2022FallWarriorWEB

Former Administrative Assistant Linda F. Pierce , age 72, died Monday, July 18, 2022, at Anderson Regional Medical Center in Meridian. Pierce was a native of Newton County, graduate of Newton High School, and a longtime employee at East Central Com- munity College, where she served as an administrative assistant in the Office of Admissions. She was a member of Midway Baptist Church. She was an avid gardener and loved flowers. Former Librarian Longtime ECCC librarian Ann Hunter Burkes died July 27, 2022. She was a graduate of East Central Junior College and received her Bachelor of Science from the University of Southern Mississippi. She later received her Master’s and Specialist degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi. The major part of her educational career was spent at ECCC. She served on many commit- tees at East Central but her true passion was being a Phi Theta Kappa advisor. She took great pride in seeing that students excelled. She received a distinguished national award for Phi Theta Kappa advisors. She was instrumen- I would like to help a little on the Old Gym. I was there in 1950- 52. Thanks to the gym and basketball it was two of the happiest years of my life! I was on the team with Lucille Wood. We had a good team those two years. I even made honorable mention on the All-State team. Girls didn’t get scholarships, but I had to work to go to school. I swept classrooms and worked in the Student Center with Mrs. Keaney and Mrs. Cross. I made 30 cents an hour but it got me through two years. I got my degree from Miss. State. For twenty years I taught elementary school. In 1976 we built the Men’s Shop in Carthage. I worked there into my 80s. At 91, I am finally retired. Thanks for the memories. Fay Newsom Culpepper Class of 1952 We Get Letters! July 27, 2022 Dear Stacey,

tal in making the Theta Xi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa at East Central a national award-winning chapter. Memori- als may be made to the Ann H. Burkes Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship at East Central Community College, P.O. Box 129, Decatur, MS 39327. Former Assistant Football Coach Gary Lynn Risher (’62) died Sept. 15, 2022, at Lackey Convalescence Home in Forest. He died from complica- tions of multiple myeloma. After he graduated from Forest High School, he went to East Central Junior College to play football. His coaching career began at Peeples Junior High in Jackson in 1965 and ended in 2013 as an assistant at East Central Community College. Between Peeples and East Central, his career included coaching stints at Hickory, For- est, Sebastopol, Northwest Rankin, Morton, Byram, New- ton County Academy, St. Joseph Catholic School, and East Rankin Academy. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Nelda Greer Risher; his children, Jan Risher (Julio Naudin), Robin Risher (Tracy), and Rusty Risher (Stephanie); eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. When I read of Ann Burkes’ death and her involvement with your organization, I wanted to let you know that Ann was a friend and colleague of mine. My library experience was at MCC, where I was a librarian in the late 70s and early 80s before moving back to elementary libraries; so I missed Ann’s last few years at ECCC. Yet, I remember her (and Roger) well and how much your community college was a part of their lives. Use this memorial to further the education of someone deserving of such recognition. I know Ann is missed but her many contributions to the young people (and older folks) lives on. Sincerely yours, Gayle Pierce Gluckstadt August 18, 2022 To Phi Theta Kappa at ECCC:

Alumni: Update Your Information Online & Send Us Your News! Have you recently moved or changed phone numbers or email addresses? Please update your information so we can stay in touch. Have you married, had a baby or grandchild, received a job promotion, won an award, or retired? Send us your good news to share with fellow alums. www.eccc.edu/alumni-news or email mmcleod@eccc.edu

ALUMNI NEWS

27