Volume 33, Number 1
March 2021 Newsletter
President’s Letter
Dear Friends,
A year like none other in our lifetimes: 2020 brought new challenges and great changes for 366 days, as it included a Leap Day! Growing up, I heard my parents and other older people talk about living through the flu pandemic of 1918–19. It never occurred to me that given medical advances and scientific research, that a century later the world would be dealing with another such situation. Each of us has been touched in some way—we grieve for those who have suffered and give thanks for miracles, healing, and those who serve in difficult circumstances. The hopes and prayers are that this year will bring solutions and solace to all. Read the complete letter online.
What the Retirees Association Means to Me
John Jared, Past President, UTIA Retirees
The ugly days of COVID-19 have been a unique and unforgettable experience for most everyone. We’ve made sacrifices, avoided crowds, limited travel, kept our distance, worn masks, washed our hands more often than ever before and altered daily routines in numerous other ways. However, on a positive note, the COVID-19 experience made me realize even more what being a member of the UTIA Retirees Association means to my retirement. Let me share the ways!
- Keeps Me in Touch—I’m a people person and truly enjoy keeping up with friends and coworkers. Hearing from you through annual meetings, fall get-togethers, newsletters, and other means is most rewarding. In addition, hearing from some of you I hardly knew during working years is a neat experience as well. Of course, staying in touch means receiving the good news as well as the sad.
- Gives Relevancy—Continuing to remain relevant in some form is always a plus for most as they leave their career behind. My involvement in the association has definitely given me the opportunity to contribute in a small way and to remain positive for a worthy cause. As a result, it gives me a feeling of relevancy. This is just one of the many perks the association offers.
- Promotes A Sense of Belonging—There was never a day during my entire career that I was not proud to be a member of UT, UTIA, and the Extension family. As a member of the association, I continue to feel connected to the institution that has meant and continues to mean so much to me. The close relationship the association has with the UTIA administration certainly enhances the sense of belonging to our great university.
- Provides Fellowship—The warm and friendly environment that is present at every event is always noticeable and inviting. Greeting and visiting with a smile those you see only once or twice a year definitely makes for a most pleasant day. I truly do look forward to seeing friends whatever and wherever the occasion.
- Creates Lasting Memories—The memories I have made as an association member are too numerous for me to mention them all. However, the following memories quickly come to mind. I shall never forget the opportunity to spend time in the beautiful home and setting of John and Debra Bradley in Lutts, Tennessee. Never knew where Lutts was until then. Also, visiting the lovely home and gardens of Kayo and Helen Mullins in Jackson was a very pleasant and educational experience as Helen shared some of her Master Gardener expertise. And how could I ever forget getting lost in Manchester while returning to Knoxville with Brenda, Ruth, and Sandie from a retirees luncheon at Miss BoBo’s in Lynchburg? It really did happen and I was the driver! Without the Retirees Association, these and dozens of other memorable experiences would have never been created.
While 2020 was a year many will want to forget, hopefully 2021 will allow retirees to return to some level of normalcy and to the good things we do best!
From Jim McKee
Not much has changed in the life of James W. (Jim) McKee. We still live in the same house we have lived in since 1973. I am, however, showing my age and getting slower in accomplishing things, thinking, and talking.
Beverly and I have enjoyed sixty years of marriage, next to accepting Christ as my Savior, those sixty years have been such an important part of my life. She is not only my wife, but my best friend who has been a helpmate to me for all those years. We were blessed with two daughters, and who have provided us with seven grandchildren (six grandsons and one granddaughter), plus we have three precious great grandchildren (two girls and one boy).
Never having taken time to develop a hobby, I got bored after retirement and went back to work doing several different things including special projects for our county mayor, served as the county EMA director, and served for a period of time working for the state veterinarian doing a few different tasks.
Life has been great, especially the 25 years I worked in 4-H and Adult Agriculture. I also enjoyed the challenges of serving as Agricultural and 4-H Program Leader for a short time, followed by years as Extension District Supervisor.
From Carlene Welch
the pandemic keeping me at home a lot and not being able to teach 4-H sewing workshops, I decided to use my time and sewing skills to make five UT quilts for my five grandchildren for Christmas.
From Crocia Roberson
Since I am among the highest risk for COVID-19, I have just tried avoiding contact, staying home, going through that accumulation of a lifetime and getting rid of some of the clutter, but can’t tell that anything has been accomplished. Since retirement I had found so many different things to do, I had thought of writing a note including them. But things have certainly slowed in recent years. Then along came coronavirus and stopped everything. I will be glad when we can get somewhat back to “normal” whatever that might be. Think I am getting a good case of coronavirus fatigue.
I am newsletter editor for the button club, and since we have been unable to have contact, I am planning to do a letter in which I will ask each to share a few statements with the others so we won’t forget the members.
From Warren Gill
I just turned 70 and am splitting my time between living in Murfreesboro and farming in Petersburg (Lincoln County). I lost my wife and best friend, Lissa, in 2019. My son, William, is living in Knoxville with his wife, Meg. William is professor of law and associate dean for academic affairs at Lincoln Memorial University in Knoxville, and Greer is the outreach coordinator for the Farm Service Administration (FSA) in Nashville.
My health is good and I’m doing my best to avoid COVID (I wear my mask everywhere except when I’m on a tractor or sleeping). Our family farm is doing well. One of the highlights of our farming operation is that Dr. Doyle Meadows and his wife, my sister, Gloria, are partners.
From Pat Whitaker
We have all spent a year that looked very different from what we planned back in 2019 or even early 2020. Once we were over the shock of what we may be facing over a long year, we regrouped and moved ahead with what we could do rather than waste time over what we could not do.
Our minister challenged us to look at what we could get out of this pandemic that we could not have gotten any other way. So, here we go: Since we could not go to our gym classes, Dave and I started a walking routine. That has led to embracing hiking. We enjoy the state parks at every opportunity. Jill Martz and I traveled for a week in the fall along the Blue Ridge Parkway, beginning in North Carolina and ending near the top of the Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. It was a great way to see the country and explore trails along the way. We managed one spring escape to visit Ruth Henderson McQueen in Loudon and explore Cades Cove. Dave took eleven days in the fall to explore the mountains of New Mexico and Colorado with a friend, camping and horseback riding.
The downside has been not spending time with our Texas family and two grandchildren. They canceled two trips to visit and it’s been a year since we have seen them.
Farm life goes on, no matter what is happening in the world. Dave continues to successfully raise Dorper and Cross-bred sheep. I have had the largest garden in many years. This winter I have been outfitting a rental to become an AirBnB. So, if you need a small farmhouse for lodging in Middle Tennessee in the future, feel free to contact me.
Blessings to each of you and may 2021 bring you good health and safe travels.
From Janie Pedigo
I am married to Darrin Phillips and now have a daughter Rachel and a son Daniel, both in their twenties. I have two beautiful grandchildren: Adaleigh, 1, and Judah, 4. We live in Cookeville but have purchased land in Sparta for our retirement home. Still working part time for Wilson Bank & Trust in marketing and loving life! (I have not changed my last name as I have not retired from the bank.)
From Jim Anderson
First, let me thank you for all the dedicated work you have done to benefit those of us in the Retirees Group! Memories of working with you remain strong and define a lot of my recollections of that “time of youth” at UTIA.
I was a student in the 1959-1962 and 1966-1969 periods. Upon the last graduation, my family and I relocated to work with Mississippi State University at its Stoneville location.
A little more than six years later, the UTIA administration, along with the Trustees of the Hobart Ames Foundation, offered us the opportunity to become associated with their cooperative research and educational functions with UT and other area institutions at the Ames properties in West Tennessee. Indeed, a challenging assignment, requiring 24/7 availability. Complicated to some degree by the health issues of my wife, we came to a mutual understanding with the supervisors of my work that my best option was to become a member of the retiree group on December 31, 2002. A big change! It would turn out that the health problems which brought such a decision would continue to become more difficult with the passage of time and she left this mortal sphere on October 24, 2019.
We are grateful for all the love and support which have come our way during and after such a debilitating loss—a lot of it from our fellow retirees! God Bless you all!
From Mark Halcomb
Dear Friends: My position as Area Nursery Specialist in Warren and five other counties was eliminated June 30, 2011. But for some reason I was allowed to work another year, then half time for another year. I could have retired years earlier but had no interest. I would still be working.
That half year did allow me to transition into working at several nurseries. I stay busy doing various different tasks, but mostly spraying herbicides. I enjoy being outside. Did not realize what I was missing. Since I work alone, COVID-19 has not interfered with my work.
Daughter Amy (Brian) lives in Collierville, Tennessee. Both contracted the virus during the summer though they practiced safety. Son Scott is dealing with the snowstorm in the Northeast. Ann is also still working. We garden, mow, deal with leaves, pick up limbs, cut, split, haul, and burn firewood.
We are reasonably happy and healthy except for the usual aches and pains. But we do get to travel more . . . to the doctor and for tests. So, I get pancakes to-go as a reward.
From Pat Wilkinson Moyers
Pat Wilkinson Moyers here. I left Extension in 1982 when I married. We have been married almost thirty-nine years and have moved all across the state with Chris’s job. After Extension, I worked for several years with Children’s Services as a counselor in foster care and adoptions for most of the time but also did investigations of neglect and abuse and elder abuse. We moved to Jackson in 1990 and have remained here since. Our son, Bryan, was born shortly after we moved here.
In 2007, I became a program assistant for Amy Elizer in the Madison County Extension office and worked there part time until I retired (after she moved on to another position) in 2018. I also worked for many years as a substitute teacher. Our son is married to a wonderful lady and they have blessed us with three fabulous girls: 5, 3, and 18 months. Although Chris retired in 2019, he continues to work for Natural Resources Conservation Service on a part-time basis. I am a level three certified counselor with Medicare Services.
In our spare time we enjoy visiting with our grandchildren and plan to do more traveling when things open up a little more. In the meantime, I love spending time in my craft room where I can paint, rubber stamp cards, and make mini albums. Reading is still a favorite pastime and catching up with longtime friends is a priority.
From Linda Beets
I wanted to say hello to all my fellow retirees. I have really missed the yearly retiree social. It was always good to see my longtime coworkers and friends. My health has been hanging in there and allowing me to continue traveling the United States. Sometimes the COVID virus has made it difficult to travel to many places of interest but where there is a will there is a way. Hopefully in the near future we will be able to have a social meeting. I will look forward to it!
From Rick Skillington
I moved back to Lawrence County when I retired. I ran for the county commission and got elected as commissioner from my district. I work weekends for an auction company helping with estate sales. I joined the Rotary Club, which puts on the county fair, and help with and run the Draft Mules Shows at Mule Day in Columbia. In the fall, I judge both sheep and mule shows at county and state fairs.
From Sheila Settles
I am enjoying retirement by quilting and visiting with family and friends. Boating and the pool are fun too, as well as riding our side by side. My husband Tim works for Parchman Construction as an estimator and project manager. Trent, our oldest son, is finishing up pharmacy school at Auburn and is married to Hannah Branton. Stan, our youngest, recently graduated from UT Chattanooga.
From Bob Burney
We’re sheltering in place except for trips to the store or doctor. We go for short hikes when the weather permits. We live in the Hardin Valley area in Knox County where they are building lots of houses.
Janie is working from home. Janie’s daughter Tracy has lived with us for the past year. Tracy finished her BA at ETSU. I keep tabs on my 92-year-old mother who is in assisted living in Knoxville. She got her first COVID vaccine shot in January.
From Tom Hill
I’ve been retired as fisheries Extension specialist for sixteen years. It doesn’t seem possible that it has been that long. We moved from Knoxville to Murfreesboro eleven years ago. When we moved to Knoxville for me to work at UT in 1978, Betty and I had four children. Each child has since married and each couple has raised two children. We now have fourteen great-grandchildren and count ourselves wonderfully blessed.
From Betty Neilson
I retired on July 31, 2019, with 43 years, 2 months of service to UT Extension. I’ll forever be indebted to Mr. Jim Bond, retired Hamblen County director, for being my county director and mentor during the first eight years of my Extension career. Wow! Thanks to Mr. Bond for getting me started on a “once-in-a-life-time” opportunity and career!
In retirement I am spending time almost daily with our three red-headed granddaughters, ages 7, 6, and almost 5; cleaning out sheds and barns at our family farm; came face-to-face with a live skunk; learning how to weed eat; learning how to renovate an old house; enjoying a long weekend with family and friends on beautiful Norris Lake; learning that cooking at home isn’t so bad; using my career talents to create fun-loving activities for the grandkids after they were dismissed from school in March 2020 not to return until early August.
My husband, Rodney and I also dealt with the virus but luckily had very mild cases. The worst part was being quarantined for so many days! I am also trying hard to continue my daily exercise routine of working out at the gym as well as walking, since this was one of my programming areas for the past few years of promoting a “healthier lifestyle” among the clientele I worked with.
I’ll always know that my career was the perfect choice for me because no matter where I am or whatever I’m doing at the moment, I know I can help myself and others with Real. Life. Solutions.
Do You Have Grit?
Cherry Lane Darken
After reading the book Grit by Angela Duckworth, I decided that all UTIA folks I know have grit! This book offers a commonsense approach to life, and one based on much research, and I highly recommend it!
Psychologist Duckworth says that success in life depends upon grit, which is a combination of your passion and perseverance. She maintains that grit is more important than either talent or intellectual ability. Duckworth says, “Without effort, your talent is nothing more than your unmet potential. Without effort, your skill is nothing more than what you could have done, but didn’t. With effort, talent becomes skill, and at the very same time, effort makes skill productive.”
Grit explains why people with the same talent and opportunities turn out differently in life. Grit is about stamina, consistency, endurance, practice, maturity, experience, and hard work.
In Grit there are four assets of grit that people develop and have in common, and they develop these in a particular order: 1) Interest, 2) Practice, 3) Purpose, 4) Hope.
Your interest in life comes from following your passion—doing something that you love! Figure out what you like in life, then do it! Learn about your interests, which are triggered by the outside world. Go through discovery by reading, learning, exploring, and doing. Find a mentor to follow. In simple terms, “follow your passion.”
Next practice your passion. Not only spend time on it—spend quality time! Show continuous improvement. Deliberate practice involves setting goals and planning/working to accomplish them.
Persevering with your passion leads to purpose which is intentionally contributing to the well-being of others. Begin to share your passion and interests with others.
All of this leads to the fourth asset, hope, which is the expectation that tomorrow will be better than today. Hope is having an optimistic (rather than pessimistic) attitude about life.
Shelia Settles
Extension Director, Houston County
Dennis Deyton
Professor, Department of Plant Sciences
Jeff Mitchell
Herbert College of Agriculture and UT Extension Associate, Department of Animal Science
Glenn Turner
Extension Agent III, Sevier County
Bob Ary
Extension agent and county director, Sumner County
Name links to obituary.
Sherryl Lynn (Warmath) Wynn, age 75, of Milner, Georgia, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, August 25, 2020, at Brightmoor Hospice, Griffin Georgia.
Henry August Fribourg, age 91, of Knoxville, Tennessee, died Friday afternoon, September 25, 2020. Henry was Professor Emeritus of Crop Ecology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and an active member of the UTIA Retirees. A private was held Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at New Jewish Cemetery.
Barry Cooper, of Sparta, Tennessee, former UTIA Extension employee, passed away on Friday, October 16, 2020, at Saint Thomas Highlands Hospital at age 69.
UTIA retiree Barbara Vineyard Martin, aged 92 of Murfreesboro, died Tuesday, November 17, 2020. She started her career in 1964 as the home demonstration Extension agent for Rutherford County. Barbara retired from UTIA in 1992 with 34 years of service.
Mary Myers, retiree of UTIA General Services, passed away December 2, 2020. Many of you may remember Mary who delivered our “specials” to and from main campus. If you would like to send a card to Mary’s husband, please contact George Mays for the address.
Leander F. Johnson, who retired in 1990 as professor in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, passed away Saturday, December 12, 2020, at age 94. Online condolences may be extended at rosemortuary.com.
Charles Arthur McPeake, 75, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 18, 2020. He worked four years with University of Tennessee Extension as a county agent in Giles County, Tennessee. At retirement, Charles was serving as coordinator of Extension programs for the College of Agriculture-Natural Resources and Family and Consumer Sciences at the University of Georgia.
Mary Ann (Walker) Haubenreich, who made West Knoxville her home for most of her 91 years, passed away January 11, 2021. Mary Ann was licensed as a registered dietitian and was an associate professor in UT Extension, where one focus was training and supporting home demonstration agents through the state.
Jean Danley, retired Extension agent, Hickman County, passed away on January 22, 2021, in Memphis. A private graveside service with immediate family only was held at the O.A. Kirk Cemetery, Linden, Tennessee.
Richard Jackson Strange, age 69, passed away Sunday Dec 20, 2020. He was a professor with the Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries. A celebration of Richard’s life will take place possibly in late spring or early summer, determined by safety and vaccinations.
Lyle Houston, age 70, passed away February 12, 2021. He was a former manager of the Crossville 4-H camp.
Phil Scheurer, who worked for UT Knoxville for many years and retired as vice chancellor and vice president emeritus of operations, passed away on February 14, 2021 at age 77.
We express sincere comfort and/or speedy healing to the following UTIA employees or retirees:
Sympathy is expressed to Jenny Yeary in the death of her husband, Jim, who passed away on Monday, September 21, 2020, in Nashville. A full obituary is available online.
Sympathy is expressed to Martha Thomas in the passing of her husband, Sgt. James Thomas, on October 5, 2020. Martha is a retired Extension agent from Shelby County and Extension family life specialist, Tennessee State University. James Thomas was 98 years old and a retired Army veteran who served in three wars: WWII, Korean, and Vietnam (1943-1963). A full obituary is available online.
Sympathy is expressed to Michael Barry, Davidson County agriculture and natural resources agent, in the passing of his father, Charles Barry, October 9, 2020. A full obituary is available online.
Sympathy is expressed in the passing of Laura Barrett Mann, age 52, wife of Timmy Mann, 4-H agent, and mother of Rachael Mann Ragsdale, TNCEP assistant, both of the UT Extension Robertson County Office. A full obituary is available online.
Sympathy is expressed to the family of Rubye English, who passed away November 5, at the age of 99. She was the widow of Jim English, Extension agriculture agent in Stewart County 1945-1947 and youth agent in Montgomery County in 1947-1954. He left Extension and worked for Northern Bank where he remained and Rubye remained supporters of Extension. Rubye was a member of Better Homes Home Demonstration Club/FCE until later years in her life and was from Obion County. An obituary is available online.
Sympathy is expressed to Herbert College of Agriculture Dean Caula Beyl in the passing of her aunt, Jeanne Seay (Sr.), who was very much like a mother to her. In lieu of any arrangements, donations may be made to any rescue organizations for animals in her name.
Sympathy is expressed to David Qualls, Lincoln County Extension agent and county director, in the passing of his mother, Elizabeth Ann Qualls, at the age 100 on Wednesday, November 11. An obituary is available online.
Sympathy is expressed to Nancy Rucker, Extension director, Hamilton County, in the passing of her mother, Dorothy P. Rucker, December 8, 2020. She was 94 years old. A complete obituary is available online. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tennessee 4-H Foundation (Hamilton County), 2621 Morgan Circle, 205 Morgan Hall, Knoxville, TN 37996, or First Presbyterian Church, 554 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37402.
Sympathy is expressed to Barbara Davenport in the death of her husband, Lawrence Davenport Jr., who passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021. Barbara retired recently as a 4-H agent in Rutherford County. An obituary is available online.
Sympathy is expressed to Tim Fawver, UTIA chief business officer, in the loss of his sister, Suzanne Fawver. She led a remarkable life, and you can read about her service to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office online.
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.
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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