In Memoriam Fall 2023

Life Celebrations Planned for Michael “Mike” Robert Sanders

Michael “Mike” Sanders, co-chair of Georgia Southern University’s comprehensive campaign, Together We Soar, passed away in Atlanta on Dec. 26, 2023, at age 64. Sanders graduated from Georgia Southern University in 1981 with a degree in marketing, but he never let go of his passion for his alma mater. 

A stalwart supporter of the University, his contributions, both in time and resources, have been pivotal in shaping the growth and development of Georgia Southern. Sanders served as a member and chair of various boards and his role as chair of the Georgia Southern Foundation Board of Trustees for the past three years was marked by significant advancements in the University’s position as a leading institution in south Georgia. The alumnus played an instrumental role in the formation of the Atlanta chapter of the Southern Boosters and spearheaded several large-scale fundraising projects. Sanders and his family endowed a scholarship for students in the Honors Program, reflecting his commitment to providing educational opportunities for future generations. In 2015, his contributions to the University were recognized when he was honored with the Alumnus of the Year Award. As a student, he was a member of Phi Delta Theta and Pi Sigma Epsilon.

Beyond Georgia Southern, Sanders carved an impressive career in the financial services industry. He served as a financial advisor for more than 25 years with Morgan Stanley, originally Dean Witter. He followed that with 15 years as senior vice president for wealth management with UBS Financial Services. He viewed his clients not merely as customers but as friends, a philosophy that earned him deep respect and trust in the industry.

An avid sports fan, Sanders attended the Masters at Augusta National for decades, and his enthusiasm extended from coaching his son Robbie’s baseball teams to serving as the football stadium announcer at two high schools. However, his heart belonged to Georgia Southern football. For years, his legendary tailgate at every home game was a focal point for fans and friends, embodying his spirit and love for the game. His passing leaves a void that will be felt deeply by all who knew him.

To honor his legacy, two celebration of life gatherings are planned in March, one in Statesboro and another in Atlanta. At these gatherings, friends and community members will have the opportunity to share stories and remember this beloved alumnus with love and laughter.

The devoted Eagle Nation member was born in Augusta, Georgia, on April 12, 1959, to the late Gustave Sanders III and Helen Bremer Sanders. He leaves behind three children: Stephanie Sanders, Robbie Sanders (Maria) and Caroline Sanders (Jason Guevara); three grandchildren: Scarlett Sanders, Nolan Sanders-Guevara and Autumn Sanders; two sisters, Suzanne Gay (Tom) and Nancy Turner; and his beloved dog, Ellie.

1950s

Mattie Lanier Bishop (’50) of Statesboro died in hospice care Jan. 24, 2023. She taught in Bulloch County for 40 years before retiring from Sallie Zetterower Elementary School.

June Selph Adams (’56) of Dublin, Georgia, died at home Feb. 6, 2023. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and later worked in the family piano business. An avid golfer, she played the sport well into her 80s.

Hannah Pope Kent (’58,’85) of Tifton, Georgia, died March 3, 2023. She had a long career in education as a kindergarten and preschool teacher, director and primary school principal.

Janis Miller Wilson (’57) of Gainesville, Georgia, died in home care April 11, 2023. She was a teacher in Savannah Public Schools and served 14 years as an assistant professor at Brenau University. She also co-owned a real estate firm.

Elton Spann Jr. (’58,’62) of Brookhaven, Georgia, was surrounded by loved ones when he died on June 2, 2023. He served in the U.S. Marines and spent a 50-year career as a certified public accountant.

Catherine Louise McNally (’53) of Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, died Aug. 23, 2023, after a fight with dementia. She was a physical education teacher and sports coach in Mobile, Alabama, for 36 years.

Helen Robertson Altman (’54,’63) of Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia, passed away Sept. 17, 2023. The elementary school teacher retired as the media specialist coordinator for the DeKalb County Public School System.

1960s

Donnie Cooper (’68) of Columbia, South Carolina, died Jan. 22, 2023. A military history buff, he had a career as an insurance adjuster ligation specialist.

Jack Pye (’61,’66,’70) of Statesboro died Feb. 25, 2023, in hospice care. He is remembered as a principal for 26 years at Julia P. Bryant Elementary School in Statesboro.

Jack Kennedy, Ph.D. (’62) of Register, Georgia, died March 20, 2023, at home in hospice care. He served six years in the National Guard and had a 34-year career with the state of Georgia as an administrative law judge.

Harper Daniell Jr. (’69) of Eastman, Georgia, died March 25, 2023. He trained as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force and retired with the rank of captain. The elementary school teacher and mail carrier was the ultimate remotecontrolled (RC) hobbyist specializing in building and flying model planes.

Mary Hendricks Phillips (’60) of Statesboro died May 6, 2023, in the hospital. She worked for many years in the Georgia Southern political science department.

Russell Wimberly II (’68) of Statesboro died May 31, 2023. The U.S. Army veteran served in the Vietnam War and retired from Grinnell Corporation (Cast Iron Foundry) as purchasing manager after 29 years.

Charles Stokes Jr. (’60,’68), a lifelong resident of Bulloch County, Georgia, passed away July 2, 2023, in hospice care. Throughout his 37 years in education, he served as a math and science teacher and later as a principal of several Bulloch County schools. He celebrated 27 years of sobriety in the AA community and had a second career as a counselor’s aide at Willingway Hospital.

Tommy Winham (’69) of Glenwood, Georgia, died Aug. 13, 2023. His lifelong love of flowers led to a career of more than 30 years as a florist and florist shop owner. His talent for designing and decorating earned him the title of Designer of the Year for Georgia.

Charles Tribble (’69) of Lizella, Georgia, died Aug. 22, 2023. He retired from Pabst Brewery in Perry, Georgia, where he was the brewery production scheduler.

Martha Clifton Watring-Ross (’68) of Statesboro died Sept. 6, 2023, in Savannah. She was an educator with the Effingham County Board of Education and retired from her teaching and FBLA advisor position in 2010.

Ann Jenkins Fortner (’65) of Cocoa Beach, Florida, passed away Sept. 30, 2023, following a brief illness. A flight attendant for 35 years, she flew everywhere Delta Air Lines flew, including destinations in the U.S. and Europe.

Cheryl Poore Ward (’68) of McRae, Georgia, passed away in her beloved study Oct. 6, 2023. During her 38 years as a teacher, she taught first grade in schools in Brazelton, Athens, Watkinsville, McRae and Lyons, Georgia.

James Connelly Jr. (’69) of Savannah passed away Oct. 8, 2023. He was a retired certified public accountant and an avid motorcyclist.

Lawrence “Larry” Olsen (’67) of Niskayuna, New York, passed away peacefully Nov. 1, 2023, after a long illness. The certified public accountant spent his career in financial management within the retail food industry.

1970s

Sylvia Ann Dorminey (’76) of Hinesville, Georgia, died Dec. 10, 2022, at home. During her career, she held several positions in the Liberty County School System until retiring after 35 years of service.

Raymond “Ricky” Smith (’70) of Macon, Georgia, died Jan. 6, 2023, at home. He spent 45 years in banking and retired in 2015.

Allen Compton (’70) of Johns Creek, Georgia, died Feb. 14, 2023. He served in the U.S. Navy and founded a real estate company serving the West Georgia area.

Terri Slappey Barnes (’75) of Statesboro died Feb. 26, 2023, after a short illness. She enjoyed reading, history, genealogy and spending time with her husband and grandchildren.

Robert “Neil” Thomas (’74) of Georgetown, South Carolina, died in the hospital March 26, 2023. He was employed as a social worker for the South Carolina Department of Social Services and later worked in insurance sales.

Katherine “Beth” Watson (’72) of Statesboro passed away April 10, 2023, at home. She spent most of her career working in bookkeeping and accounting support at Turner & Jones, LLC, in Statesboro.

Stephen “Corky” Corcoran (’74,’76) of Savannah died April 10, 2023, at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta. He served 26 years with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve and was a staff appraiser with the Chatham County Board of Assessors for 40 years.

Vicki Cleveland Morgan (’70) of Royston, Georgia, died May 29, 2023, at a hospital in Athens, Georgia. She was a retired elementary school special education teacher.

Kaye Cappel Graham (’77) of Dublin, Georgia, died June 5, 2023, of complications from acute myeloid leukemia, diagnosed in the final hours of her life. She taught special education
at East Laurens High for 27 years.

Eugene Eden (’79,’81,’93) of Statesboro died June 28, 2023. He served as the head counselor at Southeast Bulloch High from 1985 until his 2011 retirement. He retired a second time as a student disability service provider at Georgia Southern.

Connell Stafford Jr. (’70) formerly of Atlanta, died July 23, 2023, of kidney failure in Hendersonville, North Carolina. He was an aide to the late U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn of Georgia and a longtime executive with the Coca-Cola Co. He was named the 2004 Georgia Southern Alumnus of the Year.

Sylvia Smith Kennedy (’74), a lifelong resident of Tattnall County, Georgia, died July 24, 2023, two years after a cancer diagnosis. She served her community as a career social worker.

Claude “Collins” Walden (’74) of Wrens, Georgia, died July 26, 2023, in an Augusta hospital. He retired from the Georgia Department of Corrections as a state probation officer. Musically talented, he played the guitar and sang in three bands.

Rebecca “Becky” Grant (’73) of Newnan, Georgia, passed away Aug. 16, 2023, in hospice care. Early in her career, she worked in airline reservations and later as a preschool teacher.

Eugene Natson Jr. (’79,’84,’86) of Statesboro died Sept. 6, 2023, after an extended illness. The Triple Eagle retired from the Bulloch County Board of Education after 26 years of service including his final position as the assistant superintendent for Human Resources and Student Support.

Beverly Thompson Hathaway (’70,’75) of Guyton, Georgia, died Sept. 9, 2023. She was an educator in Savannah area schools.

Debbie Sears Graham (’76) of Brunswick, Georgia, died Sept. 14, 2023. The business consultant spent more than 20 years with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center.

Janet Marrone Page (’75) of Swainsboro, Georgia, died Sept. 23, 2023, at home surrounded by family and her beloved dogs. She was a 6th-grade language arts teacher at Swainsboro Middle School from 1987 until her retirement in 2012.

Michael Ginn (’76) of Sandersville, Georgia, passed away at home Oct. 7, 2023. An expert in industrial minerals, he led a collection of private mineral technology, energy and environmental companies focused on biominerals, biomineral waste streams and geopolymers.

William “Bill” Terrell (’71) of LaGrange, Georgia, passed away Oct. 9, 2023, in the hospital. The charter member of Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at Georgia Southern had a career in pharmaceutical sales and the textile industry.

Bonnie Bell Davis (’70) of Folkston, Georgia, passed away on Oct. 17, 2023. She served for 32 years in the Charlton County School System as a first-grade teacher, special education teacher, assistant principal and administrator. She then spent 21 years as the program director at D. Ray James State Prison implementing several educational programs.

Nat Harwell (’73) of Covington, Georgia, passed away Nov. 11, 2023, from complications of sepsis. He was a social studies teacher and coach of multiple sports from 1973-2002.

Daniel Rahn (’70,’88) passed away in hospice care in Statesboro on Nov. 17, 2023, after a long illness. A gifted writer, editor and teacher, he spent his early years as a writer and sports editor for the Statesboro Herald and Claxton Enterprise. He retired from the communications faculty at the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Kathryn Hooper McCurry (’70) of Savannah passed away Nov. 22, 2023, after a struggle with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. She served in the Junior League of Savannah, the Seeds and Weeds Garden Club, and was a longtime volunteer for Hospice House of Savannah.

1980s

Louise Stewart Shackelford (’82) of Dublin, Georgia, passed away on March 13, 2022. She was a retired banker and served on the Dublin City Council for 12 years.

Rosa “Wanda” Phillips Harrison (’83) of Florala, Alabama, died Jan. 21, 2023, surrounded by family. After raising her children, she returned to school and became a special education teacher.

Rosalie Carson Morgan (’80,’81) died Feb. 03, 2023, at a health and rehab facility in Soperton, Georgia. She retired from teaching in 2001 from the Cobb County Public School System and had lived in Treutlen, Cobb and Douglas counties over the years.

Charles “Dug” Duggan Jr. (’85,’91) of Statesboro died June 1, 2023. He had a 20-year banking career before moving into the manufacturing industry working for Daniel Defense and then Blue Force Gear. In 2021, he returned to his alma mater as a business consultant for the Small Business Development Center.

Elmer Clyde “Kyle” Little II (’82) of Statesboro died July 28, 2023, surrounded by family. He pursued a career with the Georgia Department of Corrections and operated a timber farm in Bulloch County.

Carol Rhoton Williamson (’89) of Raleigh, North Carolina, died Aug. 19, 2023. She was a teacher in Savannah and later became a licensed marriage and family therapist.

Donna Milligan Cline (’87) of Braselton Georgia, died Aug. 20, 2023, from injuries in a car accident on her way home from Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The mother of two worked for multiple real estate companies as an administrative assistant.

Larry Jack Sammons (’86,’93) of Savannah died Sept. 10, 2023, in a bicycle accident just two days before his 62nd birthday. He was a registered nurse for decades, working in hospice and home health care. As a local celebrity, he was best known in Savannah for his love of local music, regardless of band, venue, genre or skill. His popular blog, “Larry Jacks Magical Music Tour,” featured a weekly schedule and recommendations of live music acts performing in Savannah.

Gary Glen (’80) of Brunswick, Georgia, passed away Oct. 6, 2023, in the hospital. He was a clerk at Brunswick Cellulose until retirement.

Henry “Mickey” Mauney (’82) of Wrens, Georgia, died in an automobile accident Oct. 6, 2023. He served in the U.S. Army and had a career as a teacher, administrator and coach in Wrens public schools.

Dawn Williams Oliver (’87) of Statesboro passed away Oct. 09, 2023, two years after a cancer diagnosis. She was employed with Georgia Southern University’s Major Gift Office from 2011 until 2013 and was assistant director of Georgia Southern’s Donor Relations department from 2013 until 2020. Most recently, she was the continuing education director at Ogeechee Technical College until her retirement this year.

Melinda Akins Bunton (’85) of Statesboro passed away unexpectedly on Oct. 11, 2023, several days after undergoing surgery for appendiceal cancer. The retired special education teacher at Southeast Bulloch High was a gifted seamstress and an avid gardener.

Tammy Lane Cunningham (’82) of Lawrenceville, Georgia, passed away at home on Oct. 13, 2023. She began her career as a medical technologist at St Joseph’s Hospital in Atlanta and ended with Quest Diagnostics clinical laboratories.

Eston Elzie Price Jr. (’80) of Claxton, Georgia, passed away in the hospital on Oct. 15, 2023, after a brief illness. The U.S. Marine Corps veteran served 33 years as administrator of Evans Memorial Hospital.

Danna Lane Sanders (’81) of Decatur, Georgia, passed away at home Oct. 29, 2023, after a journey with breast cancer. Her interest in public health and nutrition led to a career with the Centers for Disease Control.

Patricia Bell Bazemore Parker (’81) passed away Oct. 30, 2023, at her home near Sylvania, Georgia. She had a long career in education, first as an elementary school teacher, and then as an assistant principal and principal. She retired from the Screven County School Board as the superintendent.

Brenda Williams (’83) of Statesboro passed away Nov. 11, 2023. The registered nurse worked several years at Bulloch Memorial Hospital and later as director of a nursing home. She faced many health challenges after a tragic accident in 1999.

1990s

James “Jim” Miller (’99) of Brunswick, Georgia, died Jan. 7, 2023, in hospice care. He spent several years working in the family’s cabinet business before returning to education as a teacher and assistant principal.

Wanda Walker Miller (’98) of Wilmington Island, Georgia, died Jan. 18, 2023, following an extended cancer illness. She was a lifelong educator.

Gil Basilio (’94) of Steamboat Springs, Colorado, died Jan. 21, 2023, after experiencing cancer. The avid outdoorsman enjoyed snowboarding, fishing, paddleboarding, camping, boating, rafting, diving and golf.

Christina Copeland Stanfill (’98) of Austell, Georgia, died on Feb. 3, 2023.

Dija Brown (’99) of Sandy Springs, Georgia, died March 9, 2023. She worked as a senior technical designer for a leading shapewear company.

Jennifer Dawn Waters Patterson (’97) of Starr, South Carolina, died March 22, 2023. She worked as a training program coordinator with the South Carolina Department of Social Services.

Nicole Cone (’96,’98) of Mableton, Georgia, died May 7, 2023, at home surrounded by family. The Statesboro native was a manager of Outside Planning and Engineering Design at AT&T in Atlanta.

Kathrina “Kay” Schuller Robb (’90) of Savannah died May 20, 2023, in Clemson, South Carolina. She taught in several Savannah schools before serving as a media specialist in various Chatham County schools until her retirement in 2007.

Lisa Mosley Browning (’92) of Valdosta, Georgia, died May 20, 2023, at home from a chronic gastrointestinal infection. She was employed by the Lowndes County Board of Education at Hahira Elementary School, where she was adored by her students.

Teresa Joyce Hortman (’92) of Kingsland, Georgia, passed away at home May 20, 2023. She was a librarian and teacher and owned her own interior decorating business for many years.

Virginia Cannon Highsmith (’94) of Waycross, Georgia, died Aug. 11, 2023, at Memorial Satilla Health. She had an early career as a nurse but in 1979, she began teaching in the Ware County School System as a health occupations teacher and retired after 34 years of service.

Ann Dement Blackmon (’98) of Statesboro died at home on Sept. 2, 2023, after a brief illness. She was a real estate agent.

Mark Waller (’97) of Fort Mill, South Carolina, died Sept. 12, 2023, after an oligodendroglioma brain cancer diagnosis. He had a career in the hardscape industry with customized projects throughout the Carolinas.

James “Jim” Drury (’92, ’99) of Brunswick, Georgia, died surrounded by friends and family on Sept. 17, 2023. He spent nearly three decades as a special education teacher, and later as an art teacher with the Glynn County Public School System.

Jerry McGuire (’94) of Sylvania, Georgia, passed away Oct. 5, 2023, at a hospital in Atlanta after an extended illness. The U.S. Army Vietnam War veteran spent many years as a paramedic in the Augusta area. He spent the second half of his career in mental health services.

2000s

Janice Smith Guyton (’07) of Glennville, Georgia, passed away Jan. 2, 2023. She was a phlebotomist and worked five years at Winn Army Hospital and 14 years at Liberty Memorial.

Paul Bradley Jr. (’15) of Savannah died as a result of an automobile accident on June 30, 2023. He left behind a legacy of more than 10 years of commitment to higher education. Bradley was the assistant director of student activities at Georgia Southern University – Armstrong Campus at the time of his death.

Benjamin “Ben” Neville (’08,’11,’18) of Savannah passed away July 8, 2022. A Triple Eagle, he was employed by Old Savannah Trolley Tours.

Aaron Lee Roberson (’11) of Richmond Hill, Georgia, died Sept. 12, 2023, at Candler Hospital in Savannah. He was an accountant at a Savannah firm.

Noel Wheeler (’02) of Statesboro passed away Sept. 18, 2023. The native of Trinidad worked in purchasing at Gulfstream and later for the City of Statesboro. He was passionate about cooking and operated the Caribbean Feast restaurant until his health declined.

Robin Halbert Hagan (’03) of Warner Robins, Georgia, passed away peacefully Sept. 22, 2023. She devoted many years to teaching and lived a life of service alongside her husband at various United Methodist churches.

Shron Roberts (’01) of Sylvania, Georgia, passed away on Oct. 21, 2023.

Professor Emerita Nancy Jones Lanier (’76) of St. Simons Island, Georgia, died Feb. 1, 2023. Early in her career, she was a music educator but after earning advanced degrees in education, she joined the Georgia Southern University College of Education to teach and supervise special education student teachers.

Professor Emerita Martha Anderson Coleman of Statesboro died March 1, 2023. She joined the nursing faculty at Armstrong in 1975 and was instrumental in establishing the RN-toBSN program. She was also a founding faculty member of the nursing program at Georgia Southern in Statesboro. She also joined the Georgia Air National Guard as a flight nurse attaining the rank of major.

Professor Emeritus William “Bobby” Smith Sr. of Statesboro died March 12, 2023. He was an instructor of economics at Georgia Southern and received the Excellence in Teaching Award the second year it was presented. In addition, he was co-owner of E.A. Smith Grain Company and Smith Supply Company and a founder and supporter of Ogeechee Area Hospice.

Professor Emeritus C. Charlton Moseley (’59,’65) of Statesboro died March 15, 2023. The history professor was a Georgia Southern faculty member for 31 years before retiring in 1996. Teaching was his passion, and he had an intense love for history, particularly the American frontier and the movement west.

James Hodges, a lifelong resident of Bulloch County, Georgia, died April 26, 2023, in hospice care. He was well known for his leadership and involvement in the community, including his service to the Georgia Southern University Foundation, the Southern Boosters, and as a member of the College of Business Administration advisory board.

Edward Sibbald of Statesboro died May 25, 2023, in Savannah. He had a long and distinguished career in the banking industry. After moving to Statesboro in 2006, he embraced a new career as an educator and became a lecturer of finance at Georgia Southern. He was also director of the University’s Center for Excellence in Financial Services.

Faye Sanders Martin, retired Superior Court Judge for the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit, passed away May 27, 2023, in Statesboro. After attending Georgia Southern and Woodrow Wilson College of Law, she was admitted to the Georgia Bar Association in 1956 and practiced law until 1978 when she was appointed to serve on Georgia’s Ogeechee Judicial Circuit. She was elected and served five consecutive four-year terms until her retirement. She received numerous honors and awards during her lifetime including the Distinguished Alumni Award from Georgia Southern.

Kelly Berry, a theatre professor, died June 3, 2023, in hospice care at his Statesboro home. In 2003, he began his Georgia Southern career and was the director of theatre at the time of his death. He was active in many organizations, including the Averitt Center for the Arts, where he had served as the president for the past two years.

Professor and Dean Emeritus Joseph V. Adams, Ph.D., of Savannah died June 13, 2023. He served as a psychology professor and in several dean positions during his 27 years at Armstrong. After he retired in 1997, Adams returned to half-time service for four years as a special administrator, developing the first international exchange programs at Armstrong.

Vaughn Vandegrift, Ph.D., of Arlington, Virginia, died July 11, 2023, in hospice care. The former Georgia Southern provost and vice president for academic affairs had a form of Parkinsonism.

Professor Emerita Natalia da Roza of Statesboro died Aug. 10, 2023. She joined Georgia Southern in 1986 as a professor of music and was head of piano. During her career, she performed in dozens of concerts around the country and internationally, taught hundreds of students, and made recordings of classical pieces.

Celine Manoosingh, Ph.D., a professor in the Allen E. Paulson College of Engineering and Computing, died Aug. 22, 2023. The native of the Cayman Islands left a lasting mark during her nine years in the Department of Civil Engineering and Construction. She taught a diverse range of courses in construction management and civil engineering, helping shape the future of many undergraduate and graduate students. Manoosingh was not only an academic and researcher but also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion in engineering education. She received awards from the Society of Women Engineers and shined in competitions such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s P3 Competition.

Professor Emeritus Todd Hizer, Ph.D., of Savannah died at home on Oct. 8, 2023, after a journey with cancer. The chemistry professor joined the Armstrong faculty in 1989 and retired in 2020 after 31 years of teaching. During his tenure, Hizer was the interim head of the Department of Chemistry and Physics from 2004 to 2006. An enthusiastic backer of Armstrong sports, he often attended games and enthusiastically cheered on the Pirates. According to his family, there is no separating Hizer and Armstrong. “Todd is Armstrong and Armstrong is Todd,” said his daughter Erica Buskey.

Professor Emeritus George Shriver Jr. of Statesboro passed away in hospice care Oct. 27, 2023. Founder and chair of the religious studies minor at Georgia Southern, he published 10 books and dozens of articles in this field. He received many honors during his 26 years at Georgia Southern, including the university award for Excellence in Research, and Professor of the Year. He was the women’s tennis coach for 10 years.

Professor Emeritus Donald Whaley (’56,’61) of Statesboro passed away at home Oct. 19, 2023. He spent four years in the U.S. Navy before returning to school and starting a teaching career in industrial arts. He retired from Georgia Southern after 23 years in the School of Technology. He also is remembered for his dedication to the Kiwanis Club and his efforts to improve the yearly fair.