We are sorry to let you know that John Cate, Ellie Whitlow Cate's husband, passed away on August 6th.

I have good memories of John from our undergraduate days in Knoxville and fortunately had an opportunity to chat with him and Ellie at our 75th reunion.  At that time, they were doing well and enjoying their lives in Brentwood, TN.  John was an interesting and gracious person, easy to like and chat with in a party situation.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ellie and their family.

For more information about John, here is a link to his obituary in the Times News.

https://www.timesnews.net/obituary/john-columbus-cate-iv/article_5e97ab25-a469-58bd-87bf-5ad873f94f23.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=email&utm_campaign=user-share

Best regards to all.

We are sorry to interrupt your holiday weekend to let you know that Hugh passed away on May 9th in New Orleans.  Hugh spent his working career in naval architecture in Louisiana last working for Offshore Logistics designing crew boats and ships that served in various capacities globally.

Hugh and his wife Patia split their time between Lafayette and New Orleans enjoying weekends fishing, crabbing, camping and gardening.

We send our best wishes to Hugh's family.

Dean passed away on April 4th. Thanks to Kathy Parham and Jane Harris for providing Dean's obituary.

Judith Trent Denton, 81 of Blountville TN, Passed away on Sunday, February 18th 2024. She was born in Kingsport, TN on November 7th 1942, and was the daughter of the late Marshall and Bertha Austin Trent. She was a member of Sunny Side Baptist Church in Kingsport TN.Judith was a graduate of Tennessee Tech and Vanderbilt/Peabody College where she received her Master’s Degree in Education. She taught in Kingsport City Schools for a number of years and retired from the Sullivan County Department of Education. Judith was a teacher for over 30 years at Indian Springs Elementary School. She was also a member of the Sullivan County Retired Teachers Association.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Gloria Trent Cureton; son, Hereward Trent Denton.

She is survived by a son, Alaric Campbell Denton and his wife, Lori Holland Denton; grandchildren, Kayla, Cade, Cole Denton, and Chris Lowery; two great-grandchildren Layken Lowrey and Case Lowrey; two nieces, Judi Cureton and Melinda Davis; nephews, James, Denton, and Jeremy Sisk.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be sent to the Back Pack Ministry at Cassidy United Methodist Church (which serves the children of Indian Springs Elementary School, where she taught for 30 years) at 5801 Memorial Blvd. Kingsport, TN 37664.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport is serving the Denton family.

We received this note from Helen this morning.  Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

I am sad to announce the passing of my husband, John I. Rankin. He passed away peacefully at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center on January 24, 2024 in the presence of family.

No formal service is planned. Remember him by his friendly smile and have a frosty from Wendy’s in his memory. Please no flowers; the family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to their favorite charity.

In loving memory,

Helen

Subsequent to sending us the note above, Helen passed away in Sarasota. Here is the note we received from John & Helen's daughters:

We are sad to announce the passing of our Mom, Helen Rankin. She passed away peacefully at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on February 16, 2024 in the presence of family. She is pre-deceased by John, her husband of 61 years. Per her wishes, no formal service is planned.

We will remember her as a devoted wife and mother, and a talented teacher who inspired many students. Celebrate her love of teaching by reading a book with a child and do a sudoku puzzle in her honor. Please no flowers; the family requests those who wish to express sympathy consider making a donation to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or a charity of your choice.

In loving memory,

Abbie and Jenny

Keep Abbie and Jenny in your thoughts and prayers.

We have learned that the Reverend Clarence Bear passed away.  He was at DB while we were there but did not graduate with us.  His obituary is attached.  Let us keep him and his family in our thoughts and prayers.

Thanks to Jane Harris for locating Jackie's obituary on the Hamlett Dobson website.

We love because He first loved us. I John 4:19

Jackie Hale, 81, of Piney Flats, Tennessee, went to her heavenly home on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

She was born in Kingsport, Tennessee, the daughter of the late Cecil B. Smith and Jane Hyatt Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her cherished son, Andy Hale.

Jackie was a person of great faith and member of Piney Flats Presbyterian Church. She delighted in worship through music and would often share scripture and songs with friends and family.

Jackie devoted her life to changing the lives of many, including her family, friends, and her countless students. She taught pre-school at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church for six years before returning to school to earn her Bachelor and Master of Education degrees from ETSU. She had a love of teaching and all things math. She passionately taught elementary school in Sullivan County for over 21 years at Gravely, Sullivan, and Miller Perry Elementary. After retirement, Jackie missed the students so deeply that she returned to the classroom at Holston Elementary.

Sondra Dotson Bridwell alerted me of Marcia’s death on September 1st.  She did not graduate with us but kept in touch with many of our classmates and attended several reunions.  Click here to view her obituary from the Johnson City Press.

Jane