VIII. LET US REMEMBER - A.
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2011 New York A nnual Conference - 345
VIII. LET US REMEMBER
A. MEMOIRS
Reverend Paul Wilson Bowles
May 2, 1927 to September 8, 2010
Paul Wilson Bowles was born in Norborne, Missouri
to John Wesley Bowles, Jr. and Louise Viola
Derringer Bowles on May 2, 1927. The family
included his four brothers: John, Jack, Lawrence
and Leroy and his sister Katherine. Born to a farm
family, he grew up in an agricultural environment
and graduated from Chillicothe High School in
1944. As was unusual at the time, he went on to
study at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri;
graduating in 1947. Though his father wanted him to continue working the family
farm; Paul felt called to sow other “seeds.” He left for studies at Andover Newton
Theological Seminary where he received a Bachelor of Divinity degree in 1949. Paul
would later go back for a graduate degree from The Biblical Seminary in New York;
receiving a Master’s Degree in Religious Education in 1951.
Paul began his pastoral career in the Gilead Baptist Church of Norborne, Missouri
where he was ordained in 1946. He served several congregations and joined the staff of
Goodwill Industries of New Jersey which serves the needs of the disabled and went on
to become the Executive Director there in 1960. He opened four new stores, increased
the number of handicapped people employed from 27 to 225 and the payroll from
$427 to $5,000 per week. Also in 1960 he was accepted as a Minister in The Methodist
Church in the Newark Annual Conference. He later transferred to Goodwill Industries
of St. Paul Minnesota as Executive Director. But Paul felt the Lord beckoning him back
into pastoral ministry. He served at The Walker Methodist Church in Minneapolis,
Minnesota. In 1964 he was made a member of the New York Annual Conference and
was appointed to serve the Oyster Bay Methodist Church. Over the next four years
his ministry there was focused on church growth and community outreach — two
recurring themes in his pastoral ministry.
In 1968 Paul was appointed by Bishop Lloyd Wicke to serve the Central Islip United
Methodist charge. First United Methodist Church was wrestling with some financial
difficulties and had not seen any significant growth in its recent ministry. In early 1969
Paul reported 400 full members in the church’s “family.” Eleven years later, as brother
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Bowles prepared to move to his next charge, the church membership increased to 1,100
— 700 more members than when he began. Concomitant to the membership growth,
First UMC also experienced a wide variety of programs of spiritual growth and Paul
continued his interest in a ministry to “those in need” developing a Thrift Shop, a Food
Bank, free Christmas Community dinners, and a vibrant Youth Ministry which included
a Coffee House program and US Theater Players in which the young people of the
church and community presented a variety of shows which were also made available
to the patients at Central Islip State Hospital. He also organized an ecumenical council
to assist in outreach, evangelism, and cooperative worship. Additionally, he served as
the chaplain to the Central Islip Fire Department (as he had also done in Oyster Bay
and Bayville) — yet another way in which he made the Methodist faith community346 - Let Us Remember
visible to the rest of Central Islip. The number of Community Boards and Committees
Paul served on in all his churches was significant. In 1970, he was presented with
the Town of Islip Martin Luther King Award for Humanitarian Service. He was also
awarded the Key to the Village of Bayville.
It was while he was casting his net for new Christians to share in this ministry that one
of the most important things happened in Rev. Bowles’ life. It was here that Paul was
introduced to Audrey Tudor when her family moved to Central Islip. Paul and Audrey
Bowles were married, in 1978, at the Village UMC in Bayville, the charge to which he
had just been appointed. This “partnership” with Audrey would continue until the time
of his death as they shared their concern for, and ministry to both Methodists and the
larger communities to which they were posted.
Paul was always involved in the Rotary Club in all communities he served. He was a
founding member of the first Sayville Rotary Club, where he served as President as he
had in Central Islip (where the Rotary Club met in the Church.) These service Clubs
were agreat asset in supplying needs of their communities (including a playroom in
The Ossining Correctional Facility for children who waited while family members
visited and supplies for a shelter for women and children.) He was awarded the Paul
Harris Award for Rotary Service.
Paul was appointed the District Director of Communications for the Long Island
East District in 1978 and served (with Audrey) as Secretary of the Conference
Communications Committee from June 1976. They worked to bring The United
Methodist Reporter to The New York Annual Conference. This became the precursor
of “The Vision.” He served on the Committee that brought the evangelist Dr. Alan
Walker to The Long Island Arena in Commack.
Paul continued his pastoral ministry in Ossining UMC (appointed in 1983). One of
his more interesting pastoral experiences grew out of a connection with the Ossining
Correctional Facility. Through an agreed upon arrangement, some of the prisoners
were released on a work detail to provide some needed repairs to the historic
Methodist Church. During the next year the prisoners renovated both the church
and the parsonage. Paul connected the Correctional Facility with Bethel Home and
with other community groups, leading to a number of restoration and repair projects.
There was a great benefit to the prisoners who not only learned skills to help them
in job searches after their release but they often said that this was their first contact
with people in a church and they were amazed at the kindness they were shown. Paul
joined with the church members in providing morning coffee and cake and in hosting
dinners and holiday celebrations for the men in appreciation for their work. Paul
extended his prison ministry to The Ossining Correctional Facility, visiting prisoners
and performing marriages. In Ossining he also served as Welfare Secretary for The
Salvation Army providing food baskets for these in need.
In 1989 he was sent to serve St. Paul’s (Tottenville, Staten Island) until his retirement
MEMOIRS
in 1992. Along the way he won a number of accolades and honors. He served on Mayor
David Dinkins’ “Increase the Peace” Taskforce. During his time in ministry among the
people called Methodist, Paul took great pride in the fact that in each appointment he
left more participants than when he had arrived and a greater ministry in the community
and, with ecumenical partners, a commitment to that shared responsibility. It may have
been Paul’s affable style and his “love of people,” his complete focus (the Church
WAS his hobby), or his ability to use every chance connection as an opportunity for
invitation... but whatever its source it could be said of Paul Bowles that he had been a
faithful “farmer for the Lord,” planting the seed of Christ’s great love wherever he was2011 New York A nnual Conference - 347
sent. His fateful decision on the plains of Missouri had changed not only his life but so
many lives his ministry touched.
Paul continued to minister in a variety of ways in First UMC-Central Islip (after
returning with Audrey to reside in the community). In 1996, together with Audrey, he
edited “The Chronicle,” the annual publication for the Retired Ministers and Spouses
of the New York Annual Conference, a pastoral ministry that he continued until the
time of his death.
Paul died of heart failure on September 8, 2010. The Funeral Service was held at
The First United Methodist Church of Central Islip and he was interred at Pinelawn
Memorial Cemetery.
Reverend Elemit Anthony Brooks
December 21, 1922 to July 29, 2010
Elemit, the eldest son of Lee Augustus Brooks and
Ella Morris Brooks was born, December 21, 1922,
in Cape Charles, Virginia. He attended the public
schools in Norfolk, and graduated an honors student
from the city’s Booker T. Washington High School.
He was a devoted member of St. John A.M.E.
Church and made an early commitment to Christ’s
work within that congregation.
Like other members of “the greatest generation,” Elemit answered the country’s call
and served in the United States Navy during World War II. After military service, he
continued his education under the G.I. Bill at Lincoln University (PA). However, he had
entered Lincoln as a pre-med student. After he received his Bachelor of Arts degree he
was accepted at Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, New Jersey. While attending
Drew, an internship at Trinity was granted at Trinity Methodist Church, Bronx New
York and followed at Metropolitan Community Methodist Church, Manhattan under
the guidance of the Reverend William M. James. He began his ministry in the New
York Annual Conference in 1951. It was during this assignment that he met Miss Doris
Kearsley at a church sponsored program.
Elemit received his Master of Sacred Theology from Drew University in June 1953,
and was appointed to the Werner Methodist Church, Cleveland, Ohio. This was
a newly formed church and Elemit would be the first Pastor. It was the ministry at
Werner Methodist Church that developed and honed his church building skills. The
Reverend Elemit A. Brooks and Miss Doris Kearsly were married at the Asbury
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Methodist Church, Croton-on-Hudson, NY on September 19, 1953.
Upon his return to New York Elemit served at the Protestant Council of the City of
New York (Department of Education) and Bushwick Methodist Church, where he co-
pastored with Charles Wesley Lee, (One of the New York Annual Conference’s first
recognized multi-cultural parishes). During the turbulent 60’s he answered the call to
community and political activism. At the Willis Avenue Methodist Church (Bronx)
he was chairman of the South Bronx Community Progress Center, Mobilization of
Parents, which focused on public education, plus countless committees and attended
numerous conferences. He was especially proud of the minority hiring that resulted
from demonstrations led by Methodist clergy at the soon-to-be-built Downstate348 - Let Us Remember
Medical Center in Brooklyn. Activism had its place but he declined when asked to run
for an open Bronx congressional seat; pastoral work always came first.
Meaningful ministries at John Wesley United Methodist, Summerfield United
Methodist and Brooks Memorial United Methodist followed with lifetime friendships,
During March 1963, Elemit received a call from Bishop Roy Nichols who asked him
to consider joining the Cabinet and he accepted. Effective July 1, 1983, Elemit served
the 77 churches of the Long Island East District. Following this tenure he considered
retirement, but instead accepted a combined appointment at Good Shepherd and South
Floral Park United Methodist Churches. During his ministry in the New York Annual
Conference he served various committees and boards. He remained active in the
United Methodist City Society after his retirement in 1991, and returned to minister to
Trinity United Methodist Church/Bronx, Union United Methodist Church/Brooklyn,
and Grace St. Albans United Methodist Church, finally retiring in 1995.
Elemit spent his last years as a faithful member and minister-in-residence at St. Marks
United Methodist Church Manhattan. Although his health began to decline following
retirement, he remained active until a series of strokes incapacitated him in 2006.
Elemit died of cardiac arrest on July 29, 2010 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Yonkers,
New York. A Service of Death and Resurrection was held on August 3, 2010, 12:00
Noon, at St. Marks United Methodist Church, Manhattan. The Reverends Joseph V.
Crockett and Nathaniel R. Grady officiated, with Bishop F. Herbert Skeete, Eulogist.
Elemit’s favorite hymn, “Savior, Thy Dying Love,” by Robert Lowry was among the
hymns offered. Interment was held on August 4, 2010 at Calverton National Cemetery,
Calverton, New York. His immediate survivors include: Spouse, Doris Kearsley
Brooks, daughter Bethella Brooks-Brereton, son-in-law Steven V. Brereton. His
brothers Clifton Purnell Brooks, and Samuel Lee Brooks predeceased him.
Submitted by Bethella Brooks-Brereton and Doris K. Brooks
Reverend Julian N. Hartt
June 13, 1911 to November 29, 2010
Theologian Julian Norris Hartt, professor of religious
studies at Yale University for 30 years and professor
emeritus of the University of Virginia, died Nov. 29,
2010 in Greenfield. He was 99 and died of natural
causes with his wife and two of his children at his side.
He was born June 13, 1911 in Selby, S.D., the son of
Albert Hartt, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal
MEMOIRS
Church and Laura Beals Hard. Julian was educated
in the small Dakota towns in which his father was assigned churches. He attended high
school in Doland, S.D., where he became lifelong friends of Hubert H. Humphrey. One
example of their closeness was that Julian gave the grace at the luncheon following the
inauguration of Lyndon Johnson and Humphrey. For decades, Julian regaled students
with Humphrey/Hartt stories.
Students included scores of scholars and ministers including William Sloane Coffin,
Ray Hart (no relation), William May, Stanley Hauerwas and James Carse.2011 New York A nnual Conference - 349
Julian earned his BA from Dakota Wesleyan University in 1932, majoring in philosophy
and psychology. During his junior and senior years he served Methodist churches in
southeast South Dakota and for two years was a minister in Harrisburg, S.D., south of
Sioux Falls.
He graduated with honors in 1937 from Garrett Biblical Institute in Evanston, Ill., and
received a Ph.D. in philosophy and theology in 1940 from Yale University. He taught
at Berea College for three years before returning to teach at Yale Divinity School in
1943. He held the Noah Porter Professorship of Philosophical Theology. He taught
at the Divinity School, the Department of Religious Studies and other schools and
departments until 1972.
He joined the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia in 1972,
occupying the William Kenan, Jr. Chair of Religious Studies until he retired in 1981.
He continued to do some teaching after his retirement, but devoted most of his time to
writing. He is the author of many books and articles, including A Christian Critique of
American Culture and memoirs published in several volumes by Soundings. Eight of
his books have recently been reissued by Wipf & Stock Publishers.
Julian Hartt’s brother, James, and one sister, Helen, predeceased him. His sister, Betty
Strand of Sagle, Idaho, survives him.
His first wife, Neva Beverly, to whom he was married for 50 years, predeceased him.
He is survived by three children: Beverly Ann Gouaux of Denton, Texas, Susan L.
Hartt of Hamden, Conn., and Julian N. Hartt Jr. of West Hartford, Conn., and two
grandsons, Brendan J. Hartt of North Haven, Conn., and Amos Gouaux of Denton. He
is also survived by his wife, the artist Elinor N. Hartt, currently of Greenfield, and three
stepchildren: Katelin Roberts of New York, N.Y., Wendy Roberts of Laurel, Del., and
Diana Roberts of Greenfield, and three step-grandchildren: Ruth Epstein of Roanoke,
Va., Benjamin Epstein of Southfield, Mich., and Jamie Roberts of New York, N.Y.
A memorial service was held in Greenfield on December 18, at St. James Episcopal
Church. In the spring, a service was held at the University of Virginia.
Submitted by the family of Rev. Hartt
Reverend Albert James Hillard
July 8, 1923 to February 10, 2011
Born in Kingston, Pennsylvania, July 8, 1923, Rev.
Hillard was a Methodist minister in the New York
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area for 40 years, including 10 years as Chaplain
at NY State Psychiatric Hospital. He was active in
many civic organizations including Rotary, Masons,
BPOE, and Fire Chaplain. His military career
included service in Korea and Japan during World
War II. Newburyport became Rev. Hillard’s home
after retiring in 1994. He is survived by his step-son Stephen DeSalvo and family, as
well as many nieces and nephews.
Rev. Hillard passed away peacefully on February 10, 2011 at age 87. After falling and
breaking his hip in December, 2009, he lived at Country Manor Nursing Home where,
despite being bedridden, he managed to keep his good humor and positive attitude.350 - Let Us Remember
Whether you knew him as Dad, Grandpa Al, Uncle Albert, Rev. AJ, Al, or something
else, he was a one-of-a-kind soul. The words that come to mind to describe him are:
Generous, thoughtful, supportive, joyous, funny, caring, charismatic, gentle, positive,
theatrical, musical, dancer, trusting, humble, welcoming, private, stylish, patient,
spiritual, pastoral, respectful, and insightful.
All who knew him felt blessed and recognized that we were fortunate to have him in
our lives. Many persons testified that he was the best friend they ever had and/or their
favorite uncle. He had a special gift from God and spent his life in service to others.
One always felt good in his aura. Though he was a preacher, he never told us what
to do or be he just practiced the Golden Rule. While the list of things I learned from
him is long, the most precious was that he taught me the joy of unconditional love &
support. Even in death, he was the master of grace and timing.
To celebrate his life and spirit, a memorial service was held on March 26 in Salisbury,
Massachusetts at the East Parish United Methodist Church, and later in Kings Park,
New York at the Lucien Memorial United Methodist Church.
Submitted by Stephen DeSalvo
Reverend Frank A. Horbert
May 2, 1921 to November 24, 2010
The Rev. Frank A. Horbert Sr. was born May 2, 1921
in Queens, New York. He was the son of Anthony
and Lillian Brain Horbert.
He was the widower of Yolanda Horbert who was
an extremely strong force behind him and stood by
him every step of their 76 years of marriage. They
had four married children: Frank Jr. and wife Jean;
Paul and wife Debra, Jeff and wife Dale and Sandy
and her husband Ron. Surviving descendants include nine grandchildren, sixteen great
grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
As a child Frank was sick for many years with heart problems. Doctors did not expect
him to live past his early teens but instead he lived to be 89 years old. He showed his
teachers how extremely intelligent he was, so they skipped him over Junior High and
sent him straight to the prestigious Stuyvesant High School for boys where he graduated
early. From there he explored many different fields of work – including his career as
treasurer of the Capitol Theater in New York City and Grumman Aerospace in which
he worked on the F14 Tom Cat and the Apollo missions. In between his careers he
attended classes at Yale University and Boston University where his college education
MEMOIRS
answered his calling and led to his degree as a counselor and ordained minister of The
United Methodist Church. He was very involved in the UMC Conferences and served
churches in Branford, CT and then several in Long Island and also served as interim
pastor for churches in upstate New York as well. He was a mason, started several
“Learn and Play” centers at his churches, was on the board and started several chapters
of Hospice in Connecticut and New York and of course was hugely involved as pastor
to his congregations and to the communities everywhere he went.
When he had some spare time, which was rare, he loved to paint beautiful pictures and
built wonderful things such as bird houses which he painted on as well.2011 New York A nnual Conference - 351
His heart was not at all weak as the doctors told him at a young age, but extremely
strong and filled with so much love for his family and everyone who crossed paths
with his life!
Submitted by Sandy Heins
Reverend Dr. Alfred Liberatore
September 12, 1928 to May 23, 2011
Better known as Pastor Al, he usually wore a clerical
collar. Some called him “Father,” but he was a father
of two girls and grandfather of four boys.
Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Al was the youngest
son of Francis Liberatore and Dora (Zacarola)
Liberatore. He was the only one in the family to
attend parochial school. He had deep conversations
with his stepmother Elsie and began attending the
Waterside Chapel in Stamford. He and his brother worked for his father constructing
sea walls, driveways and roads; they worked for several celebrities.
He loved baseball and tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers farm team as pitcher, but
was hit in the face.
Al met Winifred Waters at Stamford Methodist Church when she visited friends. He
always said the Lord told him, “There is your wife.” He wasn’t ready to marry and it
took him four years before he managed to date me. After a short engagement, we were
married March 3, 1956 in High Ridge Methodist Church by Dr. Notar.
After a short period of attempting to build a house and run a contracting business,
he attended classes to become a radio announcer; he had to overcome stuttering. He
became a D.J. in Georgia, Virginia and later Remsen, N.Y. before talking with Rev.
Charles Marks. This opened the door to 48 years of service to the Lord. He served 5
years as pastor in Stittville and Floyd, N.Y. in which time Stittville built a new hall and
class rooms. Floyd planned new construction. Although the Floyd Church Sanctuary
had been remodeled, the congregation later moved across the road due to the lack of
a water supply.
We returned to the New York Conference in 1964, moving into the parsonage in
Malden with daughters approaching ages 6 and 4 years old. The parsonage had been
sold; we didn’t unpack until moving into the new parsonage in Quarryville in October.
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Al served Malden, Quarryville and Palenville until 1968 when we moved to Cold
Spring and Highland. He had earned his Bachelor of History degree at S.U.N.Y in
New Paltz, NY. Besides three churches, and studies, he worked part time in radio
in Kingston. One night he found our cat in the car trunk and she rode home on his
shoulder as he drove the NY Thruway.
While in Cold Spring he attended New York Seminary before getting his Masters
Degree in theology at Drew University. Besides attending classes, and preaching, he
was a member of “F.I.S.H.” driving people to doctors and had a hot line for teenagers,
and served as an EMT with the ambulance. He was well known in the community and
the local hospital. He often was my caregiver.352 - Let Us Remember
We moved to Pine Plains in 1974 and he served there until 1984. He became Chaplain
for the State Police and was an EMT again. He was known and loved by the whole
community regardless of their faith. While in Pine Plains he delivered meals to shut-
ins on Wednesdays when the ladies cooked for seniors. The church had a food bank,
health clinic, and AA meetings. He helped build a handicapped ramp. At least 9
parishioners preached in the surrounding area.
We moved to Seymour, CT for 9 years; there he served as Connecticut State Police
Chaplain and Chaplain of the Fire Department. Al was an advisor for Women’s Aglow
and built a stone altar in a field of another denomination that is used for Ecumenical
Sunrise Services. He retired in June 1993, but became a part-time pastor in Durham
and Oak Hill where he served 14 years until he retired in 2007. While there we helped
revive the area Marriage Encounter and taught AARP Driver Safety. He served on the
Senior Advisory Board for the Catskill Office for the Aged, and delivered bread to the
Food Bank in Cairo from Stewart’s.
While living in Cold Spring, we bought property in Catskill, NY and started to build
our retirement home with the assistance of family and friends. Before and after an
addition was added, we had weekend retreats with youth and eventually women and
men. This became our home in 1993.
Al was a Christian first who happened to be a United Methodist. After retirement
he took a course at Slidell Baptist Seminary for his Doctorate in Theology. He has
influenced many to preach the Gospel.
Al died of congestive heart disease and donated his body as an anatomical gift to
Albany Medical Center. A Memorial Service was held in Pine Plains United Methodist
Church Sunday, May 29, 2011. The service was conducted by Pastor Gregory Higgins,
Pastor Camille Regholec, and Rev. Karen Burger. Family and friends shared memories.
Al is survived by his wife of 55 years in Catskill, NY and daughters Dorothy (Darrel)
Brodhead of New Paltz, NY and Wendy (Clifford Mealy) Liberatore of Greenwich, NY,
his four grandsons, Benjamin Liberatore, Clark Mealy, Darius and Darrel Brodhead.
He is also survived by three sisters: Rosalie Healey, Ruth (James) Freebairn, and Elsie
(James) Ferrara all of Stamford, CT and many nieces and nephews.
Submitted by Winne Liberatore
Reverend Paul Hak-Hee Nam
May 25, 1937 to June 8, 2010
The Reverend Paul Hak-Hee Nam passed on the
morning of June 8, 2010. Just two weeks prior,
he celebrated his 73th birthday with his devoted
MEMOIRS
family: Choon Cha, his loving wife of 44 years;
Paul and Peter, his sons; and granddaughters, Chloe
and Parker. He was the senior pastor of the Bible
United Methodist Church, Dix Hills, NY and the
Korean United Church of Staten Island (now Marn-
Baeksung UMC of NY), Staten Island, NY.
The youngest of four children, my father was born on May 25, 1937, in Seoul, Korea
to Nam, Jung-Kwan and Sin, Im-Soon. He graduated from the prestigious Yonsei2011 New York A nnual Conference - 353
University, Seoul, Korea with a degree in economics. The study of economics,
however, was not his calling. Embarking on his true lifelong path, he graduated from
the Seoul Methodist Seminary in February, 1969.
In Korea, he helped to build and served as a deacon and a junior pastor in two churches:
the YO’ju Saengguk Church, South Ch’ungch ong Province and the Paju Chkso’ng
Church, Kyo’nggi Province. His greater ambitions and dreams, however, were not to
be fulfilled in his native land, for he was called to the United States. Immigrating in
August of 1972, my father and his young family found a home on Staten Island, NY.
In his newfound home, he founded the Korean United Church of Staten Island in May,
1974. After a decade of struggle and devotion, in November, 1984, my father and the
congregation achieved their dream of building a church of their own at 1278 Rockland
Avenue. Up to this point, they had to lease buildings to congregate and worship.
My father was driven by the need for a church “established for and by Koreans.”
The inauguration of the church on Rockland Avenue was a momentous event for the
burgeoning Korean-American community in New York; this was the first church built
by and for Koreans on the island, and the second in New York City. After serving
there for over two decades, he became the senior pastor of the Bible United Methodist
Church in Dix Hills, New York.
My father was not only a pastor to multiple congregations; he was a builder of
churches. As mentioned above, he helped to establish two churches in Korea and one
of the first Korean-American churches in the United States. He did not stop with these
achievements, however. In 1997, he established the Almaty Church in Kazakhstan;
the physical house of worship was completed in 2005. As such, my father helped to
established four different churches throughout the globe.
In addition to the roles as pastor and builder of churches, my father also served in
the capacity of Chairman of the Council of Korean Churches of Greater New York in
1984, and also as Chairman of the Korean-American Clergy Association of Greater
New York in 1986.
In 2003, my father ended his lifelong career as a pastor with his retirement from
the NY Conference to become a missionary in Kazakhstan. Health issues, however,
prevented this new journey, and ultimately, claimed the life of my father last year. I
speak for everyone who has been touched by the wisdom and love of my father ... we
miss you deeply.
Submitted by his son, Paul S. Nam
Reverend Ellen M. Oliveto
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April 27, 1939 to June 20, 2010
The Rev. Ellen M. Oliveto passed away in her home
in Prattsville, NY on June 20, 2010.
Rev. Ellen was a classically trained pianist who
graduated from Oberlin Conservatory of Music in
1960 with a Bachelor of Music. She studied piano
under Jack Radunsky and also studied music in
Austria.354 - Let Us Remember
Prior to receiving her call to ministry, Rev. Ellen taught piano privately in Long Island
and was a church organist for eight years in Massapequa, NY. She was an accompanist
for various choral groups on Long Island, in the Hudson Valley and on the “Mountain
Top” in the Catskill Mountain area, where she also directed several cantatas, performed
in many local concerts and accompanied local choral groups.
She attended and graduated from The Theological School, Drew University in
Madison, NJ with a Master of Divinity in 1987. Rev. Ellen received Deacon’s Orders
through the UMC in 1989, earned her Master of Sacred Theology in 1990 and was
ordained an Elder in 1991.
Rev. Ellen began her career in ministry as Pastor of the Prattsville/Lexington-West
Kill Charge in 1988 and served that parish until she retired in 2001. Rev. Ellen came
out of retirement in 2004 to serve the Windham-Hensonville United Methodist Church
and the Ashland Community Methodist Church for three years. After fully retiring in
2007, she continued to serve the Ashland Community Church as pianist.
Rev. Ellen was also a gifted artist, not only in her music, but her paintings; leather art
and stunning stained glass creations. Her beautiful stained glass windows adorn the
Lexington/West Kill United Methodist Church. Her spirituality is truly expressed in
her extraordinary stained glass art. She had a deep love for the ocean and also for her
Mountain Top home in Prattsville.
A Celebration of Life service was held August 1, 2010 at the Ashland Community
Methodist Church, Ashland, NY with Pastor Richard Lenz officiating. She wanted
laughter and music at her service and the celebration was truly a tribute in photos,
music, scripture, song, laughter and tears for our respected pastor, gifted pianist, friend,
teacher, mentor and artist. She is missed by all who were touched by her presence, her
sense of humor, and her loving spirit. Her ashes are buried in the Fairlawn Cemetery,
Prattsville, NY.
Rev. Ellen Oliveto’s music, her ministry, her art and her presence brought such joy,
and her generous loving spirit touched so many. Her beautiful stained glass creations
are a tribute to her artistic talents and beauty she saw around her. She listened with her
heart and knew the wonders and blessings of God’s presence.
“I am the Light of the World; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness but will
have the light of life.” — John 8:12
Submitted by Christine Dwon
Shirley I. Parris
July 31, 1933 to June 13, 2010
Shirley Ianthe Clarke Parris was the last of four
MEMOIRS
children born to James and Ruby Clarke in Barbados,
West Indies. Shirley will be remembered throughout
the Caribbean for her work in the late 1950s with
Barbados Rediffusion Radio, where she co-hosted
a daily show, “It’s a Woman’s World,” and appeared
with comedian Joe Tudor in a weekly skit entitled “The
Mistress and the Yardboy” and several other shows.2011 New York A nnual Conference - 355
Nurtured at Dalkeith Methodist Church in Barbados, Shirley felt a call to lay ministry
and was deeply involved in the work of the church, eventually becoming a Sunday
School teacher and then lay preacher and was a participant in almost every aspect of
the life of the church.
Under the umbrella of the (British) Deaconess Order, she attended United Theological
College in Jamaica, West Indies. Leaving before ordination, she migrated to the
United States and eventually settled in Brooklyn, New York, where she joined Union
United Methodist Church in 1964. The Rev. Arthur Caliandro encouraged her love of
preaching and Shirley preached her first sermon at Union UMC.
Shirley served in virtually every capacity at Union including as the member of annual
conference until 2008. She also served on both district and conference levels, holding
the position of District Lay Leader and Conference Lay Leader—the first woman to do
so in both capacities. She was elected as a delegate from the New York Conference to
the General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 1984, 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 and 2004
after which she decided not to run. She led the delegation twice and in that role, she
was a member of the Jurisdictional Episcopacy Committee.
She served on several conference committees including the Committee on Finance
and Administration, the Episcopacy Committee, Conference Board of Laity and Parish
Development Committee and was a lay member of the Conference Board of Ordained
Ministry. She chaired Legislative Section 3 for many years, guiding the section in their
deliberation of many challenging and divisive issues with grace and patience.
She was elected Lay Leader of the General Conference for a quadrennium; and served the
general church as a member of the General Council on Finance and Administration, the
Commission on the General Conference, the National Association of Annual Conference
Lay Leaders and as chair of the Inter-jurisdictional Committee on Episcopacy. She was
also a delegate to many sessions of the World Methodist Council.
Shirley loved preaching and as a district lay speaker she filled the pulpits in most of
the churches in the Long Island West District, as well as beyond the district and The
United Methodist Church, including both Baptist and Episcopal churches. She was a
popular Bible study and workshop leader both locally and in other conferences. Her
sense of humor and unapologetic love of God were well known, as were her love of
music and singing and her familiarity with the hymns of both the British and The
United Methodist Church.
Shirley was a devout Christian and a woman of great prayer, praying daily for the
people and situations on her prayer list that she updated constantly. She lived her
Christian witness in many activities beyond the church including recording readings of
books for the blind and sending greeting cards of support to friends and acquaintances
LET US REMEMBER
at every opportunity.
In the secular field, Shirley enjoyed a successful business career which culminated in
her position as Vice President of Human Resources with Bank of America. Using her
extensive knowledge of finance, she audited the books of several churches.
Shirley counted herself blessed to have loved and known the love of two children—a
daughter, Shannon, who is an accomplished pediatric dentist, and son, Parris, who is a
force within the cosmetic industry.
She believed in excellence and maintained a high standard in all her endeavors. She
leaves a legacy of faith and service to Christ and th e Church.
Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Gennifer Brooks356 - Let Us Remember
Reverend Robert E. Pearsall
January 1, 1927 to January 16, 2011
Robert Elmer Pearsall was born January 1, 1927, in
Elmont, New York, to Frederick and Elsie Pearsall.
He grew up on Long Island with seven siblings –
three brothers and four sisters.
Upon graduation from Bayport High School in June
1944, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Navy. In his first tour
during WW II, Bob served as an electrician’s First
Mate. He continued that service during the Korean
War as a Naval Reserve. Bob was honorably discharged in 1962. He next applied his
talent for writing with his expertise in all matters electrical and began working in the
aerospace industry. Bob spent many years with Filtors, Inc., on Long Island, providing
technical writing for the development of relays which, ultimately, were used on the
Apollo 11 mission’s moon landing.
Bob then attended Southampton College (of Long Island University), graduating in 1969.
And with an eye towards exploring the heavens from a theological perspective he next
obtained a master’s degree from Boston University’s School of Theology, in 1973. During
the following seven years Bob served at several churches in the northeast, concluding
with a United Methodist parish in Windham, New York. In 1980, Bob returned to his first
career as a technical writer for Electric Boat and Sikorsky Aircraft, in Connecticut. He
remained with Sikorsky until he retired in 1994, thereafter moving to Florida.
Throughout his life Bob enjoyed playing piano and listening to classical music. He
participated in chorale singing at various times, even doing so during his retirement in
Florida. Bob also served with a number of fire, emergency medical response and law
enforcement organizations, in both New York and Florida.
In January of 2011, shortly after his eighty-fourth birthday, Bob finally succumbed to
the effects of chronic heart failure. He was surrounded by family and friends while in
hospice care. After a church service and a military funeral, Bob was laid to rest in the
National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.
He is survived by his wife, Gwen, of Lady Lake, Florida, three children, two step-
children and six grandchildren, and he was predeceased by one grandchild.
Submitted by Robert E. Pearsall
Reverend William A. Robbins
October 28, 1920 – October 17, 2008
MEMOIRS
The Reverend William Alford Robbins was a native
of Indianapolis, Indiana, born on October 28,
1920. His parents, Harry L. and Lillian Matthews
Robbins, were devout and active Methodists, and
Rev. Robbins and his four brothers and sister grew
up in the midst of church involvement. In 1938, he
graduated from Arsenal Technical High School and2011 New York A nnual Conference - 357
followed his older brother, Rev. A. Clark Robbins, to Drew University, and then into
the ordained ministry.
Following one year at Garrett Theological Seminary, Rev. Bill Robbins transferred to
Union Theological Seminary and received his Master of Divinity degree in 1945. He
was ordained on May 26, 1944, and began serving a church in White Sulphur Springs,
a small hamlet in the Catskill Mountains.
Earlier that year, Rev. Robbins met Doris Gronlund, a student nurse at Methodist
Hospital in Brooklyn. They fell in love and were married on August 20, 1944, in Elim
Methodist Church in Brooklyn. They enjoyed nearly a year together in White Sulphur
Springs before Rev. Robbins entered Navy chaplain’s school and active military service.
Following his discharge in 1946, Rev. Robbins was appointed to Woodycrest
Methodist Church in the Bronx, and in 1948 the Robbins’ first child, Betsey, was born.
In 1951, son Bruce also arrived, shortly after Rev. Robbins began a four-year ministry
in Yorktown Heights.
Rev. Robbins never lost his interest in American history and continued with graduate
studies at Columbia University Teachers College, earning both M.A. and Ed. D.
degrees. In 1954, with a move to upstate New York, Rev. Robbins began a period of
31 years in the academic world—first, teaching history and social science, and later
serving as dean of students, at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica. In 1968,
he joined SUNY’s community college staff development center in Albany and directed
it for 10 years until his retirement. He then accepted a part-time teaching position at
Virginia Tech, which took the Robbins to Richmond, Virginia. During his long period
of academic work, Rev. Robbins continued to enjoy opportunities to serve interim
and short-term pastorates in both New York and Virginia. His retirement enabled him
to return more fully to pastoral ministry, and for six years he served as minister of
visitation at River Road United Methodist Church in Richmond.
The Robbins returned to New York City in 1995, where they were able to live close to
their son, Bruce, and daughter-in-law, and help care for their two growing grandchildren.
Rev. Robbins’ final move, in 2003, to Minneapolis, Minnesota, was to be near their daughter,
Betsey. In the following year, Bruce received an appointment in Minneapolis, and the entire
Robbins family once again lived geographically close, after more than 30 years.
After several years in the Twin Cities, Rev. Robbins’ health began to deteriorate. He
died from pneumonia at his home in St. Louis Park, as peacefully as he had lived,
on October 17, 2008 —11 days short of his 88th birthday. His life was celebrated
in a memorial service on All Saints’ Day at Centennial United Methodist Church in
Roseville, officiated by Rev. Brian Hacklander.
LET US REMEMBER
Rev. Robbins was an avid reader and loved music. For many years, he sang in choirs
and enjoyed providing a tenor voice at family get-togethers and reunions.
Rev. Robbins’ wife of 64 years, Doris, lives in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. His son,
Rev. Bruce Robbins, is senior pastor at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church
and has two grown children, Adam and Casey. Daughter Betsey Norgard is a writer
and editor and lives in Shoreview, Minnesota.
Submitted by Betsy Norgard358 - Let Us Remember
Reverend Dr. R. Marston Speight
October 15, 1924 to January 19, 2011
The Rev. Dr. R. Marston Speight was born on October
15, 1924, in Littlefield, Texas, to Robert Lee Speight
and Neva Ernestine (Wright) Speight. He graduated
from High School in Longview, Texas in 1940 and
Kilgore Junior College, Kilgore, Texas in 1942.
He served in the United States Navy (1943-46) as
Aviation Radioman, Yd Class, earned a B.A. cum laude
from Baylor University in 1947 and an M.A. from
Columbia Bible College (summa cum laude) in 1950. He completed his formal studies at
Hartford Seminary with an M.A. (1963) and a Ph.D. in the History of Religions (1970).
In 1950 he married Elizabeth M. Francis and the couple had one son, Jonathan Wesley
Speight, who was born in Rabat, Morocco (1952) and died in April, 2010 in Hartford, CT.
Dr. Speight was ordained in the Southern Baptist Church in 1950 and served as a
missionary in Morocco under the Gospel Missionary Union until 1961. In 1963 he was
appointed to North Africa (Algeria and Tunisia) under the General Board of Global
Ministries of The United Methodist Church and received into full connection in the
New York East Annual Conference by Bishop Lloyd C. Wicke on June 13, 1963.
The Speights lived in North Africa from 1951 to 1979, where Marston served churches in
Algeria and Tunisia, including the French Reformed Church in Tunis. He directed both the
Christian Center for North African Studies in Algiers and the United Methodist Research
program on Christian-Muslim Relations in Tunis. He also participated in the Groupe de
Recherche Islamo-Chretien, an outstanding model of serious interfaith encounter.
Dr. Speight’s work in Christian Muslim dialogue was monumental! Even in his
80’s, he and I attended an interfaith gathering at the mosque of the Amadiya Muslim
Community in Meriden, CT. But in his heyday, he was writing articles with titles like
“Islam in Politics” (1966), “Islamic Reform in Morocco” (1963), “Christian-Muslim
Dialogue in the United States of America” (1981), books like Islam from Within
(1980), The House of Islam (1988) and Creating Interfaith Community (2003); and
four entries in The Encyclopedia of Religion, edited by the University of Chicago’s
Mercia Eliade (1987).
In addition to his writing and publications, Dr. Speight served as research associate
with the Institute for the Study of Religions at the Free University of Amsterdam,
The Netherlands (1972-1978), participated in many international conferences between
Muslims and Christians and lectured on Islamics and Interreligious Dialogue in France,
England, Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Italy, Lebanon, Jordon, Nigeria,
Benin and the Ivory Coast.
MEMOIRS
Dr. Speight was co-director (1979-1988), and director (1988-1992) for Christian
Muslim Concerns of the Working Group on Interfaith Relations of the National Council
of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. In this role, he facilitated many encounters
between Christian and Muslim communities in the U.S. He also taught several times
at Hartford Seminary and was on the editorial board of The Muslim World, a seminary
publication circulated in more than 60 countries.
Chief among his writings for the general public is God Is One: The Way of Islam
(1986), republished by Friendship Press to include an “afterword” by the faculty of2011 New York A nnual Conference - 359
Hartford Seminary’s Macdonald Center for the Study of Islam and Christian-Muslim
Relations. This informative book on Muslims and current developments in worldwide
Islam helps readers to understand Islamic fundamentals like: Who was Muhammad
and what inspired him? What is the Qu’ran and what does it say? What do Muslims
believe about Christ? How can Christians and Muslims meet and talk today?
For work such as this, both the Methodist News Service and the National Council of
Churches Commission on Interfaith Relations have honored Dr. Speight. The Hartford
Seminary named him Alumnus of the year in 2002.
At the time of his death, Marston and Elizabeth lived near us in the Evangelical
Covenant Church’s Covenant Village of Cromwell, a retirement community in
Cromwell, CT. While getting to know the couple, my wife, Doris and I came to much
appreciate their work within the Muslim communities. Often and happily the Speights
and the Swains communed through helping out at the First United Methodist Church
in Middletown, CT, where we worshipped and taught adult bible study together and
through memories of our overseas church work, theirs in North Africa and ours in the
Indian Punjab.
Marston is interred near his and Elizabeth’s son, Jonathan, in the churchyard of Hilltop
Covenant Church in Cromwell, CT. He also rests in the peaceful spots in many a
Muslim, Christian, and other heart around the world.
Submitted by Rev. James B. Swain (Retired)
Reverend Robert A. Traina
August 27, 1921 to November 9, 2010
The oldest of nine children of Italian immigrants
Angelo and Argia Giovanonni Traina, Robert A.
Traina was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August
27, 1921. While he spoke only Italian, he quickly
learned and then mastered English, having a
deep appreciation for language and its ability to
communicate God’s message.
Bob finished his public schooling in the Chicago
area and went on to receive an AA degree from Spring Arbor (then a junior college),
Spring Arbor, Michigan, in 1941 and a BA from Seattle Pacific College, Seattle,
Washington, in 1943. He married Jane Odell on May 31, 1943 before moving to The
Biblical Seminary in New York where he received an STB in 1945 and an STM in
LET US REMEMBER
1946.
While studying at The Biblical Seminary in New York, he began teaching, first as a
fellow student and then as full-time faculty. His teaching career there spanned from
1945 to 1966. His development of his own method of inductive Bible study and a need
for an appropriate textbook gave birth to his first book, Methodical Bible Study, which
he used for over thirty years and is still used around the world today. On a personal
level, he and Jane added three children to the family over the course of those years.
During this period, Bob received his PhD from Drew Theological Seminary in 1966
as well as ordination as an elder in the New York Conference of The United Methodist
Church. This same year the family moved to Wilmore, Kentucky, where Bob began
teaching at Asbury Theological Seminary. In 1983, Bob was installed as the F. M. and360 - Let Us Remember
Ada Thompson professor of English Bible. Administratively, he also served as Vice
President of Academic Administration at Asbury Theological Seminary from 1967 to
1975. His teaching role lasted until 1988, when he retired, having lost his beloved wife,
Jane, to cancer the previous year. He was also awarded a DD from Asbury Theological
Seminary in 1988. In addition, he received alumnus of the year awards from both
Seattle Pacific University (1978) and Spring Arbor University (1980).
Bob’s ministry extended beyond the classroom. He served as preacher, instructor,
and supply pastor at a number of churches in New York, Connecticut, and New
Jersey, served as Bible teacher at the Abbey of Gethsemane in Kentucky, and spoke
at ministerial retreats, professors’ institutes, and leadership training conferences for
various denominations. Even after retirement, he continued to teach the occasional
Sunday school class or to preach or speak at conferences.
In addition to authoring Methodical Bible Study, Bob contributed to two articles in
Wayne McCown and James Earl Massey’s Interpreting God’s Word Today and another
to Baker’s Dictionary of Christian Ethics. In his last years, he collaborated with former
student and colleague Dr. David R. Bauer to produce a sequel to his first book. This
sequel, completed before Bob’s death but published just a few months after, is entitled
Inductive Bible Study.
Bob was an avid sports fan and enjoyed travel. He liked to keep current with events
and politics but also enjoyed the occasional video game. His favorite outdoor activity
was golf, especially enjoying rounds with his son, Bob.
After spending some retirement years in Florida, Bob returned to Kentucky to live
near his daughters and their loving care. He enjoyed spending time with family,
laughing and having wonderful theological discussions with them. His passing
occurred on November 9, 2010 after a brief illness. He is survived by his son Bob (and
Glenna) Traina, daughters Jan (and Len) Wofford and Judy (and Marty) Seitz, seven
grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.
Reverend Thomas Irvin Vaughan
October 9, 1941 to June 1, 2011
The Rev. Thomas Irvin Vaughan died at his home
in Graham, North Carolina, on June 1, 2011. He
and his twin brother Jerry were born in Denver,
Colorado to Irvin Thomas Vaughan and Natalie
Goudge Vaughan. Tom attended schools in Denver,
graduating from South High where he won the State
Championship in wrestling. He was a member of
MEMOIRS
Emmanuel UMC and was active in MYF.
Tom received his BA from Nebraska Wesleyan University, majoring in Philosophy and
Religion. He lettered in wrestling, sang in the college choir, and received numerous
drama awards. While there he met Anne Coleman when he directed a play on race
relations. He and Anne were married February 6, 1966 at the campus church, First
UMC, in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Tom had an interest in ministry during college, but it was the summer after graduation
while he and Anne were working in Colorado, that he truly felt God’s call, after asking
Anne to marry him. Before attending seminary, he obtained his License to Preach in2011 New York A nnual Conference - 361
Lincoln, and was appointed to a Federated Church in Herman, Nebraska. In the fall of
1967 he enrolled in the Master of Divinity program at Saint Paul School of Theology in
Kansas City, Missouri. He was ordained Deacon in the Nebraska Annual Conference
in 1968. While in seminary he served as Youth Minister at Trinity UMC and later was
chosen to be Student Chaplain at the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas.
In 1970 Tom graduated and transferred to the New York Annual Conference where he
was ordained Elder in 1971. He was appointed to Beach UMC in Westhampton Beach,
in 1970; Good Shepherd in West Hempstead, in 1974; West Granby and Copper Hill,
in 1979; First UMC South Norwalk, in 1983; Waterbury UMC, in 1987, and Wesley
in Franklin Square, in 1994. He was a volunteer fireman and chaplain in several
communities, was active in the Camping program, was District Youth Director, served
on the Board of Ordained Ministry, and directed several Emmaus weekends.
In 1993 Tom had a heart attack followed by angioplasty, and in 2007 he underwent
a quadruple bypass. So in 2004 he and Anne retired to the warmer climate of North
Carolina, first to an apartment in Hillsborough, then to a new house in Graham. In
2003 his brother introduced him and Anne to the game of golf, so he was happy to
work at perfecting his game at the plentiful courses in North Carolina.
Tom loved virtually all sports and remained loyal to his Colorado teams. He was an
excellent actor, loved to travel, play golf, sang in choir, and read. He was fond of telling
stories, and was known for his sense of humor. He always had an adventuresome
spirit, and was proud of having been in 48 states, 9 Canadian provinces, played golf in
31 states and 6 provinces, and traveled to Great Britain and Italy.
After moving to North Carolina, he discovered that his grandfather was born near Galax,
Virginia. A trip there revealed gravesites of ancestors as far back as his great, great,
great, great grandfather William Vaughan. In North Carolina they attended Hillsborough
UMC, then Bellemont UMC in Graham. Tom taught several classes and loved preaching,
giving his last sermon a week before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
In addition to his wife, survivors include two daughters Jennifer Vaughan Bailey and
husband Nicholas of Natick, Massachusetts, Pamela Vaughan Weathers and husband
Neil of Andover, Connecticut; two grandchildren Chloe and Allister Weathers; one
sister Susan Vaughan of Creston, Colorado; one brother Jerry Vaughan and wife Alice
and nephew Travis of Vancouver, Washington.
Memorial services were held at Bellemont UMC, June 5, 2011, officiated by the
Rev. Dr. Jerry Jackson, and at Wesley UMC in Franklin Square, NY, June 25, 2001,
officiated by the Rev. Adrienne Brewington. His ashes are currently in Andover, CT.
LET US REMEMBER
Reverend Dr. Wallace T. Viets
November 26, 1919 to October 6, 2010
Wallace Trowbridge Viets was born November
26, 1919 into an active Methodist family. A native
of Schenectady, NY, he participated in Methodist,
inter-denominational and peace volunteer work as a
young adult. He served as President of the Wesley
Foundation at Yale University, where he received his
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 1941 and his362 - Let Us Remember
Bachelor of Divinity in 1944. He later earned the Master of Sacred Theology degree
from the Hartford Theological Seminary. He was ordained a Deacon by Bishop Straughn
at the Troy Conference in 1943 and an Elder by Bishop Oxnam in 1945 at an abbreviated
war-time session of the New York East Annual Conference.
In 1944 he married Evelyn Louise Cole, a school teacher from West Haven. The
couple met in 1938 at a summer camp in New Hampshire. They raised four children
and enjoyed over 66 years of marriage.
Pastoral assignments included United Methodist churches in Connecticut, Long Island
and New York State, from 1944 until his retirement in 1983.1 He lectured in Pastoral
Theology and Methodist History at the Yale Divinity School and served as a District
Superintendent of the Connecticut West District on the Cabinet of Bishop W. Ralph
Ward, Jr. Throughout his ministry he emphasized preaching the Gospel, pastoral care,
teaching and writing, witness in the community, and parish administration.
The Reverend Viets was consistently inspired and moved by his abiding faith. At the
height of the Cold War he led a mission from the Society for Enduring Peace to Moscow.
His early and continued commitment to civil rights was one reason two traditionally
black institutions — Shorter College and Allen University — awarded him honorary
Doctor of Divinity degrees. In the finest Christian tradition, his embracing of Agape
compelled him to extend his ministry beyond his congregation. He opened the doors
of his churches to the unfortunate and indigent, providing assistance to victims of drug
and alcohol dependency in need of support and rehabilitation. His sermons were lessons
coupled with what were essentially challenges to his congregations to honor their faith
in their daily lives. His books, Seven Days that Changed the World and My God, Why?
were his earnest attempts to share his faith with those outside his congregations.
Dr. and Mrs. Viets retired in 1983 to Wesley Village in Shelton, a Methodist retirement
community he had helped to plan. His active retirement included guest preaching
and lecturing, writing for Amnesty International, supporting Rotary International and
serving other Yale Alumni as an emissary, as Class Notes Editor for 21 years, and as
a Fellow of Timothy Dwight College. Dr. and Mrs. Viets traveled extensively, sang in
their church choir, read for Recording for the Blind, and participated in weekly Bible
study groups. In addition to his wife Evelyn, he is survived by four children (and their
spouses): Raymond (Victoria), Vienna, VA; Robert, Greenlawn, NY; Wesley (Marian),
San Jose, CA; and Marian (Philip Carter), Fair Haven, NJ; and five grandchildren:
Ryan and Whitney Viets, and Christopher, Bradley and Mattison Carter.
Services were October 23, 2010 at the Nichols United Methodist Church in Trumbull,
Connecticut. Reflections and memories were shared by the Reverend Joseph Piccirillo,
the Reverend lwy Patel-Yatri, the Reverend Kenneth Kiefer, the Reverend Donald
H. Kirkham, grandchildren, and others whose sustaining friendship spanned several
decades. The choir sang ‘The Eternal Goodness,’ a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier
set to original music by Dr. Viets. His ashes were interred at the Grove Street Cemetery
MEMOIRS
in New Haven. Memorial contributions were made to The Bishop Wicke Health
Center, Shelton, Connecticut.
Submitted by Marian L Viets, daughter
1 Hamden Plains, East Northport, Commack, West Hartford, Albany, Glens Falls,
New Haven, Huntington, Albertson: Searing-Roslyn.2011 New York A nnual Conference - 363
Reverend Jodey Williams
June 3, 1950 to July 24, 2010
Jodey Williams was born on June 3, 1950 in Ft.
Walden Beach, Florida, the second of three children,
to Bill and Verdi Williams. She is survived by her
father, William H. Williams, retired
Air Force Master Sgt. and Postal Worker. She also
leaves two brothers Jerry Williams (Monique) and
the Rev. Dr. Wayne Williams (Margaret), and nieces,
Elizabeth Williams-Katz (Howard) and Erin Williams.
As a child, Jodey was a curious sort. She had many interests and always enjoyed learning
and. trying new things. At times she seemed to be fearless in her endeavors and would
not take no for an answer. One of the concerns Jodey had from the early years that
persisted through her life was a deep concern for those less fortunate than herself. At
the deepest level of her heart she was a social activist, seeking to do whatever she
could to make this world a better place for all.
Jodey held a BA from Pfeiffer College in Theater Arts. Following college she moved
to New York to become involved in the theater. For many years she worked in the
theater — Off-Broadway — volunteering her gifts and talents so others could enjoy
the performing arts.
Jodey worked at various jobs for over twenty-five years before being called into the
ministry. She was a V.P. for two moving companies. She held a real estate license as well
as an appraiser’s license and for a period of time owned and operated her own business.
After her call into the ministry she began taking classes at New York Theological
Seminary from which she received a Master of Divinity degree. While in seminary
Jodey became legally blind, from diabetes. This transition did not give her a moment’s
doubt. She carried on through the transition, determined not to let her physical
challenges deter from what she felt was God’s call on her life.
Bellmore United Methodist Church, celebrates the life of their beloved “Pastor
Jodey” who was appointed to the Bellmore in July 2008. With extensive experience
in lay ministry before coming to Bellmore, Pastor Jodey brought a fresh outlook and
approach to her first position in the pastoral ministry. She shared her faith and ideas
and reached out to members and friends of the church. Although, legally blind she
could see and understand with perfect 20/20 insight the spiritual needs of her flock.
Through her help and guidance, the church began to move forward. Pastor Jodey’s
fantastic memory was truly amazing, as well as her knowledge of the scriptures, which
LET US REMEMBER
her sermons reflected. Jodey loved gardening, gospel music, baseball and chocolate.
Unfortunately, her ministry in the Bellmore Church lasted only three years. With
many medical challenges, in the spring of 2010, Jodey’s health began to fail. In spite
of this she continued to work diligently for her flock at the Bellmore church. She
will be remembered by them, and her family, as an accepting and tolerant, but very
determined servant of God.
Submitted by the Williams Family and Bellmore ChurchYou can also read
