Category: 1981

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Julian Augustus Tyer ’81

Julian "Tayman" Tyer '81Julian Augustus “Tayman” Tyer, 53 of Leonardtown, Maryland, passed away on February 14, 2013. Julian was born in Maddox, Maryland on February 18, 1959 to James A. and the late Martha E. (Scriber) Tyer.

Julian received his education in the St. Mary’s County Public School system, where he excelled academically and in sports; playing football, basketball, baseball and track. He also attended Davidson College.

Julian worked for many years with Chopp Lumber Company and Dean Lumber Company, but in recent years was self-employed in the construction business doing home improvement. Julian enjoyed being with family and friends and spent many hours of enjoyment and entertainment with them.

Nothing pleased him more than sitting around on a Sunday afternoon watching TV, telling stories of his childhood to his nieces and nephews and laughing at their reactions. He was known as a kind and gentle man who displayed a serious nature and keen wit.

An intellectual man, Julian loved to hold what he called “intelligent” conversations with his nieces and nephews. When recalling those conversations, the kids would always state that “Uncle Tayman knows everything”, to which he would reply “I don’t know everything, I just know a little about a lot of things”.

His compassion and love for his family and others was evident. Julian was always willing to lend a hand, and never backed away from a challenge. There was nothing he couldn’t fix and on many days you could find him tinkering with one project or another.

Outside of his family and work, his hobbies included sports. Over the years, Julian participated on many softball, baseball and basketball teams.

His love of sports and his commitment to youth advocacy led him to work and volunteer with the St. Mary’s County Parks and Recreation Department, the St. Mary’s County Branch of the NAACP, where he served as First Vice President and the Chopticon High School Athletic Boosters Club.

He also coached his nephews in basketball through these leagues. Julian was preceded in death by his mother Martha E. (Scriber) Tyer.

Julian leaves to cherish fond memories his loving and devoted family: father, James; stepmother, Grace; brothers, Wayne, James (Traci), Kyle, Craig (Kelly), Clint (Jennifer), Larry (Agnes) and Ronnie; sisters, Lisa (Paul), Lori (Eugene), Luray, Sheena (Sam) and Selena (William); nephews, Eric, Justin (Heather), Craig II, Kyle, Jason, Jared, Trent, Jackson, Travis, LJ, Rodney, Sam and Marvin; nieces, Angel (Bankole), Alysia, Jernai, Felica, Kyriana, Shelby, Tiara, Lakira and Chloe; great-nephew, Justin; great-niece, Alivia; ex-wife, Betsy and mother-in-law, Betty.

He also leaves to mourn a host of special aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Family and friends will unite for Visitation on Thursday, February 21, 2013 at 12 noon until time of the “Homegoing Service” at 1:00 p.m. at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home Chapel, 38576 Brett Way, Mechanicsville, Maryland. Reverend Bankole Akinbinu will be officiating. Interment will be private.

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John Mark Heavner ’81

John Mark Heavner ’81, of Gastonia, N.C., came into the presence of our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Feb. 21. He was 51. He was surrounded by the peace of God, as well as his loving family. Heavner was married to Susan Carpenter Heavner, 1119 S. Belvedere Ave., Gastonia, NC 28054-4583, for 15 wonderful years. They are blessed with two precious children, John Walter Heavner and Sarah Jane Carson Heavner. He is also the son of devoted parents, Harold and Jonnie Heavner. He is survived by his brother, Steve (Beverly), as well as other extended family. He had a special relationship with his niece, Kaylee Marie Quinn, and found love and support through his Carpenter family. Born in Lincoln County, Heavner went on to graduate from Davidson and Wake Forest University law school. He was a lawyer at Mullen, Holland, and Cooper in Gastonia. He was deeply rooted in his faith and family and was a devoted member of Gaston Community Church. The love of the Lord Jesus guided his life and his hope that others would find the peace and comfort that came to him through faith.

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Mary Brooks Booth ’81

Mary Brooks Booth ’81, 52, of Durham, N.C., died peacefully surrounded by her family on July 30. Booth was born in Durham. In 1977 she was an AFS exchange student in Paris, France, returning to attend Davidson, where she graduated in 1981 with honors. For 18 years, she was employed with Whole Foods Market, the last nine years at the headquarters in Austin, Tex., as a business systems analyst. For the past four years, Booth fought a bold and selfless battle with cancer. Her humor and positive attitude were an inspiration to many and helped to sustain her through the many challenges over the course of her illness. She is survived by her parents, E. Spurgeon Booth, Jr., and Mary S. “Brooks” Booth, 416 Monticello Ave., Durham, NC 27707; sister, Carol J. Booth; brothers, Ernest S. “Tripp” Booth III and David D. Booth (Anna); nephews, Brad, Grant, George, and Sam; an uncle, aunts, and several cousins; a devoted caretaker, Rosemary; and many loving friends.

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Theresa Ellen Smith ’81

Theresa Ellen Smith ’81 of Winston-Salem, N.C., known always as Resa, died peacefully, June 29, 2005. After her successful battle with cancer in her early twenties, Resa became a lifelong student and practitioner of health and healing. She managed Friends of the Earth in Reynolda Village and shared her gifts freely with all around her. In her final battle with cancer, Resa was loving and courageous. She is survived by her parents, Kenneth and Betty Smith, 1045 Englewood Dr., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106; her brother, Howard Smith Jr.; uncle and aunt Bill and Drane McCall; and cousins Vaughn and Dawn McCall, Will, James, Jack and Edgar and Dawn McCall and Elizabeth and Jack.