I was born and raised on a farm in the country outside of Lebanon, TN. I went to a three-room, eight-grade elementary school memorable for potbelly coal stove heat, and outdoor toilets. I married when I was 18 and have been married for 54 years. Bill and I have two loving sons who expanded our family with a daughter-in-law, a former daughter-in-law, and a daughter-in-love – as well as have five delightful grandchildren. They all bring us joy.

We served as Peace Corps volunteers for two years on outer islands in Marshall Islands, Micronesia. That experience changed the trajectory of our lives. Our experience being the minority, living in a different culture and speaking a different language broadened our world view and understanding of people and relationships. We will always feel connected to the Marshallese people and our Peace Corps friends.

I graduated from the University of TN with a Master’s degree in Speech/Language Pathology and the University of Texas with a Ph. D. in Special Education. I worked with children who had special needs or taught others to do so, throughout my professional career. I taught at Auburn University in AL until my retirement.

We began attending Prairie when we moved to Colorado in 2009 after being members of Unitarian Universalist churches in Tennessee and Alabama. Having grown up in the Methodist church and explored others, I felt Unitarian Universalism more closely aligned with my core values, which are to: love unconditionally; assume good intentions; align behavior with values; maintain integrity; find meaning; express gratitude, and forgive, and ask for forgiveness. I am a listener who values solitude and find my self worth in helping others.

In addition to other assorted activities, I’ve served on the Committee on Shared Ministries at two UU churches and Vice President at another UU community. Also, I’ve volunteered two mornings a week at Castle Rock’s Help and Hope Center – food bank for eleven plus years since we moved to CO. There I helped get food to vulnerable families, made great friends, and got lots of exercise. I enjoy my salvia and hollyhock garden and I love mint tea. I’m looking forward to getting a vaccine for coronavirus so I can hug my family, volunteer in person at the Help and Hope Center, and share a meal at a restaurant with friends again.