Lillian Linebarger (’57), 84, of Denton, who worked at UNT from 1972 to 2000, died Feb. 21. She had served on the occupational and vocational education faculty and as a program administrator and project director for grant writing. She earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics from North Texas, then received her master’s and doctoral degrees from Texas Woman’s University. She taught in Georgia, Fort Worth and other Texas cities, and her skills as a grant writer helped earn millions of dollars for UNT and other universities. She also was involved with Women in New Roles, an academic excellence literacy program for families learning English, and assisted many female doctoral students in developing academic skills for the American higher education system. Survivors include her husband, Professor Emeritus of English James Linebarger.

Dorothy Deane Sills (‘45), 95, who worked in the UNT libraries for many years, died Feb. 5 in Denton. As a UNT undergraduate, she earned her degree in home economics and taught high school in Hearne before returning to Denton. She also earned a master's degree from Texas Woman's University. She worked as a library assistant at UNT in the 1970s in what was then the Library Science Library. That library was transferred into the main collection at Willis, where Dorothy worked until her retirement in 2003. She's remembered as a quiet person who was known to put her home economics skills to good use for a co-worker — baking birthday cakes.

Lt. Col. Gus Myers, 83, who served as the director of risk management services until his retirement in 2005, died Jan. 25 in Denton. He served in the U.S. Navy, graduated with his bachelor’s degree in physics from Eastern Illinois University and then served in the Vietnam War as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force. In 1966, Gus attended the University of Arizona for his master’s in nuclear engineering and then taught at the U.S. Air Force Academy. After retiring from the Air Force in 1982, he came to UNT in the 1980s.

Constance “Connie” Williams, 57, accounting specialist in the financial aid department, died Jan. 21 in Denton. She had worked at UNT since 2005. After raising her three children, she continued her education and earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Texas Woman’s University in 2003. She enjoyed making and giving quilts as gifts — to people she loved and to people she didn't know who were in need — and was devoted to her grandson. She and her husband, Alan, would have celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary this year. Visitation is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, and the funeral is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 29, at Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors at 2025 W. University Dr. in Denton. In honoring her wishes, the family will be wearing bright and vibrant colors and would love for attendees to do the same. Due to COVID protocols, please wear a mask at the services and practice social distancing.

Maydell Lillard, 76, of Denton, who worked in UNT’s financial aid department for nearly 20 years, died Dec. 11 in Aubrey. As a pastor’s wife, she had lived in many different cities throughout Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. She was a homemaker and an independent consultant for Home Interior and Gifts, then took night classes to pursue a career. After working as a medical secretary for the Denton State School, she worked at UNT from the 1990s until 2009. She loved being a grandmother and talking about her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Michael Abernethy, 63, of Little Elm, who had served as senior director of procurement services for the UNT System since 2016, died Dec. 9 in Grandview. He worked for universities as a director of purchasing and procurement for 27 years and served in the U.S. Air Force, including a stint during Desert Storm, for 12 years. He enjoyed biking, hiking and jogging and served as a church elder and teacher for many years.

Elinor Hughes, 88, of Denton, who was the director of the mini-course program and the Center for Continuing Education and Conference Management in her 21 years at UNT, died Dec. 16. She also served as the coordinator for UNT’s Education Opportunity Center, manager of the Inmate Rehabilitation Program and coordinator of the Elderhostel Program. She retired in 1994 and received a special recognition award for her contributions to CCECM. She served on the Denton City Council for two terms and served as Denton’s first woman mayor in 1976 and 1977. She was the pioneer of the idea that led to Serve Denton, a one-stop center for human services. Survivors include her sons Robert (’84 M.S.) and David (’89). Her husband, the late Bob Hughes, was a faculty member in UNT’s English department.

Marycarl Mackey, 90, of Denton, who served in the UNT Student Health and Wellness Center from 1964 to 1995, died Dec. 29. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University and went on to work as a medical technologist. She is survived by her husband of more than 60 years, Jim Mackey, Professor Emeritus of physics. They moved to Denton in 1964, when Jim joined the faculty and Marycarl began work as a lab technician for Robert Croissant and the health center.

Helen Hudspeth, 83, of Forestburg, who was employed in Housing from 1985 to 1997, died Nov. 2 in Forestburg. She served as a custodian in the residence halls. Before working at UNT, Helen served in the grocery store business for 20 years.

Walter Raymond Jones, Jr., 61, who served in various jobs at UNT from 2011 to 2016, died Oct. 29 in Dallas. He worked as a cook at Kerr Hall and in the housing/custodial area during his time at UNT. Known as “Old School” to friends, he enjoyed cooking, collecting watches and making people laugh.