Class Notes

ACHIEVEMENTS

1980s ____________

MARK GREEN ’81 was recently inducted into the Logan High School HallofFame.A 1977 graduate ofLHS,Mark was a three-sport athlete for the Wildcats.Hemannedfirstandthird bases in baseball; was top golfer for the schools’ team his senior year; and part of the 1977 Class AAAstatechampionshipbasketball team, serving as co-captain and startingcenter.AsaMountain Lion,Markplayedgolfandwasa starting forward and co-captain inbasketball.Afterreceivinga bachelor’s degree in marketing managementfromConcord,Mark began his successful career with UPS inAtlanta.

STACEY WILNER ’82 is a member of the Leadership Blount County Class of 2020.Accordingto the organization’s website, Leadership Blount,basedinMaryville,TN, is a “community leadership enhancement and development program.” Stacey is Senior Lecturer inMusicandDirectorofChoral ActivitiesatMaryvilleCollege.In addition to a bachelor’s degree in music education from Concord, she has also earned a master’s degree in music and choral conducting from UTKnoxville.

SCOT MITCHELL ’85 has been named the new chief executive officeroftheRobertC.ByrdClinic at the West Virginia School of OsteopathicMedicineinLewisburg. He has nearly three decades of service to rural communities in health care. Scot comes to his new post after having served as the CEO of Cordova Community MedicalCenterlocatedinAlaska. He was also the administrator attheSummersCountyARH Hospital.Additionally,heserved the West Virginia Legislature as the Senate Health Committee’s budget and policy analyst. Scot earned a master’sdegreefromtheMedical University of South Carolina in addition to his bachelor’s degree inbiologyfromConcord.Anative of Oceana, Scot currently lives in Summers County.

1990s ____________

SEAN WALKER ’92 has been namedAssistant Superintendent for School Leadership for the Elementary Level with Williamsburg-James City County Schools. He has nearly three decades of experience as an educator including serving as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal. Prior to his new position, he was the director of elementary

Ellie White ’60 Pens Second Book

When ELEANOR TRIPLETT WHITE ’60 retired from teaching, she said the free timeallowedhertofocusonwriting.Herfirstproject“Squire’sLegacy:TheLifeand Struggles of Clifford Earl White,” which she and her husband James Edward White ’60 workedontogether,hasbeenfollowedbyherrecentbook“Maggie:FortheLoveofa Rover.”

“Squire’s Legacy” shares the inspiring story of Jim’s father and his family’s life in the AmeaglesectionofRaleighCounty,WestVirginia.WithnodstoEllie’sfamily,“Maggie” has been dubbed by the book’s publisher as an historical romance. This second book alsohasanAppalachiansettingandtakesplaceinWilkesCounty,NorthCarolina While admitting that tackling these projects required discipline, Ellie says writing is rewarding and has been something she wanted to pursue once she had the time. “I personally have always had a desire for writing,” she said. Her husband shares her bent for crafting with words. “Jim is a storyteller,” she said. Collaborating with him on “Squire’s Legacy” worked well for them, she said, adding “We’re a good pair!” The Whites, both native West Virginians and former educators, lived and worked out-of-state for a number of years.Sinceretiring,JimandElliehavereturnedtotheMountainState,settlinginPipestemwheretheyrunthe Nostalgia Inn, a bed and breakfast.

schools for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. He received a bachelor’s degree in education from Concord and furthered his education by earning a master’s degree in administration/ supervision from the University of Virginia.

ANGELA HOPE JEFFRIES ’93 received the doctoral degree of Nurse AnesthesiaPractice fromMissouri State University inSpringfield,MO onMay17,2019.Angelaisthe daughter of Phil and Nell Jeffries ofAthens.Shegraduatedfrom AthensHighSchoolin1989and received a degree in Psychology fromConcord.Angelagraduated from the College of Health Sciences inRoanoke,VAwithanassociate degree in nursing in 1996. In 2001 she received a master’s degree inHealthCareAdministration fromMarshallUniversityand certificationasanurseanesthetist fromtheCharlestonAreaMedical CenterSchoolofAnesthesia.Angela isemployedbyCAMCinCharleston, WV. She resides in Charleston with her wife, Debbie, and her son, Noah.

2000s ____________

GARRETT FAHRMANN ’00 has been appointed Vice President and GeneralManageroftheRocketCity Trash Pandas. He previously held the position of Vice President of Ballpark and Baseball Operations with the team. Garrett has also beenaffiliatedwiththeLehigh Valley IronPigs and the Fresno Grizzlies.Alongwithabachelor’s degree in business management from Concord, he holds a master’s degree in sports management from Slippery Rock University. MANDY SHEPHERD ’02 has recently joined Farm Credit of the Virginias (FCV) as a credit analyst in the company’s Staunton,VA,office. Hercareerinthefinancialindustry includes experience in banking as a small business underwriter. She received a Bachelor of Science in BusinessAdministrationdegree from Concord with a concentration inAccounting.

MELODY BAILEY ’04 is the owner of Caring Transitions ofKanawhaValley, West Virginia’s firstlocationof the national relocation services franchise. Based in Charleston, the service offers “downsizing, decluttering and estate sales for both full and partial liquidations.” ForsomeonelikeMelodywhohas a “passion for planning, relocation and estate clearing” the business isaperfectfit.Shewaspreviously

Becky Sullivan ’01 Enthusiastic about the Area She Promotes

AsthenewExecutiveDirectoroftheNew River Gorge Convention and Visitors Bureau and President of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, BECKY SULLIVAN ’01 has several big events and attractions under her jurisdiction that turn the international spotlight on the region. The New River Gorge Bridge, New River Gorge National River and the Summit Bechtel Reserve (a national Scouting center) are all attractions that Becky enthusiastically promotes in a region renowned for its whitewater rafting and breathtaking scenery. “It is a very exciting time for Fayette County as we have been the host to two National Scout Jamborees, one World Scout Jamboree,threeSpartanRacesandthe40thAnniversaryofBridge Day,” she said. “Bridge Day is our state’s largest one-day festival and our region’s signature event.” “The exposure our area receives from these events is remarkable,” she continued. “The New River Gorge region has the most beautiful scenery to offer and deserves the spotlight. We have the best communities and sense of feeling at home in West Virginia.” Becky received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business AdministrationfromConcord.Hermajorwasbusiness administration and she minored in Recreation and Tourism Management.AnativeofFayetteCounty,Beckyhasbeenworking intourismformorethantwodecades.Mostrecently,she served as marketing director for Visit Southern West Virginia. Herexperienceinthefieldalsoincludesemploymentwith WinterplaceResort,ACEAdventureResortandYellowstone National Park. She is a resident of Oak Hill.

Josh Johnson ’11 Guiding Students into Aerospace Engineering

JOSH JOHNSON ’11 can now add teaching aerospace engineering on the high schoolleveltohisresume.AlongwiththeHonorsChemistryandA.P.Chemistry classesheteachesatMingoCentralHighSchool,Joshisalsotheinstructorfor AdvancedCareers:AerospaceEngineering. Having this class on his schedule is not only a feather in Josh’s cap, it’s also an honor for the Delbarton, W.Va. high school and the students enrolled in the course. “We were selected to participate when the assistant superintendent of theWestVirginiaDepartmentofEducation,Dr.KathyD’Antoni,calledthe schooltoseeifwewereinterestedinofferingthisrigorouscourse.TheultimategoalistoworkwithMarshall University'snewflightschoolsothatstudentscanhaveasmoothtransitiontocollegeinthefieldofaviationor aerospace engineering,” he said. “The course is operated through our Career and Technical Education Department (CTE),” he explains. “Students had to undergo an interview process to be selected for the class.” Projects are part of the coursework, he said, such as “designing a pilot seat for a corporate jet, designing a wing, and ultimately building an R/C plane” Josh graduated from Concord in 2011. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education with endorsementsinChemistry9-AdultandGeneralScience5-9. Continuinghiseducation,hereceivedaMaster’s DegreeinAdministrationfromMarshallUniversity.OriginallyfromGilbertinMingoCounty,heremainsa resident of his home county today.

employed in state government before launching her small business.

BRIAN ZICKEFOOSE ’05 competed in the 2019 Boston Marathon.Heran the race in 2:55:33. His overall place is 1750, for gender, 1647 and age group, 1308. Brian participated on the cross country and track teams at CU from 2002-2005. He was a member of the 2004 cross country conference championship team,Concord’sfirstwinsince 1968. Brian has run in seven marathons, with two wins and a PR of 2:28:28. This fall he’s adding the JFK50MilerUltraMarathontohis running resume.

ALLISON ADKINS ’06 was named Wyoming County Teacher of the Year.Shehas taught math for 12

yearsatPinevilleMiddleSchool. Allisonearnedabachelor’sdegree in elementary education from Concord and a master’s degree fromMarshallUniversityGraduate College as a reading specialist.

IN MEMORY

1940s ____________

LOUISE (LOU) RYAN GRIMM ’46: March21, 2019. Born near Princeton, WV on May16,1925,she was the daughter ofClaudeAshby(C.A.)andLillian Naugle Ryan. She was a 1942 graduate of Princeton High School. She graduated from Concord with a B.S. degree in chemistry and math. While at Concord, she married Edward F. Grimm and they had one daughter,LaraGrimmAddison. She is survived by daughter Lara andhusbandTomAddisonof PoundingMill,VA;onecousin, Tom’sbrother,LarryAddison,a wonderful church family, former students, and countless friends fromMainetoFlorida.Loutaught 5 years at Pocahontas High and 25 years at Richlands High School, where she was department head for most of those years, and as a guidance counselor. She earned aMSdegreefromVirginiaTech in 1977, and retired in 1985. She still kept in touch with many of her former students. She served in several capacities at the Cedar BluffUnitedMethodistChurch. She was a 43 year member of the DeltaKappaGammaSociety.She enjoyed painting watercolors, and earned several awards locally and in Florida. Lou was on the SWCC ArtAdvisoryBoardandinstituted

the student art show in the Cedar Bluff Heritage Festival, which she chaired for 10 years. She was also chair of the Tazewell County Fair ArtShowformanyyears.Shewas amemberoftheAppalachian ArtistsAssociationandhelped simplify the registration system for their show. Lou and Ed spent 18 winters in Plant City, FL where she joined the East Hillsborough ArtistsGuild,assistingwith their show in the Strawberry Festival. She also helped several “snowbird” friends with watercolors. SWCC has established a scholarship for art students with the name of the Ed and Lou Grimm ArtandSoulScholarship.

BETTY LOU RONCAGLIONE BALL ’49: June 26, 2019. Born January 28, 1928 inAracoma, WV, she was the daughter of the late Louis Roncaglione and Hazel Burgess Roncaglione. Betty was a graduate of Big Creek High School and earned her bachelor’s degree from Concord and her master’s degree fromJamesMadisonUniversity. She was a retired teacher and guidance counselor having taught atJamesMadisonMiddleSchoolin Titusville, FL, Colonial Beach High SchoolinColonialBeach,VA,and Pineville High School in Pineville, WV. She was a resident of Dania, FL. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, James Banner Ball; three brothers, Howard, Carl, and John Roncaglione; and one sister, Virginia Courtney. She is survived by her son, James Banner Ball, Jr. of Dania, FL; one sister, Lillian BazzleofWilliamsburg,VAand her son, Larry; and several nieces and nephews.

1950s ____________

ROBERT ANTHONY (BOB) BRUCH ’51: September 3, 2019.Alifelong resident of Bluefield,West Virginia, he was son of the late WilliamJ.BruchandEvaKilcoyne Bruch. Bob was a life-long member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and retired from the Norfolk Southern Railroad with 44 years of service on the Pocahontas Division.HeservedintheUSArmy in 1946 at the end of World War II and enlisted in the US Naval Reserve in 1947, where he served in surface, aviation, and Seabee unitsinBluefield,Roanoke,and Norfolk Virginia. Bob advanced through the enlisted ranks, was selectedforWarrantOfficer, and retired after 33 years as a ChiefWarrantOfficer4(CW4). He continued service as a West VirginiaBlueandGoldOfficerfor theUSNavalAcademylocatedin Annapolis,Maryland,mentoring young service members in their military career paths. Bob was a Beaver High School graduate (class of 1946) and continued his education at Concord College. He was a life-member of the KnightsofColumbus(4thdegree), amemberofAmericanLegion Riley-Vest Post #9, a life member ofBluefieldElksLodge619, andwasanEagleScout.Aquiet, hardworking and dependable man of faith, he served as a model for his family and is survived by hiswifeofnearly65yearsMary T.Bruch;childrenRobertAllen Bruch(Kae)ofRoanoke,Virginia, AnthonyLeeBruch(Cynthia) ofMandeville,Louisiana,and KatherineAnnBruch(Leanna)of Bedford, Virginia; grandchildren

RyanAustinBruch(Bridgette), Jacob Spencer Bruch, Jonathan CoreyBruchandHaleyKatherine Bruch; great-grandson Reid AustinBruch;andsister-in-law Gail Bruch of Richmond, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his brothersDr.WilliamM.Bruch and wife Sarah of Richmond, Virginia, and John Donald Bruch of Richmond, Virginia, and sister Christine Schneider and husband COLEdwinA.Schneider,(USAF)of Honolulu, Hawaii.

MICHAEL N. DONATO ’54: July 25, 2019. The son of Nicholas and Concetta Donato, Michaelwasborn inWindber,PA on September 1, 1932. He is predeceased by his parentsandsisterAnnSpinazzolo. He is survived by his wife Jane and his brother Dennis Donato and his three sons, Dean Donato and wife Genie and granddaughter Taylor,MarkDonatoandwifePam and grandchildren Grant, Wes andMaddy,andScottDonatoand wife Nicole and granddaughters ReganandCamden.Agraduateof Windber High School in Windber, PAin1950andcommonlyknown as “Bud”, he was active in both the band and orchestra having played trumpet and served as a student conductor. He received his B.S. degree from Concord University inMusicEducationwherehewas a member of the marching and concert bands playing trumpet, the choir and was on scholarship withtheBluefieldSymphony inBluefield,WVplayingthe Frenchhorn.HereceivedaM.S. degree from Teachers College, Columbia University in New YorkplusaProfessionaldiploma of advanced graduate work at Teachers College in Counseling

andEducationalAdministration. Additionalstudywasdoneatthe University of Virginia. Donato was firstemployedasaBandandChoral director at Castlewood High School inCastlewood,VA.Hespenthis summers leading a Dance Band at the Nags Head Casino in Nags Head,NC.Aftertwoyearshewas draftedintotheArmy.Whileinthe Army,heservedasamusicianwith theFirstArmyBandinNewYork City and then spent a year as the AssistantConductoroftheEleventh AirBornebandinAugusburg, Germany. Upon being discharged, he spent a year as the Band and ChoralDirectoratMiddlesexHigh SchoolinSaluda,VA.In1960,he was hired by the Derry Township SchoolsinHershey,PAtobea music instructor. In this capacity, he was responsible for presenting manyfinechoralandChristmas performances. In 1968, he was appointed to an administrative position with the Derry Township Schools, where he worked in the Junior High School handling the budget, counseling and supervision of student activities. Upon his retirement from the educational community in 1985, he established aGalleryOfArtbusiness specializing in art on oil canvases. From 1996 up to the present, after having moved to the Carlisle area tobeclosetohissonScott,Mr. Donato was involved as a volunteer with the Employment Skills Center as a counselor and literary skills provider on an individual basis with over 80 students from 32 different countries. He provided preparation forAmericancitizenship.He assisted students preparing for university graduate work and executives from foreign countries. He was also a great supporter of his wife’s musical endeavors and the accomplishments of her voice and piano and clarinet students throughout the last 50 years. Michaelhasbeenaveryfaithful

member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church and for as long as he has been a member, served in the capacity of assisting in the handling and the accounting of the weekly financialcontributions.Inaddition, Mr.Donatohasbeenveryactiveas an alumnus of Concord University and in 2005 was chosen as a GoldenAlumnusoftheYearand presented with such an award at the University at that time.

JANE P. GOODE CARPENTER’ 58: September 17, 2019. Jane was bornonAugust27,1936andwas aresidentofGreenwood,Missouri. She graduated from Princeton High School, where she was regarded musically as the school’s “songbird.” She earned a business education degree at Concord. She was a vocalist with the college choir, performed with the marching band, played piano and saxophone, and belonged to the Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority. She possessed a deserved reputation as a soprano and shared her gift at weddings, dozens of memorial services at Langsford Funeral Home and other community events.

1960s ____________

MELVIN CONRAD HARRIS ’62: July 18, 2019. Born December 27, 1935, at Pence Springs, WV, he was the son of the late Cary C. and Trilby EdithAllenHarris.Melwasa graduate of Talcott High School and Concord College. He was a U.S.NavyveteranoftheKorean War,aMason,aShrinerandwas the cornbread champion of Pence Springs, WV. He was retired from DuPont Corporation with 30 years of service. He was a resident of

Camden,SC. Melwasprecededin death by four brothers and three sisters.Melissurvivedbyhiswife of60years,BeverlyKayeMann Harris; two sons, Richard and Robert Harris, both of Camden, SC; andatwinbrother,MarvinHarris and wife Loretta of Evansville, IN.Mel’slifemottowas,“Dounto others, as you would have them do unto you.”

JAMES EDWARD GIBSON, JR, ’64: October 11, 2019. He was the son of the late James SrandMildred Gilmer Gibson. JamesgraduatedfromBluefield High School and attended Concord College.HeservedintheArmy National Guard of West Virginia. JamesretiredfromBluefield CommunityHospital(BRMC) in 1986. He was a resident of Bluefield,WV.Inadditiontohis parents, he was preceded in death bytheloveofhislife,RebeccaAnn Chandler Gibson. Those left to cherish his memory are his two sons: Jeffrey Gibson and wife, Beth of Bristol, TN and Richard Gibson andwife,RobinofBluefield,WV; siblings: Sue Stamper, Joyce Sexton, Robert Gibson and wife, Ginger, MichaelGibsonandwife,Diana. James had four grandchildren he dearlycherished:KyleGibsonand wife, Courtney, Sarah Brent and husband, Brandon, Bradley Gibson and wife, Laken, and Catherine Gibson.

NANCY LEE O’NEAL ’66: July 12,2019.Mrs.O’Nealwasborn February15,1944inMercer County, a daughter of the late Woodrow Wilson Pendleton and Hazel Bowling Pendleton. Nancy was also preceded in death by one son, Casey O’Neal, stepson Gary O’Neal and one brother Homer Pendleton. She was a 1962 graduate

of Princeton High School and a graduate of Concord College. She taught high school and worked with the health council, then devoted her life to raising her children. She was amemberofFirstUnitedMethodist Church in Princeton, WV. She was loved and adored by everyone in the community. Nancy was the most kind and caring lady you could ever meet. She was admired by everyone. Mrs.O’Nealwasdescribedas “snazzy,” “a total sweetheart,” “compassionate,” “considerate,” “reliable,” and “loveable.” She was a resident of Princeton. She is survived by her beloved husband of 49 years, Bill O’Neal; one son, Riley O’Neal; one daughter, Christy O’Neal Hedrick (David); her four grandchildren whom which she cherished, Isabella Hedrick, SavannahHedrick,Alexandria Hedrick, and Dalton Hedrick; her twodearnephews,MikePendleton (Kim)andWesPendleton;andher belovedbestfriend,RitaMontrosse. She was dearly loved and now will be dearly missed. She will continue to live on in those she is survived by and also by those whose lives she touched.

MARGARET LOUISE THORN ’67: July 26, 2019. Born July 14, 1931 at Green Valley, she was the daughter of the late James W. “Bill” Via and Ella LaFonVia.Margaretwaseducated inMercerCounty,receivedher degree from Concord College in PublicAdministration,andearned her master’s degree from WCOG. MargaretretiredfromtheWV DHHR as Regional Supervisor for ChildSupport&Enforcementafter many years of service. She was a resident of Princeton. She loved herdogsandenjoyedherflower gardens. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Carlyle Payton Thorn andadaughter,MargaretElaine WileyMcGinnisalongwithsix siblings:WillieMae,Betty,Wanda, Elaine, Tom and Jim. Survivors include her daughter and son-inlaw,MaryAnnandDavidLinkous of Princeton; grandson and wife, JohnandDianaMcGinnisof Bluefield;granddaughter,Margaret McGinnisofToledoOH;agreatgranddaughter and two great-great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; two very special nieces, GaylaSladeofChesapeakeVAand NancyCarricoofMarionVA;and her faithful canine companion, DaisyAnn.

1970s ____________

LEE ROY ELLISON ’70: August1,2019. BornMarch28, 1929inMtHope, WV, he was the son of the late James and Chessie Hudson Ellison. LeewasagraduateofMt.Hope High School and attended Beckley JuniorCollege,MorrisHarvey College and Concord College. He had been a member of Johnston Chapel Baptist Church for more than 60 years. Lee had been a resident of Princeton for 55 years. HewasaveteranoftheUSArmy andheservedinKorea. Hewas amemberoftheD.A.V. Hehad previously been employed as a teacher, worked at various sales jobs and was a local accountant and a tax preparer. Lee owned and operated several businesses in the Princeton area, as well as being a real estate developer. In addition to his parents, Lee is preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Bobbie Jean Ellison (His Lovely); his son, Roger Ellison; four brothers, Eugene Woolwine Ellison, Junior

Woolwine Ellison, Lloyd Ellison and James David Ellison; and two sisters, Virginia Coleman (Jenny) andMaryEdmonds(Eulane).Those left to cherish his memory include his sons, James and wife, Recie, Larry and wife, Pam, Jonathan and wife, Tonya all of Princeton; three brothers, Jerry Ellison and wife, CharlotteofBeckley,MackEllison andwife,DorothyofMapleFork, and George Ellison and special friend, Terri; two sisters, Ruby Riley and husband, Dave of Beckley, and Barbara Davis; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and friends that he knew from being a member of the Omelet Shop Gang in Princeton.

JO ANN HENDRIX ’70: July 12, 2019. Jo Annwasbornon March15,1948 inMountKisco, NY.Shewas raisedinMiddletown,NJbyparents Carol (Holly) and Richard Siegwarth beforemovingtoMaryland.JoAnn attended Concord University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in education and was a member of AlphaSigmaAlphasorority. She then went on to teach for a few years in Bethany, DE. She was also employedwithLockheedMartin. She was a resident of Pasadena, MD.JoAnnwasamemberofAnne ArundelRugHookers(AARH)for over 20 years. She loved making rugs and was very talented at doing so. She was also a member of the SSS Ski Club for over 30 years and met Roger at the Ski Club. She is survived by her loving husband Roger Hendrix of Pasadena, and her brothers, Bob, Craig, Wayne, and Vern Siegwarth, all of New Jersey. JoAnnlovedvacationingwithher brothers and husband at the cabin in Vermont.

OAKEY JOSEPH CALVERT ’72: August17, 2019. Born in Princewick, WV January 14, 1950, he was the son of the late Joseph Buchanan and VirginiaAristaMeadowsCalvert. OakeyretiredfromtheMercer County School System in 2007 after 35 years of service last servingasPrincipalofMercer Elementary School in Princeton. HebeganhiscareeratMontcalm ElementarySchoolasthefirst male kindergarten teacher in the MercerCountySchoolSystem. He later transferred to Sun Valley Elementary where he taught sixth grade and eventually became principal. He later served as principal of Straley Elementary beforehisfinalmovetoMercer Elementary. Following retirement Oakey worked for the WV Department of Education for several years traveling around the state visiting schools to promote the importance of higher education and the availability of the Promise Scholarship. In recent years Oakey substitutedinMercerCounty Schools as a principal and also in the classroom, doing what he loved most in education, teaching children. He was a graduate of Stoco High School and earned his B.S. in Education and his master’s degree at Concord University. He was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Princeton and was a resident of Princeton. Survivors include his wife and love of his life,DonnaAnnTerryCalvertof Princeton; two daughters, Cari Beth Calvert Triplett and husband David of Greensboro, NC, and Julie Tiller and husband Chad of Summersville; three grandchildren, Erin Farley Cron and husband Justin, Hannah Farley Jackson and husband Harley, and PFC Roman Gum and wife

Tommi;fivegreat-grandchildren, Landon, Liam, Nora, Emily and Riley; one brother, Gary Calvert and wife Nancy of Coal City, WV; and his faithful constant canine companion Sophie.

1980s ____________

SUSAN BLAIR RIGGS ’88: June 11, 2019. Susan was born in Huntington on February 6, 1956, the daughter of the late Bert and Janice Blair. Susan graduated from Vinson High School, a member of the Class of 1974. She received a Bachelor of SciencedegreeinMusicEducation from Concord College, graduating summa cum laude. During her career as a music teacher, she directed choir and band grades elementary through high school in Talcott, Sandstone, Hinton, Smoot, and Rainelle, WV. She also directed choirs at Big Clear Creek Baptist Church in Rupert, WV, and FirstBaptistChurchinHinton.A classically trained soprano, Susan was a frequent soloist for churches, schools, and community events. She was dedicated to training young

1990s ____________

EMDEN LEE SYRES, JR. ’94: May29,2019. Born in Princeton September 20, 1971, he was the son of Emden “Pete” and Brenda Thomas Syres of Princeton. He was employed in the Information-Technology DepartmentofAmericanAirlines in Charlotte and previously worked

inthesamefieldforTextron Industries in Charlotte for 15 years. He was a graduate of Princeton High School, earned a double degree in Chemistry and Biology from Concord University and continued his education at West Virginia University before relocating to the Charlotte area where he made his home for the past 25 years. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother,MaryThomasand his paternal grandmother, Doretta Syres. In addition to his parents survivors include two sisters, Sherri Sanbeck and husband Richard of Lenoir,NCandKarenWhebyand husband John of Princeton; several nieces and nephews; and his close friend and business partner Eddie Lusk of Hickory, NC.

2000s ____________

KRISTIE LEIGH CASE ’03: September 19, 2019.After graduation from Fayetteville High School,Kristie went to college at Concord University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business andTravelManagement.During Kristie’scareer,sheworkedat variousfinancialinstitutions in positions from clerical to management. She was a resident ofOakHill,WV.Kristiewasthe mother of Indea (22 months) and step-mother to Hunter (16), Tori (14) and Parker (7). She was wife to JoshuaJeremiahRichardson.Kristie is survived by her husband and children; mother and father, Louise and Jack Case; grandmother, Nina June Case Perdue; in-laws, Ladell and Ray Hanson; aunts and uncles,

Becky and Bill Workman, Dee and Les Bolen, Barb and Brian Parrott; cousin, Dustin Parrott; and many extended family members. Those relativesthathaveprecededKristie are grandmother and grandfather, Irene and William L. Workman; grandfather, Jack Case Sr.; aunts, MaryCookandPeggyWorkman; uncle, Jimmy Workman; and numerous extended family.

Friends of Concord ____________

HILDRED SMITH ALLARD: September1,2019.Mrs.Allard was educated in the public schools of Hinton, West Virginia. She becameaCertifiedProfessional Secretary and attended the National BusinessCollegeinRoanoke,VA andTheUniversityofMaryland. Mrs.AllardservedastheExecutive AppointmentSecretarytothree consecutive Governors of West Virginia (1960-1967). She then servedastheConfidentialAssistant to three Chairmen of the Interstate Commerce Commission in Washington,D.C.Mrs.Allardwasan accomplished and gifted musician. Atayoungage,shestartedplaying the piano on radio and television for her Uncle Harry Peyton who wasanevangelist.Asavolunteer (and in addition to working in the Governor’soffice)foralmost10 years,sheservedasMusicDirector atReynoldsMemorialUnited MethodistChurch,playingthe piano and organ as well as directing the choir. While working for the Governor of West Virginia, she also played the piano at the Governor’s Mansionforspecialoccasions.She was a resident of Evans, Georgia. In addition to her husband, Judge DavidH.Allard,survivorsinclude: herstepsister,ElizabethMillerof Roanoke,VA;twostepsons,John

AllardandClaytonAllard;and sevenstepgrandchildren.Mrs. Allardwasprecededindeathbyher parents,ArthurandGladysWilley Smithandalsoherbrother,Arthur Smith, Jr.

FRANCES PAULINE COLOBRO: August27,2019. BornMay26, 1925 in Welch, WV, she was a daughter of the late Posey L. White and Vertie E. Gallimore White. Mrs.Colobrowasamemberof Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She graduated from Welch High School. She attended Concord College and BluefieldStateCollegetoreceive her degree in Education and was along-timeeducatorinMercer CountyandMcDowellCounty schools.AresidentofBluefield,Mrs. Colobro was a member of Delta KappaGammaandBetaSigma Phi. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Frank Colobro. Survivors include her beloved husband of 75 years, Tony Colobro; three children, Susan MaupinandhusbandRay,Nick Colobro and wife Carol, and Tony Colobro,II;grandchildren,Mickey Maupin,KristiMcCoy,Anthony Colobro, Nicky Colobro, Courtney Colobro,KrystalColunga,andHolly Disibbio; nine great-grandchildren; niece,AnnaMercanti;andnephew Jack Colobro.

JAMES “JIM” MILTON HUFFMAN: August26,2019. Jim was born on June 7, 1939 in Oak Hill, WV. He grew up in Fayette and Raleigh Counties and was a 1957 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School. JimservedintheUnitedStatesAir Force from 1957 to 1961. Upon his discharge from the military, Jim graduated from West Virginia Institute of Technology with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education

andreceivedhisMaster’sDegree in Guidance and Counseling from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies. The majority of hiscareerwasspentinthefieldof higher education. He retired as the AssociateDirectorofAdmissions from Concord University in in 2005. He held previous roles in theAdmissionsOfficesofPotomac State, West Virginia Tech, and West Virginia State College. Jim was passionate about discussing the importance of higher education with high school students and reveled in their academic and personal successes. He received theAndersonMilamAwardfrom theWestVirginiaAssociationof CollegeRegistrarsandAdmissions Organizationforserviceinhisfield. Othersignificantrolesinhiscareer include the personnel director of theUnitedStatesMineHealthand SafetyAcademyandthemanager oftheRaleighCountyAirportin Beckley,WV.Asairportmanager, Jim was surrounded by his love of aviation on a daily basis. One of his most notable moments was hostingtheBlueAngelsaspartof theRaleighCountyAirshow.He received his pilot’s license while in theAirForceandcontinuedtofly single engine planes and picked up an occasional corporate co-pilot gig on the side for his own enjoyment. Jim was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing in tournaments including theWestVirginiaAmateurwhere he placed well in some of the top flights.Hewasblessedwitha supportive set of golf friends and played in many weekly games at Grandview Country Club. He was a resident of Beaver, WV. He was an activememberofPerryMemorial UnitedMethodistChurch,serving in various leadership roles and singing in the choir over the years. He was a frequent soloist and member of the men’s quartet. Jim was a devoted husband, proud father, and adoring grandfather. He