Hi folks, I just got word that the Tee Jay baseball coaches will have Alumni Appreciation Day on Thursday May 15,at 4 o'clock.  We have aluminum bleachers but bring a chair if you like. The game is a double header of 5 innings each vs. Maggie Walker. Between games we'll have a brief opportunity to meet the team. Bring a friend, reconnect and meet fellow alumni and enjoy the fellowship and the game. The team is sporting new red jerseys donated by the TeeJay Vikings Fund thanks to donations made by our supporters. Please spread the word and forward to other alumni. If weather looks like an issue, please call the school at 804-780-6028.

                                                                Go Vikings!

                                                                   Russell Flammia TJ '62

                                                                   TJ teacher '66-2000

                                                                   TJ Tutor 2001-2024

                                                                   TJVF Board 2012-2025 

                                          _____________________________________    

Jacqueline Love "Jackie" CLARK Jackson passed Jul 26, 2024

James Monroe "Jim" Beck, Jr passed Nov 28, 2024

Richard Eugene Tanner passed Dec 4, 2024

Mary Page BURDEN Cosby passed Dec 10, 2024

Gaynell MUSSER Grubbs passed Dec 16, 2024

James Oscar Womack passed Jan 6th

Warden Hamlin Emory passed Jan 9th

David Morris LONG passed away Saturday, January 18th. 

Carolyn WHITWORTH Brittain passed away, Saturday, January 18th as well.  Obituaries are not available at this time.

 

 

Thomas Jefferson High School

        Class of 1959 NEWSLETTER                    .        

Dec 2024

  REPORT TO THE CLASS: 

       As stated in the November NEWSLETTER, your Reunion Committee met October 18th for the last time as a committee to decide how to divide the balance in the class’ Truist Bank account and to dissolve the Reunion Committee.  We had a balance of $3,986.88 in the account from which $1,500 was sent to Derbyshire Baptist Church in memory of our class sponsor, Helen BATEMAN Wall.  In addition, a $2,486.88 check was sent to the TJ Vikings Fund, $1,500 of which was designated to boxed meals for the Athletic Department, and the rest for the discretion of their committee for the best use.

CORRECTIONS AND/OR CHANGES TO BE MADE IN YOUR TJ BOOKLET FOR:

   Carolyn Whitworth Brittain:  Please Carolyn’s new address to your TJ Booklet –  4414 Pleasant

                                                     Ridge Rd – Unit 411, Roanoke, VA 24014

-------If you did NOT receive a TJ Booklet via e-mail, please let me know. marciabryancurtis@att.net-------

CAN YOU HELP LOCATE THESE?:

  Loss of Contact: 

  Linda LAMBETH Mattox:  Phone has been disconnected; U.S. Mail returned; email bounced back.

  Kenneth Mallory, Jr:  U.S. Mail returned.  I have no e-mail address for him.

  Shep Smith:  Contact info I have for him is 6650 Citory Way, Moseley, VA 23120,

                        tiggerpooh17@hotmail.com, but the U.S. Mail was returned & email bounces back everytime!

  Classmates Missing (moved, phone disconnected and mail/email being returned):

  Elaine Agnes  Barrett Porter,   Marjorie Bass Taylor,  Shee Lin Chinn,   Charles Belknap Fenner,

  Frances Arlene  Freeman,  William Richard Kirks Jr,  Linda Lambeth Mattox,  Kenneth Mallory,

  Margaret Anne “Peggy”Mapp Thacker, John Marion Martin Jr, Grace Olivia McClary O’Connell,

  Judity “Judy” Vaughan  Miller,  Shirley Elizabeth Parrish Stradtner,   Anthony Bernard  Saady Jr,

  Kenneth Owen Smith,  Sheppard Wayne Smith (Jan ’59),  Susan Elizabeth Smith,  Rosalind Myra

  Soffer Teter  Jones (Jan ’59),   and Nancy Stuart  Taylor  Smith (Jan ’59),  Jeanette  Marie  Toney,

  Orlin Wesley Wallace,  Maury Baldwin Watts III, and Patricia Williams Hall. 

HAVE YOU ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING ANY OF THESE?

________________________

TIDBITS . . . . . . .

 . . . . . . . following featured article on Bill(y) Jones last month:

• Judy HARRIS Turbeville told me that the mother of Bill (’59) and Russell Jones wanted a photo of her boys with the Miller & Rhodes Santa, so she took her own photographer to Miller and Rhoads. M & R thought that was such a good idea that the store began photographing all visits with Santa!This “family legend” was confirmed by Bill.
• Don Williams told me that he remembered that Bill Jones was born in NC and moved to Richmond where he was enrolled at Ginter Park Elementary School.  Both Bill and Don were stationed in Korea together but did not find that out until they sat together at the 20^th reunion at the Jefferson Hotel.

 

 DID YOU KNOW . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . Russell Greenway McAllister was born in Richmond, but spent the war years living with his mother’s family on a farm near South Boston in Halifax County, VA.  He moved back to Richmond with his mother after his father returned from service in the Pacific.  Mac came to Thomas Jefferson from Chandler Junior High, and upon graduation from TeeJay, he followed his grandfather, father, and uncles in attending Hampden-Sydney College, where he was editor of the college newspaper and a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, Phi Beta Kappa, and Omicron Delta Kappa.  He graduated with a B.S. in 1963, and attended the Medical College of Virginia (MCV) in Richmond.

          Mac spent much of his junior year at the St. Thomas Hospital Medical School in London, England, where he completed and published his first research studies in the laboratory of Dr. David Marsden, a renowned clinical neuroscientist. After graduating from MCV, he undertook postgraduate training at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Nashville, TN), completing clinical training in internal medicine and cardiology, as well as a fellowship in the field of clinical pharmacology.

          It was during his time at Vanderbilt that he met the love of his life, Ann Elizabeth Parks of Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Ann was attending graduate school in Nashville.  It wasn’t long before the two became engaged, and were married in November of 1968.

          In 1972, he accepted an invitation to join the faculty of the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, where he served as Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology. He was board-certified in both internal medicine and cardiology and held Fellowship status in the American College of Physicians, the American College of Cardiology, and the American College of Clinical Pharmacology.  He served as chairman of the ACC’s Cardiovascular Drugs Committee for five years. While at the University of Kentucky, he served as an Attending Physician for both outpatient and inpatient services, and his labora-tories were supported by external grant funding for 16 years.  While in Kentucky, Mac’s and Ann’s first child, a daughter Kathryn Ann, was born in 1974; son, Edward Russell, was born just 23 months later.

           Their life in Kentucky was interrupted when in 1978 they spent a sabbatical year in Basle, Switzerland, where Mac, a Fogarty International Fellow, worked with Dr. Helmut Bittiger in the area of adrenergic receptor pharmacology.  They returned to Kentucky until 1986 when the family moved to Durham, North Carolina where Mac began a second career in the pharmaceutical industry.

           Mac was discharged from the inactive naval reserve in 1990, with the rank of LCDR, and in the early 1990s, he was a Clinical Professor in the cardiology division at the UNC School of Medicine.

           In 2001, he and Ann moved to Pinehurst, NC, where they purchased and restored an historic Georgian-style home (Garran Hill, renamed Hollycrest) built in 1916 for Walter Hines Page, Ambassador to the United Kingdom during WWI. (see: https:pinestrawmag.com/story-of-a-house-4/)

           Mac has held various positions with Glaxo Research Laboratories, Cato Research Ltd., Nobex, i3 Research, and Nanotherapeutics, and published over 200 scientific research papers, reviews, book chapters, and abstracts, and served as an invited Visiting Professor at medical centers in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, and France.

           Mac is a member of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church and is a baritone with the Moore County Choral Society.

           He and Ann have three grandchildren - granddaughter Eryn McAllister (Vancouver, Canada), Katie Parks Taylor and grandson John Taylor, Jr. (Sanford, NC). 

(Mac’s e-mail address is drruss41@gmail.com)

________________________

Look for a story about another classmate in next month’s Newsletter.

CLASSMATES WITH MILD – SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES WHOM WE WANT TO REMEMBER: 

Jane Andrews Thames,  Pem Bryant, David Long, Betsy Loving Robbins, Joellen Maxwell Miller, Carolyn Whitworth Brittain. Please keep these in your thoughts and prayers.

 

CLASSMATE DEATHS:

I just learned yesterday (Nov 30) of the death November 5^th of Tracy Philbrick Truman.  Dottie Peaco Nichols, passed away Sunday, November 17^th, and Joan Barnett Link, passed away last Monday, November 25^th.  (Obituaries, Pages 4-7)

                                                          ____________________________

 

On Facebook today, November 30, by Becky Brittin Rieksts, daughter of Carolyn Whitworth Brittian:

I’m so grateful for my family.  Nearly all of us are together in Roanoke (VA) for Thanksgiving because our mom Carolyn Whitworth Brittin has moved back to Roanoke.   After nearly 20 years living in SC, it is time for her to be closer to family.  We moved her in on Tuesday and she has been settling in to her new place.  It has been a lot of work but we know this is the best place for her.  It was the first time in about three years all four of her kids have been with her in one place   Happy Thanksgiving

A note November 26^th to our classmate Clint Rose:  

I am embarrassed to say I do not know the name of the person to whom I am sending this message. I am Margaret Tracy Philbrick Truman's recently widowed husband, Edwin (Ted) Truman.  Tracy as she was known after graduating from Mount Holyoke College and Miggie as she was known to you all, at least those who knew her well, died on November 5.

Tracy rarely attended your gatherings even though I urged her to do so. Her growing up in Richmond was not entirely happy. However, she was happy in Ginter Park and had many memories of her early days there. 

Attached for your information is the obituary that I and our children composed.

Thank you

Edwin/Ted Truman

Margaret Tracy Philbrick Truman

        07 Nov 1941 – 05 Nov 2024

     Tracy Philbrick Truman died November 5, 2024, two days before her 83^rd birthday on November 7. The cause of death was heart failure fol-lowing pneumonia from Legionnaires’ disease and several strokes. She died in her home at Ingleside at Rock Creek in Washington, DC, holding the hand of her husband of 60 years with her dog Tory by her side.

     She was born in Richmond, VA, the daughter of Robert Philbrick and Jane (Arnold). Her mother died in 1950 when Tracy was almost nine. Her father married Margaret (Richardson) in 1952.

     Tracy was known for a smile that lit up her face. She was described by relatives and friends as mild-mannered but strong, generous and caring, with a sparkling wit and a wry sense of humor.

     A 1963 graduate of Mount Holyoke College, she received her certificate in physical therapy from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1964. That year she married Edwin (Ted) Truman. They lived in New Haven, CT while he finished his Ph.D at Yale and later served on the faculty.  Their two children David and Christine (Tina) were born in New Haven before they moved to Washington in 1972.

     Tracy was a physical therapist at Yale New Haven Hospital and for 28 years at Suburban Hospital in Bethesda, MD. There she was a mentor to her younger colleagues and knitted more than a score of baby sweaters for them. 

     She was a pillar of several communities. As an officer of the Mount Holyoke Club of Washington, DC, she organized a celebration of the 150^th anniversary of the college’s 1837 founding. She was co-chair of her 40^th and 50^th reunions. For many years, she hosted Washington summer interns from her alma mater. For these many contributions, the Alumnae Society honored Tracy at her 50^th reunion with a Loyalty Award.

     Tracy and Ted lived in the Town of Somerset in Chevy Chase, MD for 38 years. Tracy was a member of the Somerset Board of Elections for more than 25 years, serving as chair for part of that period. She led a successful  protest of the proposed  closing of  Somerset Elementary School and was the town’s representative to committee meetings for the new School. She was an active soccer mom, and for many years was the starter at Somerset pool swim meets firing a starter’s pistol. 

     Her many hobbies included family genealogy, brass rubbing, silk screening, picture framing, and knitting.  As a collector, she favored matryoshka nesting dolls, mobiles, ducks, and art primarily collected in travels that took her out of the country more than 50 times.

Tracy lived at Ingleside for almost a dozen years. There she participated in the Ingleside Singers, continued her passion for arts and crafts as a member of the Mosaic Guild, and hosted an annual Sunday soup party. 

     Over the years, Tracy welcomed people into her home for periods long and short. Many became lifelong friends. In 2011, Allie Bagnall was a beneficiary and soon became a member of the family. Tracy and Ted enjoyed hosting gatherings of family and friends at their beloved Scrub Hill in Hillsdale, NY.

     In addition to her husband of 60 years, Tracy is survived by her son David (Amy Suelzer) of St. Louis, Mo.; her daughter Christine (Ian Woollett) of Norfolk, Va.; her daughter of choice Allie Bagnall (Brian McBeath) of Washington, D.C.; her brothers John Philbrick (Mary Ropka) of Charlottesville, Va., and Robert Lawrence Philbrick (Marion Severynse) of Cambridge, Mass.; grandchildren David and Elena Truman, Malcolm and Jessie Woollett, and Freya and Finn McBeath; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Her favorite expression was “We are so lucky!”

     A celebration of her life will be held at 2 p.m. on February 15, at Ingleside at Rock Creek, 3050 Military Rd., NW. Donations in her memory may be made to Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) or to a charity of one’s choice.

________________________

 

 

  Dorothy Lee Peaco Nichols

04 Jan 1941 –  17 Nov 2024

     Dottie was born on January 4, 1941, in Richmond, Virginia to Lilian and Edward Peaco. She lived in Williamsburg since 1967.

     She was predeceased by her beloved soul mate, best friend, boating companion, and husband of fifty-six years Sterling. She is survived by her son Brad Nichols of Virginia Beach, daughter Jennifer Wise and her husband Scott of Williamsburg, granddaughter Brittany Roe, her husband Dalton, and great grandsons Clark and Parker of Merritt Island, Florida, granddaughter Madison Wise and her husband Cole Jones of Williamsburg, brother-in-law Gerald Nichols and his wife Donna of Hopewell, Virginia, niece Nancy Trickey, her husband Ryan, and their children Matthew, Caroline, and Sarah of Vail, Arizona, and niece Courtney Taylor, her husband Chad, and their children Charlotte and Chelsea of Suffolk, Virginia.

 

5/7

 

 

 

     Dottie grew up in Richmond, Virginia and went on to graduate from Lynchburg College. She and Sterling were active members of the Williamsburg community for many years supporting the Hospice House of Williamsburg, the James River Association, the Raleigh Tavern Society, Dream Catchers, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, and others.

     In the early 1970’s, Dottie and Sterling realized the dream of owning a home by building a house in the Kingspoint subdivision of Williamsburg. They did most of the work themselves. Most notably, Dottie installed all of the cedar shake roofing on the house herself becoming known to many as “The Lady on the Roof”.

     Dottie and Sterling were owners of several construction and real estate companies. She was a tireless hard worker for these companies for many years. Her contributions included every aspect of these businesses ranging from working long hours on the construction sites to handling accounting and other administrative duties. The success of these businesses is largely attributable to Dottie. Her greatest contribution to the businesses was her unwavering and unconditional support of Sterling as he entered into various speculative real estate ventures. Sterling drew the strength and confidence to take businesses risks with the knowledge that Dottie would always be by his side no matter what.

     Dottie always enjoyed the company of family and friends. She loved to entertain, opening her home with hospitality and generosity. Her kindness, warmhearted good nature, and thoughtful consideration of others brought joy to everyone that met her.  She also enjoyed boating with family and friends. She joyfully served as First Mate to her beloved Captain and husband Sterling. Many people have cherished memories of times spent on their boat.

     Dottie was quite a thrill seeker. She always liked to take on new adventures. Some of those adventures included sky diving, riding roller coasters, and riding mechanical bulls. She also enjoyed traveling, dancing, gardening, sewing, skiing, and scuba diving.

     Dottie was best known for her selflessness, always putting the best interests of others over her own. This was never more apparent than when she hosted the holidays for her family. She was a perfectionist in everything she did, paying particular attention to even the smallest details. Many family members hold dear memories of her holiday decorations, artfully wrapped gifts, home cooked meals, and especially her beloved Christmas trees. The times spent as a family enjoying the holidays hosted by Dottie are a major reason that the bonds among her family remain strong and enduring.  Her greatest joy was the love and unity of her family. She was happiest when surrounded by her family. She was loved dearly by all of her family.

     A celebration of Dottie’s life will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 on Monday, November 25, 2024, in the James River Grand Ballroom at the Kingsmill Resort located at 1010 Kingsmill Road in Williamsburg.  In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Sterling Nichols Fund of the Hospice House of Williamsburg at williamsburghospice.org.

 

                   Joan West Barnett Link

                  05 Apr 1941 – 25 Nov 2024

     Joan Barnett Link, age 83, died on Monday, November 25, 2024, at her home in Bristol, VA. Joan was born on April 5, 1941, in Richmond, VA, the only and beloved daughter of the late Dimple Taylor Barnett and Clyde Lee Barnett.  She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Richmond, where she was head cheerleader.  Joan attended Longwood College, during which she met the love of her life, the late Dr. Nelson Edward Link. Joan and Nelson married December 19, 1960 while he was in medical school in Charlottesville.  She worked at State Farm while Nelson attended medical school, and the young couple lived in Gainesville FL, Charlottesville, and Honolulu, HI, during their early years before settling in Bristol, TN, in 1972. Together they built a beautiful life filled with family, raising their three sons, and treasuring many friends. Above all, Joan was the happiest while serving others. She was a devoted Christian, daughter, wife, mother, grand-mother, great-grandmother and friend. Joan took great pride in making a warm and comfortable home. She was an amazing chef, gardener, and homemaker. As a mother, Joan was a superstar, al-ways going the extra mile for her family, always being there with her whole heart in support of her family and in everything she did. Joan led her life by example, and was a positive force in good times and bad. She was the definition of grace under pressure, and could al-ways be counted on by her fam-ily and friends. Joan always did things the "right way," whether it be handwritten thank you notes, showing up with food, sleeping on uncomfortable hospital chairs for three straight months, and any-thing else that involved her unselfishly doing whatever was necessary to take care of those she loved.
     Joan was a very active member of First Baptist Church, where she served on many committees. She especially enjoyed serving on the Meals on Wheels ministry. In her earlier years, she was an active member of the Junior League, the Border Guild, the Bargain Box, and she adored performing in the annual "Follies." Joan was very active athletically, and was an accomplished snow skier, water skier, and a regular at the YMCA.
     Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Nelson; her parents, Dimple and Clyde Barnett; and Nelson's parents, Oscar and Dura Link. Joan is survived by her three sons, Nelson Edward Link, Jr. and his wife, Angie Carter Link, Taylor Steven Link, Michael Hardy Link and Jennifer Erickson. Joan was blessed with six grandchildren whom she adored, Allison Link Oakey and her husband, Sam Oakey, Meredith Carter Link, Taylor Link and her husband, Joe Mikuszewski, Cooper Steven Link, Georgia Dimple Link and Nelson Paxton Link. She had one great-granddaughter, Riley Hope Mikuszewski; and Jennifer's three children, Abigail, Houston, and Colton Erickson. Joan enjoyed a larger extended family, including many aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. Joan was a devoted friend and maintained lifelong treasured relationships from each of her many chapters.
     A memorial service and celebration of life will be held Saturday, December 7, 2024, at 12 PM at First Baptist Church. Dr. Kris Aaron will officiate. The family will happily receive friends immediate-ly following the service at the church. The graveside service will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest a donation to either Healing Hands in Bristol or First Baptist Church Bristol.
     This obituary was lovingly written by the Link Family.

______________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

 

Our Reunion celebrating 65 years since we graduated was a big success!  Approximately 91 people attended; 54 were classmates.

The luncheon event was held Thursday, September 5th at The Tuckahoe Woman's Club in Richmond's Windsor Farms area.  We actually called the "roll" in order for classmates to find each other -- and it worked!  It was easiest to locate Ed Turnage when he stood and called out "here" as he waived his large red table napkin in the air!

A PowerPoint of  TJ Class of '59 days was continually shown on the large screen on the stage in the main auditorium, 50's music was heard all over the buiding via the loud speaker system, and in the Reception Room (where a beautiful buffet display of various delicious food was located) our 40th & 50th Reunions DVDs ran continuously, two blackboards full of Junior High graduation pictures, etc. and a table full of memorabilia were displayed.

All in all, and counting the beautiful weather, it was a perfect day!

                                                _________________

Don't think you will not hear from Marcia Bryan Curtis anymore; she will still be sending out emails in order to keep us connected.  Hoping to start something new, she may be nagging you, so look out!!!!!!!

On a sad note, in 2024 we lost Stuart Sanders - January 29^th, Frances Timberlake Wade - February 22^nd, Bobbie Bennett February -  28^th, Judy Duke Nelson - April 6^th, Larry Kessler - May 25^th, Holmes Harrison - July 12^th, Cliff Beasley - August 3^rd, and Herb Eades - September 3^rd.