Hometown: Bellmead (outside Waco)
Present City: Dallas
Education: Baylor University
Profession: Banking and Administration
Tell us about your family.
My ancestors moved from Arkansas to Texas just after the Civil War. I was born in Pursley Community outside Corsicana, Texas. I have a stepdaughter, Jeanne Poorman, of Wilmette, Illinois, and a stepson, Bill Hill Jr. of Austin. I have a niece, Carolyn Pearson, of Denver, and nephew, Louis Tobola, of Euless. My great niece, Adria Mauro, and my 5-year-old great-great niece, Nicole Mauro, live in Denver.
How about your work or volunteer life?
I worked in mortgage banking until 1992 and then went to work for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. I retired from the BGCT in 2002. I also worked at Wilshire for eight years.
Any favorite hobbies?
I enjoy genealogy research and have traced three of my family lines to the early 1800s in the U.S. I have assisted several friends at Wilshire and people from several states in their searches. I also am an avid reader. I have read over 500 books since 2020. I have a spreadsheet to keep track of the books I have read so I don’t reread one!
What are your favorite places to travel?
I love to travel in Italy and Greece. My two favorite cities I have visited are Florence, Italy, and Istanbul, Turkey. I have traveled to Europe and the UK several times and to the Holy Land with Wilshire and Temple Emanu-El.
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
I have joined twice. The first time was in 1957 upon my first visit. I rejoined in 1973 when I returned to Dallas after living out of state in Oklahoma and California.
Where are you engaged at Wilshire?
Discovery Class, Prayer Team, Adventurers Committee, WOW Brown Bag Book Club and the Belong Team.
What has surprised you most about Wilshire?
I am not surprised but am pleased by our welcoming spirit and involvement in missions here in Dallas and around the world.
Tell us about your faith journey.
My mother’s family was Baptist, and my father was Church of Christ. My mother was the influencer in my decision to join the Baptist faith. I made my profession of faith at age 12 at a youth-led revival led by Bruce McIver, later to become Wilshire’s pastor, and Baylor basketball player Jack Robinson.
Something interesting most people would not know about you?
I attended LBJ’s presidential inauguration in 1965. I also was privileged to hear Martin Luther King Jr. preach at Riverside Church in New York City in August 1961.