In Memory of Dr. David L. Dungan

David Laird Dungan (1936-2008)

As reported in Tuesday’s Prayer Blog, one of my favorite professors, Dr. David Dungan, died over the Thanksgiving break while visiting family in Ohio.

Here is Dr. Dungan’s obituary as it appeared in today’s edition of the Knoxville News-Sentinel:

DUNGAN, DAVID LAIRD - 72, died of a stroke on Sunday, November 30, 2008. He was a professor emeritus of the Religious Studies Department at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he taught for 38 years until retirement in 2002. He leaves behind his loving wife of 49 years, Anne; and three sons: Nathan (Minneapolis, MN), James (St. Paul, MN), and Bill (Cary, NC); daughters-in-law Carolyn, Darcy and Stephanie; and grandchildren, Sam and Jack, Simon and Leo, Katie and Ben; and his younger brother, Tom (Sparks, NV). His family will miss him dearly for many years to come. Born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1936, David spent his early years in China where his parents were missionaries with the Presbyterian Foreign Mission Board. He grew up in Berea, Kentucky, graduating from high school in 1953. He attended The College of Wooster (1957), McCormick Seminary in Chicago (1963) and Harvard Divinity School (ThD) (1968). He came to Knoxville with his family in 1967 to join the newly formed Religious Studies Department. A lifelong scholar, David focused primarily on the synoptic problem and images of Jesus in the Western world. He taught, studied and published extensively in the fields of biblical literature, early Christian history, the formation of the New Testament, environmental studies, and the legacy of the Vietnam War. He was a Distinguished Lindsay Young professor, a founding member of the Institute for the Renewal of Gospel Studies, and was awarded the Thomas Jefferson Faculty Prize at UT in 2000. He was invited to teach at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy, in 1976-77 and again in 2005. David was passionate steward of the Earth. He felt strongly the responsibility we all have to care for the gift of life on this planet. David was a truly gifted teacher with a unique ability to inspire and encourage those who were fortunate enough to know him. He was a builder of tree houses, downhill racers and dreams, an inventor of toys, games, and family fun, a creator of friendships, communities and memories. He was an Eagle Scout at 16, and continued to share his knowledge of woodsmanship and scouting lore all his life. He taught us how to tie knots, keep our matches dry, camp in the snow, and hike in the Smoky Mountains. David loved swimming, sailing and canoeing, on lakes, mountain streams, or the ocean. Inexplicably, he was an ardent booster of British rules croquet in Knoxville. He helped found the Knoxville Croquet Club, converting his backyard into a croquet court and making his own mallets. He loved working with wood all his life from the woodshops of Berea College in Kentucky to his own basement workshop. David attended Westminster Presbyterian Church with his wife. Through the years, he enjoyed being a frequent guest teacher on a variety of subjects in many Knoxville churches. A memorial service for David will be held in Spring 2009 at Westminster Presbyterian Church . Donations may be made in David's memory to the Institute for the Renewal of Gospel Studies, care of Westminster Presbyterian Church , or to the organization of your choice.

In Memory of Rev., Dr. Henry M. Chiles

Henry M. Chiles (1923-2008)

As reported in last night's prayer blog, my church's beloved pastor emeritus, Henry M. Chiles, passed away early on Thursday morning.

Here is Dr. Chiles' obituary as it appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel:

CHILES, REV., DR. HENRY M. - age 85, of Knoxville, died Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Asbury Place in Maryville. A native of the Corryton community, he was the son of late Rev. L.C. and Creola Shipe Chiles. He received his undergraduate degree and later an honorary doctorate from Carson-Newman College. His post graduate studies were completed at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky. Rev. Chiles returned to Knoxville and in February 1951 began his ministry at Central Baptist Church of Bearden, where he remained until September 1972. He then served for ten years as Director of Missions for the Northern Plains Convention until his retirement in 1982. During his work in South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana he was proud to have been a part of the establishment of 30 new churches which he often said could not have happened without the support of his Knoxville church family. Throughout his career in Knoxville, he was recognized as Jaycee Young Man of the year in 1953, served as chairman of the board of Baptist Hospital and Harrison-Chilhowee School, and chairman of the trustees of Carson-Newman College. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, L.C. Chiles, Jr., Clarence Shipe Chiles, and Noah Hampton Chiles, MD. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Roberta (Bobbie) Clark Chiles; daughter & son-in-law, Ann and Lewis Ridley of Rockford; son & daughter-in-law, Lynn Clark and Jan Chiles of Rockford; grandchildren, Lanna Edgemon and husband, Gary, Lucinda Krueger and husband, Todd, Jamie Cordes and husband, Ben, Jenna Thomas and husband, Clay; great grandchildren, Ayden, Bryce, Miles, Kate, and Blake; as well as several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral service 7:00 P.M. Friday at Central Baptist Church of Bearden with Dr. Larry Fields, Rev. Mack Bingham, and Rev. Archie Fendley officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Family and friends will meet at the main entrance to Greenwood Cemetery Saturday for a 10:00 A.M. interment service. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Adult 7A Sunday School Class, Terry Ailor, Jay Claiborne, Paul Helton, Ted Johnson, Larry Lee, Carroll McGinnis, Mike Roberts, Don A. Taylor, Michael Taylor, Charles Towle, David Waldrupe, Bobby Walker, Max Conner, Paul Casteel and Frank Alexander. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Henry and Bobbie Chiles Mission Endowment, c/o Central Baptist Church of Bearden, 6400 Deane Hill Dr., Knoxville, TN 37919. Arrangements by Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel.

In Memory of Deborah Joan Thomas

Deborah Joan Thomas (August 12, 1952-November 1, 2008)

As many of you know, JBT’s mother passed away this weekend after a long battle with heart problems. Please keep the family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Here is Mrs. Thomas’ obituary as it appeared in the Knoxville News-Sentinel:

THOMAS, DEBORAH JOAN - age 56 of Knoxville, passed away Saturday, November 1, 2008 at her home. She was a member of Central Baptist Church of Bearden. She was retired from TVA. Preceded in death by parents, Roy and Stella Thomas; brother, Watt Wesley Thomas; sister, Judy Thomas. Survived by sons, Jared Thomas and fiancé Shannon Brown and Josh Thomas and special friend, Maggie Roberts; brothers and sister-in-law, Roy Edward, Jr. and Helen Thomas and James William Thomas; sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret and Paul Blackburn, Nancy Shepard, Mary and Gary Rader and Vanna and Terry Rhoden; many nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends 5-7 pm Monday at Weaver's Chapel with a celebration of life service to follow at 7 pm. Dr. Larry Fields officiating. You are invited to share your thoughts and memories of Deborah at her website http://www.mem.com/. Arrangements by Weaver Funeral Home.

In Memory of Mary Louise Jones Nodell

Mary Louise Jones Nodell (March 16, 1914-May 3, 2008)

As many of you know my grandmother passed away on Saturday night. My mother's mother was one of the sweetest people I ever met and I will miss her. This picture of my parents and grandparents was taken at my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary party.

The following is the obituary my mother and I collaborated on. It appeared in today's edition of the Knoxville News-Sentinel and Tuesday's edition of her hometown paper, The Newport Plain Talk. Unfortunately, her local paper does not have a Monday edition and as such the obituary will be printed after her funeral.

Mary Louise “Sis” Nodell, age 94, formerly of Newport, passed away Saturday, May 3, 2008 at the Shannondale Health Care Center. She was born, March 16, 1914, the youngest of three children to John M. and Dora Susong Jones. She was valedictorian of her class at Cocke County High School and went on to attend the University of Tennessee where she was a member of the Phi Mu Sorority. She worked as a teacher at the Edgemont School in Cocke County and at the Taylor Grocery Company before marrying Richard Ellis Nodell on February 13, 1944. It was then that she gravitated to the roles that would define her – wife, mother and friend. She excelled at each. She was a member of numerous organizations including being a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Newport and founding member of the Cocke County chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Though the family mourns her loss, it is grateful that her suffering has subsided and she is now with her heavenly father. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved brothers; her devoted husband, Richard Ellis Nodell and her loving cousin, Elizabeth Stokley. She is survived by her daughter, Dotty Nodell Vinson (and husband Bill) of Knoxville; son, Richard “Rick” Nodell (and wife Jo) of Knoxville. She also leaves five grandchildren Chandler Vinson of Knoxville; Adrienne Nodell Walker (and husband Michael) of Knoxville; Haley Nodell Johnson (and husband Damien) of Pensacola, Florida; Amelia Nodell of Amherst, Massachusetts; and Hannah Nodell of Knoxville. We express much appreciation to the Shannondale staff for their care and concern. Graveside services will be held 4:00 pm Monday, May 5, 2008 in Union Cemetery with Rev. Chandler Vinson, presiding. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to the Alzheimer’s Association at 2200 Sutherland Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37919.

In Memory of Bill Eubank

William Donald Eubank (May 10, 1970 - March 6, 2008)

One of the members of my Bible Study (ever so briefly) died far too young on Thursday after nobly battling cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.

EUBANK, WILLIAM DONALD (BILL) - beloved son, brother, uncle, friend went to be with his Heavenly Father March 6, 2008, after a two-year battle with cancer. Born May 10, 1970 in Dearborn, Michigan, he graduated from Dearborn High School, University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ft. Worth, Texas. Bill's heart was missions, serving with the International Mission Board in Edmonton, Alberta, and Paris, France, in addition to many volunteer mission trips all over the world. In December 2005 he moved to St. Jacob, IL to begin a new work with Bridge the Divide Ministries, a non-profit therapeutic riding program that exists to immerse young people with special needs in the unconditional love of God through horses. Three months later he was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer and returned to Knoxville for treatment. As health permitted, he volunteered and interned with students through Baptist Collegiate Ministries on the University of Tennessee campus until December 2007. Cards, calls, and emails from around the world these past two years attested to hid genuine love and friendliness to those around him and his faithfulness and dedication to the Lord. He is survived by his parents, Jack and Barbara Eubank; sisters, Jennifer(Scott) Moreland and Rebecca(James) Whitehorn, all of Knoxville; brother, Jay (Cheryl) Eubank of Collierville, TN; nieces and nephews, Shannon, Paige and Sydney Eubank of Collierville, TN, Allie, Ben, Crista Moreland of Knoxville; Zachary, Andrew and Lindsey Whitehorn of Knoxville. "Uncle Beel" was always a hit of family get-togethers, as his adoring nieces and nephews loved to hear his songs and stories. Special thanks to Dr. Tim Pannella at UT Cancer Institute and his very caring staff, especially Ruth and the Chemo nurses; and the doctors and staff at Exodus Chiropractic in Farragut for their prayers and tender touch. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday at Highland Memorial Cemetery. In case of inclement weather the committal service will be held in the Chapel of Highland Memorial. Funeral and celebration of life service at 2:00 PM Saturday, First Baptist Church-Knoxville, 510 Main Street. Receiving of friends and a reception will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made to the UT Baptist Collegiate Ministry, 1811 Melrose, Knoxville, TN 37916 or Bridge the Divide Ministry, 1729 State Route 4, St. Jacob, IL 62281. Bill's quest book is available at www.highlandmemorialparks.com for those wishing to share their thoughts. Highland Memorial is honored to serve the Eubank family. (588-0567)

In Memory of Margaret S. Tully

Margaret S. Tully (April 29, 1914 - February 26, 2008)

My great aunt Margaret "Peg" Tully died on February 26. She was the last connection my mother had to her father. My cousin Nancy is taking the death especially hard as her mother died on her birthday. Please keep their family in your prayers.

Her online guestbook is located here.

Here is my Aunt Peg's obituary as it appeared in her local paper, The Palladium Times (Oswego, NY):

Margaret S. Tully, 93, a former resident of 4 Burkle St., Oswego, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at St. Luke’s Health Services.

Born in Philadelphia, Pa., she was a daughter of the late William and Cecilia F. Nodell.
She received her master’s degree from SUNY Oswego.

Mrs. Tully was a physical education teacher in Oswego, Mexico and Fulton.

She was a member of the Oswego Players, a founding member of Girl Scouts of America and a leader of the Retired Teacher’s Association.

Surviving are two daughters, Jean (Churchill) Ward of Penfield and Nancy Coleman of Jersey City, NJ; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and five nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband, William, in 1986.

Funeral services will be held 3 p.m. Friday at the Church of the Resurrection, Oswego.
Spring Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery.

Calling hours will be held 12 – 3 p.m. Friday at the Nelson Funeral Home, 11 W. Albany St., Oswego.

Online condolences may be made at www.nelson-funeralhome.com.