In Memoriam

IN MEMORIAM Calvin J. Isaac Roy Joe Moon Missy Pearce

Alumnus Calvin J. Isaac, the first democratically-elected Tribal chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, died on Jan. 11, 2020, at age 86. He was born on Dec. 5, 1933, in Neshoba County, and lived there most of his life. Isaac graduated from Meridian High School, served in the U.S. Army, and received a bachelor’s degree from DSU in 1958 and a master’s degree in education from Mississippi State University. He was the first Tribal member to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Isaac became chief in 1975 after the Tribe changed its Constitution to begin electing leadership; Isaac served one term and testified before Congress about the Indian Child Welfare Bill. He later was elected to serve on the Tribal Council, representing Pearl River. Isaac also was a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Tribal schools and pastor of Canaan Baptist Church. Survivors include son Richard Isaac and daughters Margaret Bell ( Joe) and Sabrina Isaac of Philadelphia; 12 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and four sisters.

Alumnus Roy Joe Moon (Dec. 16, 1939–Jan. 6, 2020) died peacefully at home in Houston, Texas, at age 80. Born in the back of his parents’ general store in Boyle, Miss., he attended Boyle High School and graduated from Cleveland High School, participating in Future Farmers of America. Moon attended Mississippi State University and graduated from Delta State with a business degree in 1963. Moving to Houston, he enjoyed a long career in outside sales at Lone Star Beverages and Gerber Products. He made many friends among the shop owners, fellow salesmen, and larger Chinese community in Houston. Moon met his wife of 53 years, Norma Chu Moon, who survives him, on a blind date. He liked to cook and relished a good time. His family still grows Chinese green onions from his father’s Mississippi stock. Other survivors include son Scott Moon of Washington, D.C.; daughter Amy Nongbri (Deven) and children Avery and Cole of Katy, Texas; and six siblings. Moon is preceded in death by siblings Joe Yuen of Cleveland; Hing Yu of Houston; and Sue Wong of Sacramento, Calif.

DSU alumna and longtime employee Melissa Susan Pearce died in her sleep at home surrounded by family on Nov. 5, 2019. Born in 1954, the Alabama native attended Cleveland High School and Mississippi Delta Community College and earned a bachelor of science degree and a master of education degree from DSU. Pearce worked at DSU for 28 years in Student Affairs, the Psychology Department, and the AlumniFoundation, serving as director of annual giving. She volunteered with many academic and community organizations. Pearce enjoyed cooking, doing yardwork with her mama, riding horses, rooting for Alabama football, and traveling with her daughters and grandchildren. Survivors include her mother, Evelyn Stallings Pearce of Cleveland; daughters Jenna Deason Neumann (Erik) of New Orleans, La., and Sarah Deason Aylward (Brig) of Cleveland; three grandchildren; and brother Charles Alfred “Booley” Pearce (Becky) of Brandon, Miss., among others. Pearce gave the gift of life to Renee Gibson LaMastus (Mack), who has two children, Mary Madeline and Gibson.

• Adding student-athlete services • Enhancing athletics facilities • Providing championship rings & other recognition • Upgrading travel • Increasing recruitment • Offering staff professional development & leadership training

GIVE NOW

DSU Foundation DSU Box 3141 Cleveland, MS 38733 (662) 846-4704 https://deltastategiving.org/ product/statesmen-club/

Shirley M. Westerfield ’38, Merigold, MS, Dec. 21, 2019

1940s

Lillian L. Kellum ’42, Paducah, KY, Nov. 11, 2019 Claire L. Lipe ’45, Clarksdale, MS, Nov. 20, 2019

1950s

Morris Ellington Jr. ’50, San Antonio, TX, Feb. 17, 2020 Walter H. Tolbert ’50, Cleveland, MS, March 17, 2020 Patricia A. Rogers ’51 , Cleveland, MS, Nov. 14, 2019 Tommie Ainsworth ’53, Greenwood, MS, Aug. 31, 2019 Lonnie G. Posey ’53, Alexandria, LA, Feb. 2, 2020 Ralph L. Carroll ’54, Clinton, MS, Sept. 14, 2019 Lee D. Walt ’55, Cleveland, MS, Dec. 27, 2019 Claire Hilliard ’57, Ridgeland, MS, Jan. 20, 2020 David G. Love ’57, York, PA, Feb. 8, 2020 Willo Goodwin Jr. ’58, Biloxi, MS, Jan. 2, 2020 James M. Prewitt ’58, Jackson, MS, Nov. 28, 2019

1960s

Barbara M. Braswell ’60, Jackson, MS, Nov. 23, 2019 Ollie G. Kyzar ’60, Rolling Fork, MS, March 29, 2020 William Aycock ’61 , Yazoo City, MS, Oct. 30, 2017 Robert C. Klutts Sr. ’61 , Lebanon, KY, Oct. 23, 2019 Robert G. McGraw ’61 , Jasper, GA, Jan. 13, 2020 Petey Mixon ’61 , Cleveland, MS, Nov. 23, 2019 Ray P. Keen ’62, Greenville, TX, Sept. 29, 2019 Joseph R. Sabbatini ’62, Ocean Springs, MS, March 24, 2020 Roy Joe Moon ’63, Houston, TX, Jan. 6, 2020 Stanley Gibson Sr. ’64, Beebe, AR, Dec. 7, 2019 Martha M. Hiter ’64, Cleveland, MS, Jan. 28, 2020 Virginia J. Bush ’66, Memphis, TN, Dec. 7, 2019 Mary L. Myers ’66, Isola, MS, Oct. 29, 2019 Jerry D. Turner ’66, Florence, SC, Oct. 5, 2019 Mike Dunagin ’67, Calhoun City, MS, Feb. 9, 2020 Richard J. Gorman Sr. ’67, Pass Christian, MS, Sept. 9, 2019 Raleigh Schultz ’67, Memphis, TN, Jan. 23, 2020 Gerry Tindle ’67, Cleveland, MS, Nov. 25, 2019 Rufus E. Turner Jr. ’67, Gulfport, MS, Oct. 26, 2019 Linda D. Bishop ’68, Pass Christian, MS, March 13, 2020 Norvin E. Forester Jr. ’68, Rockingham, NC, Aug. 9, 2019 Thomas A. Henderson ’68, Tupelo, MS, March 23, 2020 Charles Kempinska Sr. ’68, Natchez, MS, Dec. 1, 2019 Jimmy D. Sartain ’68, Nashville, TN, Nov. 22, 2019 Dale Williamson ’68, Senatobia, MS, July 28, 2019 James P. Wilson ’68, Clarksdale, MS, Oct. 3, 2019 Sandra H. Feduccia ’69, Cleveland, MS, Jan. 28, 2020 Carolyn B. Hisaw ’69, Jackson, MS, Jan. 28, 2020 Carol Dodd Watkins ’69, Schlater, MS, Dec. 31, 2019 William Willard Jr. ’69, Jackson, MS, Nov. 25, 2019

1970s

Geoff Abraham ’70, Atlanta, GA, Jan. 7, 2020 Susan Vetrano ’71 , Rosedale, MS, Sept. 23, 2019

Riley C. Cole ’72, Greenwood, MS, Jan. 3, 2020 Vernon E. Crotwell ’72, Brandon, MS, Oct. 30, 2019 Steve Dennis ’72, Vicksburg, MS, Nov. 25, 2019 Bertram S. Wade Jr. ’72, Memphis, TN, Nov. 11, 2019 Jimmy F. Brown ’73, Ridgeland, MS, Jan. 24, 2020 William Y. Cooper ’73, Bruce, MS, Dec. 6, 2019 Randy Davis ’73, Tupelo, MS, Feb. 12, 2020 Mary R. Evans ’73, Grenada, MS, Oct. 31, 2019 Berdie Hill ’73, Clarksdale, MS, Nov. 12, 2019 Jennifer M. Sanders ’74, Brownsville, TN, Feb. 4, 2020 Nina C. Zachary ’74, Clarksdale, MS, Jan. 27, 2020 Kenneth W. Brandon ’75, Laurel, MS, Jan. 10, 2020 William G. Chipman ’75, Greenville, MS, Oct. 7, 2019 Michael E. Dean ’75, Cleveland, MS, Dec. 12, 2019 Molly J. Franks ’75, Clarksdale, MS, Nov. 4, 2019 Larry A. Jones ’75, Meadville, MS, Jan. 16, 2020 Ben Meriweather III ’75, Tupelo, MS, Dec. 13, 2019 Bonita Metcalf ’77, Cleveland, MS, Dec. 14, 2019 Jack G. Newberry ’77, Columbus, MS, March 11, 2020 Ruby L. Johnson ’79, Greenville, MS, March 26, 2016

1980s

Donald R. McAnally ’80, Denham Springs, LA, Nov. 5, 2019 Caryn M. Brister ’81 , Cleveland, MS, Feb. 4, 2020 Larry E. Ford, Sr. ’82, Memphis, TN, Feb. 10, 2020 Mark Houston ’82, Madison, MS, Feb. 20, 2020 Jacquelyn F. Richards ’82, Houston, TX, Nov. 16, 2019 Billy D. Cook ’84, Eupora, MS, Dec. 29, 2019 Sarah A. Hodnett ’85, Vicksburg, MS, Sept. 15, 2019 Michael R. Parker ’85, Merigold, MS, Aug. 26, 2019 Phillip Wilkinson ’88, Greenville, MS, Nov. 24, 2019

1990s

Rita J. Abel ’92, Belzoni, MS, Jan. 17, 2020 Michael V. Brown Sr. ’92, Cleveland, MS, Nov. 30, 2019 James C. Bell ’93, Southaven, MS, Jan. 22, 2020 Terry L. Varner ’95, Water Valley, MS, Jan. 26, 2020 Mary Bonner ’98, Oxford, MS, Dec. 23, 2019 Melissa S. Pearce ’99, Cleveland, MS, Nov. 5, 2019

2000s

Christopher W. Duvall ’02, Mechanicsville, VA, Feb. 22, 2020 Marquisha W. Hudson ’02, Jackson, MS, Sept. 30, 2019 Thad J. Simpson ’02, Hernando, MS, Jan. 8, 2020

2010s

Brittany M. Presley ’14, Jackson, MS, Feb. 8, 2020 Anita Woodard-Johnson ’16, Cleveland, MS, May 13, 2019

GRADUATED (YEAR UNKNOWN)

Nichola F. Battle, Memphis, TN, Dec. 20, 2019 John L. Colburn Jr., Tupelo, MS, Jan. 7, 2020 Mary O. Crawford, Tupelo, MS, Dec. 5, 2019 Steve Dennis, Vicksburg, MS, Nov. 25, 2019 Earnest M. Kelly, Seminary, MS, Feb. 7, 2020 Larry N. Kendrick, Cantonment, FL, Nov. 18, 2019

Billy J. Randall, Greenwood, MS, Nov. 8, 2019 Robert G. Tidwell, Baton Rouge, LA, Jan. 6, 2020 James H. Turner, Tupelo, MS, Nov. 13, 2019

ATTENDED

Roy D. Allen, Houston, MS, Dec. 12, 2019 Leslie H. Anderson, Jackson, MS, Jan. 15, 2020 Frances R. Beverly, Jackson, MS, Jan. 4, 2020 Rhianna Billings, Greenwood, MS, Nov. 14, 2019 JoAnn S. Boykin, Hollandale, MS, Sept. 14, 2019 Mark A. Chandler, Meridian, MS, March 18, 2020 Elizabeth D. Chatoney, Panama City, FL, Nov. 9, 2019 John Conico, Merigold, MS, Nov. 22, 2019 Frank Cooley, Tupelo, MS, Dec. 31, 2019 Dylan Dempsey, Starkville, MS, Feb. 8, 2020 Francis Eidt Jr., Natchez, MS, Jan. 31, 2020 Joseph O. Everett, Tupelo, MS, Jan. 21, 2020 Johnston M. Ewing, Memphis, TN, Dec. 12, 2019 Joe M. Floyd Jr., Kodiak, AK, Feb. 2, 2020 Julie Ann Fratesi, Greenwood, MS, March 20, 2020 Annie M. Greenberry, Memphis, TN, Nov. 2, 2019 Mary A. Greene, Clarksdale, MS, Jan. 14, 2020 James W. Griffin, Moorhead, MS, Sept. 9, 2019 Eloise B. Harris, Indianola, MS, Dec. 7, 2019 Hazel S. Henry, Brooksville, FL, Nov. 26, 2019 Robert C. Jennings, Eupora, MS, Oct. 3, 2019 John Lofton, Walnut, MS, Feb. 3, 2020 Milton C. Lowe, Cleveland, MS, Sept. 14, 2019 George McBunch, Tupelo, MS, Dec. 29, 2019 Alyene S. Mims, Fullerton, CA, Jan. 6, 2020 Ronald M. Mohundro, Alamo, TN, Oct. 11, 2019 Joseph M. Odenwald, Baton Rouge, LA, Dec. 1, 2019 Darrell D. Rexrode, Greenville, MS, Nov. 8, 2019 Robert E. Stevens, Flowood, MS, Feb 16, 2020 Katie M. Thornton, Memphis, TN, Oct. 22, 2019 Miriam A. Turbeville, Vaiden, MS, March 27, 2020 Barbara M. Wallace, Daytona Beach, FL, Dec. 15, 2019 Carolyn Welshans, Cleveland, MS, Nov. 26, 2019 Charles Williams Sr., Grenada, MS, Dec. 10, 2019

FACULTY/STAFF

Jessie Eatmon, Renova, MS, Feb. 14, 2020 Tevora C. Howard Sr., Cleveland, MS, Nov. 12, 2019 Edward G. Murphy, Carrollton, GA, Feb. 16, 2020 Joyce S. Phillips, Joplin, MO, Feb. 21, 2020 Troyce T. Taylor, Cleveland, MS, Dec. 23, 2019 Robert J. Walden, Rock Hill, SC, Sept. 3, 2019 Robert H. Waller, Cleveland, MS, Nov. 26, 2019

FRIEND

James H. Boggs, Cleveland, MS, Dec. 24, 2019 Harold F. Bolding, Gulf Breeze, FL, Jan. 29, 2020 Bobby M. Liles, Corydon, KY, March 20, 2020 Ray W. Thornton, Memphis, TN, Nov. 25, 2019 Charles Tubertini, Greenville, MS, Dec. 29, 2019 George Turner, Cleveland, MS, Dec. 1, 2019

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Due to space limitations, listing priority in the “Class Notes/In Memoriam” section of the magazine will be given to dues-paying members of the Delta State University Alumni Association. The Alumni Association relies on numerous sources for “Class Notes” information and is unable to verify all notes.

ALUMNI MAGAZINE

MISSION STATEMENT

Delta State Magazine informs, celebrates, and engages alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of Delta State University.

Delta State Magazine is published by the Delta State University Advancement & External Relations twice a year: winter/spring and summer/fall. Views expressed in them do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff or Delta State policies. In an effort to reduce our environmental impact, we mail one edition per household.

DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY

President, William N. LaForge ’72

UNIVERSITY ADVANCEMENT AND EXTERNAL RELATIONS

Rick Munroe, vice president Gregory Braggs Jr. ’15, ’16, ’19, communications & marketing web designer Lyle Cole ’13, senior foundation accountant Kimberly Crout ‘07, alumni senior secretary Leigh Emerson ‘94, manager of mailing and printing David Ferriss ‘04, academic affairs development officer Caroline George Fletcher ’15, communications and marketing social media specialist James Forté ’18, interim alumni director, annual fund director (and alumni magazine publisher) David Gladden ’72, chief financial officer Terrence Liddell, printing service specialist Patricia Malone, communications and marketing senior secretary Dr. Nerma Moore ‘19, director of development Holly Ray ’06, communications and marketing graphic designer (and alumni magazine art director) Amanda Robinson ’10, assistant alumni director Dr. Lori Spencer ‘86, director of prospect development Campbell Saia ‘19, communications and marketing photographer/ videographer Peter Szatmary, communications and marketing director (and alumni magazine editor) Paula Thompson ‘88, ‘00, director of advancement services Rhonda Williams ‘10, postal clerk Lizzie Woodard, director of donor relations

NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Patrick Davis ’96, president John Fletcher ’91, vice president Hays Collins ‘00, treasurer George Miller ’00, secretary Sayward Fortner ’04, past president Hank Ludwig ’00, district 1 Parker Lipscomb ’04, district 2 Libbi Logan ’99, district 2 Jeff Arnold ’92, district 3 Bradley Smith ’71, district 4 Courtney Davis ‘14, presidential appointee Renee Selby Deweese ’92, presidential appointee Tara Dunn ‘10, presidential appointee Paul Mancini ’00, presidential appointee Kelvin Short ‘92, presidential appointee Tom Janoush ‘90, president of foundation board Larkin Simpson ‘02, non-resident Merritt Dain, DSU faculty or staff Johnny Arnold ‘58, golden circle president Kelly Smith ‘00, black alumni Matthew Mullins ‘07, young alumni Jessi Massey, SAA representative Elizabeth Swindle, SGA representative Shauna Allen ‘13, nursing constituent group appointee Lindsey Bragg ‘05, education constituent group appointee Howard Brown ‘96, accounting constituent group appointee Steven Hugley ‘12, music constituent group appointee Robert Robinson ‘95, art department constituent group appointee

DELTA STATE FOUNDATION, INC.

Tom Janoush ’90, president; Anna Looney Dill ’74, ’88, vice president and trustee committee chair; Nan Sanders ’67, secretary and development committee chair; Hank Drake ’69, treasurer and finance committee chair; Tim Harvey ’80, past president; David Abney ’76, ’15; Miller Arant ’03, ’08; George Bassi ‘87; Dr. William Bell ’82; Anita Bologna; Dr. Walker Byars ’92; Cheryl Comans ’09; John Cox ’96; Patrick Davis ’96, Alumni Association president; Dr. Doty Farmer ’92; Earnest Hart ’77; Brian Henry ‘99; Leslie Jenkins ‘93; Peter Jernberg ’65, ’67, ’71; Arthur Johnston ’89; Edward Kossman III ’94; Andy Lee ‘98; Ned Mitchell ’62; Ken Mullins Jr. ’87; Richard Myers Jr. ‘91; Billy Nowell ’72; Randy Randall; Rodney Scaife ’91; Hugh Smith ‘70; Anne Wynn Weissinger ’81, ’15; Margaret White ‘75; Dr. Bennie Wright ’74, ’75; William N. LaForge, president, ex-officio; Eckward McKnight, faculty representative, ex-officio; Jamie Rutledge ’84, vice president for finance and administration, ex-officio.

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