In Memoriam

IN MEMORIAM • FACULTY

Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Bingham Marney 1940 – 2020

Dr. Betty Marney taught Upper School English at Harpeth Hall from 1974 to 1985, and she also served as Department Chair. She was born in Bristol, Tennessee, and spent part of her childhood there before moving to the Panama Canal Zone with her mother when she was 10. After her mother’s death, Betty returned to Bristol to live with her grandmother Elizabeth Turner Morison and graduated from Tennessee High School in 1958. She completed an AA degree at Sullins College before matriculating to the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill where she earned a B.A. and M.A. in English, graduating Summa Cum Laude and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Betty took a teaching position at Southern Methodist University in 1963 where she worked with Laurence “Larry” Perrine, the author of “Literature, Structure, Sound, and Sense,” a title that will evoke memories for all Harpeth Hall students who crossed paths with Betty from 1975-1985! After SMU, Betty attended the University of Texas at Austin where she earned her Ph.D. in English. On a trip back to Bristol, she met a promising young medical resident named Sam Marney, and they were married for over 53 years. They were blessed with two children, Samuel Rowe Marney, III and Annis Morison Marney ’88 and four grandchildren, Dylan Elizabeth Marney, Quinn Alexis Marney, Ian Marney Dukes, and Annis Kyle (AK) Morison Dukes. Betty embarked on a teaching career at Harpeth Hall in the fall of 1974, where in the words of her daughter Annis, “for 10 years she earned a reputation as both inspiring and sometimes terrifying. Her love of English literature was contagious. She adored working with young women, and she helped establish some traditions that became lore, including dressing up with colleagues Dona Gower and Sarah Stamps as the Three Witches from Macbeth for Halloween. Although students sometimes (often) confessed to living in fear of Betty, she was also called by many students the best teacher they had ever encountered.” Former Harpeth Hall colleague, Ginger Osborn ’66 commented that, “every statement that Betty Marney said was either profound or hilarious. She insisted that everything in the English department mattered. I was so blessed to have known Betty, and her whole life was a testament to integrity.” After leaving Harpeth Hall in 1985, Betty earned a law degree from Vanderbilt at the age of 48 and thrived in her second career as an attorney. She worked at the firm of King and Ballow before becoming in-house counsel at the Nashville Banner, and she was proud to have written the brief for and attended one case before the U.S. Supreme Court. She completed her legal career working in the Criminal Appellate Division of the Tennessee Attorney General’s office. Upon retirement in 2008, Betty and Sam enjoyed several years of international travel and visited every continent, except for Antarctica. She and Sam enjoyed their grandchildren, and being the consummate teacher, Betty took every opportunity to teach them about whatever might interest them. The past few years, Betty served as a steadfast and loving companion for her husband, Sam, who has suffered from various illnesses. She was grateful for the many generous and kind caregivers who helped them so that they could remain in their home in Green Hills, where they had lived for over 50 years.

Karen Rom Nash • 1941 - 2020

Karen Nash taught Middle School Earth Science and Physical Science at Harpeth Hall from 1981 to 2007. She held the title of Department Chair, was a member of the Cum Laude Society, and was the recipient of the Ellen Bowers Hofstead Chair in Mathematics and Science in 2001. During the height of WWII in 1941, Karen was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the daughter of a Norwegian father and a Swedish mother. The family returned to Notodden, Norway, in 1945, and Karen vividly remembered the ship on which she and her family traveled to Europe carefully avoiding German mines along the way. Karen returned to the United States for college, first at Atlantic Christian College and then at Duke University, where she earned a B.S. in Science, Phi Beta Kappa in 1964. She and her husband, Jim, married the next day. She furthered her education by earning a M.A.T. from Duke in 1968 and settled into a teaching career, first in North Carolina and Missouri, and then finally at Harpeth Hall when Jim took a position at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Psychiatry. During her 26-year tenure, Karen left a lasting impression on her students and her faculty colleagues. Ann Teaff, Head of School from 1998 to 2014 said, “I forever will carry in my heart beautiful memories of Karen. Her fierce commitment to the vision of Harpeth Hall, her deep love for the wonder and beauty of science and sharing that love with her students...her lovely smile, her quick wit.” Former faculty member and division leader Betsy Malone added, “I was very fortunate to work with Karen Nash for 17 years, first as a fellow science teacher and later as Director of the Middle School. Karen had the highest standards for her teaching and learning, and she encouraged excellence in each of her students. Karen never hesitated to voice an opinion or to point out ways we could do better. It was an extra bonus for teachers and students to share her Norwegian/Swedish culture and perspectives. With memorable lessons like the ‘Molecule Dance,’ Karen challenged us to ‘think out of the box.’ She was a wonderful person, teacher, and colleague.” Margaret Walker Clair, who received the Katie Wray Valedictory Award at the Class of 2006 graduation ceremony, shared her memories of her beloved teacher. “Mrs. Nash was legendary for teaching the most difficult course in the middle school. Of all the experiments, two stand out. The experiment to discern the contents of your ‘sludge’ was a rite of passage. Measuring the density of a classmate by submerging her in a trash can of water was incredibly memorable! Mrs. Nash was the type of teacher you came to love because of the discipline and excellence required from you as a student. I also recall her very dry sense of humor that we came to appreciate in time. I think that at some point my classmates and I learned that she had a motorcycle, which had us both in awe and flabbergasted. It’s always a little weird to realize your teachers have lives, too!” Karen’s husband recalled with great affection that his wife was “a trouper.” He continued, “We raised two sons while she taught full time and joined in all the activities of the family, including various sports, music, cars, motorcycling, dogs and a cat. She never got down, or if she did, she didn’t show it. Parkinson’s was catching up to her when she retired from Harpeth Hall.” She and Jim moved to California in 2007 to be near family. She died of complications from Parkinson’s on May 15, in the midst of the pandemic of 2020, at the age of 78. Her ashes await Jim’s in the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, California.

Dr. John M. Tudor, Jr. • 1922 – 2020

Dr. John M. Tudor, Jr. was a member of the Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees from 1965-1971. Dr. Tudor graduated from Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and earned his medical degree at the College of Medicine at the State University of Iowa. During and after World War II, he served as a Medical officer in the U.S. Navy. A urologist, Dr. Tudor was a founding partner of Urology Associates in Nashville. He also held teaching appointments at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and Meharry Medical College. After discontinuing his surgical practice he became the Chief Medical Officer at Baptist Hospital as well as the Chief of Urology and was a consultant for BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee. Dr. Tudor is survived by his son, his two daughters, Mary Tudor ’63 and Liz Tudor Trabue ’65, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a step-son and two step-granddaughters. His late wife was Ann Bond Tudor ’61.

Robert V. Dale • 1936 – 2020

Robert “Bobby” V. Dale served on the Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees from 1978-1982. A graduate of Virginia Military Institute, Bobby was the President of Martha White Foods, Inc., the family business, until the company was purchased by Pillsbury in 1994. In addition, Bobby served on the boards of Cracker Barrel and Genesco, Inc. His wife, Linda Williams Dale ’56, also served as a Trustee from 1983-1989 and was named an Honorary Trustee in 1998. In addition to his wife Linda, Bobby is survived by his daughters, Noni Dale Haddock ’81 and Lezley Dale ’87, his grandson, his granddaughter Naomi Haddock ’18, and his sister-in-law Connie Williams King ’47, niece Connie King Jones ’73, and greatnieces Jean King Signor ’95 and Charlotte King de la Pena ’02.

David B. Graves, Jr. 1931 – 2020

David B. Graves, Jr. served on the Harpeth Hall Board of Trustees from 1991-2000. He also was an enthusiastic volunteer for The Campaign for Harpeth Hall from 2000-2005. Originally from Illinois, he attended the University of Mississippi and finished college at Peabody/Vanderbilt after serving his country in the Korean conflict. David began his career in the shoe business at Genesco, and in 1968 he formed Graves Import Company. His business allowed him to travel extensively all over the world. The study of the spoken language was important to David, especially Mandarin Chinese. To inspire students to excel in Chinese and learn about the Chinese culture, he established the Chen Jiann Min Award at Harpeth Hall and provided gold medals as the prize given to the top Mandarin Chinese language student each year. David is survived by his wife, Gloria Watson Graves ’49, his son David B. Graves III and daughter-in-law Elena Wallace Graves ’79, daughters Allison Graves Robinson ’77, Nancy Graves Beveridge ’80, and Lucy Graves Hollis ’81, grandchildren including Betsy Beveridge Cotton ’03 and Glory Beveridge ’08, and four great-grandchildren.

IN MEMORIAM

Katie Rose Woods McClendon ’38 of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, passed away January 11, 2020. She gave of herself to many Christian and community organizations and established scholarships at several Mississippi universities. Katie Rose is survived by one son, two daughters, eight grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. Donata Horne Cassels ’39 of Dayton, Ohio, passed away July 17, 2020. She is survived by two daughters, two sons, four grandchildren, and several great-grandchildren. Karin Adams Stewart ’43 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away July 6, 2020. Karin loved spending time with family in Beersheba Springs, Tennessee. She is survived by one daughter, two sons, grandsons and great-grandsons, one brother, and sisters Rosalie Adams Crispin ’55 and Mary Adams Wiley ’68. Alice Haworth Huddleston ’44 of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away September 29, 2020. She is survived by her son, two daughters, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mary Louise Bard Miller ’45 of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away August 7, 2020. She enjoyed a career as a librarian and teaching dance to children. Mary Louise is survived by her three daughters, two granddaughters, two grandsons, and two great-granddaughters. Harriet Farwell Mott ’45 of Jacksonville, Florida, passed May 1, 2020. Harriet enjoyed volunteering in Jacksonville and was a life-long member of the Episcopal Church. She is survived by her son, daughter, sister, two granddaughters, great-granddaughter, and two step-daughters. Clare Drowota Carpenter ’46 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away October 8, 2020. She is survived by her daughters Frances Carpenter Andrews ’77 and Clare Carpenter ’83, her son Bill and daughter-in-law Trudy Ward Carpenter ’76, nine grandchildren including Emily Carpenter Hellman ’09, Anne McWhirter ’08, and Hays McWhirter ’06 as well as four great-grandchildren. Emma Cain Roy ’46 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away September 16, 2020. Emma was a successful real estate broker and involved in many community organizations. She is survived by her brother, one son, one daughter, six granddaughters, one grandson, three great-grandchildren, step-daughters Frances Roy ’74, Becky Roy Riley ’75, and Clare Roy ’78. Margaret Boylin Sanders ’46 of Charleston, South Carolina, passed away May 28, 2019. She is survived by two daughters, one son, and one grandson. Dorothy Dyer Vanek ’46 of Tucson, Arizona, passed away March 25, 2020. She was passionate about education and the arts. Dorothy is survived by two grandsons, one granddaughter, and five greatgrandchildren. continued on page 64

IN MEMORIAM

continued from page 63 Ruby Shirley Noonan ’47 of Fairhope, Alabama, passed away July 18, 2020. Ruby was passionate about several civic and charitable causes. She is survived by two daughters, one son, and three grandchildren. Virginia Pearl Potter ’47 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away July 24, 2020. She taught at St. George’s Kindergarten her entire teaching career. Virginia is survived by one sister, two sons, two granddaughters, and four great-grandchildren. Ann Morgan Albershardt ’48 of Granville, Ohio, passed away February 12, 2020. Ann worked as the financial secretary at her Presbyterian church. She is survived by three sons, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Betty Shepherd Lamar ’48 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away July 28, 2020. She loved gardening and was a community volunteer and involved in the Presbyterian church. Betty is survived by one sister, one daughter, one son, daughter-in-law Elizabeth Bass Lamar ’86, five grandsons, and one great-granddaughter. Mary Ellen McMurray Ragan ’48 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away June 8, 2020. Mary Ellen was a devoted mother and accomplished artist. She is survived by two sons and five grandchildren, including Elizabeth Ragan ’10. Attollee Boynton Viall (Cuddie) ’48 of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, died May 23, 2020. She is survived by two daughters, three grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Lynne Dea Youmans Bolvig ’49 of Birmingham, Alabama, passed away on January 23, 2020. Lynne was active in Republican politics and enjoyed owning a gift store with friends. She is survived by her sister, her son, four grandchildren, a great-grandson, and nieces and nephews. Mary Gresham Goostree ’49 of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, passed away February 23, 2020. Mary taught children’s Sunday School for over 30 years at their local church and was involved in numerous other church activities. She is survived by her four children, five grandchildren, her brother, her sister-in-law, and several nieces and nephews. Jo Ann Jackson Harris ’49 of Bethesda, Maryland, passed away August 27, 2020. She was devoted to childhood education and many community organizations. She is survived by her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. Margaret Hayes Wiley ’49 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away on March 1, 2020. Margaret, enjoyed gardening, bridge, traveling, and spending time in the mountains. She is survived by her husband, two sons, daughter Emily McAlister Frith ’75, step-daughter Ann Wiley Tavakoli ’79, two step-sons, grandchildren including Emma Hunt Lovell ’08, and great-grandchildren. Jean Puryear Dennis ’50 of Atlanta, Georgia, passed away January 29, 2020. She is survived by one son, two daughters, 10 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Sharon Elaine Fankhauser ’50 of Boca Raton, Florida, passed away May 13, 2020. She is survived by her husband, one daughter, three step-daughters, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Elizabeth Cameron Diessner ’51 of Wheatland, California, passed away February 26, 2020. She is survived by her husband, three sons, one daughter, 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Carol Emerson McDonald ’51 of Monroe, Louisiana, passed away May 17, 2020. Carol was a renowned floral design judge and past president of the Junior League. She is survived by three daughters, nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Betty Lou “Lulee” White Holt ’53 of Richmond, Virginia, passed away March 30, 2020. She was an accomplished painter and very involved in the Episcopal church. Lulee is survived by her husband, brother, one son, one daughter, and five grandchildren. Mary Knox Berger Pilkerton ’55 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away June 29, 2020. She loved entertaining, volunteering in the community, and was active in the Episcopal church. Mary Knox is survived by her husband, three sisters including Shirley Berger Lechleiter ’49, Donnie Creighton Norman ’52, and Elinor Berger Peek ’60, two sons, one daughter, eight grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Cile Smith ’60 of Cleveland, Tennessee, passed away on April 6, 2019, from an extended illness. She was a brilliant, kind, and strong woman. Her animal children were many and she built magnificent gardens and loved to travel. Her father was Harpeth Hall founding trustee, Daugh W. Smith, for whom the middle school is named. Susanne Brown Kiefer ’64 of Sevierville, Tennessee, passed away August 31, 2020. Susanne was passionate about animals and the humane society. She is survived by three brothers, one sister, one daughter, one son, and three grandchildren. Peggy Campbell Steele ’69 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away June 29, 2020. Peggy was an avid lover of animals and nature. She is survived by two children, two grandchildren, one brother, one sister Edie Campbell Mitchell ’67, and many nieces and nephews. Holly Zimmerman Byrd ’81 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away October 2, 2019. She is survived by her mother, two sons, one daughter, a brother, two sisters, and cousins, nieces, and nephews. Anna Kate Cannon Stallings ’85 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away April 25, 2020. She was the niece of Cynthia Poteat Sewell ’61. She is survived by one son, one daughter, two nephews, and one niece. Ashley Gardner ’87 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away August 19, 2020. She is survived by her parents, brother, one son, and one daughter. Gisele Umuhire ’11 of Nashville, Tennessee, passed away August 18, 2020. Gisele was a rising third year professional student in Peabody College at Vanderbilt pursuing her master’s in human development counseling and was serving as a Counseling Intern at the Oasis Center. She is survived by her parents, one brother, one sister, cousins Diane Uwamahoro ’07 and Aline Dushimire ’09, and many relatives living in Rwanda, Belgium, and many other parts of the world.

The Annual Fund 2020-2021

Challenging times often bring out the best in people, reminding us to renew our commitments to the communities we belong to and value. As Harpeth Hall parents for many years, we have been struck by the sense of community that Harpeth Hall enjoys and has enjoyed for decades. During the eight years that our daughter Lily and the six years that our younger daughter Olivia have attended Harpeth Hall, we have learned that this sense of community is no accident — the leadership, administration, and faculty work thoughtfully and diligently to foster a culture in which girls of all types can learn, make friends and thrive in a single-sex environment. We have also been impressed that the sense of community at Harpeth Hall extends well beyond the people who go to the school every day to teach or learn, and includes alumnae, past-parents, grandparents, spouses of alumnae, and many Nashvillians who are simply proud that their city is home to such an outstanding institution.

When we agreed to chair The Annual Fund this year, we did so eagerly, yet aware that there are many worthy organizations in need. However, Frank’s service on both the Finance Committee Frank, Olivia ’23, Lily ’21, and Maxine Majors

and the Investment Committee of Harpeth Hall’s Board of Trustees has taught us just how critical giving to The Annual Fund is to the ongoing health of the school. Tuition does not cover the full cost of providing the first-class education that Harpeth Hall students receive, and so we are honored to give and humbled to ask members of the community to join us in support of The Annual Fund during this challenging period for so many.

The administration, faculty, and students have managed these difficult months admirably, responding to unforeseeable challenges with resolve, grace and flexibility. Let’s match their Herculean efforts and their passion for the school’s mission by making a gift to Harpeth Hall’s Annual Fund. Your support, at whatever level you find appropriate, will help to ensure that the school continues to teach girls to Think Critically, Lead Confidently and Live Honorably.

Go Honeybears! Maxine and Frank Majors 2020-2021 Chairs, The Annual Fund