Category: 1939

John “Jack” MacGlashan Avery ’39, of Seattle, Wash., passed away Nov. 13, 2010. Avery was born in Savannah, Ga., Nov. 28, 1918, and was known to his friends as “Jack.”

Working in furniture sales at the Sears & Roebuck Store in the Roosevelt/Ravenna neighborhood, Avery was encouraged by his friend and business associate to join Freemasonry. WBro. Avery was initiated into Theodore Roosevelt Lodge No. 229 on January 24, 1950, passed to a Fellowcraft, February 15, 1950, and raised a Master Mason, April 18, 1950. He received his 50-year service pin on Herb’s Night in 2001. Avery served as master of Theodore Roosevelt Lodge No. 229 in 1973, 1987, 1990, and 1991. He was called upon to play his trumpet at veteran memorial services, as well as at Masonic processions. He was a member of the Craft for 60 years. Avery was an active member of his lodge until he was no longer able to live independently.

Following some years of ill health, he passed away in Everett, WA. He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel, and two sons, John and Bill. He is survived by his daughter, Mary McClellan.

David Brainard Woodward ’39, 93, went home to be with the Lord on Aug. 23 at Atherton Baptist Homes in Alhambra, Calif., from complications following surgery. Born to missionary parents on June 11, 1918, in the Philippines, Woodward spent his life in ministry as a pastor and missionary.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 66 years, Elizabeth Woodward, 801 W Commonwealth Ave., Apt. 10, Alhambra, CA 91801-3656; son, Ted Woodward (Omi); daughters, Marion Shay (Ken), Edie Nelson (Randy), Susan Bonilla (John); 11 grandchildren, Christy, Omi, and Timothy Shay, Nick and Brian Woodward, Rob and David Nelson, and Theresa (Landon), Andrea, Julia, and Caroline Bonilla; and two great-grandchildren, Jane and Joshua Landon.

Woodward returned from the Philippines to complete studies, earning a B.A. from Davidson in 1939, earning a Th.M. from Princeton Seminary in 1942, ordination by the Presbyterian Church in 1942, earning an M.A. from Seattle Pacific University in 1968, and earning a D.Min from Fuller Theological Seminary in 1979. In March of 1945, Woodward and wife Betty embarked on a lifetime of ministry around the world from India, China, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. In 1983 he returned to become pastor of community outreach and then missions pastor at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, Calif.

Frank Mallary Willingham ’39, 94, of Macon, Ga., died July 5. Willingham was born on Clisby Street in Macon on Aug. 14, 1916. His parents were the late Broadus Estes Willingham, Jr. and the late Rosalie Mallary Willingham of Macon, Ga.

Willingham attended Davidson for two years and transferred to University of Georgia, where he met his wife, Mary Eugenia Watson. Frank served in WWII as a Navy lieutenant. At the war’s conclusion, he was vice president and later president of Willingham Cotton Mills.

Willingham was one part of the founding families of Highland Hills Baptist Church. He was also a member of the choir and the chairman of the deacons. He also served on the Bibb County Board of Education.

He was a founding member of the Macon Touchdown Club, and he loved his Georgia Bulldogs football. Willingham was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was preceded in death by his three siblings, Broadus E. Willingham III, Rose Willingham, and Thomas Slade Willingham. Survivors include his wife of 71 years, Mary Willingham, 1139 Oakcliff Rd., Macon, GA 31211; sons, Broadus E. Willingham IV ’65 (Melinda), Frank M. Willingham, Jr. (Patricia), and Lloyd Watson Willingham (Carol); and seven grandchildren, Amy, Kassandra, Bo, Michelle, Frankie, Thomas, and Brandon.

William Feimster Withers ’39, a lifelong resident of Davidson, N.C., died Dec. 5 at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville, N.C. Born March 2, 1918, in Mecklenburg County, he was a son of the late Dr. James J. Withers and Lottie Feimster Withers.

He attended Davidson, was a life member of the Lions Club and Woodmen of the World, and was a member of Davidson College Presbyterian Church and the men’s Sunday school class. Bill was employed with Blythe Brothers in his early years, and, with his wife, was owner and operator of Withers Electric Company of Davidson.

He enjoyed traveling, whether it was the yearly family outings to Crescent Beach or his trips abroad.

Survivors include his sons, William F. Withers, Jr., Richard S. Withers (June), and David I. Withers ’86 (Kathryne), 605 Skyview Dr., Nashville, TN 37206-1841; daughters, Elizabeth Estes (Dayton), Nancy Dishman, and Mary Sanders (Joseph); 15 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Johnsie Howard Withers; brothers, James Jr., Thomas ’42 and Robert ’48 Withers; and sisters, Mary Withers, Alice W. Sharpe, and Martha W. Allen.

Memorials may be made to Davidson College Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 337, Davidson, NC 28036.