Alumni

MARRIAGES:

Best wishes to Caroline Walker Haynes (‘17) and Joseph Wright, who were married on July 16, 2022, at Paris-Yates Chapel on the campus of Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi. A reception was held immediately following at The Isom Place. Caroline and Joseph spent their honeymoon at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. They are now living in Jackson where Caroline is a high school English teacher at Jackson Christian, and Joseph is in payments technology sales for Payroc Financial Solutions.

Congratulations to Jonathan Adkins (‘15) and Caroline Fossett who celebrated their wedding day on an unseasonably chilly March 12, 2022. They married at The Estate at Cherokee Dock in Lebanon, Tennessee. A beautiful reception was held at the same location. The couple lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where Jonathan works as a project manager for Solomon Builders, and Caroline teaches kindergarten at Franklin Road Academy.

Leah Margaret Strope (‘14) and James-Roland Markos (‘13) were married on the evening of April 30, 2022, at Paris-Yates Chapel on the campus of their alma mater Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi, with a reception following at Castle Hill Resort. The couple traveled to Europe for their honeymoon. They currently live in Rochester, Minnesota, and both work at the Mayo Clinic, where Leah Margaret is a Doctor of Audiology and James-Roland is a Resident Physician in Orthopedic Surgery. James-Roland is the son of USJ faculty member Clare Markos, and Leah Margaret is the niece of faculty member Vicki Wilson. Congratulations on the union of these two USJ families!

Josie Seals (‘17) and Jake Overton (‘17) exchanged vows at Faith Community Church in Humboldt, TN, on May 28, 2022. A tented reception was held afterward to celebrate at Breezewood, home of Whitney & John Overton. After honeymooning in Greece, the couple is residing in Nashville, Tennessee. Congratulations are also in order for Walker McWherter (’10) and Karly Burris who were married on June 4, 2022, at Annesdale Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. They traveled to France and Switzerland for their honeymoon. Walker serves as Vice President at Best Beverages of West Memphis, and Karly is a freelance designer. They love living in Memphis and enjoy traveling and playing with their dog, Hutch.

Hollen Spencer (‘15) married Paige Koenigseder on July 9, 2022, at Central United Methodist Church in Fayetteville, Arkansas. They dated all four years at the University of Arkansas, tied the knot in front of the USJ Chili Dog gang, and then boogied until the convertible Cadillac picked them up at the reception’s end. Hollen works for State Farm Insurance, and Paige will graduate this fall with a doctoral degree in occupational therapy. The couple will make their home in Fayetteville, Arkansas, so they can supervise their younger siblings.

Also recently married were Mitchell Bodiford (‘16) and Molly Grace King on June 18, 2022, at First Baptist Church in Selmer, Tennessee. A reception followed at Parks Place in Corinth, Mississippi. The couple resides in Memphis where Mitchell will graduate from UTHSC in May 2023 with his doctoral degree in Physical Therapy. Molly Grace is an occupational therapist at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Mitchell is the son of USJ faculty member Vicki Wilson.

Two USJ alumni, Haley Hall (‘14) and Jackson Teer (‘12) were married on May 28, 2022. Their wedding was held at Dunes West in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. They moved to Tupelo, Mississippi, shortly thereafter where Haley works remotely as a graduate engineer for Civil Site Design Group based in Nashville, Tennessee. Jackson is a resident in Family Medicine at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo.

Jonathan Adkins the same location. The couple lives married Paige then boogied until the convertible Also recently married were UTHSC in May 2023 with his doctoral and engineer for Civil Site Design Group

Jake Overton (‘17) exchanged vows at Faith Community John Overton. After honeymooning

To update your mailing and email address, tell us your latest news or information about an upcoming reunion, please visit usjbruins.org/alumni or contact Elizabeth Atkins, Director of Alumni Relations at eatkins@usjbruins.org, or call her at 731.300.3687.

We were excited to hear that Peyton Jayne Ozment was born on December 18, 2021, to Jamie Ozment (‘94) and his wife Amy. Peyton was 6 weeks early, weighed 4 lbs., 14 oz, and was 17.5 inches long. She oz, and was 17.5 inches long. She has grown fast, is doing great, and rumor is she looks like her dad. Jamie and Amy live in Germantown, Tennessee, where Jamie works as an electrical engineer with Liles Engineering Design Consultants in Memphis, and Amy is currently a stayat-home mom after teaching senior and dual enrollment English at Houston High School in Germantown for 10 years.

Congratulations to Tracy Dougan Lombardo (‘00), husband Larry, and big sisters Sophie and Emilie who welcomed Frank “Ford” Lawrence who welcomed Frank “Ford” Lawrence Lombardo, IV on February 18, 2022. Ford weighed 6 lbs., 3 oz, and was 19 inches long. The family resides in Memphis, where Tracy is a realtor with Ware Jones Realtors, and Larry works as a registered investment advisor at W Advisors, LLC. W Advisors, LLC.

Mark Your Calendar: Look for a Memphis Area Alumni Social in Spring 2023!

Mary Catherine Smith was born on April 24, 2022, to Zach Smith (‘06) and his wife Lauren. Mary Catherine weighed 8 lbs., 1 oz. Her big brother, Sam, is currently in the Cubs class at USJ, and Mary Catherine is enrolled in our infant program.

Congratulations to Laura Harmon Poteet (‘14) and Patrick Poteet on the birth of their first child, Harper Lynn Poteet, born on June 14, 2022. Harper weighed 8 lbs., 9 oz. and was 21 inches long. Harper will join us at USJ in the 2024 school year.

CLASS REUNIONS

The OHA Classes of 1971-1977 had a joint reunion at Flatiron Grille on October 1, 2022.

The Class of 1982–40th Reunion was held the weekend of September 30 - October 1, 2022.

The Class of 1992–30th Reunion is being rescheduled. For more information, contact Meredith Moss Varino.

The Classes of 2001 and 2002–20th Reunion was held at the Reserve Barn on October 22, 2022.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Joey Howell Elected To Circuit Court Judge

Joseph Howell (‘90), a Jackson area attorney, was recently elected Circuit Court Judge to the State of Tennessee Circuit Court, 26th District, Division 1. We are so proud of Joseph for his service. He was sworn in by Senior Judge Roy Morgan, Jr. on August 29, 2022. Looking on were his wife, Lori, a staff member at USJ, and their children Mae (‘22) and James (‘24).

Ted Murray Jones (OHA ‘78), 62, of Humboldt, Tennessee, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022. He was born on January 5, 1960, at Fort Eustis, Virginia Military Hospital. Ted graduated with honors from OHA where he played basketball, was voted Most Talented, Class Favorite/Mr. OHA and was involved in many creative endeavors. He went on to study at the University of Dallas but proudly graduated from Belmont University with a degree in Music and Theology in 1999.

Ted was a songwriter, poet, and an Americana artist with several albums (via Dream Train Music and RM Music) to his credit. Creating music with his friends was his passion and he wrote “Strawberry Festival Parade” for his hometown of Humboldt, Tennessee. His music and love for adventure took him to many places, including Alaska, Florida, Louisiana, California, Arizona, Australia, the Netherlands, England, Ireland, and New York City. He also hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. He is survived by his father, Winfred F (Ted) Jones, Jr., stepmother, Cathey, and mother, Judy Murray Bowers; his brother, Robert Clayton Jones (Shelby) and sister, Julie Jones Tunnell (Brad); three nephews: Scott Tunnell, Fort Jones, and Mason Jones and four nieces: Mary Julia Tunnell Craft (Hudson), Millie Tunnell, Josie Tunnell, Bailey Tunnell, and one great-niece, Elianna Craft, as well as his Aunt Rena Jones Johnson and loving cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Mildred Warlick & Winfred F (Ted) Jones, Sr., and Virginia Curley and Robert Mason Murray as well as stepfather, Richard Jack Bowers. Ted also loved and was loved by many lifelong friends and was especially devoted to his two yorkies: Lil Bit and Darling.

Charles Murray Pate (OHA ‘80), known to others as “Chuck,” of Jackson Hole, Wyoming, passed away on Thursday, August 11, 2022, at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, ID, just two days prior to his 61st birthday. Chuck was born and raised in Jackson, Tennessee, where he enjoyed playing football and baseball throughout his school years and was well known for his athleticism. He later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and worked at Taylor Impressions Inc. as a service technician and sales representative. He was most recently employed at Teton Media Works in Jackson Hole where he was supervisor and foreman of press operations. Chuck was an avid sportsman and hunter, and he also enjoyed gardening and cooking. He will be greatly missed by those who knew him, as he was “Papa Chuck” to his granddaughters. He was a father, a son, a brother, and a friend to all. He was preceded in death by his father Charles Wilburn Pate. He is survived by his mother Jackie Pate; children Charles Pate (Josie) of Manchester, Tennessee; Olivia Pate of Tullahoma, Tennessee; their mother Bonny Pate of Tullahoma, Tennessee, and grandchildren Bentleigh and Amelia. He is survived by three siblings -Terry Pate Archer (Doug) of Collierville, Tennessee; Debbie Pate of Jackson, Tennessee; and Liz Hamby of Venice, Florida.

Selena Elizabeth Bright (‘13) passed away Sunday, July 31, 2022, at her home in Humboldt, TN, at age 27. She was born in Jackson to Ricky and Melissa Bright on March 8, 1995. Selena was employed at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and was a member of West Jackson Baptist Church. Selena was preceded in death by her grandparents, Bill Haggard and Billy Joe Bright. She is survived by her parents, Ricky and Melissa Haltom Bright; grandmother, Carolyn Haggard; brother, Dusty Bright (Anjali); aunts, Beth Hopkins (Tim), Jennifer Bright; cousin, Matt Hurst; fur babies, Yadi Benjamin and Beau.

Janice Ann (Perry) Baldwin, former EDS and USJ faculty member, passed away on April 11, 2022 at the age of 80 years old. Mrs. Baldwin was born in Houston, Texas, on February 26, 1942. Her parents, Lewis Lee Perry and Ida Wilma (Gates) Perry, and her brother, Richard Lee Perry preceded her in death. After a brief time in San Diego, California, where her father was posted with the U.S. Navy during World War II, the family moved back to Houston where she lived and went to school. She attended elementary school in South Houston and was salutatorian of her graduating class at Jesse Jones High School in Houston, Texas. Janice was awarded a scholarship to the University of Corpus Christi (Texas) where she graduated as valedictorian in 1964 with majors in biology and mathematics and a minor in English. She served as secretary for the faculty of the Department of Religion at UCC and also met her future husband, Charles M. Baldwin. Upon graduation from UCC in 1964, she and her husband accepted teaching positions at EarthSpringlake High School, where between the two of them, they taught all the mathematics offerings from the 7th grade to the 12th grade. In the fall of 1965, she began a 4-year tenure teaching mathematics at Hutchinson Junior High School in Lubbock, Texas, while her husband completed work on his PhD in Chemistry at Texas Tech University. During her last year at UCC, Janice gave birth on September 27, 1963, to their first of two wonderful, talented daughters, Lisa Renee. Seven years later on December 29, 1970, their home would be blessed with another daughter, Michelle Denise.

After moving to Jackson, Tennessee in 1970, she taught science at Bells Junior High School in Bells, Tennessee, then at the Episcopal Day School in Jackson, until the family moved back to Texas in 1981 to care for infirmed parents. There she taught science at the Early Middle School (1981-1983) before moving to Plainview, Texas, where she taught science at Ash 6th Grade School (1984-1988) to classes that spanned the spectrum of opportunity in rural Texas. During her time in Texas, she earned the designation of Master Teacher held by less than 0.5% of teachers in Texas. In 1988, the family returned to Jackson, Tennessee, where she joined the faculty of the newly constituted University School of Jackson (USJ), formed from the merger of the Episcopal Day School and Old Hickory Academy. She taught seventh and eighth-grade honors math and served as the middle school mathematics department head until her retirement in 2012, concluding a teaching career that spanned 48 years. During her tenure at USJ, she served as Math Counts coach for middle school teams, which garnered a multitude of awards at regional and state contests. For several years, Janice also served as the lead planner, organizer, and guide for 8th grade study trips to Washington, D.C., Chicago, Illinois, and Hannibal, Missouri. Always the student, she attended numerous professional development seminars and workshops including “Learning and the Brain” Institutes in Boston, MA. Janice was a

voracious reader, often devouring 2-3 books per week. Immediate family members who remain and treasure the memory of Janice are Dr. Charles M. Baldwin (husband) of Jackson, Tennessee, Dr. Michelle D. Baldwin (daughter) of Jackson, Tennessee, Dr. Lisa R. Linton (daughter) and husband Steve Linton of Bethel, Ohio, Jenna M. Galletta (granddaughter) and fiancé Taylor Boyd of Kansas City, Missouri, Abby S. Galletta (granddaughter) of Jackson, Tennessee, Nicholas G. Galletta (grandson) of Jackson, Tennessee, and Gary Galletta (father of Jenna, Abby, and Nicholas) of West Chester, Ohio.

Rhodes College Students Shine Around the World

The family requests that memorials be directed to the Janice Ann Baldwin Middle School Mathematics Scholarship Fund, c/o USJ, 232 McClellan Road, Jackson, TN 38305 or online at usjbruins.org, or to the Charles and Janice Baldwin Endowment Scholarship Fund, c/o Chemistry Department, 1050 Union University Drive, Jackson, TN 38305 or online at uu.edu.org. Katherine Ryan (‘19) received the Buckman-Mollerup Award for International Leadership and Connor Stevens (‘19) received the Buckman Fellowship for Study Abroad. The Buckman-Mollerup Award and the Buckman Fellowship are designed to provide outstanding students with a stimulating academic experience in a setting outside of the United States. Katherine studied in Seville, Spain, and Connor studied the German language in Hamburg, Germany.

Glosson & Miller Perform in Prestigious Summer Stock Theaters

While at USJ, Sierra Glosson (‘15) and Keaton Miller (‘20) crossed paths on stage more than a few times, most memorably during the 2014 production of Seussical, in which she played Mayzie La Bird and he played The Cat In The Hat. Since then, Sierra’s path led her to continue her training at Viterbo University in Wisconsin, while Keaton’s led him to Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio. Both schools are known for superb musical theatre training, so it was no surprise when both actors recently landed professional gigs at two of the most renowned summer stock theatre companies. Summer stock is the name given to professional theatre that is carried out in venues all across the country, whose seasons typically end before the fall. After auditioning in person and virtually early in 2022, these two USJ alums found themselves in elite company, performing where numerous current actors on Broadway got their starts. Sierra spent the summer in the mountains of Montana at Bigfork Summer Playhouse, playing Katherine in Disney’s Freaky Friday and Ali in Mamma Mía! Keaton, too, was called to the mountains, but in New Hampshire at New London Barn Playhouse, where he lit up the stage as Willard in Footloose and Don in A Chorus Line. Maybe one day soon the planets will align, and these two future stars will share the stage together again!