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March 2022 Newsletter

Posted on Mar 18, 2022Share on

UTIA Institute of Agriculture Retirees Association

Volume 34, Number 1

March 2022 Newsletter

Three area retiree meetings have been scheduled in late April or May. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend the meeting closest to your home or make reservations and attend all three meetings.

Central Area UTIA Retirees spring meeting/luncheon will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2022, at Lane Agripark, 315 John R. Rice Blvd., Murfreesboro. The UT-TSU Extension Rutherford County horticulture agents and/or Master Gardeners will be guiding a tour of the expanded education gardens. We are optimistic that the weather will be warmer and afford time outdoors either prior to or following a catered lunch in the auditorium of the administration building.

Gather at 10:30-11:00 a.m. central time. Make reservations by sending a check of $15, payable to UTIA Retirees Association, to Warren Gill. If you have questions, contact Warren Gill at warren.gill@mtsu.edu or Pat Whitaker at pattybw@gmail.com. Please make your reservations by Wednesday, April 13.

We are looking forward to welcoming new retirees and catching up on those we haven’t seen in the past several years. Feel free to team up with a friend, carpool over, and join us.

A Cumberland Area UTIA Retirees meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 10, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. For details and to register please contact Phyliss Boyce at prboyce@twlakes.net or Jenny Yeary at jyeary@frontiernet.net.

The State/Eastern Area UTIA Retirees Association meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, 2022. The location will be the UT Extension Eastern Region Office, 1801 Downtown West Blvd., Knoxville, TN 37919.

Refreshments will be available at 9:30 a.m. with the meeting starting at ten o’clock eastern time. A boxed lunch will be available at noon for $15. Make reservations by sending a check to Sandie Morton. Please register by April 20 and make checks payable to: UTIA Retirees Association.

If you have any questions, you may contact Ruth at mhender3@utk.edu, Sandie at smorton@utk.edu, or John Jared at jrjared257@att.net.

It will be good to see our friends and coworkers once again.

Dear Friends,

‘Having people in’ is an old Southern expression and one that has taken on a different meaning during the pandemic. It harkens back to iced tea (sweet, of course) on the front porch or a fried chicken Sunday dinner or a picnic on the grounds. During these last two years such meetings and gatherings, for both families and groups, have been curtailed. Professionally and personally there have been fewer social interactions, including UTIA Retirees gatherings. Read my complete letter.

Ruth
Ruth Henderson McQueen

Icebergs and Penguins

John Jared, Past President, UTIA Retirees Association

When it’s too cold to go outside and run or do other activities, I find staying inside and reading a book of interest a very nice option. Recently, and under those conditions, I read the New York Times bestseller Our Iceberg Is Melting written by John Kotter. The title of the book caught my attention on a cold January day when the snow and ice outside my home showed no signs of melting. I couldn’t help but wonder why an iceberg in the Antarctic was melting while the snow and ice in South Knoxville remained totally frozen. So, I opened the book and began to investigate.

To my disappointment the book was not about the melting of ice. Instead, it was a story or fable of a colony of penguins living on an iceberg. All but one of the 268 penguins believed their home was secure and would never crack or melt. Unfortunately, their beliefs did not hold true. As a result, the birds had to deal with change once their house began to break apart. The author simply used the actions of the penguins to tell his story about dealing with change.

While I’ve never been a proponent of change just for the sake of doing so, or because others are doing it, the fable did remind me that change is inevitable and that all change is not necessarily bad. Things do change whether good, bad, or indifferent. Human aging, social issues, legislation, income levels, health, the economy, and other factors require change in one form or another. The COVID-19 pandemic is a great example of how lifestyles have been altered during the past two years. No doubt we will face additional needs for change in 2022.

When we do, we must respond as did the penguins. New challenges lead to new opportunities and solutions. In turn, new solutions often lead to a new and even better life when properly managed. Also, be alert and look to the future because change is not always sudden and immediately obvious. As the penguins learned that sometimes icebergs melt very slowly, so we must learn that change can be a subtle process.

 
  • Tim Cross, tcross@comcast.net, Senior Vice President and Senior Vice Chancellor, Morgan Hall. Retired 08/31/2021.
  • June ‘Leann’ McElhaney, jmcelhan@utk.edu, Herbert College Business Manager, Morgan Hall, Retired 10/30/2020.

Information about retirees

Charlie Whitehead
Charlie Whitehead

Charlie Whitehead, a UTIA retiree and former Extension agent recently received the Distinguished Service Award from the Tennessee Cattlemen Association. Charlie was recognized for his many years of service to the livestock industry in Tennessee at the awards luncheon held in Murfreesboro on January 28, 2022. View the full article online.

Warren Gill, our friend and fellow retiree, has written a book. Cane Creek Days is the story of a boy, Warren Gill, growing up on a storybook farm near Petersburg, Tennessee. It describes a way of life that no longer exists except in the memories of those who remember the fields, small towns, bridges, and dusty roads through which flows the beautiful, life-sustaining stream called the Little Cane Creek.

Times were often tough for the author, his family, and friends in rural Tennessee, not far from Alabama. Hunting and fishing were more than sport–they provided an important part of living a rich life. Livestock and crops provided cash, but also put food on the table. Knowledge of the soil, plants, and animals was essential for hard-working, smart people to survive and thrive.

Many of the old ways are in danger of being forgotten. Gill hopes that sharing his stories of growing up in the fifties will help preserve for modern readers the lessons that folks had to learn to survive without modern technology. Interest is growing in remembering and even returning to our agricultural roots. Farming in the fifties was hard work, but the people lived fulfilling lives. This memoir captures the spirit of those wonderful days.

Available online from Amazon, Books-A-Million, BookShop, Barnes and Noble, and FriesanPress. It can be ordered from the author by emailing warren.gill@mtsu.edu.

Former UT Extension Perry County director and FCS agent Genia Southall suffered four broken bones in her left foot during a fall in late September. She was confined in a cast (non-weight bearing) and a knee scooter for several weeks.

A retirement celebration for Tom Stebbins, Extension agent in agriculture and natural resources, was held September 21, 2021, at the UT Extension Hamilton County office in Chattanooga. Stebbins’ area of expertise is urban and commercial horticulture. He leads a group of more than 200 Extension Master Gardeners in Chattanooga, and they’ve donated nearly 100,000 hours of work the past five years.

Two retirement receptions to honor UTIA Chief Business Officer Tim Fawver were held in late August. Retirees were present at both events—August 22 in Knoxville and August 26 at the Williamson County Ag Expo Park in Middle Tennessee. A book of letters and notes was assembled as a memento for his service to UTIA.

We have received information about several retirement celebrations for former employees since the last newsletter. Recent retirements include Barbara A. Berry, UT Extension Gibson County agent and county director; Janet Cluck, forty years of dedication and service at UT Extension Dickson County; Russell M. Evans, Jr., forty-four years as Extension agent for UT Extension Montgomery County; Tim Fawver, UTIA Chief Business Officer; Jeff Lannon, thirty-two years as Extension agent and county director for UT Extension Weakley County; Phillip Shelby, UT Extension Gibson County; Tom Stebbins, UT Extension Hamilton County.

A retirement party for Patricia M. ‘Trish’ Wagoner was held in the Plant Biotech Building on campus on February 18th. After thirty-nine years of service to UTIA, she retired as administrative coordinator for the Office of the Senior Vice President and Senior Vice Chancellor. Trish’s coworkers shared photos from throughout her career at UT.

Retired Herbert College Dean and retiree association member Gary Schneider’s daughter is providing frequent updates on her mother and father, Gary and Joretta Schneider, through the online platform Caring Bridge. You may read these reports by registering at caringbridge.com

Member Contact Information Update

Retirements

The UT Human Resources Office reports the following persons retired or departed recently from UTIA.

Retirements

  • Gregory Steven Allen, Ext Agent III & County Director, Lake County
  • Barbara Ann Berry, Ext Agent III & County Director, Gibson County
  • Kimberly L Cardwell, Medical Technical Specialist 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Lenoria Diane Carter, Administrative Associate 1, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
  • Mary Vickie Clark, Ext Agent III & County Director, Carter County
  • Janet Cordell Cluck, Ext Agent III & County Director, Dickson County
  • Tim L Cross, Sr. Vice Pres. – Sr. Vice Chancellor, UTIA Administration
  • Russell M Evans Jr., Extension Agent III, Montgomery County
  • Linda A Frank, Professor, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
  • Benita G Giffin, Extension Agent III, Obion County
  • Diane Newman Graves, Administrative Associate 1, Fayette County
  • Frank Allen Hale, Professor, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • Kathy Annette Hayes, Extension Program Assistant II, Bradley County
  • Barbara L Howard, Veterinary & Animal Care Assistant 2, Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences
  • Barbara Nan Lambrecht, Administrative Management 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Jeffrey Lannom, Ext Agent III & County Director, Weakley County
  • Linda Sue Leegan, Extension Program Assistant II, Humphreys County
  • Pauletta Lenoir, Extension Program Assistant II, Shelby County
  • Lela Marie Moore, Financial Business Management 1, 4-H Youth Development
  • Charlotte H Moore, Ext Agent III & County Director, Decatur County
  • Norma Lou Morgan, Administrative Associate 1, Polk County
  • Wilma Jean Norwood, Administrative Associate 1, Cocke County
  • James P Parkman, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • David J Paulsen, Researcher 3, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology
  • Mallena Elizabeth Reynolds, Extension Area Specialist III, McMinn County
  • Kimberly M Rutherford, Administrative Associate 2, CVM Administration
  • Philip Wayne Shelby, Extension Agent III, Gibson County
  • Wanda Collins Stewart, Operations Specialist 2, Ridley 4-H Center

Departures

  • Shiba Prasad Adhikari, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Center for Renewable Carbon
  • Sawsan Ibrahim Ammar, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
  • Alyssa Ann Anderson, Extension Program Assistant II, Overton County
  • Cathy Michelle Baker, Administrative Associate 1, Fayette County
  • Charlotte Holland Baltz, Financial Associate 1, Soil, Plant and Pest Center
  • Jillian Grace Bornmann, Administrative Associate 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Miriam E’Rae Boutte’, Extension Program Assistant II, Shelby County
  • Austin James Bow, Post-doctoral Research, Associate Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
  • Layla Rose Bridges, Extension Program Assistant II, Chester County
  • Carson Mae Brown, Ag & Natural Resources Associate 3, West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
  • Rebecca Elizabeth Burkhart Johnson, Veterinary & Animal Care Assistant 1, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
  • Alicemarie Ashton Clark, Ag & Natural Resources Associate 3, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Jagger Trenton Coffey, Ext Program Assistant III, Anderson County
  • Austin Tyler Collins, Administrative Associate 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Jackson Timothy Crisp, Facilities Srvcs General Maintenance 2, Veterinary Hospital
  • Jessica Eileen Cross, Administrative Associate 1, Davidson County
  • Marie De Swarte, Clinical Asst Professor, Department of Small Animal
  • Clinical Sciences
  • Kathy Ann Dixon, Administrative Associate 1, Knox County
  • Michelle Lee Dockett, Administrative Associate 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Brenda Lee Favreau, Administrative Associate 2, Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center
  • Crystal Erin Gilbert, Administrative Associate 1, Robertson County
  • Liz-Valery Guieu, Clinical Asst Professor, Department of Small Animal
  • Clinical Sciences
  • Rebecca Hale Hardman, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Forestry, Wildlife
  • and Fisheries
  • Kurt Alexander Headrick, Ag & Natural Resources Associate 1, East Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
  • Alison Garrett Hopper, Extension Program Assistant II, Rutherford County
  • Darcy Beth Hughes, Administrative Associate 3, AgResearch Administration
  • Chloe Grace Hutsell, Administrative Associate 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Anna Louise Karnes, Administrative Associate 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Lucas Wayne Kelley, Medical Laboratory Associate 2, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
  • Subramanyam Kondeti, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Elizabeth Maye Laurence, Veterinary & Animal Care Technician 1, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
  • Jodi Lynn Letham, Assistant Director, Ames AgResearch and
  • Education Center
  • Curtis Robert Luckett, Assistant Professor, Department of Food Science
  • Cory Patrick Malone, Ag & Natural Resources Associate 2, Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
  • Lauren Renee McCoy, Extension Agent I, Hawkins County
  • Matthew Flemeon McGinnis, Extension Agent I, Grainger County
  • Miguel Angel Mendieta, Extension Agent I, Sumner County
  • Paula Kay Merriman, Administrative Associate 2, UT Extension Eastern Region
  • Katherine Ann Marie Mimms, Extension Program Assistant II, Hamilton County
  • Steven John Morales, Veterinary & Animal Care Technician 1, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
  • Mary-Anne Kim Anh Nguyen Powell, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Food Science
  • Laura Michelle Norland, Clinical Instructor, Department of Large Animal
  • Clinical Sciences
  • Kimberly Nicole Olson, Veterinary & Animal Care Assistant 2, Veterinary Hospital
  • Lynsey Raylynn Paul, Extension Program Assistant II, Giles County
  • Gwyndalyn Mikaila Phillips, Research Technician 1, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Gina M Pighetti, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Science
  • Mitchell Kane Pigue, Ext Agent I & County Director, Dyer County
  • Merritt Michelle Piper, Extension Assistant I, Family and Consumer Science
  • Sarbottam Piya, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Laurie Summers Platfoot, Administrative Associate 2, Family and Consumer Science
  • Ina Melissa Ponder, Extension Agent I, Sullivan County
  • Holly Kristen Powell, Extension Agent I, Greene County
  • Dhani Prakoso, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
  • Cheryl Ann Richardson, Communications & Marketing Associate 3, Information Technology Services
  • Anastasia Kristen Noel Saunders, Extension Agent II, Hancock County
  • Kelcey Lyn Schenheit, Administrative Associate 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Tayler Marie Schimel, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Brandon Timothy Schoppert, Administrative Associate 1, Veterinary Hospital
  • Sharon E Shockley, Administrative Associate 1, Van Buren County
  • Lillian Rae Smith, Veterinary & Animal Care Assistant 1, Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
  • Mee-Ja Marie Sula, Clinical Assoc Professor, Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
  • Esther H Waddy, Extension Agent II, Montgomery County
  • Anyi Wang, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Food Science
  • Darryl Matthew Webb, Ext Agent III & County Director, Marshall County
  • Jennifer Renee’ Wheeler, Researcher 1, Department of Plant Sciences
  • Jon Christian White, Ag & Natural Resources Associate 1, Forest Resources AgResearch and Education Center
  • Juliet Elizabeth Wilkes, Administrative Associate 2, Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center
  • Diane Marie Woods, Administrative Associate 1, Washington County
  • Yedan Xiong, Post-doctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Sciences

Name links to obituary.

UTIA Retiree Association member Alton Cecil Carmen of Maryville, age 95, died peacefully on August 7, 2021. He was born October 23, 1925, in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was raised. At UTIA, Carmen was employed first as an agricultural extension agent in Bradley County (1953-55) and then as UT dairy processing plant manager while earning a master’s degree in dairy science at UT (1955-59). He later worked for Production Credit Association (PCA) for twenty-four years as an office manager. After retiring from PCA, he became licensed as a real estate broker and worked for Williams Realty. A celebration of life was held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 21st at First United Methodist Church Maryville. A private family burial was held at Grandview Cemetery.

in-memoriam

Chris Narayanan, resident of Bartlett, Tennessee, passed away Saturday, September 25, 2021, at the age of 46. In July 2020, he began work at UTIA as a farm management specialist for UT Extension. He had also begun pursuing a doctor of liberal studies degree at the University of Memphis. A visitation for Narayanan was held Saturday, October 9, 2021, at Faith Baptist Church, 3755 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133 with the funeral service following. The committal service was Monday, October 11, 2021, at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery.

Kenneth Eugene Sutton, age 92, of Kingston died Friday, October 8, 2021, at his home of the last sixty-five years. Sutton was raised in Monroe County’s Oak Grove. He was born on August 28, 1929, to Claude and Effie Bledsoe Sutton. He joined UT Extension in 1955, working in Roane County and retired in 1993 as county extension leader there. The family received friends Saturday, October 9 at Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston. Reverend Wayne Trentham conducted a graveside service on Sunday, October 10 at Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Madisonville.

Anastasia Saunders, a resident of Morristown, passed away Tuesday, October 12, 2021, from COVID-19, at age 33. Saunders served as the 4-H youth development and family and consumer sciences agent for UT Extension Hancock County for the past nine years. She joined the UT Extension family in January of 2012. Funeral services were held Friday, October 15, 2021, at the Arnett and Steele Funeral Home in Pineville, Kentucky. A graveside service followed on Saturday, October 16 at the Meadow Branch Cemetery in Mill Creek, Kentucky.

Esther H. Waddy passed away Wednesday, October 20, 2021, after battling COVID-19. Waddy was a 4-H agent serving Montgomery County. She began her career with UT Extension as an agent in training from February 2020 to August 2020. In September 2020, she started in her agent role and was a strong and dedicated leader with the many youth and volunteers she worked with. Visitation was held on Friday, October 29, 2021, at the Refuge Temple Church of God In Christ in Marion, Illinois. Jurisdictional services began at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 29 with Superintendent Roy Johnson, officiating. State services were held on Saturday, October 30, 2021, at Refuge Temple. Burial followed in Green Lawn Memorial Garden in Villa Ridge, Illinois.

UTIA Retiree Pat Forkum passed away Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at her residence in Gainesboro at the age of 78. Forkum was an administrative assistant in Jackson County for thirty-three years. She was later a State Farm Insurance agent. Anderson Upper Cumberland Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Memorial services were held on Wednesday, November 10, 2021, at the Gainesboro First United Methodist Church. Forkum’s wishes were to be cremated.

Sharon Elaine (Hillis) Shockley, age 68, administration assistant for UT Extension Van Buren County, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at her home in Spencer, Tennessee, after an extended battle with cancer. She had dedicated over twenty years of service to the programs of UT Extension Van Buren County. Funeral services were held on Friday, November 5, 2021, at Spencer Funeral Home. Burial followed in the Shockley Church of Christ Cemetery.

Alma Jean Johnson, age 91, who retired in 1995 with forty years of service as an Extension program assistant for UT Extension Putnam County, passed away October 28, 2021, at her home of the last two years, The Mansions at Sandy Springs, Georgia. Johnson moved to Cookeville in 1954 where she led home demonstration clubs teaching household skills such as cooking and sewing. A graveside service was held on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the Cookeville City Cemetery.

UTIA Retiree Johnnie Irene Wisecarver, age 86, a lifelong resident of Parrottsville, passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at her daughter’s home. She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years, Jack Wisecarver. She retired in 1989 as a program assistant with UT Extension Cocke County, located in Newport. Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, November 11, 2021, in the Manes Funeral Home Chapel, Newport, and burial on Friday, November 12, 2021, in Harned’s Chapel Cemetery.

Nancy Lynn Blessing Curtis, age 69 of Paint Rock Community of Loudon, formerly Kingston and Chattanooga, passed away Saturday, November 20, 2021, at her home. Her thirty-year career with UT Extension touched many lives with her passion and dedication to 4-H. She was also very involved with the Kingston 4-H Camp for kids and was an advocate for helping underprivileged kids to attend. Family and friends gathered on Wednesday, November 24 in Pine Grove Cemetery for a graveside service.

Charles W. Cavin, age 88, of Knoxville, formerly of Rutledge, passed away on December 3, 2021, following a brief battle with cancer. Cavin retired from UTIA in 2001 as Extension agent and county director for UT Extension Grainger County. He was a native of Hawkins County, joining UT in 1955. He retired with over forty-five years of service. Cavin was an active member and leader in the UTIA Retirees Association for many years. He lay in state on Sunday, December 5 at Smith-Reagan Funeral Home in Rutledge where the family received friends. The funeral service followed at 7:00 p.m. A graveside service was held on Monday, December 6th at Grainger Memorial Gardens in Rutledge.

Frank “David” Kirkpatrick, of Clinton, retired professor in the Department of Animal Science, passed away on December 3, 2021. David retired with forty-nine years of service to UTIA. Kirkpatrick developed the UT Bull Test Program and was instrumental in developing the annual Bull Test Sale at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill, Tennessee. Kirkpatrick developed the Beef Genetic Qualification program for the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program. He was a major contributor to the UT Master Beef Producer Program. Friends and family celebrated the life of Kirkpatrick at a celebration of life service, held at the Museum of Appalachia, Norris, on Sunday, December 12. Kirkpatrick was instrumental in creating an endowment to forever give back to the livestock programs which he loved so much. Gifts can be made to the University of Tennessee Foundation Inc. In the memo line, write Kirkpatrick Memorial and mail to UTIA Advancement Office, 114 Morgan Hall, 2621 Morgan Circle, Knoxville, TN 37996.

William Albert Warren, age 86, of Smithville passed away on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Ascension St. Thomas Hospital in Smithville. Warren was a former Extension agent and county director for UT Extension DeKalb County and later a district associate supervisor. He was a veteran of the United States National Guard and an avid outdoorsman. Funeral services were conducted on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at the chapel of Love-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial followed in Oak Grove Cemetery in Warren County.

We express sincere comfort and/or speedy healing to the following UTIA employees or retirees:

UTIA Retirees Association members Curtis and Sharon Melton in the death of their grandson, Truman Benjamin Melton, who passed away August 6, 2021, one day before his 29th birthday. A celebration of life service was held Saturday, August 14, 2021, at Berry Funeral Home in Knoxville. The service was live streamed on the Berry Funeral Home Facebook page and is available as a tribute video.

Aubrey Mitchell, retired librarian at Pendergrass Library, in the death of his wife, Marla E. Mitchell, age 82, on Monday, August 9, 2021. A visitation was held Sunday, August 15, 2021, in the Chapel of Berry Funeral Home, Knoxville. The funeral service followed the visitation. The funeral service was live streamed on the Berry Funeral Home Facebook page.

Patsy Watkins, UT Extension Williamson County family and consumer sciences agent, in the death of her mother, Lois Jean Russell, age 90, who passed away Tuesday, August 31, 2021.

UTIA retiree Janice Williams in the death of her husband, Lafayette Williams. Lafayette was an animal science graduate with BS and MS degrees from UT.

Ranson Goodman, Extension agent in Henry County, in the death of his father, Sam A. Goodman, Jr., age 81 of Huntingdon, Tennessee, who died Thursday, September 16, 2021.

Darby Payne Allday, UT Extension Giles County 4-H agent, in the death of her brother, Tracy Young, who passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

UTIA retiree Jeanne Judd in the death of her husband and to their daughter UT Extension Loudon County director Amy Fellhoelter in the death of her father, John William Judd, Sr. Judd passed away in Doyle, Tennessee, at the age of 90 on September 26, 2021.

UTIA retiree Connie Dickson in the passing of her husband Don Dickson, who passed away Sunday evening, October 3. Connie retired in 1996 as administrative secretary for the UT Extension Dean’s Office.

Carolyn Fox, who retired in 2001 as county director for UT Extension Jackson County, in the death of her mother, Vola Norton, who passed at her home October 30, 2021, at the age of 100.

Kim Giorgio, Center for Profitable Agriculture, in the death of her mother Violet F. Zurowski who passed away on Tuesday, October 26, 2021, at the age of 79.

UT Extension Dickson County administrative support assistant Andrea Tidwell in the death of her mother, Virginia Rogan, age 89 of Dickson, who passed on November 9, 2021.

UTIA retiree Faye Hochnedel in the death of her husband, Gaynol D. “Moe” Greenwood, 86, of Seymour, on November 13, 2021. Faye retired prior to 2000 as an Extension agent for UT Extension Sevier County.

Joy Powell, UT Extension Wayne County family and consumer sciences agent and county director, in the death of her mother Delia Barber on Thursday, December 16, 2021.

Melissa Shelton, UT Extension Unicoi County 4-H agent, in the death of her grandfather, Doak Shelton, age 80, of Erwin, who passed away on Saturday, December 18, 2021.

Family and friends of Jim Riemann, a former faculty member in UTIA’s Department of Food Science, who passed away Saturday, January 9, 2022, very suddenly and unexpectedly at the Wamego, Kansas, Health Center emergency room. Riemann and his family moved to Kansas in 1992 when Jim accepted an industry position there.

Carolyn and Ray Humberd in the death of Carolyn’s mother, Ruth Bumgarner Widener, who passed away on January 9, 2022.

Retired Senior Vice President and Senior Vice Chancellor and UTIA retiree Tim Cross in the death of his mother. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

View current State and Area Officers »

Membership in the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Retirees Association is for anyone who has worked five or more years for The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. The organization’s membership includes former employees from the Herbert College of Agriculture, the College of Veterinary Medicine, UT AgResearch and UT Extension.

It doesn’t matter if you were one of the support staff, a teacher, research scientist, Extension educator, a farm worker, custodian, laboratory technician or an administrator. If you worked at UTIA, we welcome you to join.

A major objective of UTIA Retirees Association is to unite all former University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture workers and to provide channels for communication and friendship after employees leave the Institute. Our newsletter and web pages are communication links with the Institute and current and retired employees.

When employees retire or terminate employment at UTIA, their names are added to our mailing list to receive a complimentary issue of the quarterly newsletter and an invitation to the next area meeting scheduled in the area where they reside. During this period, retirees have the opportunity to decide whether or not they want to continue their contact with former co-workers by joining the UTIA Retirees Association. The cost is $30 for a lifetime membership.

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The UTIA Retirees Association newsletter is published quarterly by the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture. The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.

UTIA Retirees Association
2621 Morgan Circle Drive  ||  Knoxville, TN 37996

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