PSCC has praise for Foundation board chair
The Pellissippi State Foundation has recognized Christy Newman for her outstanding service on the Foundation board from 2018-26, posted Aneisa Rolen, the board’s executive director.
“During her tenure, Christy served on both the Development Committee and Executive Committee, culminating in her leadership as board chair from 2023-25. As chair, she guided the Foundation through several milestone events celebrating Pellissippi State’s 50th Anniversary, helping showcase the College’s impact on our community and region,” Rolen said.
Newman is manager for communications and community relations for Arconic’s Tennessee operations. And now she has a second job – board member emeritus of the Pellissippi State Foundation.
She got involved with Pellissippi State to promote STEM careers and create opportunities for students. “Her leadership was instrumental in establishing the Earn and Learn Program at Arconic, providing valuable pathways for students to gain education and hands-on experience simultaneously,” Rolen said.
New director of community schools in Knox County
Jennifer Ayers
Jennifer Bachmann Ayers is the new director of community school at United Way of Greater Knoxville.
“It takes a village, is not a slogan. It is a lived experience,” she posted. “I carry forward the same purpose, to strengthen the village alongside incredible colleagues and partners who lead this work with heart and commitment.”
Bachmann Ayers has been with the community schools program since 2018, starting as a school coordinator, moving to regional supervisor and now as director. She replaces Ellie Kittrell who was hired as executive director of the East Tennessee Design Center.
As a school coordinator, she saw what happens when a community comes together to support a school. “That experience shaped how I lead today. It taught me that strong schools are built through relationships, shared responsibility and the belief that every child deserves a connected and supported community around them.”
Stay tuned.
Carter High School Gala moves to Pigeon Forge
The 2026 Carter High School Gala will be held at the brand-new Tempo by Hilton Pigeon Forge Resort on Thursday, July 23, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are now on sale here.
“Join us for a fun night to support and celebrate Carter High School. There will be a catered grazing table, cash bar, limited live auction and a great time at the brand-new Tempo Resort! Tickets are $75 per person online or $85 at the door. All proceeds will be reinvested back into Carter High School.”
Carter guy Conley Underwood posted this information.
In Memoriam
Bonnie Anders
Bonnie Fawcett Anders of Knoxville passed away on June 13, 2026, at age 83. Mrs. Anders graduated from Hanover College and taught for nearly 30 years primarily language arts and drama at Cedar Bluff Middle, West Valley Middle and Bearden High school in Knoxville.
She was selected for Leadership Knoxville and was a Middle School Teacher of the Year for Tennessee. She was a founding member of Farragut Presbyterian. For the last 13 years she has been a faithful member of St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, where she served on two committees. Her obituary is here.
A memorial service will be held at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church, 110 Sugarwood Drive, Farragut, Tennessee, at 11 a.m. on July 11, 2026. As a way to share her love of art and painting, Bonnie has asked for guests to wear bright colors, rather than traditional black.
Glenn Graber
Glenn Campbell Graber Ph.D. of Knoxville passed away on June 18, 2026, at age 84. He was a professor emeritus of philosophy at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville since he retired after 45 years of college teaching.
He taught several thousand undergraduates, more than 100 graduate students, directed 29 doctoral dissertations and 18 master’s theses. He also chaired the ethics committees at St. Mary’s Hospital and the UT Medical Center where he was clinical associate in medical ethics and professor of medicine. At UTK, he established the graduate concentration in medical ethics program, served as Faculty Senate president and director of University Studies.
A memorial service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Friday, June 26, at 3 p.m. The obituary is here.
Phyllis Ham
Phyllis Headrick Ham of Sevierville passed away on June 18, 2026, at age 79. She grew up in a military family, living in various places. She attended the University of Tennessee and spent 28 years, teaching in Sevier County Schools.
Several former students commented on her obituary. One wrote: I had Mrs. Ham my 7th grade year at Sevierville Middle School. She was one of my favorite teachers! She was very classy, always had her nails done, and very proper. I had her for English. I remember asking her if I could go to the restroom. She said, “I don’t know, can you?” I said, “May I go to the restroom?” Funny how little things like that stick with you for many years.
The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 27, 2026, with a memorial service at 1 p.m. in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. The obituary is here.
Phil Munn
Philip Kent “Phil” Munn of Sevierville, passed away on June 18, 2026, at age 67. After earning a bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee and a master’s from Carson-Newman, he started his career as a first-grade teacher and bus driver at Sevierville Primary School.
Various folks posted memorial notes. Jessica Ingle said “it was the most amazing thing that he had pet frogs in the classroom.” Karen Sunstein was a co-worker. She called Phil her “favorite hippie. … I know he left a lasting impact on his students.” Crystal Sizemore (Bus 80) said Phil drove Bus 81 and their routes were close to each other in certain areas. He recommended her for the city’s summer camp program. “I hope to drive for them as well as you did.”
Finally, a fellow teacher from SPS posted: “He played an awesome Santa. … Philip was a great educator and students loved him! He was always such a happy guy and he will be missed terribly.”
The family will receive friends from 5-6 p.m. Friday, June 26, with a memorial service at 6 in the West Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home, 118 East Main Street, Sevierville. His obituary is here.
Note: Teachers raise children who write awesome obituaries. We love to make note of educators who have died recently. If you know of someone who should be included, please notify us at news@knoxtntoday.com/.
Notes & Quotes
UT Board of Trustees will meet June 29-30, 2026, on the campus of UT Southern in Pulaski, Tennessee. The board’s annual meeting starts at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 30, and includes adoption of the budget, setting student fees, salaries, and a capital improvement plan. All public meetings will be webcast and archived. Info: Tennessee.edu/. The full agenda for each meeting and related materials are available here.
Halls Museum Open House, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 2, Birch Tree Plaza, 7119 Afton Drive. An opportunity to meet “Thomas and Nancy Hall,” founders of the community in 1796. Refreshments will be served.
Red, White & Blue Bash: Clear Springs Baptist Church, 7350 Tazewell Pike, Gibbs, Friday, July 3. This free community event will feature food trucks, inflatables, games, contests, fellowship and a spectacular fireworks show to end the night. Bring your friends and your lawn chairs.
The Knoxville Area Urban League’s largest community event – Shoes for School on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Covenant Health Park – will be bigger than ever and in a new location. Talk with a representative about how the event supports local students and involves a lot of community groups.
Quote: “America’s story isn’t frozen in the past. It has chapters yet to be written, not by one person or a few people … but by all of us.” – Barack Obama on the opening of his presidential center in Chicago, June 18, 2026.
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