The information posted below in this UPDATES section is provided for 'UTIA Retirees' who want to know what is happening with their former co-workers. The information is strictly for use by Former UTIA Workers and is not intended to be used for any other purpose.

UPDATES

Posted Week of January 24-30, 2010

2---01-29-2009---

I have been waiting for several days for a complete obituary on Bea Northcross Clark. The funeral home finally printed one. In case you want to read it or send in along, I have pasted it below.

I thought a lot of Bea. I first met her when I went to 4-H camp in 1947. She had such a bubbling personality that all of us 4-H'ers loved her. I would see her nearly every year at the Home Demonstration camp here until she retired.

Hope all is well with you.

Murray Miles

Mary Berniece Clark
(Died January 20, 2010)

Mary Berniece ("Bee") Northcross Clark died on January 20, 2010 in Clarksville,where she had lived for more than 60 years. Mrs. Clark was born February 5, 1921 in Bailey, TN the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. James M. Northcross. A memorial service will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Clarksville on Saturday, January 30, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. David Forney officiating, and a visitation period following. Sykes Funeral Home is handling arrangements. A graduate of the University of Tennessee, where an endowed scholarship in her name has been established, Mrs. Clark worked for the US Government during WWII before returning to Tennessee to serve as Assistant Home Agent and, subsequently, Home Agent of Montgomery County. Among her many achievements in that role, she expanded and strengthened Montgomery County's home demonstration clubs which provided opportunities for both rural and city women, to develop homemaking skills and broaden their interests outside their homes, led numerous trips for local women, many of whom would not have otherwise had the opportunity to travel, promoted reading programs, authored the popular "Buzzing With Bee" column that appeared in the Leaf-Chronicle during the 1960s and 70s and was frequently heard on local radio. Following her retirement, she dedicated herself to a number of charitable pursuits including the American Cancer Society, Clarksville Memorial Hospital and the Clarksville-Montgomery County Public Library. She was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Clarksville where she served as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, and president of Women of the Church. She is preceded in death by her husband, Clarksville native Earl C. Clark, Jr. She is survived by two sisters, Anne Northcross Price of Atlanta and Claire Northcross McCleese of Denver as well as a niece and several nephews. A very dear friend Mary Birdwell has been with her each day for the past four years. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Clarksvlle, Gateway Hospice, or the charity of your choice. www.sykesfuneralhome

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  This Saturday/January 30, at 2:00 P.M. First Presbyterian Church (213 Main Street-Clarksville TN) there will be a memorial service for Bee Northcross Clark, with a vistation time to follow in the fellowship hall. Below is an article about here that was written by Virginia Lowe (retired Electric Cooperative Home Economist).
    Please share this information with anyone that might have know her.
  I followed Bee here in Montgomery County and I can tell you that she had a great program, community support, volunteers and following. She is remembered by many.
   

Martha M. Pile
Extension FCS Agent
1030A Cumberland Hgts Rd
Clarksville, TN 37040
Tel # 931-648-5725  Fax: 931-648-5734
e-mail: mmp@utk.edu
Former L-C columnist 'Bee' Clark dies at 88
Mary "Bee" Berniece Northcross Clark, who pioneered the home demonstration movement in Clarksville in the 1940s and once had a weekly column in The Leaf-Chronicle, died Wednesday at 88. Clark came to Clarksville in 1946 and began her almost three-decade career as the Montgomery County home demonstration agent.
It was through Clark's leadership in the home demonstration clubs that rural and city women had an opportunity to learn more about homemaking skills and to broaden their interests outside their homes.

By meeting with the both rural and city women, "Bee was a trailblazer in bringing them programs that offered opportunities for the women to grow and develop," said Martha Pile, extension agent. "She removed many ceilings for women during her 27-year tenure."
Also during Clark's tenure, the home demonstration clubs were integrated.

In 1947, Clark started the Senior 4-H Club.

Barbara Davis recalled Clark taking her and her husband and two other 4-Hers to camp, where they were named Charter All-Star 4-H members for Tennessee 4-Hers.
"Buzzin with Bee" was a popular column in The Leaf-Chronicle that Bee wrote weekly during the late 1960s and early '70s. She also was a regular guest on Mabel Steeley's "Around Town" radio program on WDXN in the early 1970s.

Clark, who usually wore a "bee" pin, was a lover of travel and history. She planned and conducted numerous bus trips for the clubs' women to visit historical places.
Many of the women would never have had the opportunity to travel without Clark.

Their husbands, many of them farmers, were not able to leave home to travel.

Clark often spoke of a memorable trip to New Orleans when her mother was with her. As Clark directed her group to walk down Bourbon Street, her mother wanted to walk in the other direction.
When Mrs. Northcross asked a nearby police officer, "Which is the better end of Bourbon Street?" the officer replied, "Lady, there ain't no better end, but the farther down this way you go, the worse it gets." So needless to say, her mother joined Clark and the group.
Clark took early retirement due to numerous health problems. But she became an active member of the American Cancer Society's Reach to Recovery program in Montgomery County. Doctors that had done mastectomies often asked Clark and other trained Reach to Recovery members to visit their patients to offer understanding and support.

She also volunteered at Clarksville Memorial Hospital in the critical care waiting room, offering help to distraught family members.
Funeral services are to be announced by Sykes Funeral Home.
Martha Pile, Don Malone and Mary Moore contributed to this report.

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George, I just found out about Sandra today. Thought you might include the information in a future mailing.
Martha Jo Tolley

Colleagues,
I have just learned that Sandra shivers suffered a stroke during the Christmas Holidays which affected her right leg.  Currently she is at home taking physical therapy and making progress each day.  A full recovery is expected.  I know she would appreciate your support during this difficult recovery.
 Her address is:
 501 E Angela Circle
Goodlettsville, TN 37072

Shirley

Shirley Hastings
UT Extension
Professor and Associate Dean
2621 Morgan Circle, 121 Morgan Hall
Knoxville, TN 37996
Phone: 865-974-7384
Fax: 865-974-1068
Email: hastings@utk.edu
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George,  my computer has been in the shop and I just opened email tonight and found 185 emails!!!.  I have been so busy taking care of Mother that I haven't had time to hook it up much less use it.  She came home last Friday after being in the hospital for 26 days and rehab for 19 days and is doing very well.  We almost lost her a couple of times.  She celebrated her 90th birthday October 10 and then fell and fractured her C1 vertebra in 2 places December 10.  I am forwarding the latest email from Janet Hale regarding Darrell just in case no one else has.  I imagine I have one or more written earlier which I'll also forward if I do.  Shirley Miller
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My daughter and I would like to thank everyone for the cards, calls, visits and prayers during the sickness and death of our loved one.  Greg was quite a character. 

He had many days in which he did not even feel like getting out of bed, but he made the best of each day he lived.  Greg would have a bad day, but he always had a laugh, joke or a smile when he was asked how he was feeling.  He liked to make other people laugh and he did not want others to worry about him. 

Lorie and I will miss him tremendously.  However, we know he is in a better place.  I know this is not goodbye.  I will see him again one day.

I can truly say that I am blessed to be a part of this great “Extension family”.  I will never forget all the generosity, love or thoughtfulness that has been show to my family.

With our love,
Diane and Lorie

Diane J Marsh, Administrative Asst.
UT/Wilson County Extension Service

Most likely, I missed an earlier e-mail about this. If a retirees has more details that I may include in the newsletter, please send them along very soon.
thanks!

George Mays gmays@utk.edu
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Today is Wednesday (Evening) and I just spoke with Cherry Lane.  Woody had a very difficult day on Tuesday and Tuesday evening.  They have put a pick line in his arm and about 1 am this morning they put in a IV line -- I think she said in his neck, but I am not sure about that.

They continue to watch his leg very closely as the blood clot is large.

Tonight she said that she was feeling more encouraged.  Woody knows who she is today -- and his bodily functions are doing better --  they have taken a lot of fluid off today after his kidney output improved -- 

Cherry Lane does not think he understands where he is or what he has been through, but he is better.  His diet so far has consisted of ice chips but she thinks tomorrow he might get to try some liquids.

She says to keep praying  -- for that is what has brought them this far.  After he gets home she says he will enjoy cards --  but just hold off for now.

Hope all is well with each of you --  take care and be well and stay warm and safe --

ruth henderson mcqueen

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1---01-26-2010

TO:                    All Extension Employees

FROM:                Tim Cross

SUBJECT:            Search for Assistant Dean, 4-H

Late last week, I announced to our state 4-H staff that I have reached a decision regarding the Assistant Dean position for 4-H. While we were fortunate to attract a good pool of applicants and interview two strong finalists, I have chosen to close the search and extend no offer of employment. This decision was not an easy one for me, and I take full responsibility for it. Thanks to the excellent participation of many of you in the interview process, I had considerable input and feedback to use in reaching this decision. I also relied heavily on the comments provided by the search committee, and want to publicly thank them for their excellent work in conducting this search.

I have asked Steve Sutton to serve as State 4-H Program Leader for the next two to three years, and we are working on the details of his appointment. He will no longer carry an interim title, and I am asking him to make decisions that lead, guide and direct our statewide youth development programs on a continuing basis. We expect to launch a new search for an Assistant Dean for 4-H in about 18 months, and that search will again be open to both internal and external candidates. In the meantime, I know that everyone will give Mr. Sutton complete support in his role as State Program Leader.

Our 4-H program is special, it reaches hundreds of thousands of youth, and it has an enormous impact on the future of our state. With your help, we will continue the great legacies of our 4-H programs and embrace new and innovative ideas, projects, and activities to achieve our mission. Thanks for all you do in serving our 4-H youth and volunteers.

Tim Cross, Dean
UT Extension
2621 Morgan Circle, Room 121
University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN  37996-4530
(865) 974-7114
(865) 974-1068 (fax)
tlcross@tennessee.edu

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2---01-26-2010---

Forwarded to UTIA Retirees:

Ruth Henderson McQueen sent this update on Woody Darken, Cherry Lane’s husband, Monday night.

Cherry Lane called a little earlier this evening and things are not going well.  They have had a setback and Woody has been in ICU at Vanderbilt since Sunday afternoon.  The blood clot in his leg is still of a real concern as is his kidney function.  She says he has not been very responsive today and her main job is to keep him from pulling out any of his medical devices.

The ICU is brand new and has only been open a few weeks.  The care is excellent and she has a fold out bed (hard!) and a bathroom and shower right in his room.  She stays 24 hours a day and has not left since they arrived. 

Cherry Lane is trying to be positive and hopes that tomorrow will be a better for Woody.

ruth
mhender3@utk.edu

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Posted Week of January 17-23, 2010

2---01-22-2010

Mary Wallace Armistead, widow of Dr. Bill Armistead, former UTIA Vice President  and founding Dean of the Veterinary College,  passed away Thursday, January 21st. Mrs. Armistead was an active member of the UT Faculty Women’s Club and supported the Veterinary College and Institute through her volunteer activities. Those who knew her well said she was the right hand of Dr. Armistead.   She and her husband created the Armistead Award in Agriculture Endowment, as well as the Armistead Award in Veterinary Medicine Endowment.  A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 25 at 3:00 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church located at 413 Cumberland Avenue.  The family will receive friends after the service.
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Mary Bee Northcoss Clark died Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at Clarksville Nursing Home. Services will be announced by Sykes Funeral Home. Bee served Montgomery County as then the Home Demonstration Club and 4-H Agent from 1946 until 1973. She had been ill for a good while and she was 88 years old. I will have more information later.
Please feel free to send this e-mail to others who might want to know.

Have a GREAT Day!

Martha M. Pile
Extension FCS Agent
1030A Cumberland Hgts Rd
Clarksville, TN 37040
Tel # 931-648-5725  Fax: 931-648-5734
e-mail: mmp@utk.edu

Mary B. Clark

Mary B. Clark, 88, Clarksville, died Monday, January 20, 2010, at Clarksville Manor.
Services are to be announced by Sykes Funeral Home & Crematory. 931-647-1662
Published in The Leaf Chronicle on January 22, 2010

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Also Ruth Henderson has informed me that ‘”Woody Darken, Cherry Lane's husband,  had back surgery on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at Vanderbilt.  He was stable and in a room late in the evening on Wednesday -- Hope to have an update from Cherry Lane today.”  Cherry Lane’s e-mail is: wdarken@bellsouth.net  Address for cards: 5355 Leipers Creek Rd.,Franklin, TN 37064.

Ruth also reported “Mark Gateley has also been ill and had colon surgery back about Thanksgiving.  He can still not eat solid food but went to the office for a few hours yesterday (Thursday) for the first time. Mark’s mailing address is: 521 Crestwood Drive, Clinton, TN 37716.

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1---01-22-2010

Forwarded to UTIA Retirees, FYI

TO:          All Extension Employees

FROM:      Tim Cross
                              
SUBJECT:  Assistant Dean for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Resource Development

It is with great pleasure that I announce Dr. Robert Burns will be our new Assistant Dean for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Resource Development. Dr. Burns joins UT Extension with a strong background in conducting and leading Extension educational programs at Iowa State University and previously here at the University of Tennessee. His appointment will be effective July 1, 2010. I will serve as Agriculture Program Leader until Dr. Burns arrives.

Dr. Burns received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering, a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. His education, background and experience will enable him to effectively lead and administer our statewide programs in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Resource Development.

The pool of candidates for the Assistant Dean position was exceptionally strong, and I appreciate the excellent participation by all of you in the interview process. Your feedback and comments were very helpful to the search committee and to me.

Please join me in welcoming Robert on his return to Tennessee.

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Posted Week of January 10-16, 2010

1---01-15-2010

Forwarded to UTIA Retirees FYI

TO:          All Extension Employees

FROM:      Tim Cross
                              
SUBJECT:  Western Region Director

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Ben West has accepted an appointment as Regional Director in the Western Region. Dr. West joins UT Extension with a strong background in conducting and leading Extension educational programs at Mississippi State University, where he has been serving as the Extension Coordinator for the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and the National Outreach Coordinator for the Berryman Institute, which is a Center of Excellence at Mississippi State. His appointment will be effective April 26, 2010.

Dr. West received a Bachelor of Science in Natural Resources Management from the University of Tennessee at Martin, a Master of Science in Wildlife Management from Virginia Tech, and a Ph.D. in Wildlife Management from Utah State University. His education, background and experience will enable him to effectively lead and administer our Western Region office.

The pool of candidates for the Western Region Director position was very strong, and I appreciate the excellent participation by all of you in the interview process. Your feedback and comments were very helpful to the search committee and to me.

Mr. Mike Gordon has agreed to serve in an interim role on a half-time basis until June 30, 2010. This will provide time for transition of the Regional Director responsibilities and provide Dr. West assistance in getting to know the Western Region.

Please join me in welcoming Ben to Tennessee.

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Posted Week of January 3-9, 2010

1---01-05-2010

Subject: Memorial Service for Connie Hall Givens - Jan. 13 in Nashville

A  Memorial Service for Connie Hall Givens, a pioneer for Coordinated School Health, a champion for the children of Tennessee and wife of state Agriculture Commissioner Ken Givens, is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2010 at the War Memorial Auditorium. The WMA is located at 301 6th Ave. N. across from the Tennessee Performing Arts Center and south of the State Capitol Building in Nashville. The family will receive friends beginning at 3 p.m. CST followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 4 p.m.  Ms. Givens, who passed away Nov. 29 in Rogersville, Tenn. was employed with the Tennessee Department of Education and was devoted to improving the health of children through the state Coordinated School Health Program. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to Gilda's Club Nashville, Attn: Deb Sandvik, 1707 Division St., Nashville, TN 37203, the Tennessee School Health Coalition, Inc., c/o Regina Wilder, 170 Skelton Ln., Church Hill, TN 37642, or a charity of your choice. The family wishes to thank everyone who sent cards, thoughts, prayers, flowers and memorial contributions during the memorial service held Dec. 3 in Rogersville.
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2---01-08-2010---

Sympathy is expressed to Beverly Robinson, retired administrative assistant, CASNR and AgResearch, in the death of her husband, Mike Robinson, Friday, January 8. The family will receive friends from 5 - 7 p.m. on Monday, January 11th at Corryton Baptist Church, 7615 Foster Road, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 7 p.m. with Dr. Rocky Ramsey officiating. Family and friends will gather at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 12th at Pleasant Forest Cemetery on Concord Road for graveside services. Click Funeral Home, Lenoir City is in charge of arrangements. www.clickfuneralhome.com

Beverly’s address for cards is: 7612 Jewel Way, Knoxville, TN 37939.

Her e-mail address is:  1beverly2@comcast .net

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3---01-08-2010---

Sympathy is expressed to Mike Keel, UTIA Director of Services, in the death of his mother, Mary Keel, who passed away today (Friday).  Services will be held at Cloverdale Baptist Church, 806 Dexter Street, Dothan AL 36301.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mrs. Keel’s name to the church building fund and sent to the address above.
Mike’s address for cards is: 105 Morgan Hall, 2621 Morgan Circle, Knoxville, TN 37996-4501.

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