By Ken Johnson
Volume 1, Number 3
410 East Franklin Street, Wytheville, VA 24382
May 2008
www.wythevilletrainingschool.org
WYTHEVILLE TRAINING SCHOOL CULTURAL
CENTER RECEIVES MAJOR GRANT AWARD
On April 1, 2008, the Wytheville Training School Cultural Center (WTSCC) Board of Directors received notification of the
receipt of a grant award in the amount of $76,110 from the Wythe-Bland Community Foundation. The mission of the Wythe-Bland
Community Foundation is to provide opportunities to improve the health, education, and welfare of the citizens of the Wythe and Bland
communities, with an emphasis on health care needs. The grant award will be used to expand the scope and variety of programs and
services currently being offered by the WTSCC.
One of the new activities planned will be a series of free community workshops, programs, and services related to critical physical
and mental health needs of children, youth, and adults. Working in cooperation with professional staff from the local social services
department, 4-H, and other similar community organizations, programs will be offered on a variety of important topics, including drug,
alcohol, and violence prevention; conflict resolution; parenting; budgeting; nutrition, citizenship; and job readiness skills. Basic computer instruction, Internet access, and on-line application assistance will also be provided in the WTSCC’s updated computer center
funded by the grant award
Grant monies will also be utilized to expand the Center’s after-school tutoring program for children and its adult basic literacy efforts. The WTSCC is currently home to a successful tutoring program that provides free assistance in core academic subjects to any
child who is considered at risk for academic failure. Volunteer tutors from the Wythe County Retired Teachers Association, Gatorade,
and retired professors from Wytheville Community College work with these children to provide individual instruction and motivational
support. The WTSCC also houses the One-on-One Literacy Program where area adults receive free basic literacy instruction (reading,
writing, and math) from volunteers. Funds from the grant award will be used to purchase tutoring supplies, equipment, and furniture to
support both of these important educational endeavors.
The final set of programs that will be funded by the grant will involve a partnership between the WTSCC and Wytheville Community College to participate in a new community-wide “Healthy Living” initiative. Because of its important historical role and physical
location, the WTSCC will serve as a delivery site for a variety of community health education programs and on-site screening sessions
provided by allied health faculty and students from the college. Programs already identified include ones related to diabetes, nutrition,
and chronic back pain, while on-location testing will include dental screenings and blood pressure and blood glucose monitoring. All of
the programs supported by the grant award will be delivered at the WTSCC and will be open to any community resident without charge.
This exciting grant award from the Wythe-Bland Community Foundation will help ensure that the Wytheville Training School Cultural Center is able to continue its long tradition of serving the educational needs of the community for generations to come; however,
because grant funds can only be used for programmatic and not operational expenses or building repairs, financial support from friends
and alumni is still needed. If you are interested in making a donation or learning more about our programs and services, please contact
us at 410 East Franklin Street or call at (276) 625-0042.
The Wytheogram
is a publication of
The Wytheville Training School Cultural Center, Inc.
410 East Franklin Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
Tele: (276) 625-0042
Fax: (276) 625-0028
E-mail: wtscc1952@wythenet.com
www.wythevilletrainingschool.org
Officers
President: Robert Kegley
Vice President: Margaret Lee
Treasurer: Richard W. Martel
Recording Secretary: Joan Bolduc
Finance Chairman
Chairperson: Dick Martel
Corresponding Secretary
Edith M. Sawyers
Education Coordinator
Chairperson: Margaret Lee/Saunder
Gordon
Special Events
Chairperson: Lisa Houston
Public Relations & Publicity
Chairperson: Marcella Taylor
Fundraising & Revenue Committee
Chairperson: Frances Emerson
Board Development:
Linda DiYorio
Buildings & Grounds Committee
Edith Sawyers
The Wytheogram is published by the
Wytheville Training School Cultural Center, Inc., The Wytheogram is dedicated to
serving its recipients with up to date and
accurate historical information. All submitted information is subject to editing. The
Wytheogram will provide space available
for all provided information without warranty of publication date.
Of Note….
Supporters of the Wytheville
Training School Cultural Center should
be proud of the teamwork involved in
writing the successful grant described
on page one of this issue of The
Wytheogram. Grant writers Frances
Emerson and Dr. Phyllis Ashworth
were joined by a team comprised of
board members Saunder Gordon,
Robert Kegley, Margaret Lee, Joan
Bolduc, Dick Martel and community
member Judy Walters.
Expansion of programs at WTSCC
means our need for volunteers is ever
growing. Please consider tutoring a
child after school or throughout the
summer. Tutors are needed for all
grades—elementary school age through
high school level. Contact Saunder
Gordon at WTSCC for more information.
Your help is appreciated even if
you live at a distance and are unable to
volunteer your time. WTSCC could not
survive without the contributions of
alumni who live throughout the United
States. Thank you for your continued
support.
Rockdale Plans
Plans for expansion of programs at
WTSCC means a new use for the Rock
Dale School adjacent to the Wytheville
Training School. Tentative plans include
the relocation of our long-time friend the
One-on-One Literacy program for Wythe
and Bland Counties into this space. The
space currently used by On-on-One has
been slated for the future site of the
Wythe County African-American Heritage Museum, which is still on the drawing board.
Ongoing Need
Recognition to a special group of
donors to the Wytheville Training School
Cultural Center is long overdue. This
group recognizes that the need for funds
to cover our mortgage is a year-in and
year-out reality. Many individuals and
corporations commit to covering the payment of our mortgage for one month out
of the year. Coverage for many months is
still available. One month’s coverage
equals six hundred fifteen dollars. . Won’t
you consider making your tax-deductible
contribution today?
Volunteers Core to Success
At WTSCC, we’re fortunate to have
the support of volunteers from organizations such as the Wythe County Retired
Teachers Association and employees of
Gatorade. We’re counting their hours!
Every hour of time is matched through an
allocation made by the Virginia General
Assembly through legislation passed in
2007.
Here is my donation. I enclose my check for $__________.
MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: Wytheville Training School Cultural Center, Inc.
MAIL TO: Wytheville Training School Cultural Center, Inc., 410 East Franklin St. Wytheville, Virginia 24382
Name: ________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
City: ________________________________ State: __________________________Zip Code: ________________
Telephone: (day) _________________ (evening) _____________________e-mail: __________________
I want to volunteer my time. Please contact me .
(Page 2)
Please remove my name from the mailing list.
Obituaries
Martha Lee Crockett Taylor, 59, of Wytheville died Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007, at her residence. Internment service was
held Thursday, Sept. 20, at 11 a.m. at West End Cemetery. She was born May 24, 1948, in Pulaski County, a daughter of
the late Reverend Edd D. and Virginia Jackson Crockett. She was preceded in death by a brother, Edward June Crockett.
Survivors include her husband, Edward G. Taylor Jr. of Wytheville; daughter, Rosalind June Taylor of Wytheville; son
Jeffery Crockett of Wytheville; sister, Esther Campbell of Wytheville; two half sisters, Ramona Jones of Max Meadows
and Ardelia Reed of Wytheville; four brothers-in-law; six sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and
friends. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville was in charge of the arrangements.
——
Todd Alexander Blue, of Wytheville, Va. was born August 13, 1987 in Washington, D.C. to John Briggs
and Patricia Blue. He departed this life on September 10, 2007. Todd graduated from George Wythe High
School in 2005. After high school, he enlisted into the U.S. Air Force. While serving in the Air Force,
Todd received many honors. He was stationed at Minot Air Force Base in Minot, N.D. Todd leaves behind lots of great memories of him. He was a star athlete in track and field and football. He was very outgoing, ambitious, and great with helping others deal with hard situations. He was preceded in death by his
grandfather, Mr. Clarence Blue, Sr. He leaves to cherish his memory his mother, Patricia Blue; his father,
John Briggs and stepmother, Faith Briggs; one sister, Alvina Blue; two brothers, Bryan Blue and Patrick
Bryant; three wonderful grandmothers, Ms. Sarah C. Blue, Mrs. Mildred Patterson, and Mrs. Remonia Haskins; two
grandfathers, Mr. Willie Patterson and Mr. Cecil Haskins; ten aunts; four uncles; one niece; two nephews; and many
other friends and family. A memorial service was held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, September 16, 2007 at Bethel A.M.E.
Church, 635 E. Main Street, Wytheville, Va. with the Reverend Daryl E. Beamer, Sr. officiating. Interment took place in
Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. arrangements entrusted to Penn'
s Funeral Home, Pulaski. Todd was
instrumental in setting up the computers, computer tables and loading programs on each machine center at the Wytheville Training School Cultural Center.
——
Charles A. Johnson Charles Arthur Johnson, 87, of Wytheville died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007. A memorial graves side service was held Thursday, Oct. 4, at 1 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery with the Rev. Phillip
Maxwell officiating. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was an employee of Central Drug
Store. His parents, Daniel P. and Cora Gardner Johnson, preceded him in death. Survivors include a sister,
Kathaleen Johnson of Wytheville; and several nieces and nephews. Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville is
in charge of the arrangements.
_________
Betty Ruth Carter Kyle, 72, of Pulaski, died Friday, Oct. 5, 2007 at her home. She was born in Grayson County on
April 15, 1935 to Charlie and Massie Edward Carter. Survivors include her husband, Sam Kyle; three sons, Steven Kyle,
Charles Kyle and Brian Kyle, all of Pulaski; a brother, Glen Carter of Spartaburg, S.C., and one grandson. A funeral was
held Sunday at 1 p.m. in the Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home Chapel with burial in the Bethany Cemetery. The Rev.
Daryl Beamer and the Rev. Oliver Lewis officiated. Mrs. Kyle attended the Wytheville Training School and was a 1953
graduate of Scott Memorial High School. He husband Sam Kyle, Jr., was a 1959 graduate of Scott.
__________
Lester William Cox, 78, of Galax, died Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2007, at his home. He was born Aug. 30, 1929, in Ashe
County, N.C., to Bly and Callie Guynn Cox. Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Cox of Galax; three daughters and two
sons-in-law, Audrey and Arthur Kyle Jr., Gwendolyn Simmons, all of Galax, and Harriet Vanessa and Jerry Sales of
Mount Airy, N.C.; a foster brother, Harold Cox of Galax; five grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and a host of
relatives and friends. A funeral was held Sunday at Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home with burial in the Glades Memorial
Cemetery. The Rev. William Beamer and Evangelist Gloria Richardson officiated. Lester Cox was a 1959 graduate of
Scott Memorial High School.
(page three)
Beatrice A. Austin Beckham of Monroe, N.C., formerly of the Piney community in Wythe County,
died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007, in Monroe, N. C. Funeral service was held Thursday, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. at
the Barnett Funeral Chapel with Sterling E. Beckham Jr. officiating. Interment will be in Red Bluff
Cemetery, Ivanhoe. She graduated from the Wytheville Training School and then took courses at Virginia State University. She later married Sterling E. Beckham Sr. of Philadelphia, Pa., and settled in
New York City, N. Y., for more than 40 years. She worked as a security supervisor at the New York
University Bookstore before retiring. After the death of her husband, she spent several years in the Midlothian area before moving to Monroe, N. C. Her mother, Phyllis Howard, preceded her in death. Survivors include
a daughter, Marcella E. Beckham of New York, N. Y.; two sons, Sterling E. Beckham Jr. of Monroe, N. C., and
John D. Beckham of Teaneck, N. J.; a sister, Augusta Austin Sayles of Wytheville, the Piney community; seven
grandchildren; a great-grandson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville
is in charge of the arrangements.
Gary Thomas Laing, of Wytheville, Va., departed this life on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 after complications from a
liver transplant and pulmonary fibrosis. Gary was born September 8, 1944, the son of Thomas and Florence Spradlin
Laing. He received undergraduate and graduate engineering degrees from Virginia Tech and was a veteran of the United
States Air Force. In 1971 Gary began his career as an educator at Wytheville Community College System and was honored as Professor Emeritus of WCC in 2007. He was a member of the Wythe County School Board for eight years where
his focus was always the student. As a member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Wytheville, he served in a variety of
roles and was an active volunteer in the community. He was honored by the Wytheville Rotary Club in 2006 as a person
who made a difference. Gary was first and foremost a man who loved his family. He married the love of his life, Ann
Stoneburner, in 1965. They have four children. Laura is married to her partner, Gina, and lives in Baltimore with their
daughter, Zoe. Melissa is married to Michael Zacharias and lives in Richmond with their daughters, Hannah, Grace,
Emily and Addison. Drew and his wife, Crystal, live in Wytheville and Graham is a student at Virginia Tech and has a
special friend, Mary Clemons. His younger brother, Michael Laing, lives Front Royal. Gary was a people person who
connected to others on many levels. Always ready with a smile, he loved to give and receive hugs. He was a handyman, a
problem solver, a fisherman, a storyteller, a history buff and a collector of all things, including life-long friends. His life
was celebrated at a memorial service at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Wytheville on Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 2
p.m. The family received friends at the church on Friday evening, November 9, 2007 from 7 until 9 p.m. and out-of-town
guests on Sunday from 1p.m. until service time.
Mary Frances “May” Taylor, 43, of Wytheville died Monday, Oct. 8, 2007. Funeral service was held Thursday October 11, at 2 p.m. at Franklin Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. William Weldon, Pastor Darlene
Grubb and the Rev. Kent Lewis officiating. Interment was in the Oakwood Cemetery. She was born Nov. 21,
1963, a daughter of Edward G. Taylor Sr. and Phyllis June Rogers Taylor Black, both proceeded her in death.
She was also preceded in death by her step-father, Sidney Black Sr., a stepbrother, William “Butchy” Black an
uncle Richard “Buddy” Rogers; and two sisters-in-laws, Martha Taylor and Linda Black. Survivors include four
sons and daughters-in-laws, Damien Leon Taylor, Cory Alexander Taylor and wife Missy; Christopher Lance
Taylor, Kevin Allen Taylor and wife Cassie; seven grandchildren, Ayeshia, Terra, Aasja, Morgan, Dyllen,
Trista and Camron; five sisters, Phyllis Ann Taylor and Odel Brown, Merian L. Taylor, Debra Sue Taylor and
C. J. Burks, Priscilla Kay Taylor, Elizabeth and Jeffrey Miller; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Edward G.
Taylor Jr., Jerry Wayne and Jeanie Taylor, Anthony R. and Bonnie Taylor; three stepsisters, Sue Black, Georgie Black and Pauline Black; two stepbrothers, Sidney Black Jr. and James Black; a very special person in her
life, Lucas Porter, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is
in charge of the arrangements.
(page four)
Leon Juanita Johnson Holliday; 101, of Wytheville died Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007. Funeral service was
held Thursday Dec. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Bethel A. M. E. Church with the Rev. Leonard Davis officiating.
Interment will be in the Oakwood Cemetery. She was born May 26, 1906, in Ivanhoe, a daughter of the
late Hampton and Esther Sayles Johnson. She was a member of the Bethel A. M. E. Church where she
served as stewardess. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Albert Holliday; and four
daughters, Ruth Rivers, Aileen Anderson, Ethel Stephens and Doris Pope. Survivors include three daughters, Cecelia Jones of Freeport, N.Y., Mary Davis of Jamaica, N.Y., and Alice Hill of St. Albans, N.Y.; a
son and daughter-in-law, William A. Jr. and Louella Holliday of Sumpter, S. C.; a sister, Ossie Penn of
Wytheville; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and
nephews; and other relatives and close friends. All the children of Mrs. Holliday attended and graduated
the Wytheville Training School. Barnett Funeral Home in Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements.
——
Hurd Franklin Anderson, 63, of Fries, died Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008, at his home. He was born September 25,
1944, in Grayson County to Warren Franklin and Susie Mae Johnson Anderson. Survivors include his mother,
Susie Mae Johnson Anderson of Fries; daughters and a son-in-law, Tonia and Victor Ross of Douglasville, Ga.,
Sonia D. Anderson and Artisha Lynette Anderson, both of Winston-Salem, N.C., Tacoma R. Anderson of
Woodbridge and Tina Marie Newman of Fries; a brother and sister-in-law, Roger and Judy Anderson of Roanoke; sisters and brothers-in-law, Linda and Ralph King of Lynchburg and Genie and Carl Fugate of Fries; five
grandchildren; a host of uncles and aunts; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral was held Thursday at 2
p.m. at Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home with burial at a later date in Arlington National Cemetery. The family
received friends from noon to 2 p.m. on Thursday January 31, 2008, before the funeral service at the funeral
home. Mr. Anderson was a 1961 graduate of Scott Memorial High School.
——
Janie Elizabeth Young, 90, of Fries, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at her home. She was the widow of Henry
Young. She was born March 30, 1917, in Tazewell, to William Samuel and Henrietta Woods Cochran. Survivors include her daughter, Mattie Lillian Young of Fries; a son and daughter-in-law, William “Turk” and
Donna Young of Fries; a stepson, Thomas A. Young of Atlanta, Ga.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Lucille
and Joe Esposito of Roanoke and Yvonne Craggette of Roanoke; a brother and sister-in-law, Oscar and Jackie
Craggette of Roanoke; six grandchildren; several great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral was held Thursday February 7, 2008, at 1 p.m. at Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home with burial in the Oldtown Cemetery. Pastor Daryl Beamer and the Rev. Matt Linkous will officiate. All of Mrs. Young’s children
attended and graduated Scott Memorial High School.
——
James (Eddie) Penn Jr., 68, of Wytheville, Virginia departed this life on Thursday, January
17, 2008 at Carrington Place, Wytheville, Virginia. He was born February 3, 1939 in Wytheville, Virginia the son of the late James E. Penn, Sr. and Ossie I. Penn. He was a member of
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Wytheville, Virginia. Eddie attended public schools in Wythe County
and graduated from Scott Memorial High School. He was a Veteran having served in the United
States Air Force; he also is a retired employee of A.B.B. Power Company in Bland, Virginia.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving mother Ossie I. Penn of Wytheville, Va.; one son,
Martin Gore of Santa Barbara, Calif.; three grandchildren; one brother, Charles (Lena) Penn of
Wytheville, Va.; two sisters, Frances Diane Wilson of Greensboro, N.C. and Janet L. Penn of
Wytheville, Va.; two devoted nieces, Marva (Moe) Jarman of Greensboro, N.C., and Lori "Harry" Davis of
Bowie, Md.; one nephew, Charles(Jamilyn) Penn, Jr., of Steilacoom, Washington; a special friend, Robert
(Edith) Sawyers of Wytheville, Va., and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral services was held Monday, January 21, 2008 at 2p.m. at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Main Street, Wytheville, Virginia with the Reverend
Leonard Davis, officiating. The family will receive friends Monday from 1 p.m. until time of service at Bethel
A.M.E. Church. Burial will follow at West End Cemetery, Wytheville, Va. James Edward Penn, Jr. was a 1956
graduate of Scott Memorial High School..
(page five)
Charles H. Chapman, Sr., age 90, of Canton, died Sunday, February 17, 2008 after a brief illness.
He was born on June 19, 1917 in Wytheville, Virginia, and died on February 17, 2008 in Canton,
Ohio. Charles was retired from the A.G. Stafford Co. Preceded in death by his parents, Charles and
Margaret Chapman of Wytheville, VA; brother, Donald Harold Chapman of Virginia; and sisters,
Evelyn Chapman and Marie Homes, both of Virginia and Edith Martinez of New York City. Survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Anne Bradley Chapman of the home; son and daughter-in-law,
Charles H. Jr. and Pat Chapman of E. Canton; two grandchildren, Holly Anne Chapman of Columbus and Charles D. Chapman of E. Canton; sister, Mary Runnells of Wytheville, VA; and a host of
nieces and nephews. Services was held Friday at 12 Noon in the Lamiell Funeral Home with Elder
Emanuel Bradley and Rev. Robert Smith officiating. Mr. Chapman was buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery. Mr. Chapman
was a 1935 graduate of the Wytheville Training School.
——
Elizabeth “Liz” Whitten, 78, of Washington, D.C., entered into eternal rest on Saturday, March 22,
2008. A memorial service was held Saturday, April 5, at 2 p.m. at the Franklin Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. William Weldon officiating. Inurnment was in the West End Cemetery.
The family received friends at the church Saturday from 1 p.m. until service time. She was born
Sept. 15, 1929, in Wytheville, the daughter of the late Frank and Beverage Sawyers. She was a
member of Franklin Street United Methodist Church and graduated from the Wytheville Training
School. She was retired from Hogat’s Seafood Restaurant in 1992. She was preceded in death by a
sister, Beverage Brown, and three brothers, Charles R. Sawyers, William S. Sawyers and Frank Matthews Sawyers. She is survived by a loyal and devoted son, Wayne A. Moore of Washington, D.C.;
a special and loving niece, Sharon J. Corbin of Washington, D.C.; five sisters, Genevieve Corbin of
Washington, D.C., Patsy and Delaney Devazon, Nancy Crockett, Betty Lynn Sawyers, Norma Sawyers, all of Wytheville; five brothers, Fred Sawyers, John Jr. and Mary Grubb, Robert and Edith Sawyers, Earl and Sandra Sawyers and
Lloyd and Terri Sawyers, all of Wytheville. Barnett Funeral Home of Wytheville is in charge of the arrangements. Ms.
Whitten was a 1947 graduate of the Wytheville Trainings School.
————
Mr. Harry C. (Creese) Jackson, 81, departed this life on January 7, 2008 at his residence in Wythe-
ville, Va. He was preceded in death by his parents and five brothers. Harry received his formal education
from the Wythe County public schools in Speedwell, Virginia. While still a very young boy, Harry met
the former Beatrice Boysaw of Speedwell. The childhood sweethearts were united in marriage on May 24,
1948. The couple worked together and lovingly made the sacrifices necessary to provide a firm foundation
for their three children. Harry supported the family as an employee of several organizations, including the
Radford Army Ammunition Plant, Peterson Ford Company and Lynchburg Foundry, from which he retired in 1988. Deacon Jackson was a loyal and faithful member of the High Point Apostolic Church for
many years. He later united with the Dayspring Fellowship Church, where he served in various ministries, including the
Board of Deacons and the Finance and Facilities Committees. Mr. Jackson took great pride in serving as a community
resource person. He was skilled in and dedicated to the art of growing people and improving lives, particularly for young
boys and men. Strict disciplinarian, devout Christian and principle driven, Harry was also a nurturer, as demonstrated by
his love and devotion as caregiver to his beloved wife, Bea. Harry was a true outdoorsman and enjoyed trout fishing,
hunting and gardening. He took great pride in harvesting cherry and apple trees and willingly shared with family and
friends. He also found great pleasure in daily morning walks. His memory will be forever cherished by his loving wife,
Mrs. Beatrice Boysaw Jackson of Wytheville, Va.; daughter, Mrs. Rebecca Jackson Doherty and her husband, Oludele
Doherty, of Richmond, Va.; sons, Mr. Carl W. Jackson, Sr. and his wife, Roxie Hughes Jackson, of Tyrone, Ga., and Mr.
Earl L. and his wife, Yolanda Thomas Jackson, of Richmond, Va.; six grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Emanda
Boysaw Peoples of Statesville, N.C. and Mrs. Helena Boysaw Harrison, of Columbus, Ohio; two brothers-in-law, Mr.
Samuel Boysaw of Columbus, Ohio and Mr. Joseph Boysaw of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; several nieces, nephews and
other loving relatives and treasured friends. A funeral service was conducted at 12 noon Saturday, January 12, 2008, at
Dayspring Fellowship Church with Pastor G. L. East, eulogist. Interment will followed at Rosewood Memorial Gardens,
7764 West Lee Highway, Rural Retreat, Virginia. Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, Va., is in charge of arrangements.
(page six)
Obituaries provided by John M. Johnson
Sawyers and Hedgepeth Newest
Members of WTSCC Board of
Directors
Brooklyn Sawyers and Dennis
Hedgepeth joined the board of Directors
in late 2007. Brooklyn is a native of
Wytheville. She is the daughter of Betty
Lynn Sawyers and the mother of Tressany Sawyers, age six. Brooklyn received
a BA in history in 2002 from Emory and
Henry College and then attended East
Tennessee State University where earned
a MA in history in 2004. Two years later
she obtained her Juris doctorate from the
University of Tennessee. Employed by
the Social Security Administration, she is
on an assignment as a Special Assistant
United States Attorney with the US Attorney’s Office for the Western District
of Virginia.
Brooklyn is also an adjunct professor at Emory and
Henry College, where
she is currently teaching a course on Race
and Law. In her free
time she enjoys volunteering in her community, attending
Bethlehem Baptist
Church, spending
time with her daughBrooklyn Sawyers
ter, reading, playing
board games and cross-stitching. Brooklyn has conducted seminars on Social
Security at the Wytheville Training
School.
Board member Dennis
Hedgepeth is a native of Suffolk, Virginia. The sixth of seven children, Dennis
attended elementary school at Mount
Zion Elementary School where he excelled in math and science. He attended
Virginia Tech, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Food Science
and Technology.
After graduating from Virginia
Tech, Dennis was
emplo yed
by
Stouffer’s, a division of Nestle
Foods in Gaffney,
SC, working for
several years as a
quality profesDennis Hedgepeth
sional.
Dennis
was promoted to Quality Assurance Man-
ager in 1999 and moved to Gaithersburg, Maryland. Here he worked in the
ice cream division of Nestle Foods until
April 2006. While working with Nestle
Foods, Dennis was involved with several food industry professional organizations and was a board member of his
local church.
In April 2006, Dennis moved
to Wytheville, accepting the position of
Quality Assurance Manager for the
newly opened Pepsico Gatorade facility.
Dennis currently lives in Wytheville
with his wife, Lorraine, and children.
He is an active member of the community involved in church and civic activities. Dennis has tutored students after
school at the Wytheville Training
School Cultural Center.
Scholarship Recipients Convey
Appreciation
The Wytheville Training School Cultural Center received notes of appreciation from the students at Wytheville
Community College who benefit from
the scholarship provided for descendants of alumni of the Wytheville Training School. Excerpted below are comments from each of the three recipients
of the 2007-2008 scholarships:
I understand that this is an anonymous donor, and I would like to
thank you and that I am very grateful for the scholarship. My name is
Ebony Brown. I graduated from
Galax High School in 2007. My
grandmother Lois Brown attended
the Wytheville Training School. She
grew up in the Crockett family in
Ivanhoe, Virginia. I am very glad I
received this scholarship. It allows
me to stay close to home and attend
school to receive an education. Once
again I would like to say thank you
very much and I am very grateful.
ters, one didn’t finish high school
and the other one only had one semester of classes. I want to make
something of my life, that’s why I
am going to school to become an
accountant. When I was in high
school , math was my strong subject
and I love it. So once again I just
want to say thank you for all the
help.
Ambria Davis
attends Wytheville
Community College as a recipient
of the Wytheville
Training School
scholarship.
Also expressing his appreciation is
Zane Hamm, who writes:
I love to fish. I played basketball
and football at Fort Chiswell High
School. I have attended Wythe
County schools since kindergarten.
My intended major is biology and I
hope to work with inland fisheries
trying to make Virginia’s fish
healthier. Your generous contribution to WCC will pay for my books
and other supplies. I’m eligible for
this scholarship because my grandmother along with her siblings attended Wytheville Training school
many years ago. Again thanks for
your generosity.
The gratitude of these students is
echoed by other recipients of the
Wytheville Training School scholarship.
To learn more about this scholarship
and eligibility requirements contact the
Wytheville Community College Foundation office at (276) 223-4771.
Wytheville resident Ambria Davis
writes:
I just want to say thank you for all
the help you gave me. The scholarship will help me a lot. I live with
my sister and my dad. We don’t
have all the money in the world.
And the books cost too much for me
(Page seven)
Special performance by
renowned vocalist and
Wytheville native
Michael Austin
THE WYTHEOGRAM
Wytheville Training School Cultural Center, Inc.
410 East Franklin Street
Wytheville, VA 24382
NON-PROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Wytheville, VA 24382
Permit # 4
Address Service Requested
Pendleton Foundation
Has Us Covered!
The Wytheville Training School Cultural
Center received major support from the
local Pendleton Foundation for repairs to
our leaky roof. The generous contribution
by members of the Pendleton family enable the Board of Directors to begin work
on the much needed rescue of the fragile
roof. The distinct dormers that make the
Training School so unique in appearance
have also created unique opportunities for
damage to the roof. While work begins
this spring, contact the WTSCC to help
with this most important preservation
project.
The United Way of Wythe County—At
Work at the WTSCC
Thanks to Our Supporters
Grateful acknowledgement is made to
the many contributions of time, money
and in-kind support from the following
generous donors:
American Legion Post No. 9
Albert Armentrout
Olin F. Armentrout
Phyllis C. Ashworth
Gaye B. Beamer
Benny D. Burkett
James T. “Bo” Black
Mary Lou Campbell
Mary N. Cassell
Mr. & Mrs. Alex T. Crockett
Betty H. & Charles G. Crockett
Franklin Street United Methodist
Church
First Bank
John W. Fontaine
Jeanette Byrd Graham
Saunder Gordon
Robert Grille
Dan Hale
George A. Hawkins
Charles C. Henley
Mary F. Henslee
Clare M. Holt
Hoyt Jenkins
A. B. Johnson
Jane Johnson
Corrinne A. & Richard A. Johnson
Edsel C. Jones
John W. Jones, Jr.
George A. Kegley
Mary L. Kegley
Dorothy Lacy
Richard Martel
James Matthews
Ernestine Mills
W. T. Norris, Jr.
One-on-One Literacy
Florence C. Pierce
Mr. & Mrs. Elbert Robinson
Elizabeth S. Reynolds
Jack Russell
Robert Russell
Edith & Robert Sawyers
Mark & Rhonda Sechrest
Helen W. Semones
Frisby & Adelaide Smith
Phyl Snapp
Julia P. Stephens
Shirley G. Sutherland
Katherine H. Tarter
Betty L. Williams
Pearle C. Woods
Wytheville Ladies Ruritan Club
Wytheville Presbyterian Church
Carolyn Y. Young
We apologize for any inadvertent omissions. Your gifts to the Wytheville Training School are sincerely appreciated .