Former University of Memphis Law Dean Nicholas L. White died last weekend at his home. He was 94. An Ohio native, White served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II and later attended the University of Cincinnati School of Law, graduating with honors in 1956. He practiced for 14 years, before beginning a teaching career at the Indiana University School of Law. He later became dean of the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law at Memphis State University, serving from 1977 to 1984 and as interim dean from 1992 to 1993. He retired in 2011. The family will receive relatives and friends in the Fireside Chapel on Oc. 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5668 Poplar Avenue in Memphis. Contributions can be directed to either the Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law or The Third Marine Division: Make checks payable to Third Marine Division (note in Memory of Nicholas L. White) and send to: Caltrap – Third Marine Division, P.O. Box 466, Lisbon, OH, 44432.

Memphis attorney Lenard Hackel died last weekend. He was 79. Born and raised in Memphis, Hackel earned his law degree from the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law in 1967. After graduation, Hackel worked in civil rights for a social service organization. He then went into private practice with the firm, Nicholson, Hackel and Nicholson. Funeral services were held today at Baron Hirsch Cemetery.

A memorial service will be held Friday for Knoxville lawyer Lewis Russell Hagood, who died Friday. He was 89. Hagood graduated first in his class from the University of Tennessee College of Law and subsequently practiced for over 50 years, specializing in labor and employment law. He was a senior partner at his firm, Arnett, Draper & Hagood, and was a member of the Tennessee Board of Law Examiners from 1994-2001, serving as president in 2002. The family will receive friends from 4 -6 p.m. on Friday at Rose Mortuary Mann Heritage Chapel, 6200 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919, immediately followed by a 6 p.m. memorial service. The family requests memorial donations be sent to: The Salvation Army, 409 Broadway, P.O. Box 669 Knoxville TN 37901-0669 or UT Foundation: Lewis Hagood Endowment: c/o Ryan Young, UT College of Law, 1505 W. Cumberland Ave. Suite 248, Knoxville, TN 37996.

Chattanooga-area lawyer Jonathan Wayne “Bud” Vincent died Sept. 27 at 71. A graduate of the University of Tennessee College of Law, Vincent was an attorney for the Tennessee Department of Transportation and then went into private practice after retiring from the state. Services were held today in Hixson. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the McKamey Animal Center, 4500 N. Access Rd., Chattanooga 37415. Read more in this obituary from the funeral home.

Franklin lawyer James L. “Jim” Curtis died Sept. 13 at the age of 72. Originally from Soddy-Daisy, Curtis graduated from the Nashville School of Law in 1975 and began practicing law the next year. He will be remembered for his love of riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle and spending time with his grandchildren and family. A Celebration of Life was held today at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin. Burial was in Woodlawn Memorial Park. Read the full obituary from Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.

Memphis lawyer Thomas Bouse Avery died Sept. 10 at the age of 89. A graduate of Vanderbilt University Law School, Avery joined with his friend William H. Fisher III to form the law firm of Robinson, Fisher and Avery. Avery became active in local and state politics and served in the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1967 to 1971. In 1973, he was the chief draftsman for the Shelby County Restructure Act, which provided the foundation for the current county commission. He later served three terms on the Shelby County Election Commission, and in 1981 was appointed judge of the Circuit Court Division VIII. At the time of his death he was practicing with the firm of Fisher Avery Fisher. A celebration of life was held yesterday. Memorial donations may be made to the organization of the donor’s choice. 

Johnson City lawyer Samuel Burkhead Miller died Aug. 25 at the age of 93, the Johnson City Press reports. Miller earned his law degree from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1951. He practiced law for more than 55 years, first with the law firm of Cox, Epps, Taylor, Miller & Weller and then with its successor firms, now Weller Miller Carrier & Hickie. After retirement, he continued providing legal services to select clients as a sole practitioner. Among his many contributions, Miller served on the Tri-City Airport Commission, was instrumental in development of Johnson City as a regional medical hub, served on the board of several health care companies, and was a member of the city’s Health & Education Facilities Board for many years. A Celebration of Life will take place Sept. 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church of Johnson City, 900 Spring St., Johnson City 37601. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the church’s youth ministry.

Former Memphis judge Morgan Carrington Fowler died July 20 at age 96. A graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Fowler served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Following the war, he practiced law in Memphis, and in 1963, was appointed to the Shelby County General Sessions Court. He subsequently won two elections to the post and was elected president of the Tennessee General Sessions Judges’ Association. Though not deaf himself, Fowler was active in the deaf community, coaching deaf recreational basketball and softball teams, teaching sign language and serving as chair of the Interpreting Service for the Deaf. On the bench, his goal was to ensure that people’s first encounter with the law was a proper, fair and respectful one. Those who knew him said that is why he never pursued a higher court. A private service will be held at a later date. Dignity Memorial has the full obituary.

Nashville-area lawyer Bethany Gayle Conover died July 31 at the age of 48. Originally from Tullahoma, Conover began her career as a social worker and probation/parole officer. She later attended the Nashville School of Law, graduating in 2007. She joined her family’s firm and practiced primarily in criminal and domestic law for two years before becoming an attorney advisor at the Social Security Administration Office of Disability Adjudication and Review in Nashville. In 2011, she moved to the agency’s new Franklin office to serve as a mentor and trainer. She was still working in the office at the time of her death. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, 3259 McGavock Pk., Nashville 37214, or the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, 1321 Murfreesboro Pk., Ste 400, Nashville 37217 or online at las.org/ways-to-give/donate-now.

A Jackson couple who died in a car crash last week in Dickson County is remembered in this Jackson Sun story as leaving a legacy of service. Susan W. Hays, a lawyer, and her husband, John E. McCutchen, died Aug. 24. Visitation is Wednesday at 10 a.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jackson, followed by a Celebration of Life at St. Luke's at 11 a.m. A private graveside service will be held on Thursday at Ridgecrest Cemetery in Jackson. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Jackson and to Rotary International.