

After graduating high school, I went to work with Southern Bell in Atlanta. Three years later I enlisted in the U. S. Army and served 18 months overseas tour on Okinawa and in Vietnam and Thailand after basic and advanced training. I served my last year of enlistment in New Jersey.
After my discharge from the Army in 1969, I returned to work at Southern Bell. In 1971 I met and married Diane Griffin. We have two sons, Kevin, and Troy. For much of our years as a family we lived in Lithia Springs, Georgia where we attended Lithia Springs First Baptist Church. Our pastor was Marion Beaver, a wonderful man who was active in ministry into his 90’s. I was ordained as a deacon there and was blessed to be surrounded by many saints in that congregation.
In 2001 we moved to Pickens county. After visiting several churches in the area, we decided that First Baptist of Jasper felt like home. We were so lucky to land in the Fellowship Sunday school class which has played a major role in my life. In 2005 Diane died after a courageous two-year battle with cancer. This church helped me get through those two years and the subsequent grief that ensued.
I met Edie Jones, who worked at the fitness center that I attended, and we discovered many shared bonds. Edie had lost her husband and was spending a great deal of time caring for her sister, who was also dealing with cancer. Edie and I were married in September 2006 and are having a wonderful life together. Our family now consists of four sons and ten grandchildren.


Her interest include traveling around the world, cooking and competitive clogging. Samantha has deep ties to FBCJasper Preschool and cannot wait to build upon the great legacy already established.