In Memoriam

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The following members of Cumberlands family have passed away since the publication of our last magazine. We send our thoughts and prayers to their families and will forever remember their impact on the Cumberlands Community.

Alumni

Dr. Eleanor Mitts Behrmann, ’36, passed July 16, at the age of 103. After graduating from Cumberland College, “Mittsy” continued her education at the University of Kentucky earning her BS and MS in Chemistry. She went on to earn her PhD in Chemistry at Iowa State in 1943 as one of very few women with a PhD in Chemistry at that time.

Honored as an “Outstanding Alumnus” in 1975, Dr. Behrmann was a member of the Alumni Board of Directors from 1985-1988, serving as President of the Alumni Association from 1986-1987.

Jimmie (Mullis) Peace Wissing, ’42, passed October 3, 2019.

Christine Rains Fletcher, ’45, passed September 25, 2019. Chris was a graduate of Cumberland College and the Louisville School of Medical Technology.

A strong believer in self-help, Christine was a financial supporter of the workship program at Cumberlands.

Delsie Horne, ’48, passed March 7.

Mary Doyle Johnson, ’48, passed June 25. A tireless supporter of Cumberlands, Mary Doyle served as the Alumni Association President for two terms and was named as a board member emeriti. Carolyn Siler Browning, ’48, passed May 16. A loyal and faithful supporter of UC, her family includes an alumnus (father), trustee Congressman Eugene Siler, Sr. (brother), trustee Gene Siler, Jr. (grandfather), founding trustee 19011953 A. T. Siler (grandfather), and President (19101912) and professor, Gorman Jones (grandfather).

Elizabeth “Betty” Adkins Taylor, ’48, passed September 16, 2020.

Billy (Bill) Floyd Freeman, ’49, passed September 18, at the age of 95. After growing up in Williamsburg and serving his country in WW II, Bill returned home and enrolled at Cumberland College (now University of the Cumberlands). He went on to earn a BS and a master’s Degree and returned to Cumberlands where, for more than 40 years, he taught public speaking, recruited students, was Director of Public Relations, and was the Assistant to the President.

Betty Lentz Siegel, ’50, president emeritus of Kennesaw State University in Georgia and the first woman to serve as a campus president for an institution in the University System of Georgia, passed February 11. Under her leadership, KSU grew from a small state school to one of the largest in Georgia during her 25 years as president.

Dr. Siegel was inducted into the University of the Cumberlands’ Hall of Distinguished Alumni in 1988 and also served on the Alumni Board of Directors.

Monnette Chambers Mouron, ’55, passed on October 3.

Herbert C. Housley, ’56, passed April 16. While at Cumberlands he was voted Mr. Off-Campus.

Juanita Simpson Redwine, ’56, passed March 10.

John C. Carter, ’57, passed September 15.

Bretta (Mayne) Conley, ‘64, passed April 29.

Lee R. Stallard, ’64, passed August 24.

Betty Ridenour Maiden, ’66, passed September 9.

Virgie Collet, ’66, passed September 22.

Aaron L. Spaulding, ’69, passed May 25.

Dr. Kenneth Whitehouse, ’76, passed September 8.

Brenda Kegley, ‘78, passed September 30.

Lucille Bowling Carloftis, ‘81, passed March 5

. Greg Poe, ‘81, passed July 6,. Linda Owen Gray, ‘84, passed September 19.

Michael Parsley, ‘89, former Alumni Board of Directors member, passed October 1.

Tony LeMaster, ‘94, passed October 11. An active supporter of his alma mater, Tony served one term as President of the Alumni Association and was inducted into the Alumni Athletic Hall of Fame as a member of the undefeated '88 football team.

Jenna Clemenz, ‘03, passed August 21.

Joanna Mahan Middleton, MAE ’12, EdS ’12, passed August 10, after a hardfought battle against cancer.

Middleton worked as the academic dean at Williamsburg Independent School District (WISD) was described by others as being “willing to do whatever was asked of her; no job was too big or too small,” a “kindhearted, spirited, devoted, mischievous, and beautiful” woman, and as being someone who “cared deeply for all of her students” and was “passionate about making sure students got the best education possible.”

Erika Rae Pillow Powers, MAED ’18, passed May 1.

Lance Allen Pace, ‘19, passed April 11.

Faculty

Gayle Breedlove Majors passed away on September 1, 2020. Gayle served as Associate Professor of Music for thirty-seven years at UC (1973-2013) and as the church organist at First Baptist Church in Corbin since 1984. A gifted musician, her outgoing nature and quick humor were a great combination for passing on her love of teaching music.

Student

Grant Brace, Class of 2022, passed away unexpectedly on August 31, 2020. Brace, who was from Louisville, Tennessee, was a junior at Cumberlands and a Patriots wrestling team member.

President Larry Cockrum announced the news in an email to the Cumberlands community, asking “with a heavy heart and great sadness” for prayers for Brace’s family and friends.

Brace came to Cumberlands as a wrestler in the fall of 2018. He was a featured varsity wrestler on the men’s team, tallying three falls in his career, including a pin in the 2018 Patriot Open. His last win was a 13-5 Major Decision over Keiser University. Brace previously attended Alcoa High School just outside of Knoxville, Tennessee, and was majoring in business administration. He was 20 years old.

“We are all shocked and saddened by the unexpected passing of Grant,” said Chris Kraftick, Director of Athletics, upon hearing the news. “He has brought high character and integrity to the Patriots family over the past two years and has always been part of our One Big Team. The entire athletic department is devastated by this news, and our hearts and prayers go out to his family, teammates, and friends.”

Classes at the University’s Williamsburg campus were canceled for Tuesday, September 1, to allow students and staff space to grieve and remember Brace’s life. Ministers and counseling teams were available throughout the day to support students who reached out for help. A prayer vigil hosted by students and staff was held on the BCC lawn that evening to honor Grant.

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Just a Glimpse

"In those qualities that count, in ambition, in desire, in enthusiasm, we'll pit our students against the world. There is so much need to be answered, so much work yet to be done. We have never yet failed the youth of our Kentucky hills. We hope we never will."

~Dr. Boswell

Work is near completion for the Boswell Bench, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! Delivery and installation are scheduled for early spring 2021. An unveiling ceremony will be scheduled once the sculpture is placed. Thank you for your support of this tribute to Dr. Boswell on the 40th anniversary of his retirement. If you would like to make a gift toward this project or other initiatives, please visit ucumberlands.edu/boswell.