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Former Instructor Dorothy Inez Keen , a former cos- metology instructor at ECCC, died December 13, 2021, in St. Dominic Hospital in Jackson. She is survived by her husband, Winfred Keen of Union; two sons, Kenny Hudson and Mike Hudson, and one daughter, Beverly Keene; three granddaughters and eight great-grandchildren; a sis- ter, Barbara Callaway Hanna; sister- in-law Glenda Massey; and brother Ricky Callaway Former Instructor Robert Lee “Robbie” Pearson (’82) of Union, a former auto mechanics instructor at ECCC, died, August 17, 2021, at Rush Foundation Hospi- tal in Meridian. He was a graduate of Union High School and was a dedicated public servant, serving his community as a paramedic with several local ambulance services, a police officer for Newton Police De- partment and Decatur Police Depart- ment, as well as a firefighter with the Union Fire Department. He also worked private security for a time. Survivors include his son Chris- topher Pearson and sister Laurie Moore. Former Business Office Clerk Mary Merle Vaughan Tucker of Bailey died November 19, 2021 at her home. She was a former clerk in the ECCC Business Office and later retired from La-Z-Boy in Newton. She is survived by her husband of 71 years Bradford J. Tucker, retired ECCC dean of instruction, and her daughter, Beth Tartt (Dr. Steve); three grandchildren; and six great- grandchildren. Former Admissions Clerk Mary Munn Wall (’68) died Decem- ber 3, 2021, at J.G. Alexander Nurs- ing Home in Union. She was a former employee in the Student Services Division at ECCC. Survivors include her brother, Johnny Munn (Becky); sister, Dorothy Fisher (Kenneth); nephews, Lamar Fisher (Missy) and Eric Munn; nieces, Traci Walters and Casey Munn; sister-in-law, Melody Munn; and stepchildren, Charles Wall and Tracy Wall Jeffcoat.

football with the Mobile Buccaneers. His coaching career took him to numerous high schools in Missis- sippi and to Pearl River Community College and Delta State, along with East Central, at the collegiate level. Coats is a member of the University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Hall of Fame, the Mississippi Associa- tion of Coaches Hall of Fame, and the East Central Community College Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Coats is survived by his wife of 64 years, the former Lula Richardson of Stonewall, MS; four children: Patti Coats Ezell, Tim (Shelley) Coats, Stan (Sharon) Coats, and Kristi Coats; seven grand- children; seven great-grandchildren; brothers, Dennis Coats, Richard (Phyllis) Coats, Douglas (Sue) Coats, and Larry Mosley; and a sister, La- verne Holloman. AthleticHall of FameMember Athletic Hall of Fame Member Barry Irons (’69) died September 14, 2021. He was a native of Neshoba County and a longtime resident of Philadelphia. He attended Philadel- phia High School, East Central Com- munity College, and Mississippi State University. He was a standout foot- ball player at ECCC and was selected to the East Central Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019. He formerly worked as a chief industrial engineer with Elger Plumbing Ware in Tupelo and was a former owner of Philadelphia Dry Cleaners from 1994 to 2012. Survivors include his wife, Betty Irons of Philadelphia; children, Jenny Irons (George Hobor) of Maplewood, N.J., Dan Irons (Karen) of Westerville, Ohio, and Mary Margaret Massey (Will) of Louisville; grandchildren, Addy, Lillian, Kate, and Savannah; mother, Bobbie Holley of Philadel- phia; and sisters, Kay Duett (Stuart) and Patti Rickles. Former Instructor Madeleine Monica Engel de Jånosi McMillan died October 1, 2021. She was a native of Vienna, Austria, and later moved with her family to the U.S., where she met her husband, James, a native of Newton, at a party in Washington, D.C. After moving to Newton, she taught at ECJC and then Millsaps College. The family later moved to Lake Forest, Ill., where she resided until her death.

L etter to the P resident The following letter and poem were sent to College President Dr. Brent Gregory by alumnus Jim Wilkerson, who was unable to attend the Vickers Legacy Event held recently.

March 28, 2022

Dr. Gregory,

I am a 1959 graduate of ECJC. Ovid was a young influential leader for the college and Carol was a student friend of mine. My time there was special, and I regret I will not be able to attend Friday. On the night after I graduated 63 years ago, I penned a few words on how long those memories might last. Thanks to men like you and those that came before you, the memories continue to linger on all these years later.

PS: That special someone is still with me!

Jim Wilkerson

Years from now, When your hair is turning grey And wrinkles come upon your face, You will remember these days As part of a lost and younger time A tear will roll down your cheek, A smile will come across your lips. The thoughts of these years, Will rocket across your memory, Like a great river seeking its destiny.

You’ll know the past is gone, But it was a wonderful past. The late nights of study.

The campus strolls. The many friends. That special someone.

All these things you will remember. All these things you will want to relive. But no, they are only sweet, sweet Memories of a lost and younger time.

Jim Wilkerson, 19 years old May 1959, the morning after graduation from ECJC

ALUMNI NEWS

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