WE REMEMBER OUR FRIENDS
IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER
MICHAEL LEWIS DUNN - May 26, 1971
Mike was killed in an accident at Hollywood Mill (Buckeye Cellulose) when crushed
between a tractor & rail car with 50 tons of cottonseed meal. Mike was a meal-grinding
operator & had been at work only 6 days - less than a week after graduation! He was
20 years old, single & a member of Leawood Baptist. He left his parents - Mr. & Mrs.
Charley Dunn; 2 brothers, Charlie and Ronnie; 2 sisters, Pamela and Susan; and his
grandparents.
LARRY GORDON JONES - January 20, 1973
Larry was killed in a car accident on McCrory in Memphis. He was a passenger in the
car of a “Friend” who was driving while intoxicated. Their car hit another car, injuring 4
people, then a truck. Larry was 19, single, & a carpenter trainee with FOGELMAN
CONSTRUCTION. He left his parents - Mr. & Mrs. Bobby Lee Jones; 2 brothers Andrew & Donald; a sister, and his grandparents.
HUDSON HARVEY YOUNG, JR. - December 18, 1976
Hudson died of a self-inflicted rifle shot to the chest at home. He was 23 years old,
married, a mechanic and lived at 4448 Powell. The police said he apparently died
sometime between 3:30 / 6:00 am when he was found by his wife, Mary. He also left his
mother - Mrs. Mamie Young; a brother - Michael, a sister - Mrs. Jerome Glidwell, and his
grandparents - Mr. & Mrs. Steve Jackson all of Memphis.
DONALD EDWARD BURRIS - May 14, 1978
Don was killed in a hang gliding accident near Booneville, Ark. on Mothers Day 1978.
He was 25 years old, single, and worked for FedEx. He left his parents - Mr. &
Mrs.Edward E. Burris (She was a Civics / History teacher at Kingsbury, retired 1980); a
sister; and his grandparents.
PAUL QUINCY FOUST - July 25, 1981
Quinn was killed in a head-on car collision about 2 1/2 miles west of West Memphis,
Ark. on U.S. 70. He was 29 years old & an employee of Judy’s Restaurants. He left his
wife - Brenda; his parents - Mr. & Mrs. Paul Foust; and a sister - Marilyn Cruthirds.
JOHN DAVID KING - August 28, 1984
John died after years of treatment for melanoma skin cancer. He was 32, married, &
worked for Shelby Electric at the time of his death. He left his wife Debbie (Smith’75);
a daughter Sarah Michelle; a sister - Joyce; his father Otis and 4 brothers - Robert,
Andy, Richard, and Otis. Although John did not graduate (he withdrew in mid-year and
received a certificate later) we include him because he was a special friend to many of
us.
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DEWEY KENNETH SHELBY - November 1986
Kenny had a kidney transplant in 1984. This is all we know at this time.
KENNETH RAY HIGHLAND - August 8, 1988 (8/8/88 ! )
Kenny (36) was a truck driver for J. B. HUNTER Department stores & had just returned
from a trip to Boston when he accidentally overdosed on some drugs in his hotel room
at the Admiral Benbow on Summer Avenue in Memphis. He left his wife Denise; his
mother Lillie Highland of Memphis; his Father and Stepmother, Porter Highland of New
Carney, TX., his sister Phyllis (Highland) Hilliard ’71 of Cordova; and his
Grandmother, Loney Dixon of Iuka, MS. Burial is in Forest Hill Cemetery East.
LARRY ABBOTT - August 23, 1989
Larry did not graduate. He had a severe motorcycle accident in 1980 that left him with
several injuries (both knees, hip, & a crushed hand). After recovering to walk again &
returning to work (mechanic at Greyhound) he still suffered. Two weeks before his death
he had a wreck resulting in a concussion. After medication & depression Larry shot
himself at home. He left his wife Connie; 2 sons, Thomas Shane & Jeremy Wayne;
mother Mrs. Frankie Avanzi, & grandmother, Mrs. W.R. Abbott.
KENNY LEE TAYLOR - April 11, 1990
Kenny, 36, married Teresa Gammel ‘71 (both dropped out before graduating) and had
2 children: Kenny, Jr. & Kathy (Taylor) Lobianco (ktlobo@email.com). They divorced
and he married Billie Sue and had 1 son, Jeffrey. Kenny was in a car accident in the
9th grade; had heart surgery and an artery may not have been reattached sufficiently, in
1990 the artery detached and he died instantly at home in Millington. Both he and Billie
Sue worked at a photo lab (he a photographer/film processor & she a lab tech). Teresa
& Kenny, Jr. are in Texas. He left his parents, Mr. & Mrs. Henry Taylor (Tillatoba, MS); 1
sister, Phyllis Ann (Taylor ’73) Cooper (Mrs. Richard Cooper ’71) Bartlett and 1
brother, Clinton Taylor (Memphis). Burial is in Memphis Memory Gardens.
From his daughter Kathy (May 2001): “Dad died of a heart attack on April 11, 1990. He
was a film processor / photographer for Southern Color Corp of Tennessee. (Despite
his) heart problem, he never lost his sense of humor and relied on practical jokes to
make people laugh. He received a GED and went to a community college. Daddy gave
me my middle name after the Beatles "Michelle". Kenny, your laughter and smile we
miss; hope you are enjoying your piece of heaven.”
GREGORY LYNN HAMILTON - June 3, 1990
Greg died at home of a blood clot on June 3, 1990 leaving his wife Katherine; a son
Gregory L. Hamilton, Jr. both of Memphis; his parents - L.E. and Betty Hamilton (The
Dalles, Oregon) and 2 brothers: E.L. Hamilton (Memphis) & Dr. William Hamilton (The
Dalles, Oregon).
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JOSEPH PATRICK STEWART - February 4, 1991
Joe was working at a furniture manufacturer in California when he was involved in a car
accident that left him with severe injuries. After coming back home to Memphis and
having surgery they discovered that he had pancreatic cancer that was inoperable. He
died at his parents’ home. Tragedy had struck the family earlier in the fall of 1990 when
Joe’s older sister was killed by a drunk driver hitting the passenger side of the car she
was riding in. Then towards the end of 1990 his father had a heart attack and 3 weeks
after his father came home is when Joe passed away. Joe’s parents’ address is:
J P Stewart: 1199 Vaughn Road, Memphis, TN. 38122; (901) 327-2288
JEFFREY LEWIS ALLEN - August 17, 1992
Our class Salutatorian - Jeffrey worked at LeBonheur Children’s Hospital and then St.
Francis Hospital as Director of Medical Services and taught Respiratory Therapy. He
broke his leg on the way to a hospital seminar and later developed an embolism and
died within 24 hours. His friends and co-workers had to work on him to try and save
him. He left a companion of 14 years - Debra Cunningham - whom he had cared for she is wheelchair bound and a local advocate for handicapped persons.
JIMMY WILSON RUSSELL - February 7, 1994
Jimmy (40) had a brain aneurysm while driving and was talked home by his wife
Suzanne, then later died at St. Francis Hospital. Jimmy was a manager for Union
Pacific Railroad. The family lived in Collierville, TN. He left his wife Suzanne; 3
children: Amy 18, Neill 16, James 11; his parents - Amelia and Wayne Beard of
Memphis; a brother, Jerrolds Russell and a grandmother, Bessie Jerrolds, both of
Savannah, TN. Burial is in Neill Cemetery in Savannah.
GLENN HERBERT THOMPSON -
August 22, 1994
Glenn (41) died of a gunshot wound. He was a service tech for Scott Contractors in
Memphis and a member at Central Church. He left 2 daughters, Rachelle Bridgewater
of Sledge, MS & Jennifer Thompson of Horn Lake, MS; 2 sons, Nicholas & Matthew
Thompson of Germantown; his parents - Herbert & Shelia Thompson of Brighton; 3
sisters, Livia Manard of Memphis, Connie Hall of Brighton. (Mrs. Ron Hall ’71), Chris
Finger of Hernando, MS. & 1 grandson. Burial is in Forest Hill East.
MARVIN CLIFTON AVENT - December 28, 1995
Clifton (42) lapsed into a coma from a brain aneurysm about 8 weeks before his death.
He lived in Bartlett and worked for Volunteer Auto Sales in Millington. He left 1son,
Jonathan (15) - who was adopted by a friend after Clifton’s death; - a stepmother, Ann
Avent; and a stepbrother, Frank Underwood, all of Memphis.
SOL RAYFORD DePRIEST - April 21, 1996
Ray (43) died after battling lymphoma. He was a supervisor in the welding shop of MLG
& W. He left behind his 2nd wife Pam (Stirling ‘73), daughter, Carrie 18; son Clifton 15
((both kids married in 1999)); his father, Sol DePriest, Jr. & sisters, Rita Davis (‘71) and
Paula Spuryer (‘68). Burial is in Forest Hill East (Whitten Road). Send memorials to
the American Cancer Society. Charles Ritchie sang and gave part of the funeral.
PAMELA RUTH (STIRLING) DePRIEST - March 15, 2000
Pam (43), (class of '73, widow of Ray), died of liver failure in Acapulco. She was a 16-yr employee
of “The Half Shell” restaurant and leaves parents, Alice & Jack Stirling of Bartlett; sister, Laurie
(Stirling) Casto (class of ’72) of Cocoa Beach, FL, & brother, Steve Stirling of Bartlett. Burial is
next to Ray.
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JAMES STEPHEN FOSTER - April 22, 1997
As a result of severe depression, Steve (43) died after setting his truck on fire off Mt. Pisgah
Road. He had returned to Memphis after relocating to Las Vegas in Nov. ‘96. Steve and
Diane left Memphis to rebuild their lives after the loss of their son Ben (14) on Labor Day ’94
from a gunshot suicide and Steve’s layoff from PEPSI after 14 years. Steve never recovered
from these 2 losses. He leaves his wife, Diane; older son Stephen Travis Foster of Las
Vegas; his parents – Odis B. & Sarah E. Foster of Memphis; 2 brothers – Danny F. Foster
(’69) of Jackson, MS. & Timothy D. Foster of Memphis and a cousin, Roxann (Foster)
Mitchell (’73) (Mrs. Tommy Mitchell’71). Diane had his body cremated; the parents held a
separate memorial.
STEVEN LEWIS BRIDGEWATER - May 2, 1997
Steve (44) was killed by a car while standing near his vehicle on Kirby-Whitten Road in
Bartlett. He was a painter with Steve Lopez ’71 and lived in Somerville,TN. with his 2nd wife
Donna Jo. He attended North Texas State in Denton,TX while helping his sister Brenda
build her house. He also leaves 1 daughter: Christy (Memphis); 3 sons – Jason (Southaven,
MS), Craig (Memphis), & Joseph (age 2, Somerville); 2 stepsons: Steve Kirby & Michael
Roberts (Somerville); 2 sisters: Brenda Smith (‘ Collierville,TX) & Angela Knight ’67
(Cordova, married to Bobby Knight ’71); & 2 brothers: John (‘ Jonestown, MS) & Joseph
(‘ Memphis). Burial is in Hood Cemetery, Warren, Fayette County, TN.
JAMES ROBERT GREER - February 4, 1998
James (44) died after a cerebral hemorrhage at his work Mr. Complete Auto Parts Salvage
on Chelsea Avenue. He leaves his wife Toni Denise Greer (Millington); 6 daughters:
Michelle & Denise (Nashville), Crystal (Memphis), and Jamie, Kristina, & Denise (Millington);
1 son, Michael Key (Memphis); his father Sherman L. Greer (Water Valley, MS); 2 sisters:
Polly A. Hoskins (Potts Camp, MS) & Brenda Fellinger (Destin); 5 brothers: Billy (Naperville,
IL), Sherman, Jr. (KHS ’69 Memphis), Roger (Water Valley), Albert & Harold (Bartlett, TN);
and 2 grandchildren. Burial is in Oak Hill Cemetery in Water Valley, MS.
BARRY EUGENE BLACKWELL - December 17, 1999
Barry (47) was a self-employed painter, died of congestive heart failure at home. He was a
member of Grace Community Evangelical Methodist Church. Barry never married and he
leaves his parents, Grover and Aline Blackwell of Memphis and 2 sisters – Brenda Qualls
(class of ’65) of Cordova, TN. & Michele Bishop (Briarcrest) of Oakfield TN. Burial is at
Forest Hill Cemetery East (Whitten Road). Memorials can be sent to the American Diabetes
Association, or the American Heart Association.
STEPHEN PORTER CUTLER - April 8, 2000
Steve (46) of Millington, TN died after an 8-year battle and numerous operations with brain
cancer. His was cremated and the ashes scattered in Cades Cove at Gatlinburg. He and
Mary had taken a trip there just 3 weeks prior to his death. He was a former member of
Gregg Avenue Church of Christ; a US Air Force Airborne veteran; a self-employed
professional photographer who taught continuing education photography classes at The
University of Memphis; and was a “Memphis In May” photography chairman. He leaves
Mary, his wife of 27 years; 2 daughters, Stephanie Marie 20, Tina Renee 14 all of 4442
Duncan Road, Millington 38053, 872-7056 and his sister, June (Cutler) Kidd (class of ’65)
of Fayette County, TN. A sister, Arleene Cutler, who taught at Kingsbury died in 1996 and
older brother Harold “Butch” Cutler (Treadwell ’58) died in 1998. His parents, Arlie &
Talmadge Cutler are deceased. The family requests that any memorials be sent to the
American Cancer Society.
From: Mike Strauser ‘71: Aaa1965@aol.com, We worked at Firestone together in the 70's,
rode dirt bikes and ran around together a lot. After we were laid off we drifted apart & haven't
talked to him in years. I had no idea….
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BARBARA LYNN (White) BRITT - March 15, 2003
Barbara, 49, died March 15, 2003 at Methodist Healthcare-North. At one time Barbara
worked at Methodist Hospital North in Medical Records. She was a member of FOSCO
Fellowship Class at Bellevue Baptist. Barbara is survived by her husband Andy Britt
(8320 Chimney Rock Blvd, Cordova, TN 38016; 751-8592); daughters Rebekah (24)
and Stephanie Britt (13), and a son Bryan Britt (26) all of Cordova; her mother, Betty
White (4284 Emily Avenue, Memphis 38122), and 4 brothers, Steve White and Paul
White, both of Memphis, Scott White of Crossville, TN., & Mark White of Collierville.
Burial is in Memory Hill Gardens. The family requests that memorials be sent to the
American Cancer Society or Bellevue Baptist Church.
MICHAEL D. SOUTH - May 24, 2003
died at Baptist Hospital. Burial is in Memphis Memory Gardens. He was a Baptist. Mike,
husband of Gigi South for 10 years, also leaves a daughter, Lesley Lawson (21) of
Atoka; a son, Brian South (22) of Bartlett; two stepdaughters, Mikki Rogers (18) of
Cordova and Jessica Rogers (14) of Memphis; his mother, Betty Jo South of Memphis;
two brothers, Daniel R. South of Richmond Hill, Ga., and George Stephen South of
Memphis, and a step-grandson. The family requests that memorials be sent to the
American Diabetes Association. Mike’s mother's address is:
Betty Jo South - 4172 Macon Road, Memphis, TN. 38122-2430, 901-323-6686
OTTO MARTIN CHAPMAN, JR.
- October 3, 2003
Marty died at Lourdes hospital in Paducah, KY. Born in Memphis, Marty graduated from
Rhodes College & the University of Memphis with a Juris Doctorate degree. He was a
retired attorney for the Social Security Administration court of appeals, where he
received several commissioner awards. He was a Baptist and a Lions Club member. He
leaves his mother, Sada Goff Chapman of Conway, Ark.; 3 daughters, Amy Chapman of
Mount Holyoke, Mass., and Katie and Sarah Chapman, both of Lone Oak, KY, & a
sister, Patricia Chapman Weir (’66) of Sugar Tree, TN. He was preceded in death by
his father, Otto Martin Chapman Sr. Burial is in Houston, Ark. Memorials: the American
Diabetes Association, Watterson City Office Park, Bishop Lane Suite 110, Louisville, KY
40218, or charity of choice. Martin had been in failing health for a while. He was on
dialysis treatment everyday in his last days. He also had acquired a very aggressive
infection to his frail body.
SANDRA KAY (POFF) KNIGHT - October 19, 2004
Sandra (51) of Bartlett, homemaker, died at home. Burial is in Memory Hill Gardens.
She was a member of Agape Baptist Church. The wife of Tommy Knight, Sandra also
leaves 2 sons, Eddie Knight and Jared Knight, both of Memphis; her father, John Poff of
Bartlett; 3 sisters, Linda Vickery of Eads, Cathy Vanzant of Bartlett and Pamela
Schroeder of Hendersonville, Tenn., and four grandchildren. The family requests that
any memorials be sent to Ellendale Baptist Church.
If you would like the honor any of these classmates by sending a memorial to the KHS Alumni
Association, Inc. Scholarship Fund. Monies are given to KHS graduates, their children, and
grandchildren in the form of scholarships; or emergency assistance in the time of death, illness, or
catastrophe. State which classmate the memorial is in memory of from the Class of 1971 and
send your memorial to:
The KHS Alumni Association, Inc.
7438 Olivia Hill Drive
Bartlett, TN 38133
Kingsbury Class of 1971 Memorial
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