-Compiled and edited by Shawn Nowlin
How would you describe yourself to someone who has never met you?
Jesus Christ is the head of my life and it is He that has blessed me with a husband of 32 years, two adult sons and three grandchildren, with a fourth on the way in August.
Where were you born and raised? What was your upbringing like?
I was born and raised in Hinton, WV. I am an only child. My mom and dad were hard workers and made a decent working class home for me to be nurtured. My mother is highly regarded in the community and known for her long career in food service. I played basketball, and although I wasn’t a “star,” I was able to be a starter on a winning team with a coach who got the very best out of their players. I attribute scholastic sports for keeping me out of “some” of the trouble that lurked around. I also grew up in the church and sang in the choir.
After high school, what was the next chapter of your life?
In 1993, I got married and moved to Roanoke after graduation. I worked at Atlantic Mutual when it was out on Rt. 419 across from Lewis Gale Hospital, first as a temporary employee and then full-time. My husband, also a Hinton native, had recently gotten out of the US Army and was working at the VA Medical Center in Salem. In 1997, we started our family with our first son, Anthony.
We moved back to West Virginia for a short while, and in 2000, we had our youngest son, Alec. I’d started working as a 911 Dispatcher, but shortly after Alec was born, we moved back to Roanoke where I continued my career with the City of Roanoke E-911. My career transcended from the Emergency Call Center to Banking Call Center in 2005. Since then, I’ve built my banking career in the Roanoke, Vinton, and Smith Mountain Lake communities.
What is your official title and what do your responsibilities consist of?
I currently serve as Vice President and Cash Management Sales Officer at Carter Bank. I serve commercial clients throughout Roanoke, Salem, Vinton and the New River Valley. I assist commercial banking clients with structuring their accounts and setting up their online banking services, such as remote deposit, positive pay, ACH and wire origination. In cash management, the focus is to assist clients with the tools and resources needed to move and manage cash flow.
How important is family to you?
Immediate family members – such as our grandparents, parents, spouse, children and grandchildren – inspire and encourage us to be who we are. We pass both good and bad traits down through the coming generations. Since I didn’t have siblings of my own, I’ve adopted a lot of people in my life who are just as close and important as my blood relatives. When I moved to Roanoke, I didn’t know anyone. A friend at work introduced me to a lifelong friend and sister, Eula Saunders. She, along with a brother that I have played music with for nearly 15 years, Rick Drewery, as well as my pastor, Jim Asbury, and mentor, Pastor Steve Henderson, are all family to me!
If you were building the ultimate music playlist for a six-hour road trip, which artists would be on it?
I have a love for all music! You’ll find a mix of Elevation Worship, Charity Gayle, Lauren Daigle and Maverick City. I would include some Yacht Rock – Journey and Toto. Anyone who knows me will tell you that Prince is definitely one of my all-time favorites. However, I also love country music. Chris Stapleton and Ella Langley are some of my favorite artists. If I’m driving through West Virginia, we’ll queue up Country Roads (the Oliver Anthony version).
How would you describe your relationship with the City of Roanoke?
I believe there’s not enough being done to transition Roanoke into a growth market. With limited growth, there is a deficiency with creating quality employment opportunities. With lower-paying jobs and the absence of new jobs, violent crimes will remain on the increase. Roanoke is largely democratic, and the model is higher taxes to help the underserved instead of conscious capitalism.
There are times it seems as if the government remains focused on what divides us instead of what brings us together. Rich, poor, Black, white, Christian, Jew, gay, or straight. I wonder what would happen if we looked at one another as humans? We shouldn’t forget the past or get rid of things from the past that don’t represent who we are today. When we do that, we risk opening the door for it to happen again in the future.
Outside of your profession, what do your hobbies consist of?
Singing – I am an active member of our worship team at Exalted Church and co-founder and vocalist of a Christian Band. Rick Drewery and I started Exalted Christian Band (ECB) in March of 2013.
Camping – during the pandemic we, like many other families, fell in love with camping or what some may call “glamping.” We’ve taken our RV as far west as Texas, as far south as the Florida Keys, and as far north as Niagara Falls. Getting away from the hustle and bustle and enjoying the beauty of God’s creation has become a necessity in our lives.
What has had the biggest impact on your life outside of your family?
The Lord Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, lived without sin, died, and rose again with all power in His hands. It is His selfless willing sacrifice, and Love that gives me a peace that passes all understanding. Lyrics to one of my favorite songs goes, “I’ve still got joy in chaos, I’ve got peace that makes no sense….. cause I’ve built my life on Jesus, He’s never let me down, He’s faithful through every season. So why would He fail now? He won’t!”
If you could go back and give your younger self some advice, what would it be?
One day, you’re going to have grandbabies to chase. Lose that weight as soon as you can after having your children. When you get older, it’s so much harder to start from the bottom to get healthy and those kids and grandkids need you around as long as possible.
