Hometown: Fort Worth, born 1953
Present City: Garland, for the last 52 years
Education: B.A. in history and English from Bob Jones University, Greenville, South Carolina; graduate coursework in counseling at East Texas State University.
Profession: Qualified Mental Health Professional
Tell us about your family.
My parents were missionaries in Congo, Africa, so I grew up there and am the eldest of four. We are all five-and-a-half years apart in age. I have one brother, Franklin, and two sisters, Susan and Brenda. I have five nephews, three nieces and two great nieces. I met my husband, Neil, in 1980. We married in 1981, giving us 43 years together. I have lived at my current address in Garland since December 1978. We have been blessed with many canine babies. We have Gidget (a Teacup Chihuahua), Beauregard (a Jack Russell), and Fiona (a Pom Italia) at the present time.
How about your work or volunteer life?
I have been a jack of all trades, but was happiest when I worked as a Qualified Mental Health Professional from 2001 to 2008 for Dallas Metrocare Services on the ACT Teams. I retired from all paying jobs in 2015. Growing up in Africa, I would carry containers of hot sweet tea to people recovering from surgery at our hospital. Later in life I volunteered as a Big Sister and with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for several children. I really enjoyed my work with kids!
What are your favorite places to travel?
Congo, Africa; Texas; Austria; Jerusalem; and Athens, Greece. The Parthenon and the Acropolis in Greece are so beautiful!
What brought you to Wilshire and when?
Neil and I loved the beautiful steeple and the pillars on Wilshire’s building. I told Neil that I had to find out what it looked like inside. The pastor and the people were what kept us here. We joined in 1995 and have loved it ever since. What I am most thankful for at Wilshire are the loving people and the open acceptance of all folks. We don’t pretend to accept all; we do it with open hearts.
Tell us about your faith journey.
I accepted Christ as my Savior at the age of 21 after a prior confession of faith at a revival meeting preached by my paternal grandfather at the age of 6.
What is something interesting most people would not know about you?
I had monkeys, parrots, owls and village weaver birds as pets in Africa.
What adjectives describe you?
Determined and grateful. I love helping people and have a lot of love to share with the folks in my life!