Category: 1970

Dr. Stewart Wright Caughman, known as Wright, passed away peacefully at home in Atlanta on August 22, 2024, after being diagnosed in May with a rare and aggressive form of thyroid cancer.

Born April 28, 1948 in Columbia, South Carolina to James Bankston Caughman and Elizabeth Jennings Caughman, Wright was the fifth of six children.  He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with an English degree from Davidson College in 1970, and began his career as a high school teacher at his alma mater, Dreher High School in Columbia.  It was there that he met his devoted wife of nearly 51 years, fellow teacher Alison Youngs, beginning the most pivotal and beneficial partnership of his life.  Wright embarked on a medical career shortly thereafter, receiving his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina in 1979, and completing his residency at Harvard Medical School, where he served as chief resident in dermatology. After seven years in the dermatology branch of the National Cancer Institute at NIH, he joined Emory University’s dermatology faculty in 1990.

Wright’s contributions to Emory spanned over three decades.  He was widely considered one of the University’s most distinguished, admired, and beloved leaders, presiding most notably as executive vice president for health affairs, CEO of the Woodruff Health Sciences Center, and chair of the Emory Healthcare Board of Directors from 2010 to 2015. Known affectionately as Dr. C among colleagues and students, Wright maintained a clinical practice throughout his career, last seeing dermatology patients in April.  He cherished a close and devoted network of colleagues around the world, and was a member of the American Dermatological Association, the Dermatology Foundation, the American Academy of Dermatology, and the Society for Investigative Dermatology, where he served in multiple leadership positions.

Wright never forgot his years as an English major at Davidson, and remained a devoted believer in the power of a liberal arts education.  Endlessly curious about questions large and small, he relished opportunities to partner with professors within Emory’s College of Arts and Sciences. For several years he was a guest faculty member for an Italian Studies course devoted to thinking critically about the world through the lenses of science and the humanities. He was regarded as an outstanding clinician, a talented investigator, a champion of all fields of inquiry, and a devoted mentor, widely admired professionally for his humility, graciousness, sincerity, and warmth.

Passionate about music of all kinds, Wright served on the Board of Directors of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra at the Woodruff Arts Center. As a member at Ansley Golf Club, his generosity extended to the golf course, where he was known to award putts within an ever expanding “circle of friendship.” Wright was a talented nature photographer and committed world traveler, and built lasting memories with Alison on trips throughout Europe, as well as to Japan, New Zealand, Alaska, Morocco, Tanzania, the Upper Amazon, and, most recently, the Galapagos this past spring.  He also looked forward every year to an annual gathering with the extended Caughman clan on the South Carolina coast, which was a spiritual home for him throughout his life.

In addition to his parents, Wright was predeceased by his brother, Jack Caughman, his sister, Lee Piepenbring, and his granddaughter, Elizabeth Dunphy. He is survived by his wife Alison Caughman of Atlanta, as well as his daughter Shirah (Robert) Dunphy of Brooklyn, NY, sons Stewart (Whitfield) Caughman and Chris (Deborah) Caughman of Atlanta, sister Madeleine Ritchie of Pawleys Island, SC, sister Carlisle (Joe) Harvard of Durham, NC, brother Marvin (Rita) Caughman of Columbia, SC, and six adoring grandchildren who knew him only as Boppa.

A memorial service honoring Wright’s amazing life will be held September 7 at 11 am at Covenant Presbyterian Church (2461 Peachtree Road, Atlanta), where he was an active member of the congregation for 34 years. Those wishing to honor his life and memory may wish to make a donation to the Emory University Department of Dermatology, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, or the Children’s Brain Tumor Project.

William Davis Fishback, Jr., 76, passed away at home Tuesday, July 16th. Born in Lexington, KY, he was the son of the late William Davis Fishback, Sr. and Frances Gore Fishback. Dave graduated from The Lexington School, Henry Clay, Davidson College and Auburn University where he received his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. While doing a veterinary internship in Charlottesville, VA he met his future wife, Betsy Buchanan Fishback. Dave began his veterinary career at Woodford Veterinary Clinic, moving to Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in 1975. He would remain at Hagyard for the remainder of his career, serving as President for over a decade, and retiring in 2018. He would always state that he had the best job because he was able to drive around the bluegrass, see all of his best friends, and take care of horses everyday. Dave also had a passion for his family business. He and his father bred stakes winning Thoroughbreds and Angus cattle at their family farm, Glen Airy, in Versailles. Dave wore several other hats in the equine and local community. He served many boards and organizations throughout his life: The Lexington School Board of Trustees, Kentucky Horse Park Foundation, Pisgah Community Club, Pisgah Presbyterian Church Session, Woodford Humane Society, Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, The American Veterinary Medical Association-Council on Education, American Association of Equine Practitioners, Kentucky Veterinary Medical Association, and Thoroughbred Club of America. Giving back was a way of life for him, and something for which he never wanted to receive praise. 

More than anything, Dave took much pride in his relationships with family and friends. Dave was a devoted friend, son, brother, husband, father, and a very proud grandfather. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betsy Buchanan Fishback. Dave is survived by his daughters, Leslie Fishback Cutchins and husband Chip of Virginia Beach, Sarah Davis Fishback of Lexington, and his grandchildren, Cooper Anne Cutchins, Cecil Vaughan Cutchins, III, and Elizabeth Davis Cutchins, all of Virginia Beach. Dave is also survived by his sister, Frances Fishback Allen, his sister-in-law, Deborah Ann Buchanan, and three nieces, Sheila Camp Motley, Robin Janette Allen, and Elizabeth Allen Giordano.

Visitation will be held at Blackburn and Ward Funeral Home in Versailles, KY from 5pm to 8pm on Sunday, July 21st. On Monday, July 22nd a Celebration of Life will take place at Holly Hill Inn in Midway, KY from 2pm to 5pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Central Kentucky Riding for Hope, P.O. Box 13155, Lexington, KY 40511, the Markey Cancer Foundation, 115 Waller Avenue, Lexington, KY 40503, or Woodford Humane Society, P.O. Box 44, Versailles, KY 40383.

Anne Borden Lee, who died unexpectedly on September 14, 2022 at age 73, loved sailing, hunting, and fishing and was looking forward to her first saltwater fly-fishing expedition in the Pacific Line Islands. An intrepid traveler, Anne enjoyed exploring the world on safaris and far flung adventures as well as professionally, as a surgeon.

Born in Wilmington, NC, on December 7, 1948, Anne attended the Porter-Gaud School, Charleston High School, and Davidson College, a school to which she was devoted—most recently enjoying her 50^th reunion. Anne received her training at the Medical University of South Carolina. She practiced in the Charleston area, in the Florida Keys, and, as a locum tenems surgeon in a number of remote areas of the United States.

Anne read widely and loved to write. Fascinated by Jungian psychology, she was deeply religious and an active participant in several study and dream groups.

She was married twice. Her first spouse died of cancer; Anne was a devoted caregiver throughout that long illness. Her second marriage ended in divorce. She is predeceased by her parents, Lawrence and Mary Borden Lee of Charleston, SC, and a brother Lawrence Lee of Savannah, GA. Survivors include a nephew, L. Borden Lee, two nieces, Shannon Lee and Ramsay Jarvis, six great nephews and one great niece—as well as many other relatives from both sides of her family.

Funeral arrangements in Charleston are by the J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home. A service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September, 30, 2022, at Lebanon Chapel in Airlie Gardens, Wilmington, NC, with burial in Oakdale Cemetery to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to: the Kanuga Conference and Retreat Center, Hendersonville, NC. or to Davidson College.

John Witherspoon Foster passed away on July 8, 2022 at the age of 73 after a long battle with Lewy Body dementia. 

John was born on November 6, 1948 in Columbia, South Carolina to Charles Cantzon and Isabel Witherspoon Foster. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Dr. Charles McDonald Foster. Raised by an accountant with a penchant for farming and a schoolteacher, John deeply valued education and the outdoors. Congaree Farm, which belonged to John’s grandfather, is where he felt most at home. 

John obtained his undergraduate degree in political science and economics from Davidson College in 1970 before studying Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the University of Oxford. He then went on to Harvard Law School, where he graduated cum laude in 1976. Following law school, John moved to New York City where he began his career as an attorney with Sullivan & Cromwell. He was married to Vesta Anne Haselden in 1977, and the two eventually moved back to their mutual hometown of Columbia to start a family. John practiced law and co-founded Foster Saad, a real estate development company dedicated to new development in the Midands and the preservation of historic buildings in downtown Columbia. 

John was an avid outdoorsman and particularly enjoyed hunting, horseracing, sailing, and flying airplanes. A colorful storyteller, John relished sharing tales of his adventures, like the time he crewed a sailboat from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Gibraltar, eating flying fish for dinner. He also had a passion for animals and a penchant for history. John’s greatest love of all however, was reserved for his daughters and grandchildren. 

John was a member of the Palmetto Club, Forest Lake Country Club, the Columbia Cotillion, The Centurion, and the Pine Tree Hunt Club. 

John is survived by his two daughters, Vesta Murray Ferris (Mead) and Isabel Foster Berbert (Tayloe); his grandchildren, Mead Boykin Ferris IV, Charles Witherspoon Ferris, Louise Blalock Ferris, Knox Blalock Berbert; his sister, Ann Foster Alexander; and his former spouse, Anne Haselden Foster. 

His family would like to give special thanks to the remarkable staff at Still Hopes Retirement Community who took such good care of John in his final years. 

A private memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Unbridled Thoroughbred Foundation, a sanctuary for retired thoroughbreds (PO Box 122 Greenville, NY 12083; 518-755-1813). Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memories and condolences may be shared at ShivesFuneralHome.com

Nelson Dyer Abell III died peacefully at his home in Monroe, LA on Friday, October, 22, 2021, at the age of 73, with his family present.

Nelson was born in Monroe and was educated in the Monroe City Schools; Lexington, Lee Jr. High and Neville High School. He then went on to Davidson College and the University of Texas Law School (which cemented his love for Texas). A member of the Navy ROTC, he had hoped to fly. When his hopes were dashed due to poor eyesight, he was transferred to the Army, where he was a 1^st Lieutenant assigned to the Air Defense Artillery.

After graduating from U.T. Law and passing the bar, he returned to Monroe and started a business with his father. Poly Processing Company grew to be a national manufacturer and distributor of rotationally molded tanks. After serving as President at P.P.C., he moved on to start a distributorship under the name Poly Corr, Inc., specializing in corrosion resistant applications, which he operated until his retirement in 2015.

A lover of the outdoors, Nelson enjoyed hunting, fishing, and exploring the lands around him. He was a lifelong Presbyterian, first at First Presbyterian Church and then Covenant Church.

He is survived by his wife of forty-two years, Stephanie Dawson Abell; children, Graham Nelson Abell, Claire Dawson Abell Fletcher, and her husband, Nate; and much loved grandchildren, Jack Hughes Fletcher and Georgia Nell Fletcher. He was preceded in death by his parents, Nelson D. Abell, Jr. and Bennie Hughes Abell. He leaves behind brothers; Graham Hughes Abell and Dixon Warren Abell and their families.

Nelson was active in the community, serving on the boards of First Presbyterian Church Session, United Way, Association of Rotational Molders, Central Bank, University of Louisiana at Monroe, LABI, St. Patrick’s Hospital, Monroe Educational Foundation, and others.

Honoring Nelson as pallbearers are Markley Huey, Arthur Liles, Clyde White, Ronnie Myrick, Harry Goldman, Bo Shaw and Burton Wade. Honorary pallbearers will be Robins Brice, Rick Harrell, Bill Knolle, and David McClintock.

The family expresses appreciation to Debra J. Mitchell for her 40 year participation in and support of their family.

Memorials may be made to the Chennault Aviation Museum, 701 Kansas Lane, Monroe, LA 71201; Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1901 Milton, Monroe, LA 71201; or the charity of the donor’s choice.

A celebration of Nelson’s life will be held at 2:00 P.M., on Wednesday, October 27, 2021, at Covenant Presbyterian Church with Pastor John Mabray officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 P.M. at the church.

Entombment will follow services at Kilpatrick’s Serenity Gardens Open Air Chapel Mausoleum, 8729 Cypress Street, West Monroe. Services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Monroe.

Online condolence messages may be extended to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.