force Base.

Marlana Washington, ’08, ’17, of Guntown was selected for a North Mississippi Medical Center RN Excellence Award for her work in outpatient infusion services.

2010s

Latara Arterberry, ’14, of Starkville was appointed Principal Investigator of AIM for Change with the Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Chandria Harris, ’14, of Marietta, Georgia, was appointed to the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) Board. This national organization is dedicated to championing the growth and vitality of the outdoor recreation industry. ORR plays a crucial role in promoting balanced policies that conserve public lands and waterways while enhancing infrastructure to improve the outdoor experience for all.

Michelle Bridges, ’16, of Mooreville was selected by her peers as North Mississippi Medical Center’s Star of the Month for her work in interventional radiology.

Haley Murphy, ’16, ’18, of Eupora recently joined Starkville Pulmonary Clinic as a Family Nurse Practitioner.

Brittany Gregory, ’17, ’19, of Blue Springs was selected for a North Mississippi Medical Center RN Excellence Award for her work as a charge nurse.

2020s

Larrah Wilbanks, ’20, of Pontotoc was selected for a North Mississippi Medical Center RN Excellence Award for her work as a charge nurse.

Julie Liddell White, ’21, published “Hurricane Baby: Stories,” her debut fiction collection August 2024 from Madville Publishing. It is billed as the first fictional treatment of Hurricane Katrina to approach its subject–the suffering of those who endured the hurricane and its aftermath–through a trauma-focused lens. As a freelancer, White writes on topics concerning mental health, mental health education and mental health advocacy. White, who writes from Mississippi, finished her MFA at The W in 2021.

Deaths

1940s

Rosalyn Simmons Fagan, ’40, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Dec. 29, 2023.

Helen Lanneau Eaker, ’44, of Houston, Texas, Jan. 11, 2024.

Elsie Pryor Rhodes, ’44, of Reidsville, North Carolina, Jan. 1, 2024.

Evelyn Etheridge Aust, ’45, of Clearwater, Florida, April 1, 2024.

Marjorie Richard Lafosse, ’45, of Baytown, Texas, Dec. 12, 2023.

Mary Stigler Thompson, ’45, of Tchula, Jan. 13, 2024.

Lillian Wells Moore, ’46, of Charlotte, North Carolina, June 11, 2023.

Janis Knox Sanders, ’46, of New Albany, Feb. 9. 2024.

Mary Mullins Oberlin, ’47, of Irving, Texas, Sept. 12, 2023.

Edith Brown Tribble, ’47, of West Point, Aug. 13, 2023.

Marietta Brians Rutledge, ’48, of Lubbock, Texas, June 18, 2024.

Caroline Hailey Agnew, ’49, of Canton, July 4, 2024.

Eloise Speed Norton, ’49, of Georgetown, Texas, Sept. 8, 2024.

Amelia Daly Forbert, ’49, of Saratoga Springs, New York, Dec. 19, 2023.

George G. “Gretchen” Hatten, ’49, of Anderson, South Carolina, June 11, 2024.

Willena McGarrh Highsmith, ’49, of Merigold, Dec. 31, 2023.

Jean Guyse Leahey, ’49, of Yuba City, California, June 13, 2023.

Lois Nichols Michelli, ’49, of Lafayette, Louisiana, Nov. 12, 2023.

Lola Worrell Ware, ’49, of Jackson, Aug. 30, 2023.

Cammie Abel Wilcox, ’49, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Aug. 10, 2024.

Dorothy “Dot” Daniel Work, ’49, of Memphis, Tennessee, Dec. 21, 2023.

1950s

Mary “Liba” Barrett Batson, ’50, of Wiggins, April 26, 2024.

Mary Ann Ponder Covington, ’50, of Ridgeland, Feb. 16, 2024.

Virginia Duggan Cowden, ’50, of Amory, Sept. 1, 2023.

Frances Bethea Dent, ’50, of Bolton, Sept. 7, 2023.

Harvey Young Fiser, ’50, of Clarksdale, March 24, 2024.

Blanche Ellis Norsworthy, ’50, of Florence, Jan.17, 2024.

Joy Beard Roberts, ’50, of Laurel, Nov. 12, 2023.

Elizabeth “Betty” Spivey Woodard, ’50, of Columbus, May 19, 2024.

Elizabeth “Liz” Ball Brevard, ’52, of Mobile, Alabama, July 30, 2024.

Jacqueline Stone Whitaker, ’53, of Austell, Georgia, Sept. 5, 2024.

Elizabeth “Liz” Smith McGarr, ’54, of Greensboro, North Carolina, April 22, 2024.

Dorothy Pattee Nickerson, ’54, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, June 2, 2024.

Rose M. Payton, ’54, of Baton Rouge Louisiana, June 25, 2024.

Jane Dannel, ’55, of Columbus, July 2, 2024.

Claudice Hollingsworth Reed, ’55, of Belzoni, Jan. 6, 2024.

Leila Laney Wooten, ’55, of West Point, Aug. 5, 2024.

Nancy Land Sulik, ’56, of Corpus Christi, Texas, April 22, 2024.

Frances Banks Hollis, ’56, of Spanish Fort, Alabama, April 23, 2024.

Alice Hively Christopher, ’57, of Germantown, Tennessee, Sept. 19, 2024.

Billie Jean Casbeer McMullen, ’57, of Canton, June 9, 2024.

Peggy Lack Spear, ’57, of Ocala, Florida, Aug. 27, 2024.

Nelle Pittman Lowe, ’58, of Coffeeville, Jan. 15, 2024.

Jean Bond Moak, ’58, of Clermont, Florida, Aug. 23, 2024.

Vivian Morton Beckman, ’59, of Lake Saint Louis, Missouri, Jan. 21, 2024.

Carolyn Cahill, ’59, of Little Rock, Arkansas, July 8, 2024.

Harvie Webb Lindsey, ’59, of North Augusta, South Carolina, April 3, 2024.

1960s

Julia Sledge Gaither, ’61, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, July 22, 2024.

Ann “Pat” Jasper Lutz, ’61, of Huntsville, Alabama, Dec. 18, 2023.

Mattie Whitaker Weston, ’61, of Baldwyn, March 18, 2024.

Carolyn Barrett, ’62, of Winter Park, Florida, May 29, 2024.

Gretchen Fitzpatrick, ’62, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, Aug. 11, 2022.

Nancy “JoJo” Wade Moyer, ’62, of Kosciusko, Sept. 7, 2023.

Carol Cunningham Mitchell, ’63, of Louisville, Aug. 29, 2024.

Jean Pennington Wilder, ’63, of Columbus, May 28, 2024.

Nina Scott, ’63, of Chesapeake, Virginia, June 30, 2024.

Shirley Powell Chapman, ’64, of Daphne, Alabama, Sept. 2, 2024.

Beth Harris Dean, ’64, of Hattiesburg, July 11, 2023.

Rita Rogala Douglass, ’64, of Columbus, April 23, 2024.

Florence G. Seward, ’64, of Beaverton, Oregon, June 16, 2024.

Brenda Parker Street, ’64, of Germantown, Tennessee, Sept. 5, 2024.

Charlotte Campbell Fields, ’65, of Columbus, March 28, 2024.

Sarah Bailey Kaesler, ’65, of Houston, Texas, May 21, 2024.

Rosemary Moore Seago, ’65, of Jackson, Aug. 21, 2024.

Cheryl Ruth Dumont, ’66, of Mobile, Alabama, April 26, 2024.

Ruth Baker Johnson, ’66, of Ruston, Louisiana, May 16, 2023.

Wilma Loraine Hancock, ’66, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, March 24, 2024.

Dorothy “Dot” Howard Waycaster, ’66, of Ridgeland, Sept. 19, 2024.

Louann Hays Zoffuto, ’66, of Midlothian, Virginia, May 27, 2024.

Patricia Lou Outlaw, ’67, of Nashville, Tennessee, July 10, 2024.

Donna C. Basenberg, ’68, of Spring, Texas, Jan. 3, 2024.

Ann Irwin Glenn, ’68, of Amory, Sept. 1, 2023.

Brenda Bridges Palmer, ’68, of Oxford, Sept. 3, 2024.

Patricia “Patti” Jobe Sneed Stark, ’68, of Pontotoc, Sept. 9, 2023.

Permelia “Pam” Carr Allgood, ’69, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, July 12, 2024.

Vickie Foster Bell, ’69, of Eupora, Dec. 18, 2023.

Barbara Ann Conner, ’69, ’76, of Columbus, Aug. 24, 2024.

Barbara Nell Etheredge, ’69, of Helena, Alabama, March 1, 2024.

Lee Dierker Heaton O’Malley, ’69, of Bardstown, Kentucky, May 9, 2024.

Sallie McConnell Peters, ’69, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, July 3, 2024.

Lynn Alexander Schaffarzick, ’69, of Greenville, July 15, 2024.

Agnes King Thomas, ’69, of Memphis, Tennessee, April 9, 2024.

1970s

Patricia Lee Baronet, ’70, of Cleveland, Tennessee, Feb. 6, 2024.

Jean Lowrimore McClanahan Bolin, ’70, of West Point, June 6, 2024.

Phyllis Browning Garner, ’71, of Booneville, May 31, 2024.

Sharon Flowers Denton, ’72, of Vestavia, Alabama, July 13, 2024.

Suzanne Cummings McIntire, ’72, of Cedar Bluff, April 28, 2024.

Mary Suzanne Ratliff, ’72, ’73, of Memphis, Tennessee, July 23, 2024.

Mary Jones Stafford, ’72, of Smithville, Sept. 9, 2024.

Ellen Clayton, ’73, of Indianola, June 27, 2024.

Carolyn Smith Lipscomb, ’73, of Columbia, Tennessee, Aug. 22, 2024.

Jessica Lynn Alexander, ’74, of Columbus, Sept. 7, 2024.

Jane Kennedy Marshall, ’75, of Kennesaw, Georgia, May 22, 2024.

Judith “Judi” Stokes Talbot, ’78, of Waterford, Texas, July 31, 2024.

Pamela Moak Waaser, ’78, of Arden, North Carolina, June 24, 2024.

Margaret Nuttle Chaufty, ’79, of Texarkana, Texas, May 24, 2024.

1980s

Anita Honnoll Peek, ’80, ’97, of Caledonia, May 8, 2024.

Susan Newell Johnson, ’83, of Columbus, Sept. 21, 2024.

Maria Hayes Sherman, ’83, of Starkville, April 18, 2024.

Phyllis Carder Frazier, ’84, of Tampa, Florida, May 6, 2024.

Robin York, ’85, of Scottsdale, Arizona, March 2, 2024.

Eva McGuff Wheeless, ’88, of Semmes, Alabama, April 5, 2024.

1990s

Marty Kilgore Dollar, ’91, of Vernon, Alabama, Aug. 2, 2023.

Daphne “Dee” Brown King, ’91, of Brooksville, Aug. 7, 2024.

Janice “Sam” Ballard, ’93, of Columbus, July 9, 2024.

Amanda Lavender-Westmoreland, ’95, of Tupelo, April 28, 2024.

Stacey Bennett Fears, ’95, of Alexander, Arkansas, March 4, 2024.

Constance “Connie” Callaway Cook, ’96, of Athens, Georgia, Feb. 29, 2024.

2000s

Delarie Antoinette Henderson, ’01, of Columbus, June 30, 2024.

Jamie Butler, ’02, of Caledonia, Sept. 12, 2024.

Elaine Craddieth Humphries, ’03, of Columbus, July 29, 2024.

Annie L. Johnson Heard, ’07, of Columbus, Sept. 7, 2024.

Carol J. Culpepper, ’08, of Okolona, June 19, 2024.

Faculty & Staff

LaVerne M. Goforth, former administrative assistant in the Division of Fine and Performing Arts, the Division of Communications and the School of Nursing, May 18, 2024.

Linda H. Segrest, former instructor of music, May 14, 2024.