Staff
Revs. Judy and David Fletcher, Temporary Supply Pastors
We are pleased to be with you for the next few months of this time of transition to lead worship and work with the Session and you, the congregation. We are retired Presbyterian ministers living in Carrollton, Texas (North Dallas area). In our ministry we have served churches separately and two churches as co-pastors. Recently we spent 9 months serving as the transitional ministers for the Presbytery of Santa Fe in New Mexico.
I, Judy, retired from serving as Executive of Synod of the Sun for 14 years and was the author of Come to the Waters, the 2015-16 Presbyterian Women’s Bible study. I enjoy cooking and reading. I also design and create jewelry and mixed media assemblage art pieces.
I, David, retired from serving several churches as interim pastor. I chaired the Interim Ministry for the Synod of the Sun, served on the Interim Ministry Network for the PCUSA and led many of the interim ministry training events. I also served as part time hospital chaplain for the last 13 years. My favorite pastime is actually visiting with people – strangers and old friends alike.
We have one son, Brett, a technical writer, and daughter-in-law, Jessica, a reading specialty teacher. They are expecting their first child and our first grandchild in early October.
We look forward to getting acquainted with each of you as we all serve together to witness as Presbyterian Christians in Texarkana, Arkansas.
E-mail Rev. Judy and David Fletcher
Leah Doughty, Christian Education Consultant
Leah (pronounced Lee) has extensive Christian Education experience. Prior to moving to Texarkana she worked full-time developing and overseeing children, youth, and family ministries at a large church in Indiana. She has also launched women’s ministries, Christian Education programs and parenting classes. Leah is also currently attending graduate school to earn her license in clinical mental health counseling. She is lending her expertise in Christian education ten hours a week at First Presbyterian to help us improve and expand our Christian Education Program.
Roy Thomas, Custodian
Roy, the newest member of our FPC team, is a US Air Force veteran and a certified para-legal who also attended Simpson Bible College in his home state of Redding, California. Married to Joyce for over forty years and the father of one son and two daughters, we are delighted that he and his family chose Texarkana as their new home.
Blanche Barber, Nursery Staff
Blanche has enjoyed working with the children in the church nursery for over ten 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 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!
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, watching Griffin play tennis for the Texas High Varsity Tennis Team & all of his other many activities, reading, traveling, and watching college football.