Our People

Chuck Taber

Interim Pastor

Chuck Taber is an Army brat who had his right foot amputated when he was eight years old; and thus, became known as the Peg-leg Presbyterian Preacher. He has earned an A.A. in Marketing, a B.A. in Bible, a M.A. in NT Studies, and a M.Div. He has worked as a Page Layout Specialist, an Accounts Payable Clerk, a Payroll Specialist, and an Executive Administrative Assistant. And as a PCUSA pastor, he has served congregations in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland. He has been married to Veronica Young since 1978, and together they have two children, two grandchildren, and four cats. Pastor Chuck enjoys preaching, leading worship, camping, photography, singing, reading, and growing roses, and especially teaching.

Craig Crawford

Music Director/Organist

Caitlin Walsh

Youth Director

Caitlin started her journey with First Presbyterian in July of 2021 as a Youth Director. She worked with several youth groups over the course of the previous nine years in various capacities from youth mission’s coordinator to pastoral intern. She has also been a teacher in the Texarkana Arkansas School District since 2018. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Religion and International Studies from East Texas Baptist University in 2017, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Southern Arkansas University in 2020. An active member of all her past churches, Caitlin has felt very welcomed here. “The family I have been blessed with at First Presbyterian is unparalleled. This church is truly a place where all belong, and all are loved.”

Rebecca Johnson

Administrative Assistant

Rebecca has been employed by the First Presbyterian Church (FPC) since September 2015, first in a part time capacity and now full time. Rebecca attended the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville where she met her husband Chad. They married and moved to Memphis, Tennessee so that Chad could pursue a degree in doctor of dental surgery from the University of Tennessee, Memphis. Rebecca worked as the Director of Operations for an executive suite for over four years in the colorful and refurbished downtown Memphis. While in the last year of dental school, the Johnsons received the amazing news they were expecting a baby boy. The day their son, Griffin, turned one, they packed up their bags and moved back to the beautiful Northwest Arkansas area to start their own dental practice which they managed for fifteen years before deciding to move to Texarkana to be closer to family. Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and watching college football, rooting for TCU where Griffin has just graduated.

Blanche Barber

Nursery Staff

Blanche has enjoyed working with the children in the church nursery for many years. She loves seeing all “her kids” growing up. She has worked full-time at Miller County Abstract and Title since April of 2013 after many years at Stanhope’s. She still loves creating and leases studio space with several other artists at the 1894 Gallery in the 1894 City Market on Olive Street in Texarkana, Arkansas. Blanche loves our downtown area and is so glad it seems to be revitalizing. She also enjoys reading, and listening to singer/songwriter daughter, Caitlyn, do her own amazing version of creativity!

Stephen Cooper

Custodian