Person Page - 4179

     Mary Lee Martin was buried at Palm Cemetery, Winter Park, Orange Co., Florida.² Her married name was Wickham. She married Albert Scott Wickham, son of Noel Freeman Wickham Sr. and Myrtle Leona Rumburg.¹ Mary Lee Martin was born in 1917 at Athens, Mercer Co., West Virginia.¹ She died on August 31, 2006 at Winter Park, Orange Co., Florida.¹ She WICKHAM, MARY LEE, Pioneering Central Florida Educator dies at the age of 89. One of the most influential early educators in Central Florida's mid-twentieth century boom, Mary Lee Wickham, died in Winter Park, on Thursday, August 31st. She was in the loving care of her family when she passed peacefully in the early hours of the morning from natural causes. Mrs. Wickham was 89 years old. Born Mary Lee Martin in Athens, West Virginia, in 1917, Mrs. Wickham and her late husband, Scott Wickham, moved to Winter Park in 1956, three short years after the birth of their daughter, business executive and education advocate Mary Scott Singer. While her husband took a job with the fledgling Clayton Realty, Mrs. Wickham began teaching at Blankner Elementary, and was assigned as the liaison to senior executives from high-profile corporations who, in the late 1950's, were questioning the viability of relocating their businesses and their employees to Central Florida. She helped convince firms such as Martin Marietta that the schools of Orlando and the surrounding communities guaranteed a progressive and superior level of education, as good as or better than northern schools, helping to convince them to invest in and relocate to Orlando. She began her teaching career at the age of 18, after an early graduation from Concord College in her hometown. She was invited by the Superintendent of Schools for Mercer County, West Virginia to teach in a one-room school that she quite literally walked to and from five miles each day. Working alone with as many as fifty children at one time from across eight separate grade levels - many of whom were only a year or two younger than she - the young Miss Martin developed an experimental curriculum for one-room schools that went on to be a model program nationwide. She spent fifteen years teaching in West Virginia, including working as a principal of Whitethorn School in Bluefield, and serving as president of the Mercer County Elementary Principal's Association. Taking a brief respite from her profession in 1959 following the birth of her son, writer and creative film executive Rhett Wickham, Mrs. Wickham returned to teaching at Brookshire Elementary School in Winter Park in 1965, where her innovative programs and curriculums were the subject of numerous Orlando Morning Sentinel and Orlando Evening Star feature articles. In fact, in her first year at Brookshire, following Walt Disney's announcement of his company's intent to build a major theme-park in the area, she promptly introduced a unit to her classroom teaching values and citizenship using the Disney characters. Walt and his brother Roy, upon seeing the Orlando Sunday Sentinel pictorial feature highlighting this particular program, sent a personal courier to her classroom with a hand signed note of thanks for her generous and warm welcome to "Mickey and his friends" accompanied by numerous gifts for her students. One of her earliest classes at Brookshire was invited to be part of the inaugural live broadcasts from the fledgling Public Television Station - now WMFE. In the course of her life she mentored dozens of young educators, many of whom are still teaching in Central Florida Schools, and in 1982 she joined a select group of educators who were given (then) unprecedented access to the classrooms of the People's Republic of China during a tour sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute. "I was fortunate to be able to be in the classroom at a time when teachers could still praise children by hugging them, hold them when they were troubled, and teach them about a world of subjects without fear of anyone being offended", she said. "She gave countless children the priceless gift of learning to read" said her daughter, "and she did it with great love, and the respect and admiration of every child and every parent of a child that ever entered her classroom." She remained at Brookshire until her retirement in 1987. "She survived the Great Depression and the Second World War. She met Amelia Earhart and had dinner with Albert Einstein, and still," says her son, "she found more wonder, interest and promise in a newborn child than in any historical figure or event. Only days before she passed, she was giving new books to children who came to see her and wish her well. Like the hand-painted plate that hung in her kitchen for as long as I can remember, she was, quite simply, a person who "feels to school teach." In addition to her work in education, Mrs. Wickham was a charter member of the William P. Duval Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and a member of the PSI Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, the international teacher's honor society. She was a member of the University Women, Orange County Retired Teachers, Brookshire Retired Teachers, and was most recently invited by the Governor of the State of West Virginia to return for a celebration that commemorated her childhood achievement of the Golden Horseshoe - a coveted scholarly prize of which she had been the first recipient. After retiring from the teaching profession, Mrs. Wickham continued to be called upon in private to advise countless educators and parents throughout Winter Park and Orlando, many of whom would stop her on Park Avenue or come by her home for coffee and a "conference" seeking her expert counsel and common sense advice. She remained outspoken in her own personal campaign for empowering teachers and parents, and it was her fervent wish that parents would once again take responsibility and that teachers would be given the requisite control in the classroom and respect and admiration in society that she had experienced when she began her work, nearly three-quarters of a century ago. Mrs. Wickham was predeceased by her husband in 1995, and in addition to her daughter and son, both Winter Park residents, she is survived by her grandson, Nicholas Reid Singer, a Junior in the Honors Program at the University of Maryland College of Business, Mary Allen Singer, a recent graduate and former student government president of the Hamilton Holt School at Rollins College, her son-in-law, Ivor A. Singer, Jr., and her son's life-partner, Peter John Narus. A memorial celebration will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Maitland, on Saturday, September 9th at 10AM. At her direction, a fund has been set up with the Church, in her name, to finance and support both secular and non-secular children's education and worship. on September 3, 2006.¹

     Dennis Rhett Wickham was born on May 19, 1959 at Orange Co., Florida.³ He died on June 30, 2014 at Orange Co., Florida, at age 55.² He DENNIS RHETT WICKHAM, 55, Maitland, died Monday. Baldwin Brothers Cremation Society, Winter Park. on July 5, 2014.²

     Robert Dysart Kirkpatrick was buried at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.^5,4 He was born on February 22, 1886 at Gloucester Co., Virginia.^5,3,4 He married Hattie Grace Wickham, daughter of Rev. Samuel Kinzie Wickham and Mary Jane DeWeese, circa 1914.^1,5,6,4 Robert Dysart Kirkpatrick died on June 10, 1940 at Richmond, Virginia, at age 54.^5,4

     His Social Security Number was 228-10-2187.⁴ David Wickham Kirkpatrick was born on November 16, 1916 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,5 He married Mary Jane Giles on September 20, 1940 at Richmond, Virginia.³ David Wickham Kirkpatrick died on January 12, 1990 at Henrico Co., Virginia, at age 73.^4,6

     Her Social Security Number was 228-34-2357.³ Jane Kirkpatrick was buried at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.⁴ She was born on September 6, 1919 at Roanoke, Virginia.^3,4,5 As of March 28, 1942,her married name was Urquhart.⁵ She married Anselm Bailey Urquhart on March 28, 1942 at Richmond, Virginia.^8,4,5 Jane Kirkpatrick died on November 28, 1996 at Henrico Co., Virginia, at age 77.^8,2,3,4 She Mrs. Jane Kirkpatrick Urquhart, 77, died Thursday Nov. 28, 1996. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert D. Kirkpatrick. Mrs. Urquhart graduated from Gunston Hall in Washington, D.C., attended the University of Alabama and graduated from the College of William and Mary in 1942. She was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Richmond, the Country Club of Virginia, the Tuckahoe Woman's Club and the Virginia Museum Council. She was the first president of Thomas Jefferson Junior Woman's Club. Mrs. Urquhart rests at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, Richmond. Survivors include her husband, Anselm B. Urquhart; a sister-in-law, Mrs. David W. Kirkpatrick; two nephews, Robert D. Kirkpatrick of Richmond and David W. Kirkpatrick. Jr. of Fairfax; and a niece, Betsey G. Kirkpatrick of Milford, Mass. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday in Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation of Virginia, 5001 W. Broad St., Suite 217, Richmond, Va. 23230 or a favorite charity. on November 30, 1996.⁸

     Mary Jane Giles was born on February 11, 1920 at Baltimore, Maryland.^1,2 As of September 20, 1940,her married name was Kirkpatrick.¹ She married David Wickham Kirkpatrick, son of Robert Dysart Kirkpatrick and Hattie Grace Wickham, on September 20, 1940 at Richmond, Virginia.¹ Mary Jane Giles died on May 25, 2010 at Richmond, Virginia, at age 90.²

     Betsey Giles Kirkpatrick was buried at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.¹ She was born on January 25, 1947 at Richmond, Virginia.^5,2 She died on July 28, 2008 at Richmond, Virginia, at age 61.^1,5 She Betsey G. Kirkpatrick, 61, of Richmond, passed away July 28, 2008. She is survived by her mother, Mary G. Kirkpatrick; two brothers, Robert D. Kirkpatrick and wife, Chris, and David W. Kirkpatrick Jr. and wife, Patricia; two nieces, Erin Rohme and Kelly Kirkpatrick; and an uncle, Frank T. Giles. Betsey was a graduate of the Collegiate School for Girls and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. She was actively involved in social work. The family will receive friends 5 to 8 p.m. Friday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Bliley's-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Road. A funeral service will be held 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Church of the Holy Comforter. Interment Hollywood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Richmond Hill, 2209 E. Grace St., Richmond, Va. 23223. on July 31, 2008.¹

     David Wickham Kirkpatrick Jr. was buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.² He was born on November 14, 1950 at Richmond, Virginia.^1,3 He married Lula Kathryn Wheeler on June 12, 1971 at Richmond, Virginia.¹ David Wickham Kirkpatrick Jr. and Lula Kathryn Wheeler were divorced on July 23, 1974 at Henrico Co., Virginia.³ David Wickham Kirkpatrick Jr. married Patricia Cheryl Timberlake on September 13, 1974 at Richmond, Virginia.^1,2 David Wickham Kirkpatrick Jr. died on November 27, 2009 at Jacksonville, Duval Co., Florida, at age 59.² He KIRKPATRICK, David Wickham Jr., 59, a native of Richmond and resident of Fairfax, VA, died November 27, 2009, in Jacksonville, FL. He is survived by his wife, Patricia Timberlake Kirkpatrick; mother, Mary Giles Kirkpatrick; brother, Robert D. Kirkpatrick; an uncle and two nieces. He was predeceased by his father, David W. Sr; brother, John; and sister, Betsey Kirkpatrick. David attended Augusta Military Academy and the College of William and Mary. He retired from a career in construction and electrical equipment sales. The family will receive friends 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Bliley''s - Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Road, where services will be held 12 noon, Saturday. Entombment Mt. Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, the Kidney Foundation or the American Heart Association. on December 3, 2009.²

     John Forrest Kirkpatrick was buried at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.^2,3 He was born on October 9, 1952 at Richmond, Virginia.^1,2,3 He died on July 29, 1957 at Westville, Mathews Co., Virginia, at age 4.^2,3

     Anselm Bailey Urquhart was buried at Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia.^2,6 He was born on October 4, 1913 at Portsmouth, Virginia.^2,3,5 He married Jane Kirkpatrick, daughter of Robert Dysart Kirkpatrick and Hattie Grace Wickham, on March 28, 1942 at Richmond, Virginia.^1,2,3 Anselm Bailey Urquhart died on January 22, 2006 at Henrico Co., Virginia, at age 92.^2,4,6 He Anselm B. Urquhart, widower of Jane K. Urquhart, passed away January 22, 2006. Mr. Urquhart graduated from Virginia Polytechnic Insitute in 1934. Most of his career was spent with DuPont in Richmond. He retired in 1974. He served in the U.S. Army from 1941-1946 and attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Mr. Urquhart was a member of First Baptist Church and a former member of the Country Club of Virginia. He was also a member of the Sons of the Revolution. The family will receive friends 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Parham Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 1771 Parham Road. Graveside services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday in Hollywood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. on January 24, 2006.⁶

     Edgar Clifford "Ed" Bower was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on July 18, 1875 at Virginia; His death certificate has a birth date of Jul 11, 1875.^1,3,4 He married Sarah Catherine Wickham, daughter of Rev. Samuel Kinzie Wickham and Mary Jane DeWeese, on July 4, 1897 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,2,5 Edgar Clifford "Ed" Bower died on October 13, 1947 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 72.¹

     Harry William Bower was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁷ His Social Security Number was 226-01-4319.⁸ He was born on August 5, 1899 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^2,3,8,4,5 He married Virginia Dare Lucas circa 1922.^9,3,10 Harry William Bower died on January 23, 1961 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 61.³

     Byrdine Kinsey Bower was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.¹ He was born on February 6, 1901 at Virginia.^4,1,3 He died on January 17, 1927 at Chelsea, Suffolk Co., Massachusetts, at age 25.^1,2,5

     His Social Security Number was 225-14-8102.⁷ Noel Clifford Bower was buried at Sherwood Burial Park, 1045 Lynchburg Turnpike, Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.³ He was born on December 23, 1903 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^7,2,4 He married Alma Virginia Bailey on March 24, 1936 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁸ Noel Clifford Bower and Alma Virginia Bailey were divorced on July 23, 1959 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.⁸ Noel Clifford Bower died on April 26, 1971 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 67.^7,3