Alumni Obituaries – October 2014
Dr. Carol Carruth Johnson, (MAR, 1970), 69, of Broken Arrow, OK, the daughter of Reverend Doctor Thomas A. Carruth and Lucile Williams Carruth, Carol was born in Meridian, MS, on February 26, 1945. A 1967 graduate of Asbury University, she went on to receive a Master’s Degree from Eastern Kentucky University and Asbury Theological Seminary as well as a Doctorate of Ministry from Lexington Theological Seminary. At the time of her death she was a retired professor of Pastoral Care and Spiritual Formation at Oral Roberts University. Carol was preceded in death by her father and mother. She is survived by her husband, Rev. Lawrence Johnson of Broken Arrow, OK, and his son, Richard and wife Kimberly of Lexington, KY, and their three children, Joshua, Halley and Emma Jean, her son, Christopher Eisele and his wife, Tonya, of Bixby, OK, and her son Michael Edwards, her sister, Linda Carruth Davis of Homerville, GA and her husband, James, as well as three nephews: Philip Hager of Lexington, KY, Neal Hager of Franklin, TN, and Jonathan Hager of Nashville, TN.
Timothy Plant, (MDiv, 2000), 54, of Tampa, died May 27, 2014.
Donald Tipton, (MDiv, 1971), 80, The Rev. Donald Tipton, born Aug. 29, 1934, to the late William and Della Tipton of Paris, Ky, was promoted to Heaven on Aug. 31. He was a preacher and evangelist for over 60 years, traveling around the world serving in countless revivals. He graduated from Asbury College in 1967 and Asbury Seminary in 1971. He served as a United Methodist pastor and evangelist for 60 years. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Billy Tipton; and one sister, Sylvia Jean Ritchie. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Betty Jo Tipton; and his two children, Terry Tipton and Melody Tipton, all of Wilmore. He is also survived by his three grandchildren, Heather Naylor (Kevin), Jassen Tipton and Joe Tipton (Jamie). He is also survived by his brothers, Gilbert Tipton, Bill Tipton (Carolyn) and James “Rusty” Tipton (Susie); and his sisters Bonnie Banta (Billy) and Elizabeth Howell (Charles). He is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Hayden Trent, Karigan Naylor, Gavin Tipton and Abby Tipton; other family members and numerous friends.