Category Archives: KGH Biographies

Biographies of students and administrators

Almyra Reams (Class of 1928) Nationally Famous in 1940

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KGH nurses would say “Of course she did” in response to this article about Almyra Reams. “She trained at the General, after all.” Almyra grew up in Franklin, Tennessee, and entered training relatively late — about age 28.  Soon after … Continue reading →

Class of 1932 Group Photo

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Twenty-three women were listed as graduates in 1932.  Only 22 are in this photo.  Graduates were  Hazel Arrita Boley – Mona Lee Booker – Lillie Alma Butcher – Naomi Dorothea Campbell – Clara Audrey Carmack – Aulene Alice Cowan – … Continue reading →

Virginia Mae Sparks Byers, Class of 1946

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Shelby, NC — Heaven reclaimed Virginia Sparks Byers, 95, from the Shelby Wendover Hospice House on April 4, 2021. She was born on April 29, 1925 in Union, South Carolina to the late Joseph Sparks and Pearl Anthony Sparks. Virginia … Continue reading →

Pauline Greer Shoemaker, Class of 1947

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Pauline Greer Shoemaker, “Polly”, passed away on early Thanksgiving morning, November 28, 2019, in Florida. She is survived by her four children, Karen Greer Simmons (husband Peter) W. R. Shoemaker (Randy), Therese Shoemaker Brown (husband Kent) and Jeffrey M. Shoemaker … Continue reading →

Alma Jean Campbell Geia, Class of 1955

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Jean passed into eternal life, at home, on April 30, 2020. She was assisted at the end by Avalon Hospice Jean’s Family called her “Alma Jean” but she detested Alma, so always used “Jean Campbell” before marriage. She attended Athens … Continue reading →

Beulah Bernice Minor Dunkin, Class of 1942

Bernice Minor Dunkin, 1969

Beulah Bernice Minor was born July 15, 1921, at Big Stone Gap, Virginia, the daughter of Mack Daniel and Myrtle Rose (neé Robinette) Minor.

Bernice completed her training in September, 1942, and married Robert Swann Dunkin, Jr., November 15, 1942, in Knoxville.  Bernice worked for more than 25 years as the Campus Nurse at King College in Bristol, Tennessee, where she earned a B. S. in Psychology.  The uniform photo at right was taken in 1969.

Bernice died December 19, 2008, at Tall Timbers, Maryland.  She was buried at Lynnhurst Cemetery in Knoxville, where her headstone proudly displays the emblem of “Registered Nurse.”

Bernice Minor Dunkin Diploma

Click the photos for larger images.

These photos were provided by Bill Dunkin, son of Bernice Minor Dunkin.

Class of 1942 Official Group Portrait

Class of 1942 Official Photograph

This photograph contains the compiled and captioned photos of each member of the Class of 1942.

Click the photo for a larger image.

This photo was provided by Bill Dunkin, son of Bernice Minor Dunkin.

Mildred Evelyn White Cruze, Class of 1940

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Mildred Evelyn Cruze, 99, of Franklin, TN, passed away October 9, 2017. Mildred was born February 18, 1917, in Kodak, Sevier County, TN, to Willis Clay and Belva Delozier White. Graduating from Porter High School in 1937, Mildred earned a … Continue reading →

Memories of Former Assistant to Martha Hefley, MD

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In My Lifetime:  Bearden Matriarch Recalls Researching Family History and Creating Her Own Margaret Vance Webb graduated from Knoxville High School in 1941. Webb went to some college at University of Tennessee to become a doctor, but she dropped out … Continue reading →

Mary Emma Kemmer Thomason, Class of 1943

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Mary Kemmer Thomason, 97, of Crossville, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at Wharton Nursing Home in Pleasant Hill, TN. She was born April 11, 1918, in Crossville (Grassy Cove Community), daughter of the late Eugene Spencer Kemmer and Canzada … Continue reading →