Sadly, Valerie passed away in 2003 at her home in Murfreesboro, TN. She had been ill for some time. In 1984, she had some culminating illnesses, beginning with a virus infection that settled in her heart, causing myocarditis and toward the end, she had developed a seizure disorder.
She was a Band Director at Thurmond Francis Jr High in Smyrna TN, and later taught Social Studies there as well. She lived in Murfreesboro. She was a cello, then percussion major at Tennesse Technolgical University (TTU) in Cookeville TN. She graduated in 1974 with a degree in Mus Ed.
She threw a pulmonary embolism in the early hours of 3 May 2003, Derby Day. Her plan had been for her housemate to wake her up, so she would not miss a horse show that was scheduled for that day. Unfortunately, her roommate was unable to wake her as Valerie had already passed.
Valerie, Janet Womack and I were very close in junior high (NCJHS). Valerie and I remained friends on into high school where, by request of the band director, we signed up to learn cello because the CHS Orchestra needed cellists. It was fun, and Valerie went on to be phenominal at the cello and everything else she played. Ironic, though, that she only took up the cello on a whim and became a music major band director because of it.
I've thought about her so many times through the years. She and I were 2 of the few, if not only, members of our 1970 graduating class that went from City to TTU. Somewhere, somehow during our freshman year, our paths diverged and I lost contact with her until many years later. It was when I met up with a very close friend of hers from TTU just a few years ago that I learned of her passing. I hate never having the chance to tell her how much she meant to me when we were so young.
Thank you for this, Sharon. Valerie was one of my best friends at Rivermont Elementary School. I don't know why we drifted apart. She was a wonderful friend. I'm sorry we lost her. Jean Anne XO
Valerie and her sister Pam lived next door to us growing up in Stuart Heights...Valerie,Pam, and my sister were friends all through high school....there were 6 boys and 5 girls in our neighborhood in our youger years, good times..................
Sharon Johnson (Hartman) (1970)
Sadly, Valerie passed away in 2003 at her home in Murfreesboro, TN. She had been ill for some time. In 1984, she had some culminating illnesses, beginning with a virus infection that settled in her heart, causing myocarditis and toward the end, she had developed a seizure disorder.
She was a Band Director at Thurmond Francis Jr High in Smyrna TN, and later taught Social Studies there as well. She lived in Murfreesboro. She was a cello, then percussion major at Tennesse Technolgical University (TTU) in Cookeville TN. She graduated in 1974 with a degree in Mus Ed.
She threw a pulmonary embolism in the early hours of 3 May 2003, Derby Day. Her plan had been for her housemate to wake her up, so she would not miss a horse show that was scheduled for that day. Unfortunately, her roommate was unable to wake her as Valerie had already passed.
Valerie, Janet Womack and I were very close in junior high (NCJHS). Valerie and I remained friends on into high school where, by request of the band director, we signed up to learn cello because the CHS Orchestra needed cellists. It was fun, and Valerie went on to be phenominal at the cello and everything else she played. Ironic, though, that she only took up the cello on a whim and became a music major band director because of it.
I've thought about her so many times through the years. She and I were 2 of the few, if not only, members of our 1970 graduating class that went from City to TTU. Somewhere, somehow during our freshman year, our paths diverged and I lost contact with her until many years later. It was when I met up with a very close friend of hers from TTU just a few years ago that I learned of her passing. I hate never having the chance to tell her how much she meant to me when we were so young.
Jean Anne Gardner (1970)
Thank you for this, Sharon. Valerie was one of my best friends at Rivermont Elementary School. I don't know why we drifted apart. She was a wonderful friend. I'm sorry we lost her. Jean Anne XO
Tim R Morton (1964)
Valerie and her sister Pam lived next door to us growing up in Stuart Heights...Valerie,Pam, and my sister were friends all through high school....there were 6 boys and 5 girls in our neighborhood in our youger years, good times..................