Dr. Virginia Horns-Marsh

passed away on December 21, 2005. She was born in Jefferson County, Alabama to Rev. John Clifton and Icie Draper. Rev. Draper served in the North Alabama Conference of the Methodist Church for many years. Dr. Horns-Marsh was preceded in death by her brother Rev. John C. Draper, Jr. , who also served in the Conference. Dr. Horns-Marsh completed her elementary and secondary education at various schools in the Conference and graduated from West End High School in Birmingham. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Huntington College. After marrying and having a family, she began her teaching career in Clearwater, Florida. She moved with her family to New Jersey where she resumed her career in Summit. She taught and later served as a reading supervisor. While pursuing a graduate degree at the University of Alabama, she was offered a doctoral fellowship. She earned both her Masters degree and a Ph.D. After spending a brief time on the faculty at Tuscaloosa, she was invited to move to Birmingham and join the faculty of the emerging university that became UAB. She spent more than twenty years helping to develop the School of Education to become a fully accredited unit at the University. She served as Chairperson of the Department of Curriculum program that has produced effective educational leadership for Alabama schools and colleges. Dr. Horns-Marsh was a long-time University Marshal providing leadership for graduation exercises. At the time of her retirement in 1990, the Trustees of the University honored her by the creation of a graduate scholarship that bears her name. Each year, several gifted young educators are encouraged as they pursue advanced graduate studies. Dr. Horns-Marsh was elected to membership in several honor societies. She was the founding counselor of Mu Mu Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, and international honor society in education. With her husband, Dr. Frank Marsh, she served as co-academic editor of THE KDP RECORD for five years. She served in several capacities at the national level. She held several offices including President of the UAB chapter of Phi Kappa Phi, the University-wide honor society. During her years of service she created the Children's Creative Learning Center, an innovative summer experience for area children carried on in cooperation with several area school systems. Dr. Horns-Marsh was also a registered psychometrist. She administered and analyzed tests for children for many years assisting both individual children and school systems. Dr. Horns-Marsh was also a long-time active member of the UAB Hospital Auxillary, serving for two years as Auxillary President and many years as a volunteer. Dr. Horns-Marsh is survived by her husband, Dr. Frank E. Marsh of Hoover; her children, Fred and his wife Dr. Phyllis of Greenville, NC, Lurie Pfeffer of San Diego, CA, and Susan Foster of Bartlett, IL; grandchildren, Stephanie and Rebecca Pfeffer of NY, Ian and Vaughn Pfeffer of MA, Jennifer Horns of MD, and John and Justin Horns of NC. Also surviving are: Dr. Charlotte Draper of AL, nephews John Draper of AL, Paul and Duncan Draper of CO, and son-in-law, Rubin Pfeffer. A memorial service to celebrate the life of Dr. Horns-Marsh will be held Monday, December 26, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at the Riverchase United Methodist Church in Hoover with Dr. Jim Savage officiating. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Virginia H. Marsh Scholarship Fund at UAB or to the Building Fund at the Riverchase United Methodist Church.