Joseph Benjamin “Joe” Johnson was born July 22, 1931 in Dothan, Al.  After graduating from high school in Headland, Al., where he spent his childhood, Joe went on to Southeastern Louisiana University where he was the starting quarterback on the football team and married his high-school sweetheart (Betty Farmer) while attending college. 

Joe then went into active duty with the Marine Corps from 1954-1956 where he was stationed in Virginia, California and also a year in Japan. After returning home, Joe taught and coached football at Southeastern Louisiana University where he received his Master’s degree in Education.  Joe then went on to get his Doctorate of Education from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. During his career, Joe taught at Middle Tennessee State University and was the Dean of Students at Motlow College in Tullahoma, where he was also the first ever baseball coach at Motlow.

n the summer of 1979, Joe and Betty moved to Chattanooga where Joe taught and was the Dean of Students at Chattanooga State until he retired in 1996.

Joe had a passion for working with young students, especially coaching them in various sports.

Betty Farmer Johnson raised four children while holding down a full-time job and also maintaining the household with amazing love and care. She and Joe moved to Chattanooga late in the summer of 1979 where she worked for the Social Security Administration until retirement. After her children had left the household, she continued her under-graduate degree and graduated Cum Laude from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga.

At the request of her beloved Joe, she took on the task of learning to play golf so they could spend precious time together on the golf course in their later years. Betty was an avid Alabama Crimson Tide Football fan and as such dedicated many years serving in a leadership role for the Chattanooga Chapter of the Alabama Alumni Association. She and Joe were active members of the Hixson United Methodist Church.

Betty loved to cook and that was one of the many ways she expressed her love to those around her. She worked tirelessly to ensure everyone was well fed and taken care of when you were at her home.

Richard L. Collins was born in Birmingham, Alabama, in September of 1946. He graduated from The University of Alabama in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. His professional career as an electrical engineer spanned 36 years with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

He and his wife of 52 years, Sandra, also a 1969 UA graduate, have four sons and several grandchildren. He loved spending time with his family, traveling, playing tennis and Alabama football.

Richard was a member of Hixson United Methodist Church, the Chattanooga, Tennessee UA Alumni Chapter, and a Past President of the Knoxville/East Tennessee Chapter of The University of Alabama National Alumni Association.

Terry S. Nida was born in February of 1958. He graduated from Rossville High School and Chattanooga State where he earned his associate degree. He owned and operated Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park and several other cemeteries.

Terry and his wife of 40 years, Diedre, loved spending time with their three children and several grandchildren. He served his community by helping others in need. He was a lifelong, avid Alabama Crimson Tide fan and was recognized as the number one fan in Chattanooga.

Terry was a Deacon at Hixson First Baptist Church serving as a Sunday School teacher and supporting mission trips around the world. He was a Past President of the Chattanooga Tennessee Chapter of The University of Alabama National Alumni Association, Past President of the Rossville Exchange Club, Past President of the Georgia Cemetery Association, a member of the Rossville Kiwanis Club, Trenton Optimist Club, Rossville Lion’s Club, Rossville High School Alumni Association, Walker County Chamber of Commerce, and the Tennessee Cemetery Association.

John “Jack” Joseph Danner, Jr., age 83, of Chattanooga passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023 in a local hospital.

He was born February 19, 1940 in Mobile, AL to the late Helen & John Danner, Sr.

He actively volunteered at Tennessee Aquarium, Ronald McDonald Family Room, the Community Kitchen and was a longtime Treasurer of ChattaBama Club. Jack was an Elder Emeritus for his 15 years of service at Rivermont Presbyterian Church. He previously served as the Moderator of the East Tennessee Presbytery. Prior to coming to Rivermont, Jack was an Elder and Deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Payne, Alabama.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Springhill College in Mobile, Alabama and his Master of Business Administration from Mississippi State University.

Jack was a member of the United States Army and served a tour of duty in Vietnam.