1950s

Sidney Thomas Fairman, BA ’50, resides at 101 N. Wayne, Lubbock, TX 79416. Also contact at jeannefairman@suddenlink.net.

Rev. Carter Bearden, BA ’51, of Canton, GA, was honored Dec. 5, 2019, with an appreciation award from the North American Mission Board in recognition of his pioneering ministry to the deaf. Often referred to as “the deaf Billy Graham,” Bearden served Southern Baptists through the Home Mission Board and later the North American Mission Board (NAMB) for nearly 50 years before his 2004 retirement. The event took place at NAMB’s building in Alpharetta, GA (NAMB photo by Alexandra Toy). Bearden has written a number of books, including the authoritative history of Southern Baptist ministry to the deaf, The History of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ministry to the Deaf. He also wrote several Bible studies for both deaf and hearing populations.

Mary Wells Malone, BA ’51, of Boaz, AL, was appointed to the Snead State Community College Foundation board of directors. She has taught at Boaz Elementary and Boaz High School. She directed the young children’s choir and taught Sunday school at her church for more than 25 years. She is also former chair of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Dr. Bill, BA ’54, and Mary Little, BA ’53, of Bolivar, MO, established The Bill F. and Mary Barrett Little Endowed Scholarship Fund. This scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in the School of Education who are pursuing a major in elementary education.

Clyde Fant, BA ’56, of DeLand, FL, recently published The World In Black and White, a book about the Civil Rights battle in Louisiana and his early years there as a pastor and son of the most powerful anti-Long politician in the state. Contact at CFant70@yahoo.com.

The Paul Baker Endowed Scholarship Fund in Theatre Arts was created by Joyce and Robert Johnson, BA ’56, of McLean, VA, in honor of Paul Baker, who was a longtime professor in the Department of Theater Arts. This scholarship honors Paul’s belief in students learning to think and work creatively, a process which will enrich their lives and the lives of others.

Joe Powell, BBA ’58, retired Jan. 1 as owner and principal of Powell Associates in Pittsburgh, PA. He celebrates his 85th birthday May 12. He retired from Westinghouse Electric Corp. in 1992. A member of the American Statistical Association and other organizations, Powell has received a number of honors and held roles such as Pittsburgh Chapter president of the Planning Executives Institute. He holds advanced degrees in biostatistics and management from Tulane University and Florida State University. Contact at Apt. 3311, Greensberg Pike, Pittsburgh, PA 15221. 

Jane Walker Williamson, BA ’59, won first place in the 2019 Family History Book Writing category for non-professionals at the Texas State Genealogical Society conference, held Oct. 12, 2019, in Houston. Her award-winning book, My Journey: Tracing Ancestors to Grote Family Farm in Mackenbruch, Germany, chronicles her research into one line of her mother’s German heritage and spans the period from the Thirty Years War through Napoleon’s campaign into Spain, the American Civil War and both World Wars. Williamson and her daughter Rachel Williamson Bayless, BA ’89, found the family farm on a genealogy trip to Germany, where they met cousins who were surprised to learn family members had emigrated to Texas in the 1840s. Contact at 300 W State Hwy 6, Apt. 1216, Woodway, TX 76712 or jwilliamson8484@gmail.com.