Major General Dowd - University of the Cumberlands

1930’sMargaret Jean Harrell, ’32, passed away onJune 9, 2010. She was 98 years of age.Dr. Robert Edward Lawson, ’35, ofMemphis, Tenn., passed away at the age of93 on November 6, 2008. He was born inWilliamsburg and received his MD fromthe University of Tennessee College ofMedicine.Sister Dorthie Anne (Marianne) CliftonHall, ’38, passed away on December 16,2010, at the Sisters of St. Francis ProvincialHouse in Savannah, Mo. She taught atFederalsburg High School in Maryland andwas an instructor at Northwest MissouriState University in Maryville, Mo., beforeprofessing her vows with the Sisters of St.Francis, first in 1952 and again on July5, 1980. Sister Dorthie Anne served as ateacher and principal at St. Joseph Academyin Chillicothe, Mo. She taught English atIowa Central Community College in FortDodge, Iowa, and taught from 1978 to 1997at Donnelly College in Kansas City, Kan.She was also a published poet. Survivorsinclude her sister, Morna Smith, of Texas,many nieces and nephews and her sisters inthe religious community.1940’sElla Joan Evans, ’43, passed away on January26, 2010. She was married to Dr. DonaldStewart.Donald Reid Ellison, ’47, 83 years of age,Williamsburg, passed away September 27,2010. He attended Cumberland College,Wayne University and graduated fromthe University of Alabama in 1952, witha degree in electrical engineering. Theowner and operator of Groundhogs, Inc., aconstruction company in Birmingham, Ala.,Ellison was a member of several engineeringsocieties and held professional engineeringlicenses in Ala., Tenn., and Ky. He wasa veteran of WWII and a major in the USAir Force Reserve. A member of Universityof the Cumberlands’ Board of Trustees, healumni newshad taught in Cumberland College’s formerschool of mining. He is survived by his son,Gary W. Ellison and daughters, Donna West,Marlene Shealy and Marcella Shepherd, allof Birmingham; nine grandchildren and fivegreat-grandchildren. He is also survivedby Brenda T. Ellison, three children, ninegrandchildren and four great-grandchildrenall of Williamsburg.Benjamin H. McKeehan, ’47, Olney Md.,passed away July 6, 2010 at 83. He is survivedby his wife Virginia Ileene McKeehan; threechildren, Michael W., Patricia Stromberg andSharon Henderson; seven grandchildren; andone great-grandchild.Pauline Dozier Brown, ’48, 85 years of age,passed away on January 20, 2010. She issurvived by her son David Keith Brown ofVersailles, daughter Nancy Ellen Martin ofGlendale, Wis., and three grandchildren.Velma Jean Turner Clark, ’48, passedaway December 22, 2010 at Christian CareCommunity in Corbin after a long illness.Kathy Wilcox Storrie, ’71alumni spotlightAlum’s First Novel Brings Appalachia’s Past to LifeKathy Wilcox Storrie, ’71, is the author of “Fannie & Wilke: For the Love of aCountry Girl,” published in 2010, and she was one of the featured authors inAuthors’ Row at Homecoming 2010.The romantic tale of Fannie Brock and Wilkerson Lawson is based uponStorrie’s own grandparents’ courtship and ultimate marriage. Set in Kentucky’sBell County more than 100 years ago, it reveals much about the customs of theregion and offers a unique insight into Appalachia culture.“This book will not only teach and entertain but it also will take many peopleback to a time and place that has been long forgotten or they never knewexisted,” says Storrie.Dr. Susan Weaver, director of Cumberlands’ Teaching and Learning program,serves as the coordinator of Author’s Row and had this to say about Storrie’sdebut novel, “This memorable book would be one to read aloud, share acrossgenerations, and cherish as a reflection of the spirit of a hard working funlovingyoung girl and a determined, industrious young man. I enjoyed it fromcover to cover.”Storrie, of Hamilton, Ohio, earned her B.S. from Cumberlands with a majorin elementary education and a minor in art education.Winter 2011 • CumberlandToday • 31