Category: 1956

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Minor Revere “Chuck” Adams III ’56

Mr. Minor Revere “Chuck” Adams, III, of Gastonia, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 8, 2023.  He was born December 23, 1933 in Gastonia, NC, a son of the late Minor Revere Adams, Jr. and Esther Rodgers Reid Adams.

Chuck was educated in the Gastonia school system, attended Davidson College, and served his country honorably in the US Army in Korea.  He then graduated from the University of South Carolina and was a dedicated Gamecock for the rest of his life.  

Chuck worked in the insurance business and as a Realtor.  He was a life-long member of First Presbyterian Church of Gastonia where he was a Deacon and an Elder.  He was a former member and Past President of the Gastonia Jaycees, a current member of the Gastonia Rotary Club where he is also a Past President and Paul Harris Fellow.  Chuck was also a former board member of the YMCA and the Community Foundation.

Survivors of Mr. Adams include his wife of 45 years, Susan Cooke Adams of Gastonia; daughter, Cooke Adams Thompson and husband Reed of Kalispell, MT; Minor Revere Adams, IV and wife TJ McSwain of Gastonia; grandchildren, Hayley McSwain and Hobbs Thompson; sister-in-law, Becky Adams; brother-in-law, Dr. Bo Abernethy, both of Gastonia; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews; Special Friend, Connie Humphries.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings, William Preston Adams, Esther Reid Adams Hunnicutt, and Sarah Rodgers Adams Abernethy.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00pm, Sunday, January 15, 2023 at First Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dan Commerford officiating.  The family will receive friends following the service in the Memorial Gallery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1621 E. Garrison Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054 or to Operation Christmas c/o The Rotary Foundation of Gastonia, PO Box 33, Gastonia, NC 28053.

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John Hugh Malone ’56

Dr. John “Hugh” Malone passed away unexpectedly after a short illness Thursday, Dec. 8, 2022.

Hugh was an incredibly intelligent, humble, inquisitive, humorous and generous man. He was a beloved physician, father, grandfather, brother and mentor who impacted his family and community in countless ways. Hugh was born in Jasper County, Ga., and had many fond memories from his early years in Monticello, Ga. Hugh later moved to Charlotte with his parents and brother, Jim and attended Central High School. He was a member of the Davidson College’s Class of 1956, and subsequently attended Duke University School of Medicine.

While at Davidson, Hugh met the love of his life, Mitzi Louise Green, and they began their 65-year marriage together while Hugh was in medical school. After completing an Internal Medicine Residency and Hematology Fellowship at the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Hugh and Mitzi moved to Concord, where Hugh became one of the founding partners of Ardsley Medical Group. During his 30-year career practicing Internal Medicine in Concord, Hugh took care of thousands of grateful patients and greatly impacted the delivery of health care in Cabarrus County. He was a consummate professional and gentleman. Hugh’s long work days would often consist of hospital rounds, office clinic, nursing home rounds, and home visits to care for his patients. His clinical acumen was renowned and he endeared himself to his patients, nursing staff, and his fellow physicians. He was truly a one-of-a kind physician.

Hugh was more than just a great physician. He was brilliant, humble, kind, funny, tolerant, curious and open minded. Hugh was a true Renaissance man. He loved classical music, opera, dance, art, literature and history. He could often be found hiking, bird-watching, playing with his canine friends or simply enjoying the beauty of nature. In his retirement, he dedicated years to writing and researching his family’s ancestral history. He also carried on his contribution to the medical community through his involvement in continuing education programs for retired physicians in Cabarrus County. Hugh was relentless in his pursuit of knowledge, which he graciously shared with others. He was a selfless leader and served as the chief of the Medical Staff at Cabarrus Memorial Hospital, president of the Board of Coltrane LIFE Center, and was a lifelong member of the Concord Rotary Club, where he was a Paul Harris Fellow.

Hugh was preceded in death by his parents, John Hugh Malone Sr. and Mary Eugenia Lane Malone; and his wife of 65 years, Mitzi Louise Green Malone.

He is survived by his daughter, Dr. Arabella Malone-Trahey (Dr. Thomas F. Trahey); and son, Dr. John Green Malone (Nancy Hartsell Malone). He is also survived by his brother, James Isham Malone (Nancy Armstrong Malone); beloved grandchildren, Dr. Erin Trahey (Sean Bourelle), Tara Trahey (Dr. Chris Kennedy), Malcolm Malone and Olivia Malone; and numerous nieces and nephews.

His grandchildren all loved their “Papa” dearly. They will never forget his wisdom, advice, playfulness, favorite phrases and signature wave goodbye at the end of the driveway. Hugh’s encouragement of his family to be curious about the world around them, and to share love and kindness to others, is one of his many legacies. Hugh will be greatly missed by all those whom he impacted.

A funeral service for Hugh will be held Saturday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m., at First Presbyterian Church in Concord.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Hugh’s memory to WDAV Classical Music Radio; The Nature Conservancy; or the Music Program at First Presbyterian Church in Concord.

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James C. Seabury, Jr. ’56

Dr. James C. Seabury was born in Lynchburg, Virginia, on Nov. 5, 1934, to James Congdon and Sue Watkins Seabury. He grew up primarily in Silver Spring, Maryland, sending the years of World War II in Evanston, Illinois. Dr. Seabury died Oct. 9, 2022, in Richmond, surrounded by his family.

Dr. Seabury attended Davidson College for his freshman year, and then transferred to the University of Virginia. He graduated from the university in June 1956, having been elected to Beta Beta Beta Honor Biological Society in his junior year, and Phi Beta Kappa National Honor Society in his senior year. Dr Seabury graduated from Duke University Medical School in 1960 and completed an internship is Surgery in 1961, and a junior assistant residency in Surgery June of 1962 at Duke.

On Oct. 6, 1962, he and Sallie Sue Hall, a graduate of Duke University School of Nursing, married in her home town of Martinsville, Virginia.

Having volunteered for the United States Air Force Medical Corp at the time of the Berlin Wall Crisis followed by the Cuban Missile Crisis, he went on active-duty on July 1, 1962. He served as a General Surgeon until June 30, 1964, stationed at MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida. If the United States were to invade Cuba, he had orders to go with our troops to do battle field triage.

Dr. Seabury and his wife returned to Duke University Medical School July 1, 1964, to a Urology residency which he completed June 30, 1967.

Dr. Seabury and his family then moved to Paducah, Kentucky, to join a Urology practice where he practiced for 30 years. In Paducah, he was elected chairman of the Surgery committee at Lourdes Hospital and president of the medical staff at Western Baptist Hospital. He was elected president of the Paducah Medical Society, president of the Kentucky Urological Society, treasurer of the Southeastern Section of the American Urological Association, and president of the Southeastern section. Dr. Seabury was a member of the American Medical Association and a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.

Dr. Seabury retired from practice in June 1997. He and Sallie moved to a boating condominium association on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico in Fort Myers, Florida, to continue their love of sailing. He served as president of their condo association, president of the Boating association, and on the Board of condo community service association.

Dr. Seabury was a long-term sailboat owner, having owned three different boats over a period of 50 years. The last was a Tartan 4100 he bought when he retired. He logged over 97 thousand nautical miles on this boat with trips on the Gulf of Mexico and a seven-week sail to the Southern Bahamas with three other boats.

He is survived by his wife Sallie of 60 years; son, James III and wife, Laurie with their children Mary Katherine Sallie Ann and James IV; daughter, Susan Seabury; and son, Charles, a Urologist, and wife, Julie with their children Amelia and Charles Jr.; and his sister, Kent Seabury Rowe.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions should be made to the charity of your choice.

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Roy Henry McCormick ’56

The Reverend Doctor Roy Henry McCormick, 88, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 18, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. He was born to Roy Gordon McCormick and Henrietta Sixma McCormick in DeLand, Florida on December 12, 1933.

Roy’s father worked for Florida Power & Light and put his son to work during the summertime where he became an expert at climbing and trimming trees. He was also a fearless ladder climber – a skill he would later use when changing lightbulbs on the high ceiling in the church sanctuary. Young Roy also helped his uncle harvest tobacco at the farm in Socastee, South Carolina.

Roy met his lifelong sweetheart, Nancy Jane McCallum, while they were students at Deland High School in the marching band. They married on June 15, 1956 and spent their honeymoon in St. Augustine, Florida. They continued to enjoy regular visits there for many years.

Roy was called by God to pursue the ministry while in high school. He trained for a lifetime of service by earning degrees from Davidson College (BS), Louisville Theological Seminary (MDiv), and the McCormick Theological Seminary (DMin). After ordination, he began preaching at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Wendell, North Carolina. He also supported the community as a volunteer firefighter.

In 1964, he moved the family to Orlando, Florida to answer the call from Calvary Presbyterian Church. The young pastor was easily identified by his easy-going nature, flattop haircut, and his pale blue Volkswagen Bug. He led a successful building program that produced a beautiful sanctuary and fellowship hall. Calvary was known for having a traditional order of worship, insightful and uplifting sermons, and an outstanding music program. The church attracted a large group of members and visitors from the neighborhood and from the Orlando area. Regular and holiday worship services, Sunday school, monthly Family Night Suppers, and Vacation Bible School were well attended throughout his tenure. He earned the nickname “Marrying Sam” due to the large number of weddings he performed.

The next stop was Indialantic, Florida where he served as senior pastor at the Eastminster Presbyterian Church. He was honored to serve the outstanding members, leaders, and co-pastors of this church. The entire family enjoyed many happy years at their beachfront residence in Satellite Beach. The Presbyterian Church (USA) honored him with an appointment to serve as the Minister Commissioner for the 195th General Assembly held in Atlanta, Georgia in 1983.

Roy was a tireless servant of the Lord, his parishioners, and the Presbytery for more than 45 years. Although he formally retired in 1999, he continued to preach at an interim level for churches in need of a head pastor.

Roy loved his family, Friday night pizza, summer vacations at New Smyrna Beach, surf fishing, and playing golf with a close group of friends – who simply called him the “Rev.”

Roy is survived by his wife Nancy, daughters Edith (Kevin) and Catherine, son John (Sandra), grandsons Benjamin and Garrett (bride to be Karina), great-granddaughters Natalee and Willow, and sister Jean. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Gilbert, sister Ruth, her husband Robert Glisson, and their daughter Amy Glisson Cocke, and brother-in-law Howard Merrill.

A celebration of life will be held on October 7, 2022 at 10:00 in the Reformation Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church located at 106 East Church Street, Orlando, FL, 32801.

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Maurice Alfred Crouse ’56

Dr. Maurice Alfred Crouse (Mac), son of Thomas Maurice and Essie Crouse, was born on February 15, 1934 in Lincolnton, NC and died on September 2, 2022, at the age of 88.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Barbara Jean Hedrick Crouse, and his sister, Anita Chaffin (Joe). He leaves behind the members of his immediate family: daughters – Melanie Smith (Keith), Alison File (Alan), Emily Mills (William), grandchildren – Seth Smith(Chloe), Ross Smith (Marley), Charlotte Vaughn (Nate), David Humphreys (Justine), and Hayley File.

Maurice was raised on a farm in rural North Carolina in a community known as Pumpkin Center. He was an excellent student and was valedictorian of his senior class at Rock Springs High School. He was a ham radio operator and decorated the walls of his room with the call cards from the various locations he had contacted.

Maurice graduated from Davidson College in 1956 with a B.S. in History, followed by an M. A. in History from Northwestern University in 1957. He served two years in the U.S. Army where he was a code breaker and selected to be an instructor. He then returned to Northwestern and received a Ph.D. in History in 1964. He joined the University of Memphis in 1962 as an Early American history professor where he remained for his entire career of 53 years. During his tenure, he also earned a Master’s degree in Mathematical Sciences with a concentration in Computer Science in 1986. He served as webmaster for the Department of History for many years.

Maurice was a faithful member of Woodland Presbyterian Church in Memphis for 60 years where he taught Sunday School for many years. He especially enjoyed performing with the Outreach Choir. During his long life he pursued and mastered many hobbies, but his favorite was bluegrass music. He was a talented banjo picker and played with the Lucy Opry. Although he primarily played the banjo, he was self-taught on many other instruments as well. He was an avid reader with a vast book collection and loved doing crossword puzzles. He was a deeply rooted family man and strong in his faith.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 9, 2022, at Woodland Presbyterian Church at 11a.m. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor his life and memory, may make a donation to the Outreach Choir at Woodland Presbyterian Church, 5217 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119.