Category: 1976

Byron Keith Bowen passed on July 11, 2026, at the age of 72, having been born on October 25, 1953, in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Frazier Marsh died on January 25, 2026 in Louisville KY after a short but brave battle with throat cancer. Frazier was predeceased by his parents, Ernest Young Marsh, Sr and Louise Frazier Marsh. He is survived by numerous loving friends far and wide.

Born in Hendersonville North Carolina, Frazier graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Davidson College in 1976 and moved to Louisville as an acting apprentice at Actors Theatre of Louisville (ATL). He was hired in 1977 as assistant stage manager and worked with the company as stage manager, production stage manager, and production manager, coordinating all technical aspects of a play. He directed hundreds of new plays and musicals at ATL in the Humana Festival of New American Plays as well as during the season. Frazier directed A Christmas Carol for 17 years. He toured throughout Kentucky as well as internationally in Czechoslovakia, Greece, Bulgaria, Russia, and Romania through the auspices of the United States Information Agency (USIA).

Actors loved working with Frazier as a director and greatly respected his interpretation of text as well as his patience and sense of humor. As a production manager he was a role model and was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award in Theatre Management by USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) in 2006. During his 33 year-long tenure at Actors Theatre of Louisville he was an invaluable colleague, mentor and friend to generations of theatre artists. Frazier was a fierce fighter for all artists, apprentices and staff and was deeply respected by the top American theatre community. For him it was family.

Frazier was a proud member of Actors Equity Association (AEA) and the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC).

Frazier was an On-Site Reporter for the National Endowment for the Arts, Theatre and Musical Theatre Program, for over 15 years.

Once Frazier found Christ Church Cathedral, he became an integral and committed member of the community. He was the person who knew how to make everything run and could answer any question. Things got done around the church without fanfare or a word. Frazier just took care of it. Frazier worked both as an employee and a member volunteer. He was the congregation’s Parish Coordinator for five years and continued as the wedding coordinator for the rest of his life. He served on the governing board (Chapter) of the Cathedral and as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. He often attended and frequently served as worship leader of the noonday worship services. Frazier was an active member of the Sunday morning Bible Study and would Zoom in when he was traveling. Frazier lived his baptismal covenant by respecting the dignity of every person he met. Many of the visitors to the Cathedral during the week are unhoused and troubled. Frazier offered warmth and kindness.

In 2015 Frazier joined the Board of Directors for The Roy Cockrum Foundation which awards grants to support world-class performing arts organizations in non-profit professional theatres in the United States. He traveled extensively throughout the country seeing plays and meeting with the leadership of regional theatres.

Frazier was a deeply religious and intensely private man with an enormously generous soul.
Frazier also enjoyed working out at the Floyd County YMCA, traveling, and visiting museums and cathedrals. He was an active member and sponsor in recovery programs in New Albany and Louisville for 18 years.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 28, 2026 at Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral, 421 South 2nd Street, Louisville KY. Visitation will be at 1 PM with the service at 2 PM and a reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral or YMCA of Greater Louisville in honor of Frazier Marsh, supporting program scholarships for children in Floyd County.

Checks may be sent to Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral, 421 S. 2nd St., Louisville, KY 40202 with “In Memory of Frazier Marsh” in the memo line, or online at https://abundant.co/christchurchlouky/give by selecting “In Mem. of Frazier Marsh” from the “Fund” menu.

Checks may be sent to YMCA of Greater Louisville, 545 S. 2nd St., Louisville, KY 40202, or online at ymcalouisville.org/donate. To designate a gift to the Floyd County YMCA, please write “Floyd Co. YMCA” and “Frazier Marsh” in the memo line.

William P. Reed Jr. (Bill), 70, died on February 21, 2025, in Davidson, North Carolina. He was born in Riverside, California on June 23^rd,1954 to Phoebe Ann Hunt Reed and William Preston Reed. Bill traveled extensively with his Air Force family until moving to Atlanta, Georgia as a teenager when his father and mother retired.

Bill graduated from Northside High School in Atlanta Georgia in the class of 1972. He went on to attend Davidson College where he graduated in the class of 1976.

At Davidson, Bill was an active member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. He tutored underprivileged children, served on the Vestry at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, as Admissions Guide, Hall Counselor and Freshman Advisor. He also enjoyed swinging from the Johnston gymnasium rafters as the Wildcat mascot for countless Davidson basketball games.

After graduating from Davidson in 1976, Bill earned his MBA from UVA Darden School of Business. He then entered the world of finance and investments in New York where he worked at various financial institutions including his last position as First Vice President of Moody’s Corporation. Bill and Molly raised their family in Park Slope, Brooklyn before retiring to Davidson in 2016. 

As an alumna, Bill served on the Board of Trustees at Davidson College from 2012 to 2019. He was vice president of the Alumni Association Board, led the alumni chapter in New York, contributed to the Davidson Alumni Admissions Program and helped guide the formation of the William H. Terry Scholarship. His connection to his Davidson and the college community brought him much joy throughout his life. In true form, Bill was in the stands cheering on the Wildcats just a week before his passing.

Bill and Molly enjoyed vacations all over the world with his dear Davidson friends and their wives. And as a family, they spent many wonderful July 4^th holidays at Rockywold-Deephaven Camp in New Hampshire. Bill had a dry wit and love of laughter.

Bill is survived by wife Molly Toll-Reed of Davidson, North Carolina and their two children; Phoebe Kelley Reed and Margot Curlin Vangel and her husband Simon; brother Senour Hunt Reed; sister Curlin Reed Sullivan and her husband Luke; nephews Reed Sullivan and Preston Sullivan, and cousin David Morrison and his son Justin Morrison.

The family will have a private family gathering honoring Bill’s life later this year in Davidson, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you donate in Bill’s name to the Michael J. Fox Foundation For Parkinson’s Research https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/489725/#!/donation/checkout

John May Tatum III, 70, of Beaufort, SC, passed away peacefully on Feb. 5, 2025, surrounded by family.

Born on June 21, 1954, in Ft. Bragg, NC, he was the son of Col. John M. Tatum Jr. and Mary Risher Tatum of Bamberg, SC. John’s life was marked by dedication – to his family, his career, and his passions. His life could be encapsulated by Micah 6:8: “What does the Lord require of you but to love kindness, do justice, and walk humbly with my lord.” He graduated from Davidson College in 1976, before serving two years in the United States Army. Following his service, he earned his law degree from the University of South Carolina. Following graduation, he served as a law clerk for U.S. Appellate Court Judge Robert F. Chapman. He moved to Beaufort in 1982, where he practiced law with Harvey and Battey until his retirement in 2019.

A man of deep interests, John had a lifelong love of music, a passion that started in childhood when he would spend his 50-cent allowance each week on records. His extensive album and CD collection reflected his appreciation for great music of varied genres across generations. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, finding great joy being at the beach – especially at Fripp Island – on the golf course, or just sitting on his back deck at home watching birds or just enjoying time with family and friends. He especially loved and enjoyed his grandchildren, taking great pride and interest in their activities and accomplishments and enjoying such weekly adventures as taking them to the Dollar Tree. Watching his grandson, Jack, play sports was one of his greatest pleasures. And he absolutely treasured a recent school project done by his granddaughter, May, who interviewed and wrote about him, noting that one important lesson she learned from him was integrity. Even from a young age, John felt a strong sense of responsibility. At age 14, he served as a page for U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, living away from home, in Washington D.C. – a testament to his independence and dedication. Throughout his life, he served as a role model, inspiration, and leader to his siblings, often taking on leadership roles in family matters, and always handling these with great wisdom and grace, ready and effusive good will, and great humor. He was big brother and best friend to his sisters, Sara and Susan, and his brother, Jimmy, filling the years with laughter and love.

Above all, John cherished his family. He adored his wife, Mary Laney Tatum, whom he married in 1980, and was a loving father to his son, John May Tatum IV, and daughter, Christine Dargan Tatum. He was a proud and doting grandfather to John Craig and May Weaver Tatum, who brought him immense joy.

John is survived by his wife, Mary, son, John May Tatum IV (Jenny-Gray), daughter, Christine Dargan Tatum; sisters Sara Jane Pottenger (Dave) and Susan Connor Tatum; brother, James Risher Tatum (Holly); grandchildren John Craig and May Weaver Tatum; brothers-in-law Eddie Laney (Josephine), Roy Laney (Caroline); sisters in law Lib Laney Peebles (Billy) and Georgia Studnicka (Ben); and numerous cousins and friends, all of whom will greatly miss him.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025, in Beaufort First Presbyterian Church, Beaufort, SC, and will be laid to rest alongside family in South End Cemetery, Bamberg SC, at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Bududa Learning Center (bududa.org), First Presbyterian Church, 410 Church Street, Beaufort SC, 29902, NAMI of the Lowcountry, 5 Promenade Street, Suite 1321, Bluffton, SC, 29910.

William Alexander Robinson III, known affectionately as Alex, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at the age of 69. A beloved husband, father, brother, and friend, Alex’s presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Born on July 25, 1954, at Greenville General Hospital, Alex was the eldest son of Mary Elizabeth Black Robinson and the late William A. Robinson, Jr. Growing up on Mountain View Drive in Easley, he and his siblings were nurtured under the devoted and loving care of Clarice Alexander.

Alex attended Northside Elementary School, conveniently located within walking distance from his home. During his junior high years, he demonstrated leadership as an officer on the Student Council and delivered newspapers for the Greenville Piedmont. In 1968, Alex’s academic excellence was evident when he won the Pickens County Spelling Bee and secured third place in the state-wide competition.

His active involvement in the Easley Presbyterian Church, the Easley YMCA, and the Boy Scouts of America shaped his character. Under the guidance of Reverend Eddie Craig, he earned the esteemed “God and Country” award. Alex’s high school years at Easley High School were marked by his leadership as a class officer and exceptional service, which earned him the prestigious “Principal’s Award.” His early passion for journalism was evident as he covered and reported on sports for the Easley Progress while still in high school.

Alex pursued higher education at Davidson College before transferring to Clemson University, where he graduated in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. His commitment to scholastic achievement continued, earning a Master of Arts degree from Queens University in 2001 with “straight A’s.”

Alex began his working career at Barclays Bank in Charlotte in 1978. He later married Patricia “Patty” Gibson Robinson on May 19, 1984, following a lengthy courtship even by Robinson standards. Their enduring love and partnership spanned 40 wonderful years.

Throughout his career, Alex held various significant roles in his community, forging lasting friendships with many along the way. He worked at Stowe Mercantile Hardware Store from 1986 to 1990 and Dixon Ford from 1990 to 1998. In 1990, he became the President of the Belmont Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating his commitment to community service. Alex was also an active member of the Belmont Rotary Club, serving as its president in 1988. His career with the City of Belmont, from December 1998 to June 2024, marked 25 years of dedicated service. He also cherished his time at Pawleys Island and was a proud member and former commodore of the Pawleys Island Yacht Club.

Alex is survived by his high school sweetheart and devoted wife of 40 years, Patty; his beloved daughters Katherine Robinson and Patricia Robinson; his brothers James M. Robinson (Melissa) of Easley and Alan M. Robinson (Jeanne) of Greenville; his sister Elizabeth R. Weaver (David) of Easley; numerous nieces, nephews, grand nephews and grand niece; and his cherished Dachshund, Leo. He was predeceased by his father William “Bill” A. Robinson, Jr. and infant brother Ben Barnhardt Robinson.

A celebration of Alex’s life will be held on Saturday, July 13th, 2024, at South & West, 109 South 1st Street, Easley, SC, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Keep Belmont Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, that works in partnership with the City of Belmont, North Carolina, to educate and involve the community in litter and waste reduction, recycling, beautification, and natural resource conservation. Donations may be made in memory of Alex by mailing checks to Keep Belmont Beautiful, 1401 East Catawba St. Belmont, NC 28012.